Date night

Last week, Andy and I found out some of our favorite singers/songwriters, Andy Gullahorn and Jill Phillips, were going to have a concert up in Olympia, WA. We found out on Friday and the concert was for the next Friday. This was way too good to pass up. We had a whole week to come up with a plan.

Olympia, WA is a 2-3 hour drive from our place and if we went to this concert we wouldn't be back until after midnight.

So let me lay out the scenario for you: Childcare for 4 children, including one 7 month old who really has only taken the bottle from her parents, ever. We had to leave town by 3pm to make it in time to grab dinner and then get to the concert by 7pm. Then, of course, we would not make it back home until after 12midnight. This means 8 or more hours of, preferably free, childcare.

This is how it happened:
3:00-6:00 My parents watch the 3 older kiddos
3:30 Andy and I drive to our friends, in Canby, to drop off Luci and pray for the best
3:40 We speed off to our much anticipated "non-kid" road trip and concert
Meanwhile back at the home front...
6:00 My parents hand off the 3 kids to our neighbors across the street
6:45 Andy's parents swoop in from the long drive from Southern Oregon and pick up the kids from the neighbors and they all get settled back at our house
8:00 Our friends, the Goodmans, drop Luci off back at our house with Andy's parents so she can sleep in her own bed (we later found out she literally cried most of the afternoon/evening and refused to eat, sorry Goodmans!)
1:00am Andy and I roll back in to find everyone peacefully asleep in their cozy beds.

THIS kind of organization is not for the faint of heart, my friends. Going on a real date takes some serious effort, but it is totally worth it!! Andy and I actually had long conversations as we drove in our quiet car, basking in every minute. We love our kids, but man, we do love having some time to just enjoy one another!

Thank the Good Lord for family and friends who were able to help us arrange this web of childcare!

And as for the concert, it was the best one I've been to. We got front row seats and even had an opportunity to talk with both of them afterward.

Andy Gullahorn and Jill Phillips are married and sing their hearts out together. Their lyrics are simple, everyday, stories of the Grace of God. Andy and I have been so encouraged and inspired by their music. You MUST give their music a try! You might even be able to download free tunes on Noisetrade.
Here are their links. Enjoy!

http://www.andygullahorn.com/
http://www.jillphillips.com/