Before I tell you about our family trip to the Ky Opry this past weekend, I want to share with you the…
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Now to my post!
This past Saturday our family headed back down to Draffenville, Kentucky for Jonathan to participate in the Elimination Round in the Beginner’s Division at the Kentucky Opry.
I was looking forward to this trip SO much because it is such great family time!
The first time Jonathan performed at the Ky Opry, we just took Luke with us. But this time we had the whole crew with us!
I dressed the younger three brothers alike to help me keep up with them! 
It is a four hour drive to Draffenville, so this time we decided to get a hotel room instead of driving back home in the middle of the night.
We got to our hotel before the performance and chilled out for a few minutes by watching some tv. (Except for Eli!)
I asked Cy to take a picture of me with my four handsome boys!
Can you believe I am so outnumbered, girls?! I could have never imagined that God would have blessed me with four boys. I have always wanted a daughter, but I can truthfully say that my heart has never been so full. I wouldn’t trade a million daughters for one of my boys!
I asked Jonathan to get a picture of me and Cy together since I always forget to. I realized that when we got back from our Spring Break vacation this year that I didn’t get one single picture of me and Cy together. 
This man is the love of my life!
We arrived at the Ky Opry early to let Jonathan practice his song with their incredible piano player, Angela Mosley. Angela is sooo amazing! She was born blind but can play music by ear. Her talent is beyond words!
After Jonathan practiced, we hung out in the lobby at the Opry a bit. Here is Jonathan with his little amigo, Eli…
Daddy and Luke just chillin’…
Jonathan and Adam being sweet, and Eli being…well…Eli!
Eli decided to rest for just a minute…
Which gave him just enough energy for this picture…
Which at this point, Cy and I decided that we should get in the car and get a bite to eat before our boys tore the place down.
We had about an hour and 15 minutes before the contest began, so we jumped in the car and headed to Arby’s to get the boys a quick meal.
Luke was entertaining his brothers with a story before the food came…
After we filled our bellies, we headed back to the Opry with 30 minutes to spare.
Then we had to wait for the show to begin. We were checking out all the contestants on the audience ballets.
There were 14 contests in this round. They were the weekly winners in the Beginner’s Division.
Jonathan sang fourth, and he sang the Chris Tomlin version of Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone.)
Jonathan sang his heart out (even though he was battling a cough and a sore throat, and only one of his hearing aids were working!)
This is the same song that he sang at my mom’s funeral (by her request) almost three years ago. I know my mom would have been so proud of him for singing it at the Opry.
I almost wanted to raise my hands in praise as he sang out “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free!”
God is so good.
After everyone had performed, they brought all the contestants on staged and announced the 7 winners that would be advancing to the semi-final round.
Jonathan made it to the top 7!
We were so excited!!!
We have been to the Ky Opry twice now, and I cannot tell you what a wonderful time we have had each time.
It is the most wholesome, family friendly thing we have been to in a long time. Clay and Barbie Campbell, the owners of the Ky Opry, are so incredibly sweet! As I sat in my seat, I just thought about my parents and grandparents, and how much they would enjoy being there. To me, it’s the way family entertainment should be. I sang out loud and strong as we clapped and sang “I’ll Fly Away” and “Rocky Top” with the Ky Opry Band.
It’s just pure goodness and sweetness to the core.
I am so very thankful that our family has gotten to be a part of this talent competition. You just can’t put a price tag on times like these with your family!
Thank you to everyone who thought of us this weekend and prayed for Jonathan. We truly appreciate it.
Here is the video of him singing at the Ky Opry:
(If you are reading this in a reader, you may need to click over to my blog to view this video.)
