Emotional Bubblings

One more post before we head out this afternoon.

My worries concerning forgetting anything will dissipate tremendously once my son is on the plane. Figure if we forget any minor things here at home tonight then we can always stop by Wal-mart in Kansas City. But once he boards that plane there's nothing I can do.

The major players are good to go, tucked in his carryon. He's got his passport, driver's license, pounds, euros, and francs, the Visa cash card, and then a bit of U.S. cash stashed away in the neck pouch.

It almost cracked me up last night. Here we've been trying to get the ducks in a row concerning the foreign currency, that I completely neglected any U.S. dollars for snacks or goods while in the U.S. airports. Popped him a twenty for good measure. He's got the cash card too if anything should be needed, but I really don't want him using that while still on U.S. soil.

So many feelings and emotions are churning underneath the surface right now. They'll probably come bubbling up later, but for now the anxiety to cover all bases is what's driving me and eating away at the lining of my stomach.

One thing I'll have to carry me through the next few weeks is the memory of their send-off performance yesterday. The stringed orchestra sounded so incredibly lovely, but it was the joy on my son's face while he was singing in the middle of the front row risers that had me practically glowing.

I had to swallow so many tears as they welled up in my eyes. I can't tell you how proud I am of him right now nor the joy I feel at being able to give him this amazing opportunity. In just three short (no, make that long) days he's learned so much music and the group has come together to create a tremendous whole. Every single dime and headache has been worth it just to see that look on his face.

Now I hope all goes well. Off to Kansas City!

The Big Week

Well the big week for my son is here.

Lunchtime they had their orientation meeting at the university campus and then went straight into rehearsals until ten tonight. While standing in line to meet his tour staff member, my son got to talking with a couple of other guys and they decided to room together on the England leg of the trip. Guess he's not going to waste any time! I'm so proud of him.

There's so much to catch and remember from the orientation meeting that my head is about to spin. I can only imagine how my son is going to feel after tonight. Not only does he have a strict itinerary to follow the next few days, he's also got to memorize music, make friends, and get packed.

So I've started the packing process for him this afternoon. Luggage size is tight but I'm pretty good about getting quite a bit into small spaces. Not sure how he's going to do unpacking and then packing during the trip, but I'm sure he'll manage.

There'll be plenty of space in his carry-on for trinkets, souveniers, and mementos. He's under strict orders to save EVERYTHING, ticket stubs, programs, the works, in order to put together a memory book for him when he returns.

The next two days will be early mornings and late evenings as they prepare and memorize their music. Wednesday will be a special send-off concert. Thursday we'll head to Kansas City, then Friday morning he'll be on the plane bound for the adventure of a lifetime.

I wonder if I'll get much sleep the next couple of weeks.

I'm sure my son won't.

Next Year - New York

Normally I take Wednesday evening off from writing in my blog. However, we received some incredible news today - well incredible news for my son.

Mr. Engels, their high school choir director that led them to a sweep at competition, emailed parents today to let them know that the choir had been invited to a special invitation only competition next year in New York City. Of course, the cost of the trip is three times the norm so he sent the email to gauge parental response.

I say GO FOR IT!

What an incredible honor to be chosen for such a premier event. What an awesome city to experience the greatest that music and the arts have to offer. The trip will be five total days with an opportunity to visit Juilliard, the Metropolitan Opera House, rehearse at the historic Riverside Church and perform at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. What's not to like???

By that time I'll hopefully have a job. Somehow we'll make it happen. Hey, he's going to Europe this summer so New York should be a whole heck of alot easier.

Regardless, I'm thrilled that they were recognized so highly to be given this honor. That alone should make them proud.

Next year - NEW YORK.

GRAND CHAMPIONS!

The votes are in - GRAND CHAMPIONS!!!

My son returned just before midnight last night to show me their sweep of the choir contest. First place in mixed choirs. First place in ladies choir. First place in men's choir.

Overall Grand Champions.

The trophy and medal collections were magnificent. My son quickly took me in the choir room at the high school and showed me their plunder. Even though tired, he seemed quite animated in his description of the event.

The excitement waned rather drastically as soon as he stepped through the door at home. The cats were so happy to see him (Toby particularly), so I let him pet and cuddle them briefly.

But morning was already upon us, so he got ready for bed and hit the pillows. Doubt if he even remembered hitting the bed, much less the pillows. Needless to say, it was difficult for both of us to get up this morning but particularly for him. As Grand Champions, I figured they should get a little reprieve from today's study requirements but, as I told him on the way to school this morning, this is a part of life. Sometimes we've got to take the bad with the good.

Upcoming Saturday is regionals so there will be no reprieve this week for the weary soul.

I've a feeling he's looking forward to a nap this afternoon. I know I am.

In the meantime, I've alot of people to notify of their incredible accomplishment.

Congratulations, Mr. Engels and choir.

They're On Their Way

My son called a little while ago to tell me that they'd crossed into Oklahoma on their way back from their Memphis trip.

Just a few more hours and he'll be home. Said he had some awesome news to tell me when he got back. I asked him if they won the grand prize contest trophy, but he wouldn't say anything more.

The little stinker!

So now I have to wait until around midnight for his return to find out this great news. By then I may be too tired to care.

Naaaah! I'm so excited for him - I just know they won.

He did share with me that their teacher told them that the school was going to require them to attend tomorrow morning.

Say what?

Their schedule (approved by the school, mind you) showed that they were excused from school tomorrow since their return would be so late. He's got an important forensics tournament Tuesday that I will be participating in as a judge (oh the power!). Those kids are going to desperately need some sleep.

Unless they won the grand prize. Then I can understand their desire to be present for accolades when the results are announced at school tomorrow.

So I have to wait a few more hours to discover the results. Great - now I won't be able to sleep either.

It's What Mother's Do Best

Tonight is the start of my son's big Memphis choir trip. I know he'll have a really good time.

Only thing is he started sniffling quite a bit in the last 24 hours. I'm a little concerned that he may be coming down with something, so I sent him with a good kit of some helpful medicine to get him through - just in case.

Of course, he'd never in a million years admit he wasn't feeling good, particularly if that meant missing a trip.

Oh boy. I sure hope he's good come June when he leaves for Europe.

But this is only a few days out and then home again. They've got a full schedule of activities, concerts, and such so I hope his voice holds up. Then next weekend he's got two solos to sing for regionals and the group songs. Then there's state. It's a busy month coming up.

I know he'll be fine. Just being overly-protective.

It's what mother's do best!

Regardless, I know the trip will be fun for him even if he isn't feeling quite up to par. I told him to be sure and take some pictures of Graceland for his grandma. She was quite the Elvis fan in her younger years.

Meanwhile, I'll be home praying for a safe and productive trip - and throw in a prayer that he's feeling okay.

We mother's tend to do that too, you know.

Finding the Passion

Spring break is now sprung.

Yes, my son and I returned safely home Saturday night and he returned safely to school this morning.

They're getting ready for their Memphis trip and festival contest. Then it's regionals and state competition. This year they have enough guys in the various choirs at school that they are able to participate in state large group competition for the men's category. It was great hearing an entire choir of guys at their last concert!

My son also has two solos he's been preparing for competition and regionals. Really hope he does well and is able to make it to state as a soloist. He's been really busy.

Won't believe this, but he also tried out Sunday afternoon for the worship team at our church. We have two different types of services - classic service, which is where I sing with the choir and praise teams, then contemporary service where my son currently attends. Contemporary has a worship leader and then alternating worship teams that lead music.

I wasn't sure if they'd let him try out since he's only sixteen but they had him sing a little bit, practice some of the harmony part and then sing with one of the ladies. Don't know if he'll get it or not, but that doesn't really matter so much to me.

I'm just so proud of him for taking courage and trying out. It's really been such a great year for him and I hope it continues to be so. He's really stretching himself and exploring his gifts. I'd love to see him find a way to utilize his passion as his source of income someday.

It's something I wish I'd have figured out a little sooner. I just didn't know which way to turn when I was younger, as I was really good at several different things. Would have been nice to have had someone help guide me in that regard.

Which is one reason why I'm really trying to pay attention to what he'd like to do and surround him with opportunities to get out there and just do it.

Next stop - Memphis.

But Europe is coming.

One Step Closer

Wow! My son received his passport in the mail already. We just ordered it about two weeks ago (right when I was coming down with the junk).

The site said it could take up to twelve weeks. I was sweating it because he has to have a copy of his passport into the organization by February 1st when the last payment is due.

Nothing like cutting it close and living on the edge.

Guess I shouldn't have worried. Maybe this time of the year is a bit slow and they don't have a backlog. Maybe they just liked his picture and some young lady got his application and decided to rush it through in hopes she might get to meet him some day.

Okay, okay - you never know what a girl will do for a cute guy.

So much for the weird thoughts. Anyway I almost fell out of the car when I realized what it was. Figured it might be the copy of his birth certificate. Nope - out fell his passport booklet.

My son was ecstatic!

I think for the first time since all this started the trip became very real, and the passport meant he was one step closer to getting there. It's hard to believe we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving in two weeks. Christmas will be here and then the New Year. My annual writer's retreat in February, spring break and the Memphis choir trip in March, Easter in April, end of school in May and then he's off to London and beyond come June.

My gosh - I better get busy saving some more. He's going to need some spending money too.