It was a long, long day today, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. We started out the day going over to Cumming to our chiropractor, who gave us all adjustments - and checked on Madison's feet while there. Already, her standing posture is improving. She has a great time there, as do all of us, with lots of jokes and humor with the staff and the Doc himself. We've been going here since before Madison was born, and she still giggles at the adjustments and popcorn sounds from her spine.
Afterwards, we went over to an eyeglasses place to see about getting Madison a pair of glasses. This took a bit of time, but Madison found a pair she was happy with, and we placed the order. In just a few short weeks, we'll get a call to come by and pick up a new pair of glasses! Strangely, we picked up on a promotion while there - if you get a new pair of glasses, you can get a voucher for a free ticket to a monster truck rally. I'm not sure what will come of that, or what prescription glasses have to do with monster trucks, but there it is!
Anyway, we got home, and that's when we all got ready to go do something pretty big: Medieval Times! This is a word I can finally spell without having to look it up. I've written it so many times lately that I think I finally have mastered it. Don't laugh at me. I have no idea why I haven't been able to spell this word, but for years I have struggled with it. Sort of like my struggles with a Rubik's cube, I just can't fully memorize the right pattern, in this case a pattern of letters!
Moving on, something happened tonight that was deeply moving. I didn't realize what it was until afterwards, but here's an email I sent out to a few friends following the night's events:
So tonight will forever be linked to that one event. Camille had told us she did something similar, sending out gifts to everyone and cards - and getting nothing in return. Even worse, she was believing in her heart with all this super faith that something could happen for her on Valentine's Day, this despite the fact that she got the news that one of her last unmarried childhood friends had just gotten engaged on Valentine's Day. So she was down, and then she got our email about this little story. And it encouraged her, that yes, God isn't going to just send anyone along to give her a card, but in fact a real knight in shining armor.
As for the evening itself, we had a wonderful time. It's a short drive from here, and despite the driving rain, we had safe travels and arrived about forty minutes early. There was a big accident on the road that delayed us, but we left early enough to still have time to explore the inner lobby of the Medieval Times area.
Suits of armor lined the walls, and there was an exhibit with an owl there, along with various gift shops that sold Medieval items like glowing pink fairy sticks. When we first arrived, we posed with the queen and her advisor, a guy named Cedrick. Cedrick the entertainer, I know.
We don't usually buy these sorts of pictures, but this is one where all three of us are in the picture, and it's a nice souvenir of a memorable night at the castle.
There was this great fireplace there as well, a huge thing that was just perfect for a chilly, rainy night. It was nice to sit near for a bit, but it did get a little hot, as Madison will be quick to tell us.
You've by now noticed that Madison wore her Renaissance dress, and there's another word Daddy has trouble spelling. One of these years I'll get the hang of that one too. Anyway, she looked beautiful, even with her Medieval Times crown upon her head. You can see her above, posing with a falconer and her live bird, who would be doing performances for us shortly. Also there is the royal herald, which is pretty funny because Madison is playing the part of a royal herald on KidPak's stage!
Ah! Here it is, time to enter the arena area and enjoy the festivities, and the meal as well! Madison was excited to eat food without using utensils. For some reason, that's a big deal, almost part of the whole package: "Hey, we have jousting, costumes, equestrian choreography, a castle, food and as a bonus to everyone: no silverware!"
We had VIP seating, which meant we went in first, and we sat right there in the front row. I had no idea of this a few weeks ago when getting the tickets. We had this perfect view of things, and Mommy and Madison were delighted. You can see Madison is quite excited to cheer on her knight!
And there he is! You read the story above, so there's no need to go on about it, but Madison was waving her flag for the yellow knight, who we decided should be called "the gold knight." Knighthood and "yellow" are two things that don't quite go together so well!
There was a lot of pageantry and spectacle to the evening, with costumes and royal ceremonies - and of course good food. We're sitting there eating, and the horses are literally a few feet away as they pass by. You can smell them too, another thing that doesn't quite go hand in hand with eating. But nevertheless, we did. Being in Medieval Times gives you some permission to eat in a rather undignified sort of way, right? Daddy felt like King Henry VIII gnawing on a big hunk of meat.
It's not all about jousting here. The horses are beautiful, and there were several times where there'd be a choreographed routine, all set to beautiful music and lighting. This looks like a set of some 80's fantasy movie here!
But it was all very nice. The older I've gotten, the more I've come to really appreciate the beauty of horse and rider. God's creation, the horse, is a thing of wonder, and it's easy to enjoy these segments just as much as others that feature knights clashing against one another.
All this was done before the queen, of course, and for her benefit and in her honor. We just happened to be there to enjoy the show as well, although she was of course a very gracious queen. She herself would go out riding as well from time to time, particularly before the commencement of the competitions.
They were walking right at us, right up to us. It was an amazing view, the three of us dead center there. And as soon as we were done eating, it was time for the games to begin. Our host got things started, all under dramatic lighting and mysterious music.
This guy was very good at his job, a deep gravely voice that spoke to his royal guests in the King's English, or at least the Queen's English. It was all very formal, and we were wondering if he used this sort of voice to order fries with at the drive-thru.
"Verily, I beseech thee! I beckon to my presence a vast amount of fries for my immediate consumption!"
You can see him here, addressing the queen and the royal advisor, who Daddy thought looked like Loki from this angle. Let the games begin!
Nevertheless, there was plenty of action tonight as these brave knights sparred with one another for glory, and apparently for survival. I think the official plot line - which was a little overdone in my opinion - was that the knights were dueling to the death, I believe to become a ruler of the kingdom. The queen didn't want this, because she's the only one with common sense around here. The knights didn't actually have much of a say in this - outside of one particularly villainous scoundrel. So they just did as they were told, which was face each other in the hallowed and sacred arena and nobly and honorably attempt to murder each other.
Fortunately, they all had jousting sticks that exploded. Now I for one love a splintering jousting lance. All these fragments of jousting lances were flying everywhere with each impactful strike. The crowd cheered as the attendants to each knight went to get new jousting lances. Someone call for the attendant! Okay, serf's up! Yes, that was a bad joke.
As the evening went along, we began to realize that they just don't make good jousting lances anymore.
Seriously, there's got to be a splintering lance factory nearby, and they must be making a killing! I lost count of how many lances exploded tonight. It was cool though, and everyone was cheering loudly as the knights tried to knock each other down.
It was a great night. Or a great knight. Either way, it was a memorable evening, one that Madison has been wanting to do for quite some time. She was so happy here, just having the greatest time. We will probably have to come back some day soon - it was all a very fun adventure.
Right now, there's a carnation in a vase on our kitchen table, a reminder of God's promise and love to her. That's what we'll always remember about this night. Or knight. We'll remember God's goodness, and how He looks over us even with these minor details. When she didn't get a carnation the day before, she got it from someone even better, riding up in shining armor in front of everyone and personally handing her that carnation she so wanted.
It was a night to remember. Or, a knight to remember!
Afterwards, we went over to an eyeglasses place to see about getting Madison a pair of glasses. This took a bit of time, but Madison found a pair she was happy with, and we placed the order. In just a few short weeks, we'll get a call to come by and pick up a new pair of glasses! Strangely, we picked up on a promotion while there - if you get a new pair of glasses, you can get a voucher for a free ticket to a monster truck rally. I'm not sure what will come of that, or what prescription glasses have to do with monster trucks, but there it is!
Anyway, we got home, and that's when we all got ready to go do something pretty big: Medieval Times! This is a word I can finally spell without having to look it up. I've written it so many times lately that I think I finally have mastered it. Don't laugh at me. I have no idea why I haven't been able to spell this word, but for years I have struggled with it. Sort of like my struggles with a Rubik's cube, I just can't fully memorize the right pattern, in this case a pattern of letters!
Moving on, something happened tonight that was deeply moving. I didn't realize what it was until afterwards, but here's an email I sent out to a few friends following the night's events:
_________________
Back in November, Madison went with the sixth graders on a field trip to see Medieval Times, and she loved it so much she’s been asking to go back. So we thought we’d surprise her for Valentine’s Day with some tickets to go tonight. We bought these last month, and back then I got reserved seating and I had no idea where - I just didn’t want to do “general admission” and all that.
MEANWHILE, yesterday was Valentine’s Day. Madison spent days beforehand making these hand-crafted origami flowers for everyone with customized notes on each one, sweet and uplifting words for every student in class. On top of that, she brought in candy and cookies for everyone too. It’s an optional thing, and sure enough: welcome to middle school. She got nearly nothing in return. One friend gave her a small card, but that was it.
On top of this, the school has this money-raising thing where you can buy carnations at the school, and give them as gifts to each other. If I knew about this, I would have gotten a few anonymously to give to her. But I didn’t, and at the end of the day, others got carnations, but Madison came home with nothing. No carnation for her on Valentine’s Day. She was disappointed. I found out about it tonight, and was deeply saddened, of course.
But here comes God!
Tonight, I had no idea our seats at Medieval Times were right there at the middle front. We had incredible seats. Madison loved the show and was so happy tonight. But here’s the greatest moment: A handsome knight on horseback rides right up to Madison, extends his hand, and gives her a carnation! In front of everyone, the knight in shining armor chooses her out of all people there to bless with a carnation. Madison told me the odds were one in a hundred that she would get chosen. No Madison, God did that. He knew you wanted a carnation, and He even arranged for a literal knight in shining armor to come deliver it to you!
I can’t even put in words how grateful I am. Afterwards, we found that knight in the lobby and Madison posed with him, holding her flower.
If your dreams aren’t coming true yet, hold on. God’s got a greater blessing for you just around the corner. And girls, don’t be too disappointed by Valentine’s Day if you’re still on your own. And don’t settle. God has appointed a knight in shining armor for you, and it will be a special moment, and everyone will just know it’s a “God moment.”
_________________
As for the evening itself, we had a wonderful time. It's a short drive from here, and despite the driving rain, we had safe travels and arrived about forty minutes early. There was a big accident on the road that delayed us, but we left early enough to still have time to explore the inner lobby of the Medieval Times area.
Suits of armor lined the walls, and there was an exhibit with an owl there, along with various gift shops that sold Medieval items like glowing pink fairy sticks. When we first arrived, we posed with the queen and her advisor, a guy named Cedrick. Cedrick the entertainer, I know.
We don't usually buy these sorts of pictures, but this is one where all three of us are in the picture, and it's a nice souvenir of a memorable night at the castle.
There was this great fireplace there as well, a huge thing that was just perfect for a chilly, rainy night. It was nice to sit near for a bit, but it did get a little hot, as Madison will be quick to tell us.
You've by now noticed that Madison wore her Renaissance dress, and there's another word Daddy has trouble spelling. One of these years I'll get the hang of that one too. Anyway, she looked beautiful, even with her Medieval Times crown upon her head. You can see her above, posing with a falconer and her live bird, who would be doing performances for us shortly. Also there is the royal herald, which is pretty funny because Madison is playing the part of a royal herald on KidPak's stage!
Ah! Here it is, time to enter the arena area and enjoy the festivities, and the meal as well! Madison was excited to eat food without using utensils. For some reason, that's a big deal, almost part of the whole package: "Hey, we have jousting, costumes, equestrian choreography, a castle, food and as a bonus to everyone: no silverware!"
We had VIP seating, which meant we went in first, and we sat right there in the front row. I had no idea of this a few weeks ago when getting the tickets. We had this perfect view of things, and Mommy and Madison were delighted. You can see Madison is quite excited to cheer on her knight!
And there he is! You read the story above, so there's no need to go on about it, but Madison was waving her flag for the yellow knight, who we decided should be called "the gold knight." Knighthood and "yellow" are two things that don't quite go together so well!
There was a lot of pageantry and spectacle to the evening, with costumes and royal ceremonies - and of course good food. We're sitting there eating, and the horses are literally a few feet away as they pass by. You can smell them too, another thing that doesn't quite go hand in hand with eating. But nevertheless, we did. Being in Medieval Times gives you some permission to eat in a rather undignified sort of way, right? Daddy felt like King Henry VIII gnawing on a big hunk of meat.
It's not all about jousting here. The horses are beautiful, and there were several times where there'd be a choreographed routine, all set to beautiful music and lighting. This looks like a set of some 80's fantasy movie here!
But it was all very nice. The older I've gotten, the more I've come to really appreciate the beauty of horse and rider. God's creation, the horse, is a thing of wonder, and it's easy to enjoy these segments just as much as others that feature knights clashing against one another.
All this was done before the queen, of course, and for her benefit and in her honor. We just happened to be there to enjoy the show as well, although she was of course a very gracious queen. She herself would go out riding as well from time to time, particularly before the commencement of the competitions.
They were walking right at us, right up to us. It was an amazing view, the three of us dead center there. And as soon as we were done eating, it was time for the games to begin. Our host got things started, all under dramatic lighting and mysterious music.
This guy was very good at his job, a deep gravely voice that spoke to his royal guests in the King's English, or at least the Queen's English. It was all very formal, and we were wondering if he used this sort of voice to order fries with at the drive-thru.
"Verily, I beseech thee! I beckon to my presence a vast amount of fries for my immediate consumption!"
You can see him here, addressing the queen and the royal advisor, who Daddy thought looked like Loki from this angle. Let the games begin!
One by one, the knights were challenging each other to a joust. This is a crazy form of combat when you sit and think about it. I mean, these guys dress up in all this armor and carry these sticks and try and knock each other off their horses. We're watching all this for fun, but back "in the day," this was serious business!
There was some ceremony beforehand as the knights were once again introduced, and each part of the audience was led to cheer for their knight. There were six in all, each color coded, and each designed to get a section of the crowd cheering. We were right there on the line between the "gold" and the blue sections, right at the border. You could imagine the fun taunting that was going on between the sections.
As you can see, the Blue Knight meant business. But other than the Gold Knight - or the "Yellow" one, Daddy's favorite was the Green Knight, just because of that awesome helmet he wore.
I want one of these, just to wear around the house. It's for fun. The lighting, as you can see in these pictures, added so much drama to the evening. The Queen, the herald and the royal advisor look on as the knights engage in combat. The Royal Advisor has a knight involved in all this, and to begin with there is a bit of suspicion about his motivations. He certainly looks suspicious, and there's one thing we know about royal advisors in pretty much every movie and story: never trust a royal advisor. They're all sneaky and underhanded and wanting to control the king and take over the world. In fact, I can't remember a single movie or story where there was a decent, honorable royal advisor. So just the very fact that this guy was a royal advisor to begin with... that makes me very suspicious!
But I digress! The challenges were put forth, and it was time to commence with the jousting and battling. The knights were certainly up to it!
Nevertheless, there was plenty of action tonight as these brave knights sparred with one another for glory, and apparently for survival. I think the official plot line - which was a little overdone in my opinion - was that the knights were dueling to the death, I believe to become a ruler of the kingdom. The queen didn't want this, because she's the only one with common sense around here. The knights didn't actually have much of a say in this - outside of one particularly villainous scoundrel. So they just did as they were told, which was face each other in the hallowed and sacred arena and nobly and honorably attempt to murder each other.
Fortunately, they all had jousting sticks that exploded. Now I for one love a splintering jousting lance. All these fragments of jousting lances were flying everywhere with each impactful strike. The crowd cheered as the attendants to each knight went to get new jousting lances. Someone call for the attendant! Okay, serf's up! Yes, that was a bad joke.
As the evening went along, we began to realize that they just don't make good jousting lances anymore.
Seriously, there's got to be a splintering lance factory nearby, and they must be making a killing! I lost count of how many lances exploded tonight. It was cool though, and everyone was cheering loudly as the knights tried to knock each other down.
It was a great night. Or a great knight. Either way, it was a memorable evening, one that Madison has been wanting to do for quite some time. She was so happy here, just having the greatest time. We will probably have to come back some day soon - it was all a very fun adventure.
Right now, there's a carnation in a vase on our kitchen table, a reminder of God's promise and love to her. That's what we'll always remember about this night. Or knight. We'll remember God's goodness, and how He looks over us even with these minor details. When she didn't get a carnation the day before, she got it from someone even better, riding up in shining armor in front of everyone and personally handing her that carnation she so wanted.
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