They have a huge itinerary! Some of the places they will visit are the Vatican City, the Colosseum and several other places in Rome.
Then a train ride through the Swiss Alps....
Then to Florence, Italy...
Board a night train to Paris! There it will be the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and a bunch of other places there.
So here is why I am stressed... first off, I can't stand for my kids to be very far away from me. A couple of years ago, he went to Branson Missouri for 2 days, I never went to bed and cried the whole time! :) Silly, I'm sure but I am very protective! Richard says that I need to cut my apron strings! :) Then the other reason is....I don't have a clue how I am going to come up with $2100! By October 1st! He was so excited last night, he was on the internet for hours looking at photos! I just had to walk in the other room and cry! I just can't figure out how I can come up with the money for him! So this morning after Richard went to work and the boys left for school, I did what I dreaded soooooo bad.......I called my ex-husband (Andrew's real dad) I told him all about it and asked if he could come up with half. His exact words were "SORRY, ABOUT HIS LUCK BUT I CAN'T HELP!"
So now you see why I am stressed! Let's just say I could write a book on his "DAD" right now!
Kristie
*****Oh, I forgot to mention that Andrew did offer to work odd jobs this summer to help out! See he is a good kid!!! :)
20 comments:
Oh wow. Does your city/town/county have any sort of scholarships? We have an individual here who awards scholarships to kids along this line. I'd also check with the school and see if there is any options. That would be such a trip and a fantastic opportunity. Congrats to ANdrew for doing so well in school! I'd also call the child support office and see if they can make his dad come up with 1/2 of the money.....just a thought:)
Kris
Oh Kristie it's hard when we can't give our kids something they have worked so hard for .Does Andrew have any savings or maybe he could get a part time job for the summer .Things are really tight for a lot of people right now I'm sure if you talk to Andrew he will understand if he is not able to go .As far as his Dad goes don't waste your energy on him ,like a good mom you tried that's all you can do .
What a great dad! NOT! Maybe your son could get odd jobs over the summer to help raise $ for the trip. That would be a great opportunity for him. Hope it all works out! Jenn
I'm sure that you could do a fundraiser to raise some of the money. Have a huge bbq or spaghetti feed, and make some crafty things and/or have a silent auction. Beg for donations from area shops to sweeten the pot. Maybe auction some things off like mowing yards, "husband for a day", someone could cook a homecooked meal for some lucky family, clean house...the ideas are endless. The more that you can get donated for the cause the better. Just a thought :)
Wow, those ladies who left comments had some great ideas. Maybe you could advertise your quilting services. How about a garage sale, with Andrew selling some of his things to help the cause? I'm sure if you pray about it, God will show you a way.
be blessed, NOT STRESSED!
Michelle
What a wonderful opportunity? The comments section had many excellent ideas. Too bad about his birth father acting the way he did...such a shame. Do keep us aware of how this is progressing.
Firstly, congratulations to Andrew!
He really does deserve this trip, and I hope he gets to go...it's a once in a liftime trip!
The girls here had some great ideas, a garage sale,yard work, Your quilt frame could now earn you some needed dollars, what I've seen , your work is great!...anything that will bring in a few dollars helps..
all the best..Too bad about his birth father not helping out ..
Julia ♥
Kristie, Good for Andrew! Everyone has given good advice..I can only add that I would too check with the school to see if maybe the group could get together and have bake sales or car washes. Also, maybe family members would be willing to give an early bday or Christmas gift (money) to him. also, if you know someone who owns a local business, they might give a sponser gift if he agrees to do some jobs for them. Don't give up!! and he will be fine on his trip!
Congratulations to Andrew and to you and Richard for being such wonderful parents! Que sera, sera - I certainly hope he manages to get on this wonderful trip somehow!
Hugs - Lurline♥
Arrrg, what a "father". You sure can be proud of Andrew. I am a little surprised that he is offered this trip but has to pay that much money himself. If there was no way you could raise that money what a disappointment it would be to him and that is not fair. What about selling a few quilts, you are such a great quilter. Maybe you could sell quilts to Iceland, send me pictures and I can forward them to see if someone is interested!
I really don't know what to say, you are in a hard place. Maybe selling a few quilts on your blog would help, and if your mom and sis can give Andrew Christmas money early. But I know you are also worried about Andrew being so far away, maybe they are assigned buddies and if he is not alone it may easy your mind alittle.
I have five kids, and have had several of them go on big trips like this. We did bake sales, I sewed for people, we catered a dinner at church, we sent out sponsorship letters and just asked family and friends for donations, yard sales, rented kids out for work such as babysitting or yard work. You can do this! I have done so many bake sales, that the people at my church know what they like and buy us out FAST. I sold 26 dozen cinnamon rolls in 10 minutes. We're on one income too, but it can be done!
Wow Kristie, what an amazing opportunity your son has earned. I truly hope a solution will present itself so you don't stress out too much.
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)
Oh I so hope you get to raise the money - it will be a trip to remember for sure. I know how you feel about letting him go though. My DD Jess goes on holiday on Monday for 2 weeks abroad. She has never been away so long and it is her first time flying so I am anxious to say the least xxx
What a wonderful opportunity for Andrew...you should be a very proud mom...you've done a great job with him. The suggestions that all your commentors gave are wonderful...please keep us posted.
We've been in the same dilemma in past years with similar opportunities for our kids. Usually the sponsors of the trip (teacher, coach, etc) met with the parents and kids and group fundraising activities were planned to benefit all who needed the money. You might check with whoever is in charge to see if there are such plans in the works. We've spent many an hour baking, selling stuff, washing cars, and other activities to help make it happen for our kids. Good luck to you, Richard, and Andrew.
congrats to andrew!!!
here are my suggestions:
~prayer is powerful!!! we can all agree in prayer that andrew is provided the way to go. god is awesome and it tells us in his word, "delight yourself in the lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." psalm 37:4
~send out sponsorship letters {like youth kids do for mission trips, i have quite a few templates if you need one.}
~do a local bake sale. {and if you can get some church members invloved, all the better.}
~offer machine quilting services through your blog. {even if you do it a little bit cheaper than normal, you will generate more jobs for that discount.}
~offer some of your quilts for sale that are just living in your closets. {quilts that might not have a special meaning, just that are beautiful.}
~you can offer some smaller items to sell. {bags, tablerunners, wall quilts.}
these are just a few.
he will go.
start prefessing it now.
the bible says that we have to speak positive things, for positive things to happen.
if we speak those negative doubts, that those will hold us back.
believe for a flood of god's awesomeness and it will come.
CONGRATULATIONS to Andrew, you and Richard! What an awesome trip. Are you going to chaperone?? I'd volunteer in a HEARTBEAT!!!
So, what is the deadline for the money??
I've been to France, Italy, and Switzerland and they're beautiful! Definitely worth raising the money to see. I love your online yard sale idea. I'll keep checking back to see what you list for sale!
I just Twittered your online yard sale...hopefully it will bring you some more visitors! Good luck!
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