StefaniLyn
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2008
CHAPTER 1 - WISHES DO COME TRUE
Did you know that sometimes, if you wish hard enough and long enough, and if you truly believe in miracles and fairy tales, that some way, some how your wishes really can come true? This is the true story of a real princess, Isabella, and of how her greatest wish in the world will one day soon be granted. Through the generosity of strangers, the kindness of friends, and the grace of God, Isabella’s wish to be a Princess and go to Disneyworld will soon become her reality.
If you had told me six years ago that today I would be writing a pre-trip report for my daughter’s Make-A-Wish Trip to Disneyworld, I would have though you were out of your mind. Six years ago I would have told you that I had two perfectly healthy daughters and was expecting our third to follow in their healthy footsteps. Six years ago, chronic ear infections were a medical emergency and brought me to my knees in tears – today I pray for minor surgeries over major ones and hope the next clinic appointment won’t result in a week-long hospital admission. Six years ago, I thought a miracle would be winning the lottery – today, I am honored to hold a miracle in my arms every day and count my blessings as I kiiss her forehead and wish her sweet dreams each night.
In February of this year (2009), I first gave serious thought to seeking a Wish for Isabella. Many, many times in the past we were encouraged to submit Isabella’s name to Make-A-Wish for consideration. I did my research and knew there was a good chance she would qualify, but I had always politely declined, claiming she wasn’t ‘that’ sick or feeling guilty that Isabella’s wish would prevent another sicker child from having his/her wish granted. Truth be told, I didn’t want to face the awful truth – that Isabella’s illnesses in fact are life threatening and potentially fatal – that admission continues to bring tears to my eyes.
In February, as Isabella slept in a hospital bed for the 225th time in her 4 ½ years of life, I prayed for an easy answer to the latest ailment which had landed us in the hospital again. Instead what we got was yet another diagnosis that would alter her life forever. Pancreatic insufficiency meant that, in addition to the long list of other challenges Isabella already faced, she would now require 6 capsules of medication, 4 times a day, for the rest of her life. But it wasn’t until the lab tech/vampire came into the room to stick my sleeping princess with a needle not just once but FOUR times to test her DNA for cystic fibrosis that I made up my mind – no matter what the results, no matter what the next diagnosis, spare no expense and no holds barred - this child deserves to have her greatest wish come true!
When we returned home three days later after Isabella was discharged from the hospital, the first thing I did was submit her name to the Make A Wish Foundation. And so begins the story of how Princess Isabella’s Wish will soon be coming true!
NEXT CHAPTER:
CHAPTER 2 - I WISH TO SEE ORCHIDS!?!?!
CHAPTER 3 - INTRODUCING THE CAST OF CHARACTERS
CHAPTER 4 - DISNEY TRUMPS PERFECT ATTENDANCE - DATES ANNOUNCED
CHAPTER 5 - THE RACING SAUSAGES MEET MICKEY MOUSE
CHAPTER 6 - A HISTORY OF BELLA - WHY THIS WONDERKID IS GETTING A WISH
CHAPTER 7 - LET THE PLANNING BEGIN! COUNTDOWNS, MATCHY-MATCHY DEBATE, AND MOVIE NITES
CHAPTER 8 - T-MINUS 120 DAYS AND ALMOST COUNTING!
CHAPTER 9 - CLEARANCE CRAFTS CALL MY NAME - FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT PREVIEW!
CHAPTER 10 - 1st DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT - CARS
CHAPTER 11 - THE SCOOP ON SEATTLE PART 1
CHAPTER 12 - THE SCOOP ON SEATTLE PART 2
CHAPTER 13 - ORLANDO, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!
CHAPTER 14 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #2 - A BUG'S LIFE
CHAPTER 15 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #3 - HANNAH MONTANA
CHAPTER 16 - ENLIGHTEN ME, PLEASE! WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED CANDLELIGHT PROCESSIONAL?
CHAPTER 17 - DISNEY FAMILY AFTERNOON #4 - MULAN
CHAPTER 18 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #5 - HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
CHAPTER 19 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #6 - PETER PAN . . . ERRR, UM, I MEAN TINKERBELL!
CHAPTER 20 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #7 - ALADDIN
CHAPTER 21 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #8 - FINDING NEMO
CHAPTER 22 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #9 - LION KING
CHAPTER 23 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #10 - TOY STORY
CHAPTER 24 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #11 - SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
CHAPTER 25 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #12 - CINDERELLA
CHAPTER 26 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #13 - BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS
CHAPTER 27 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #14 - HAUNTED MANSION
CHAPTER 28 - PIXIE DUST, POSTCARD, PUBLICITY, AND PRAYERS PLEASE!
CHAPTER 29 - MAROO APPROVED PLANS REVEALED
CHAPTER 30 - BACK UP WISH PROGRESS AND WISH PARTY PLANNING
CHAPTER 31 - DAY 1 DETAILS - TRAVEL DAY AND GKTW EXPLORING
CHAPTER 32 - DAY 2 US/IOA DETAILS AND BACK UP WISH PIXIE DUST
CHAPTER 33 - DAY 3 - EPCOT and CP WITH SCC!
CHAPTER 34 - WISH PARTY PLANS, BACK UP PROGRESS
CHAPTER 35 - A MAGICAL EVENING FOR PRINCESS BELLA
CHAPTER 36 - A DAY OF REST? NOT LIKELY! FISHIN', A SKY HIGH FLY BY, AND MVMCP!
CHAPTER 37 - BIG GIVE BEGINS!
CHAPTER 38 - BIG GIVE CONTINUES!
CHAPTER 39 - DFN#15 - THE LITTLE MERMAID
CHAPTER 40 - DAY 5 PLANS - SEA WORLD & MORE, WISH PARTY PLANS, and E-DAY
CHAPTER 41 - CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY TO THE GRIGGS HOUSE - MORE BIG GIVE!!
CHAPTER 42 - DAY 6 PLANS - AK IN THE AM AND HS AT NIGHT
CHAPTER 43 -WISH PARTY PLEASURE, CAMERA CATASTROPHE, AND BIG GIVE GALORE
CHAPTER 44 - BIG GIVE WONDERLAND AND MISCELLANY
CHAPTER 45 - IT'S CRUNCH TIME! PLEASE HOLD MY FEET TO THE FIRE!
CHAPTER 46 - BACK UP PROGRESS
CHAPTER 47 - LISTMANIA!
CHATPER 48 - TINKABIG GIVE AND MY ATTEMPT TO SEW
CHAPTER 49 - DAY 7, 8, 9, AND 10 PLANS - THE SHORT VERSION
END OF PRE TRIP REPORT. PLEASE JOIN ME AS I SHARE ALL THE DETAILS OF OUR AMAZING WISH TRIP
Bella’s Very Merry WISH-mas Party – 10 Days of Dreams Come True MAW/GKTW Dec 3-10
Did you know that sometimes, if you wish hard enough and long enough, and if you truly believe in miracles and fairy tales, that some way, some how your wishes really can come true? This is the true story of a real princess, Isabella, and of how her greatest wish in the world will one day soon be granted. Through the generosity of strangers, the kindness of friends, and the grace of God, Isabella’s wish to be a Princess and go to Disneyworld will soon become her reality.
If you had told me six years ago that today I would be writing a pre-trip report for my daughter’s Make-A-Wish Trip to Disneyworld, I would have though you were out of your mind. Six years ago I would have told you that I had two perfectly healthy daughters and was expecting our third to follow in their healthy footsteps. Six years ago, chronic ear infections were a medical emergency and brought me to my knees in tears – today I pray for minor surgeries over major ones and hope the next clinic appointment won’t result in a week-long hospital admission. Six years ago, I thought a miracle would be winning the lottery – today, I am honored to hold a miracle in my arms every day and count my blessings as I kiiss her forehead and wish her sweet dreams each night.
In February of this year (2009), I first gave serious thought to seeking a Wish for Isabella. Many, many times in the past we were encouraged to submit Isabella’s name to Make-A-Wish for consideration. I did my research and knew there was a good chance she would qualify, but I had always politely declined, claiming she wasn’t ‘that’ sick or feeling guilty that Isabella’s wish would prevent another sicker child from having his/her wish granted. Truth be told, I didn’t want to face the awful truth – that Isabella’s illnesses in fact are life threatening and potentially fatal – that admission continues to bring tears to my eyes.
In February, as Isabella slept in a hospital bed for the 225th time in her 4 ½ years of life, I prayed for an easy answer to the latest ailment which had landed us in the hospital again. Instead what we got was yet another diagnosis that would alter her life forever. Pancreatic insufficiency meant that, in addition to the long list of other challenges Isabella already faced, she would now require 6 capsules of medication, 4 times a day, for the rest of her life. But it wasn’t until the lab tech/vampire came into the room to stick my sleeping princess with a needle not just once but FOUR times to test her DNA for cystic fibrosis that I made up my mind – no matter what the results, no matter what the next diagnosis, spare no expense and no holds barred - this child deserves to have her greatest wish come true!
When we returned home three days later after Isabella was discharged from the hospital, the first thing I did was submit her name to the Make A Wish Foundation. And so begins the story of how Princess Isabella’s Wish will soon be coming true!
NEXT CHAPTER:
CHAPTER 2 - I WISH TO SEE ORCHIDS!?!?!
CHAPTER 3 - INTRODUCING THE CAST OF CHARACTERS
CHAPTER 4 - DISNEY TRUMPS PERFECT ATTENDANCE - DATES ANNOUNCED
CHAPTER 5 - THE RACING SAUSAGES MEET MICKEY MOUSE
CHAPTER 6 - A HISTORY OF BELLA - WHY THIS WONDERKID IS GETTING A WISH
CHAPTER 7 - LET THE PLANNING BEGIN! COUNTDOWNS, MATCHY-MATCHY DEBATE, AND MOVIE NITES
CHAPTER 8 - T-MINUS 120 DAYS AND ALMOST COUNTING!
CHAPTER 9 - CLEARANCE CRAFTS CALL MY NAME - FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT PREVIEW!
CHAPTER 10 - 1st DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT - CARS
CHAPTER 11 - THE SCOOP ON SEATTLE PART 1
CHAPTER 12 - THE SCOOP ON SEATTLE PART 2
CHAPTER 13 - ORLANDO, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!
CHAPTER 14 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #2 - A BUG'S LIFE
CHAPTER 15 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #3 - HANNAH MONTANA
CHAPTER 16 - ENLIGHTEN ME, PLEASE! WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED CANDLELIGHT PROCESSIONAL?
CHAPTER 17 - DISNEY FAMILY AFTERNOON #4 - MULAN
CHAPTER 18 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #5 - HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
CHAPTER 19 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #6 - PETER PAN . . . ERRR, UM, I MEAN TINKERBELL!
CHAPTER 20 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #7 - ALADDIN
CHAPTER 21 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #8 - FINDING NEMO
CHAPTER 22 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #9 - LION KING
CHAPTER 23 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #10 - TOY STORY
CHAPTER 24 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #11 - SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
CHAPTER 25 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #12 - CINDERELLA
CHAPTER 26 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #13 - BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS
CHAPTER 27 - DISNEY FAMILY NIGHT #14 - HAUNTED MANSION
CHAPTER 28 - PIXIE DUST, POSTCARD, PUBLICITY, AND PRAYERS PLEASE!
CHAPTER 29 - MAROO APPROVED PLANS REVEALED
CHAPTER 30 - BACK UP WISH PROGRESS AND WISH PARTY PLANNING
CHAPTER 31 - DAY 1 DETAILS - TRAVEL DAY AND GKTW EXPLORING
CHAPTER 32 - DAY 2 US/IOA DETAILS AND BACK UP WISH PIXIE DUST
CHAPTER 33 - DAY 3 - EPCOT and CP WITH SCC!
CHAPTER 34 - WISH PARTY PLANS, BACK UP PROGRESS
CHAPTER 35 - A MAGICAL EVENING FOR PRINCESS BELLA
CHAPTER 36 - A DAY OF REST? NOT LIKELY! FISHIN', A SKY HIGH FLY BY, AND MVMCP!
CHAPTER 37 - BIG GIVE BEGINS!
CHAPTER 38 - BIG GIVE CONTINUES!
CHAPTER 39 - DFN#15 - THE LITTLE MERMAID
CHAPTER 40 - DAY 5 PLANS - SEA WORLD & MORE, WISH PARTY PLANS, and E-DAY
CHAPTER 41 - CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY TO THE GRIGGS HOUSE - MORE BIG GIVE!!
CHAPTER 42 - DAY 6 PLANS - AK IN THE AM AND HS AT NIGHT
CHAPTER 43 -WISH PARTY PLEASURE, CAMERA CATASTROPHE, AND BIG GIVE GALORE
CHAPTER 44 - BIG GIVE WONDERLAND AND MISCELLANY
CHAPTER 45 - IT'S CRUNCH TIME! PLEASE HOLD MY FEET TO THE FIRE!
CHAPTER 46 - BACK UP PROGRESS
CHAPTER 47 - LISTMANIA!
CHATPER 48 - TINKABIG GIVE AND MY ATTEMPT TO SEW
CHAPTER 49 - DAY 7, 8, 9, AND 10 PLANS - THE SHORT VERSION
END OF PRE TRIP REPORT. PLEASE JOIN ME AS I SHARE ALL THE DETAILS OF OUR AMAZING WISH TRIP
Bella’s Very Merry WISH-mas Party – 10 Days of Dreams Come True MAW/GKTW Dec 3-10