A little background...
In January, Mark and I asked permission for Turner to join the children's choir/drama group at church called His Kidz. We knew that she liked to perform and sing, but it was also to give her a specific activity on Sunday nights while we were at church. His Kidz is traditionally for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade, but the leaders agreed to let her give it a whirl. I don't think any of us knew her memorization capabilities until this experience, but after a few weeks the leaders assured us she was going to know everyone's part before the final show. Mark and I both secured CD's of the music and I received a DVD video - and for the next three months Mark and I also memorized the program as it was ALL we listened to!
I am grateful for the opportunities this music and drama provided for spiritual discussion in the car and at home as she prepared for the big day. Conversations that start with questions such as, "Mommy, what does confidence mean?" Based on the text of the song, "Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, as our prayers draw us near, to the One who knows our needs before we even call His name." (Still my favorite line of the show.) I am thankful for servants who exhibit the patience of Job to provide this experience for children and enrich their lives both spiritually and musically.
In mid-March they announced the performance date - May 6th at 6:00pm. The same day as Turner's dance recital - at 2:00pm! Talk about a wild day! Add a few more things to the mix for the weekend (like a pool party, a women's brunch, the wedding of a friend, all four grandparents coming into town for the big day) and it becomes an even more exciting weekend!!
As you'd imagine, there are many, many pictures that didn't even make this blog post! Here are a few that will highlight the weekend our "star" was born.
The ladies' brunch on Saturday morning was held at the farm of a dear friend. Different ladies volunteered to use their china to set a table for 6 and you can see the unique backdrop with my china here. It was a neat mix of rustic and classic; sophisticated and simple.
After the brunch, I ran home quickly while my parents picked up Turner from the His Kidz dress rehearsal at church (simultaneously going on during the brunch). Then it was off to a pool party with the His Kidz bunch!
That evening, Mom and I went to one of the most beautiful outdoor weddings I've ever witnessed. The weather was perfect and the decorations were exquisite and perfect for the setting. While we were there, my sweet husband grilled a delicious meal and had it all ready and waiting when we arrived back home.
Sunday was the big day! We snapped a few pictures before we left home in the front yard, but then we arrived at the Performing Arts Center later than we planned so our seats made quality pictures difficult. But as you'll see below, our girl is not afraid to strut her stuff on stage! (Please know I didn't tell her how to pose here...this was of her own choosing.)
Between numbers I run backstage and change Turner's costumes - here are a few photo ops with friends backstage.
And now for dance #2 - ballet to "You're my Sugar Plum".
We are so blessed to have grandparents and "Auburn grandparents" (Mrs. Norma) who make Turner feel like such a special little girl!
After the recital, we headed home to regroup. Turner was supposed to be at the church by 4:00pm for a brief rehearsal, but since we didn't leave the recital till almost 4:00 the leaders told us that it was ok if she just got there around 5:00pm. She actually fell asleep in the car on the way home for a few minutes - poor thing is used to her nap! We regrouped, changed clothes, and headed to Parkway for performance #2. This was the one Turner was so pumped about - dance recital was fun, but this was the big deal to her!
Can you tell she was a little weary from the day? I started praying then for her to have supernatural energy to finish well - to be rewarded for all of her hard work with an awesome experience.
This picture totally trips me out - when did my baby girl get this big??
Turner was recharged as soon as the music started and when she hit the stage
I saw for the first time what I believe will be one of her lifelong passions. She loves to perform - specifically singing and dancing - and for her I believe it is a talent and a gift. 
Turner told us she wanted to try out to sing a solo (she actually wanted to try out to be the main character but we helped her understand perhaps that was meant for a little bit older girl) and we encouraged her to do so. She picked her solo and practiced, and then on try-out night she got totally freaked out by the microphone. We thought she was done with the whole experience - but thankfully they coaxed her back into the room for rehearsal. We assured them she didn't have to have a solo, but after rehearsal she proudly announced she got one! Mark and I praised her for her resilience but almost croaked at the lyrics they assigned to a 4 year old! "And in keeping with convention, I'll say yes to good intentions, to pray later making mention of your needs." The teachers assured me that as well as she memorizes lyrics it would be a breeze...good grief!
We practiced and encouraged, practiced and encouraged. My nerves were shot before they ended the song BEFORE her solo. When she stepped up to the microphone below, it was worse than I had ever felt before I had performed myself. What if she forgets the words, what if she gets off beat and that throws the next soloist off, what if she freaks out with the microphone, will she run off the stage, will she cry, what will we do to pick up the pieces? I have since apologized to my own mother for the agony I put her through in all my years of performing and pageants. I know I've contributed to her need for blood pressure medication.
Y'all, my baby girl grabbed that microphone and totally rocked it. She totally. rocked. it.
She stayed on beat and her words were shockingly clear. I was the
proudest mama in the house I promise you. The family row burst into
applause after she finished - there was no secret where the
Armstrong/Stone clan was sitting!
She didn't miss a beat with the singing and the dancing - only her physical stature gave away the fact that she was much younger than the other kids on stage. It was a neat thing to see, and so many people have encouraged this in her in the weeks following the production.
Turner and Mattie taking huge bow! She was SO proud of herself! Check out the theatrical young fella in the back...he's pretty proud too!
Turner loves these two teenage girls and thinks these are her best friends! Emily and Lauren are so incredibly sweet to Turner and make special efforts to encourage her.
Getting a congratulatory hug from Andrew and Clay.
It was an exhilarating and exhausting weekend that left me and Mark drowning in gratitude for the precious little girl that God gave us. She is special for sure and we are so proud of her!!
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