Ron & I got to escape, by ourselves, 
to Steven Curtis Chapman's concert a few weeks back. The day started off nicely with a long bike ride with the kids. Followed up by playing games & showers. Justin & Tanner took their showers first. When Tanner got out of the shower he was 'yelling' at Justin for using up all the hot water. Red flag went off in my head - we have never lost hot water. I think we have the biggest hot water tank around!! I sent Ron to the basement to see if he could detect a problem. He reported that the flame was out but that he re-lit it. Ahh, now I would be able to take a nice long hot shower. Wrong!!! When I hopped in, the water was freezing. We thought that the tank might have emptied so we waited for a bit for it to fill back up with hot water. Time was ticking as I & Ron, not to mention Amanda, needed a shower before we left for the concert. Times up.....I could no longer wait to take a shower. The concert was approaching & I had to get ready (I would have forgone the shower if I wasn't sweaty from the bike ride & had the most hideous hair). Let's just say that that was one of the coldest showers I have ever taken. Ron just wet his hair in the sink, threw on some extra deodorant & off we went (we couldn't freeze Amanda, she would have to wait until tomorrow). Side note: the hot water tank was broken but thanks to Mrs. Wang, the repair people came on Sunday, along with Mrs. Wang, & fixed the tank. Hot showers felt good on Sunday!!!!
Rough start but things could only get better. SCC (Steven Curtis Chapman, for short) is a wonderful Christian singer who has a love for God & for the people of China. He has 3 biological children & 3 adopted girls from China. We had the opportunity
to meet SCC & his 2 boys, Caleb & Will, after the concert. The money from all the concerts he performed in China were donated to one of the many projects he has been working on in China. This particular tour helped build an orphanage in China that will house many children with severe disabilities & most likely never put on the adoption lists. During our 'meet & greet', he signed Amanda's copy of the children's book, Shaoey & Dot, that he & his wife wrote about their first adoption. We also had many photos taken. It was a very nice evening. I even forgot about the rough start!!!
I will leave you with the words to his song 'Cinderella' which has touched me in many ways.
She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders
It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me saying, "Dad I need you
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh please, Daddy, please"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh please, Daddy, please"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...
Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling all they had planned
She says, "Dad the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh please, Daddy, please"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...
