Halloween Quest PTR~~THE TRIP IS OFFICIALLY OFF!

[Karenann*]

Thank you.....we're pretty excited & a bit in shock!!! Talked with H&R Block again today, they're having someone look it over just to make sure we didn't forget something.....other than that, it will be mailed out on Monday!!!! The gal said her ammended refund took 5 months......so we're not expecting the money until September (but would love to see it earlier!!)

You have a trip coming up too!!! Very exciting!!!

Where in Washington are you??

We're in Wenatchee...pretty much center of the state.

This weekend I'm working on my paperwork for my tax return. Gotta get all my med bills together. We'll use the return for the hotel...so it will be nice to know how much we can count on!

 

[6Smiles]

I CAN'T CONTROL MY EXCITEMENT..........THE TRIP IS DEFINITELY A GO!!!!! WE JUST WENT IN A DID AN ADDENDUM WITH H&R BLOCK....THERE IS A HEFTY FEDERAL CREDIT FOR PEOPLE THAT ADOPTED SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN!!! GONNA RUN US $99 TO REFILE, BUT WE'LL BE GETTING MORE THAN $24,000 BACK!!!! THINK I'M GOING TO PASS OUT!!!!!!!

Only bad news is, it can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months to get back!!! Hoping it doesn't take the 6 months......wouldn't give me much time to book flights to keep us all together on the plane!!!

I know this information is correct because my girlfriend and her husband have adopted 6 special needs children. From my understand the reasoning behind the credit is that most people are unable to claim the adoption credit each year and the limitation of years you can get the credit. So the powers that be decided that a cash payout is more beneficial to the families . I am very happy for you and your family and i am sure things will work out! Congratulations and thank you for showing others how truly special caring for special needs children can be .

Kris

 

[DizNee Luver]

We're in Wenatchee...pretty much center of the state.

This weekend I'm working on my paperwork for my tax return. Gotta get all my med bills together. We'll use the return for the hotel...so it will be nice to know how much we can count on!

Are you ready for the winter to be over.....seeing the sun today was nice, but forecast doesn't show it staying very long.....heavy sigh!!

Tax returns are the best!! That's how we paid for our March trip!!! Plus a whole lot of other stuff!!! Good luck & hopefully you'll get a hefty return too!!

I know this information is correct because my girlfriend and her husband have adopted 6 special needs children. From my understand the reasoning behind the credit is that most people are unable to claim the adoption credit each year and the limitation of years you can get the credit. So the powers that be decided that a cash payout is more beneficial to the families . I am very happy for you and your family and i am sure things will work out! Congratulations and thank you for showing others how truly special caring for special needs children can be .

Kris

That's great news!!! It really is a nice pat on the back from the government! Some people look at having a special needs child as a bad thing.....I feel they teach us so much & God hand picked us to care for them!! I feel blessed everyday to have the twins in our family!!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Laurie! Haven't had a ton of Dis time and am just now reading your news! FABULOUS! I agree, it couldn't happen to nicer people! Sending good vibes that you get the $$ sooner rather than later!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Laurie! Haven't had a ton of Dis time and am just now reading your news! FABULOUS! I agree, it couldn't happen to nicer people! Sending good vibes that you get the $$ sooner rather than later!

Thanx Vicki!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Today was Addy's first baseball game (ever!). She's playing t-ball......all I can say is what a circus....but they're all so darned cute!!! It was Anthony's 2nd game of the season......I didn't take pics last week.....its was pouring & hailing thru-out the game.....so I didn't take the camera. Anthony is playing AAA ball.

The kids together before heading off for team pictures!

Anthony's catch!

Anthony at bat (I keep the book for the team, so I wasn't able to stop & put the camera lens thru the fence to take this):

Addy fielding.

Addy running the bases!!

It was a long morning at the fields (got there at 9:30 & didn't get home until 2) but it was fun.......I LOVE Baseball!!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Spent the day at OHSU/Doernbecher's Children's Hospital with my 10 yr old son Anthony. We did an all day appt in the autism clinic. We suspected that he wasn't on the autism spectrum, but they also look at other neurological issues. Anthony was a foster child we first got at 13 months. He was neglected, abused & exposed to drugs. We was sent home right after his 3rd birthday & when he returned 4 months later, he was just the shell of the little boy we knew. Anthony has struggled with school, A.D.D., overly emotional, trouble making & keeping friends, etc. We also knew of possible traumic brain injury as an infant.

The appt was eye opening, as we walked away with a diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder. This can go 2 ways: the child is unable to form attachments to caregivers & family/friends -OR- they have inappropriate attachments to anyone that pays attention to them. The latter is what Anthony has. He has no boundaries with people.....even people he doesn't know. He'll hug & tell almost strangers that he loves them, etc. So our next step is finding counseling for him. This is very new to us, so I need to do more reading up on it.....but this was never anything we had even considered.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Wow, Laurie! Sending hugs to you and Anthony!
I admit that I know next to nothing about Attachment Disorder. The only help I can offer is to send good thoughts your way!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Wow, Laurie! Sending hugs to you and Anthony!
I admit that I know next to nothing about Attachment Disorder. The only help I can offer is to send good thoughts your way!

Thanx Vicki.......I appreciate it!! I really don't know much about it either. Our very first foster child had it but had it where he doesn't bond with people. So this never crossed our minds that Anthony had it because he's the exact opposite. Will definitely be looking for help from the experts.

 

[Karenann*]

Sending good thoughts and prayers for you and your family and for the very best in skilled providers for Anthony!!!
Great pics up of the kids at baseball...it really helps to put a name to those cute faces.

Finished my taxes and can breathe a little more now! Return paid for what I had not yet saved for our June trip plus a little extra for some fun and some savings. I was worried I was gonna end up in the Travelodge...I found it online for $46/night with very sketchy reviews!!!

For now, I'll have to live vicariously through your Christmastime trip. It will be a while before we plan another trip but I do so want to see DL at Christmas someday.

Have a good day, Laurie...one day at a time!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Sending good thoughts and prayers for you and your family and for the very best in skilled providers for Anthony!!!
Great pics up of the kids at baseball...it really helps to put a name to those cute faces.

Finished my taxes and can breathe a little more now! Return paid for what I had not yet saved for our June trip plus a little extra for some fun and some savings. I was worried I was gonna end up in the Travelodge...I found it online for $46/night with very sketchy reviews!!!

For now, I'll have to live vicariously through your Christmastime trip. It will be a while before we plan another trip but I do so want to see DL at Christmas someday.

Have a good day, Laurie...one day at a time!!!

Yay!! I'm glad you'll get enough back to help with your trip.......love to use our returns for Disney trips!!

So where are you gonna stay, now that you can avoid the Travelodge??

Thanx for the support as well!!

 

[Karenann*]

We're booked at Park Vue Inn. I have 5 kids so free breakfast and dinner will be our plan. We have the suite with a kitchen and will order from Von's for lunch fixings etc.

I started saving change a year ago (Jan 2010) thanks to a suggestion from the budget board. In 6 months, we had $70.00. I don't know how much we are up to now, but it will be our Churro/Snack money for in the parks. The amount will be a mystery until the day before we leave!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We're booked at Park Vue Inn. I have 5 kids so free breakfast and dinner will be our plan. We have the suite with a kitchen and will order from Von's for lunch fixings etc.

I started saving change a year ago (Jan 2010) thanks to a suggestion from the budget board. In 6 months, we had $70.00. I don't know how much we are up to now, but it will be our Churro/Snack money for in the parks. The amount will be a mystery until the day before we leave!

Sounds like a great plan!!

We have a change jar & empty it when we're doing our trips too. I've even been known to throw in our pop can return money in there. It's a great way to save without really missing the money....if that makes sense. And it does add up!!

 

[LoveMyBeautifulGift]

We've been collecting change since we returned from our trip-we always have a change jar going...so far, we've got $51.87 Change jars are awesome! Now I just have to find a better place to put the change, since we literally broke the piggy bank before the trip and we've been using a plastic cup since we got back...thinking of making something specifially for the next Disney trip...the does love a good craft project

We're booked at Park Vue Inn. I have 5 kids so free breakfast and dinner will be our plan. We have the suite with a kitchen and will order from Von's for lunch fixings etc.

I started saving change a year ago (Jan 2010) thanks to a suggestion from the budget board. In 6 months, we had $70.00. I don't know how much we are up to now, but it will be our Churro/Snack money for in the parks. The amount will be a mystery until the day before we leave!

Sounds like a great plan!!

We have a change jar & empty it when we're doing our trips too. I've even been known to throw in our pop can return money in there. It's a great way to save without really missing the money....if that makes sense. And it does add up!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We've been collecting change since we returned from our trip-we always have a change jar going...so far, we've got $51.87 Change jars are awesome! Now I just have to find a better place to put the change, since we literally broke the piggy bank before the trip and we've been using a plastic cup since we got back...thinking of making something specifially for the next Disney trip...the does love a good craft project

I have a coca-cola metal tin that we use.....but making a coin jar sounds neat!!! Make it all Disney-fied would be awesome!!!

 

[Karenann*]

We' ve been collecting change since we returned from our trip-we always have a change jar going...so far, we've got $51.87 Change jars are awesome! Now I just have to find a better place to put the change, since we literally broke the piggy bank before the trip and we've been using a plastic cup since we got back...thinking of making something specifially for the next Disney trip...the does love a good craft project

We use a Disney coffee cup. I collaged pics from our 2009 trip onto ceramic mugs at Costco photo. All the kids plus me have one so that is 6 matching disney trip mugs! I figured we could use one for change.

 

[Teki]

all caught up loveed your baseball pics brings back fond memories of my lil brother he played all the way fromn 6 to high school. I send all my prayers and love to you and anthony although you dont know much about it I'm glad that your now informed and can help him. I going to school ealry child hood however I havnt seen to many serious attachment disorders so Im not sure what to say to help other then send you good thoughts and prayers. lastly I really hope you guys dont stay in limbo to long and that H and R come through for you I cant say enough what special people you and your husband are for adopting those children and you truly deserve it

 

[DizNee Luver]

all caught up loveed your baseball pics brings back fond memories of my lil brother he played all the way fromn 6 to high school. I send all my prayers and love to you and anthony although you dont know much about it I'm glad that your now informed and can help him. I going to school ealry child hood however I havnt seen to many serious attachment disorders so Im not sure what to say to help other then send you good thoughts and prayers. lastly I really hope you guys dont stay in limbo to long and that H and R come through for you I cant say enough what special people you and your husband are for adopting those children and you truly deserve it

When we got the autism diagnosis on the twins, it was a learning curve as I'm sure this will be as well. The 5 yr old has separation anxiety bad, so all 4 kids have some serious damage done from meth use & neglect. So sad!!

H&R Block's a go.......it's been triple checked & they say we have the credit coming so it's all getting mailed off today!!! Just hope it doesn't take 5-6 months to get it. It's that pending money that will drive me nuts.....wondering if we're really getting it!!

 

[TheColtonsMom]

We've been collecting change since we returned from our trip-we always have a change jar going...so far, we've got $51.87 Change jars are awesome! Now I just have to find a better place to put the change, since we literally broke the piggy bank before the trip and we've been using a plastic cup since we got back...thinking of making something specifially for the next Disney trip...the does love a good craft project

Our vacation change "jar" is a 5 gallon water bottle...It always looks empty for quite a while because it is so big...but oh that change does add up!

 

[DizNee Luver]

So we're contemplating driving down instead of flying. We're thinking of driving to San Francisco & spending the night, going to the Disney Family Museum in the morning & then driving down to Torrance. My brother is a minister in Torrance & thought it would be nice to see him this trip. We'd stay 2 nights & head to Anaheim super early in the morning to get to the parks as planned if we flew in. On the way home we'd stop in Sacramento for the night & hopefully get together for breakfast with a few friends & then drive home to Salem.

So we'd actually leave on the Friday after Thanksgiving, SF that night, Disney Museum/Torrance on Saturday, go to brothers church & spend day with him on Sunday, drive to Anaheim/DL on Monday thru Sat morning. Drive to Sacramento Saturday, See friends & go home on Sunday. Nov 25-Dec 4.

So we'll have to see if this becomes the plan or not. It's sounds like fun if we can do it!!!!

Anyone with experience at the museum know if the twins would be able to stay in their strollers??? On the website it says they're closed on Thanksgiving, so I'm assuming they'd be open that weekend........