Journal worthy

This is a day that Ashlyn & Tyler won't soon forget, but the details will get fuzzy for me, so I'm recording them in the blogosphere for safe keeping!

A month or so ago, grandfather invited the 10 primary-aged grandchildren and greats that live near by to sing "Follow the Prophet" for President Monson in a Regional Broadcast recording. Ummm...are you kidding me?!? How lucky are they? So Tuesday was the big day, and boy were they excited when we pulled up to the church office building and they had 4 golf carts ready & waiting. Here's a shot of the fun crew

Grandfather arrived and we were all excited to grab a quick photo, then get into our own little carts and whiz through the underground tunnels and get a "backstage pass" through the belly of all of the various buildings.

The kids were so excited and the drivers even put on their flashing lights to up the wow factor. And impress them they did!

We got to the studio where they were going to film the broadcast and the kids were so excited. See, can't you see the excitement oozing out of them in this picture?!?!?

They were pretty distracted with the lights, the teleprompters, the cameras and the set. Trying to soak it all in before one last rehearsal of the song. I love this picture below of the kids singing and grandfather watching in the wings. He would do a slight jig during the chorus because, how can you not?! The kids mentioned to me how they loved that. But really, this so typifies him. Supporting us and making meaningful experiences available for all of his family whenever possible. I really don't know how I lucked out with him.

After they ran through it, right before the recording, there was President Monson. He said he hoped they got to miss school for this, which they enthusiastically responded in the affirmative! It really was so special to watch each of the kids interact with him as they were introduced. But my nephew, Lucas, below with this darling red-hair got extra special attention.

President Monson zeroed right in on him and pulled him in close to him and Luke nuzzled right on up to him as if he'd known him his whole life! He admired his crimson locks (which grandfather later said--"Oh yes, him picking out a red-headed child is as predictable as the night following day!") and then kept him in the crook of his arm for the prayer before this broadcast. And boy was this prayer needed. Not only for the songs and talks being offered, but that we'd have to keep all of these kids quiet as a mouse for over an hour and half for the recording!!

The kids sang their hearts out to Follow the Prophet as they sang FOR him. What a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. One that won't ever be forgotten by Ash & Ty at such an impressionable age, nor for this grateful mother. How do you thank someone adequately for giving her children a gift of solidifying their testimonies that a prophet lives today? It was a touching and memorable day.