First concert was a snooze!

Last night I took my six year old son (MJ) to his very first concert! I wasn't too sure how he was going to respond to this atmosphere, considering he hates loud noises, but he insisted on going. My daughter, (PJ) 8, has gone to a few concerts, including last months Winter Jam show, so it was his turn. The headlining band sang his favorite song "God's Not Dead", the only song he is willing to sing during worship, so I figured this would be the best opportunity for his first concert.

The only reason why we were able to attend the Newsboys show was due to the concert tickets I won through K-LOVE's contest. I saw a posting on their Facebook page, stating any Omaha area listeners can text for a chance to win tickets. I had forgot all about it over the weekend, then come Monday I received a surprise text. "Hey guess what?! You just won 2 newsboys tickets". We were all excited! The original plan was to take my daughter but after MJ showed interest, his big sis graciously agreed to hang out with Paca and Gramma instead, so he could go.
After dropping PJ off last night, the boy and I ran through the Runza drive-thru so he could get some dinosaur eggs (aka mini corn dogs) and a Sprite. It was right across the street from the concert venue, Bellevue Christian Center, so we sat in the car eating while the line dwindled. Close seats didn't matter to us so waiting was perfectly OK. Once he filled his tummy we headed down the walk (taking the short cut down the very steep grassy hill was fun in itself).
We got in pretty quickly even though we had to wait in the "will call" line, and headed to find seats. I let him lead and we ended up at the top of the balcony. It was great for him except a group of teens/tweens, were, well, acting like teens/tweens. We went back down to get MJ a couple flashy foam sticks (it was his first concert after all, lol). While down in the foyer, we found ear plugs for sale, which was great because I forgot his ear plugs in the van. We loaded up and went back up to the balcony, but decide to find a more comfortable spot. And we found the PERFECT spot for us! Dead center at the very top! Since it is a smaller venue (large church, maybe not quite a mega church), we could fully make out who was who, and we had enough room for MJ to move around without bothering anyone too much. I stuck the ear plugs in his ears and got comfortable until the concert started.

We didn't have to wait long and Campbell came out on stage! This was a girls duo I have never heard of before. From the couple songs we heard, I could tell my daughter would have really liked them! The next band was All Things New, and I really enjoyed this band! They sang a few songs, of which I had heard 2 before. I love the background story of the lead singer, and they really know how to worship! I stole the picture at left from their Facebook page. See that red light at the very top above the microphone? Yup that's us!

 At this point the noise level was really starting to get to MJ, even though he had the ear plugs in. I told him there was one more band before Newsboys and we would go after we heard his favorite song. He was OK with this, and when Brit Nicole came out, he really got into the music. He was dancing and waving his flashing sticks around clapping with them, etc. This lasted for a whole 2 songs. My son, the boy who doesn't care for loud noises, laid down and promptly fell asleep!!! I, on the other hand, enjoyed the rest of Brit Nicole's performance. She is a teeny-bopper styled artist (complete with back ground dancers, although due to her being pregnant didn't do much dancing herself), but her messages are fantastic and the beats really get you moving! Another artist my daughter would love if she had been there! 

 During intermission, while they set the stage for the main event! I held my little man while he sleep (the only time when it is OK if your date falls asleep is when it is your son). I figured once Newsboys took the stage it would stir him, or I would try to wake him. It was a school night anyway and it was normal bedtime.

As they were trying to usher the crowds back to their seats with a 2 minute count down, I tried to wake him with no luck. I replaced his ear plugs that fell out and covered his ears for added measure. T-10 seconds! The screaming and cheering didn't bother him. Then the Newsboys hit the stage and the wall I had my back on started vibrating, the lyrics to 'Something Beautiful" (my personal fave of theirs) began to ring out. MJ could care less! 

Then silence and darkness...

During the 3rd song, "Love Never Fails" the stage lost power, at this point, my son woke up. What's going on?! Apparently a couple circuits blew. The crowds were entertaining themselves, chanting, yelling. After about 5 minutes I asked MJ if he wanted to go or wait to hear his song. It was after 9pm at this point, he was still halfway asleep and he just wanted to snuggle up in his bed. We ended up leaving as soon as the sound and lights came back up. Mommy had to sacrifice the rest of the concert though, her little buddy needed to get home.

On the walk back to the car, he was happy with his first concert experience, and his night out with mommy. He was also excited about finishing his food. He's a boy, "Mom, I am always hungry" he usually says.

In the car, as he finished his dinosaur eggs, I asked what his favorite part was. "Besides sleeping in church", I said. He sets his empty Runza bag on the seat next to him, leans his head back and says "Sleeping in the car".

 It might not have been exactly what I wanted his concert experience to be, but he was content. He can now say he went to a concert and can tell all his friends about it during show and tell, while he show off  his flashing foam sticks (he actually gave one to his sister this morning). Will he ever go to a concert again? I don't know, but according to him, it was a great night. Even if he didn't get to hear his favorite song played live.

 Psalm 131:2But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.