Emotionally Compromised ...

We've waited a week to see Jet (singing bro) return from his first solo trip ... and we will wait yet another 12 hours ~as we returned empty-seated (sans brother) from the airport.

Here's our journey to enlightenment.  Earlier tonight I check flight info grab son #2 (aka lonely brother) taking along homemade cookies ...joyfully we began our journey to retrieve the singing bro.

We are spotted at the airport by one of the students and promptly reported to the Director, who apologizes quickly for my unnecessary trip looks around nervously while physically shielding me -- repeating "parents are not to interact with the kids until tomorrow when the concerts are over!!!"

We learned the scoop:   Students stay one more night at a hotel in Portland the last night of the trip (tonight) and parents are not permitted "access" until after the final concerts on Sunday.   Auugh, being a "newbie's" Mom, I was unaware of this small YET IMPORTANT factoid.

So, with empty seat, sad heart and the lonely brother, I began the drive home.  We discuss "what now?" Decide we will be fine with seeing him tomorrow -- agree to review the manual for hints that we should have known about this important factoid.

After a few miles, breaking the silence is a heavy sigh and Scout says, "I'm emotionally compromised..."

Well, that pretty much covers it for me too!  

So we stopped to get a DQ Blizzard ~ it didn't help much, but it didn't hurt either!

 Ok... so we tried staying sad but just got silly!!

Until tomorrow then...

we remain, emotionally compromised.

Moments of Mom anxiety ...

He's... leavin' on a jet plane

Excited to be leaving for Priority mission ~ on his way to Denver, to sing, work, sing, paint, sing ... and then more helping at food banks, senior centers, churches, homeless shelters ... and the list goes on.  

Saturday finally arrived... amazingly, he was the first one awake in the house (even before Millie).

I was proud, indeed ... and, uh also taken aback by such energy and non-stop conversation by this teen so early in the morning.  Off to the airport; turning back for “just one *wait... what?*  photo.”

        

At the airport he gathered with the group, checked his own baggage... (paid the $25 fee) which he was able to afford because of  the gracious gift of funds from thoughtful, generous (incredible) friends of ours who insisted on giving even after he met his goal for which -- thank you is not enough!  

Stealthily we followed the group of kids toward security ... where I was so grateful he wore his red jacket and was the tallest kid in the sea of bobbing heads walking through security.... I tip-toed and stared until I couldn't see anything but strangers ... then Sweet-T finally said "he's gone through the security gate and is already around the corner ~ we can go now."  Then we left. 

Going home it felt like I left part of me behind ... I miss that boy!  I know he's having fun, working hard, and being a blessing to many ... I'm excited that he will have new stories to share when he returns and I know he will be different from the kid I left at the airport.  

One of the first texts he sent was after he made his first purchase ... 

  it simply said            "I hate sales tax"

   

Another series of texts described his worry for a friend who didn't have enough money for meals for the whole week ...  then wrote that he and two other students agreed to share her food expenses to make sure she could eat.   [thanks again to the generosity of family and friends who gave so much support - he's able to pass along your kindness]

—   I love this kid!!!

He's been gone about a hundred hours now ... but who's counting?

Brother misses him too!

Honor . Respect . Love ...

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Last Concert 2013

Jeff played flute with Intermediate Band and Saxophone with the Jazz Band...

pix include:  best friend, Rhiannon, brother Jason, cousin NaKysha and Grandma Esther ... a fun night!

Can't believe he will be in 8th grade next year!

Jazz Concert ...

Here's the link to the Jazz concert Jeffrey played in last week with the Fowler Jazz Band -- Alto Saxophone front and center ... sometimes hidden by Mr.Vandyke as he directs them.  =)

{Fowler's  performance starts at approx 44 on the video - which you can slide the fast forward to at the bottom -  ... but previous to Fowler and after is Tigard High Jazz Ensemble.  Twality Jazz Band performs first}

THS Jazz Ensemble is always worth the listen of course (no Jason this time - sadly) but all bands perform together at the end !!!




With performances by the Tigard High School Jazz Ensemble, Twality Middle School Jazz Band, and Fowler Middle School Jazz Band.