Mackenzies MAW Pretrip Report

[princessmamaof5]

The Chapters of Mackenzies Make a Wish

The Cast

Princess Pixies and a Prince

How we came to Make a Wish


A Visit with the Wish Grantors

Initial Itinerary

Pixie Dust disneymomma01

VIP at the Reds Game with MAW

Pixie Dust from Aunt Courtney

A Little Pixie Dust Park Party

Mackenzies Early Years

Pixie Dust from disneymomma01

Make a Wish Sendoff Party Part One

Pixie Dust Shower from cajunfun this post and the next 5

Tutu Cute


Might as well officially start some where. Heres a little history of our family .


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Mackenzie: Our wish child was born 10 year ago with spina bifida and club foot . She has a magnectic personality and ever since she was born she just drew people to her. She has a kind heart and a sweet personality. Even at age 10 she secretly love playing babydolls with ger little sisters. In everything she has done and everyone she has inspired I must say she has given me a chance to see a little peice of Heaven on Earth. At just one day old she was already getting surgery to close her fragile little back and after a week in the NICU and a miracle of no shunt she was sent home.At 3 weeks old she was casted to fix her bilateral club feet and at age 2 she walked even though every doctor until then swore she wouldnt. At a routine spina bifida appointment they listened to her heart and asked me if i was aware of a mur mur. I dumfoundedly said no and my heart began to race the feeling of panicoversame me and i just knew we were headed down another road. The cardiologist confirmed a aortic bicuspid valve and we have to just wait and watch and hope and pray. its gotten us before so Im sure it will get us through again. Other than Mackenzies underlying issues shes a happy loving 10 year old girl that cheerleads is a girl scout rides horse therapedically and is an outgoing little girl at her school. Some days i look at her and often wonder how she does it but she always ends her day with a smile [/COLOR]

Caitlyn 8 is our little artist and scientist she is full of love and always has a ecofriendly way of doing things.She has been mackenzies partner in crime and I truely beleive she raised the bar for Mackenzie to push forward and walk, when she saw her little sisiter kitting the milestones she pushed herself harder and eventually did the impossible.

Olivia 5 is our sentimental sweetie just like her mommy. She loves animals and has an imagination and a story telling ability like no other. Olivia has a contagious laugh and when she does it everyone around us giggles too.

Sara 3 is our petit and quiet little one. It took forever for her to talk because she is so cute and little that her big sisters always would interpret and cater to her. Now she has opened up and her chessy cute little smile melts my heart. She has her daddy wrapped more than I do though.

Chase 18 months - Chase was our oops baby but he was sure wanted. We just thought that GOD made us the parents of princesses and were content but we didnt know what we were missing. He does scream at an octive above the spped of light but we love him all the same. He has already learned how to be a little gentleman and I hope he continues to be that way. Afterall he does have 4 sisters so he should learn how to treat a girl.

Amber yes thats me- its kinda hard to write about myself because since i became a mom its been all about my kids. ive kinda lost who I was but ill try. For the most part i am a sahm mom but on weekends and occasion I do photoshoots and wedding. I am a girl scout leader to Mackenzie and Caitlyns troop and in the 4th grade we are still 17 girls strong. I became a mom at a young age so alot of lifes challenges I learned early on. I am so very excited we were chosen for this MAW and a little anxious as far as taking 5 kids but im sure well manage.

Travis- My hard working husband has stood by our family since the day we brought mackenzie home to now 10 years later when we brought our 5th and final child home. He is an awesome father and works his hardest to provide for our not so little family. Our travels in HOLLAND have been interesting but so worth it.


our family two years ago minus chase who wasnt here yet

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[mom2pixies]

I look forward to hearing more about your family Amber. Can't wait to hear all about Mackenzie's wish trip. Count me in for joining you on this thread!

[brookerene]

A nice start!!! Can't wait to read more......and see photos!

[princessmamaof5]

will be posting photos soon am trying to figure out these hyperlink html link things out lol []

[xanphylus]

From a fellow Girl Scout leader!!! Your DD sounds great- all of them! Our troop is much smaller than yours- we are lucky to have enough girls to still call it a troop, but we are all very close. Are you guys a mixed troop like us? We have a few Juniors and a few Brownies.

Can't wait to hear more about your kiddos wish!!!

[princessmamaof5]

one quick question when trying to add a photo from photobucket what link to you use there are 4 to choose from.

[princessmamaof5]

Originally Posted by xanphylus

From a fellow Girl Scout leader!!! Your DD sounds great- all of them! Our troop is much smaller than yours- we are lucky to have enough girls to still call it a troop, but we are all very close. Are you guys a mixed troop like us? We have a few Juniors and a few Brownies.

Can't wait to hear more about your kiddos wish!!!

We have 15 girls and somehow I have a few juniors and a few brownies. The brownies are little sisters of two of our girls. One is mine and one is a mom helpers daughter, it was just easier having one troop lol. I originally wasnt planning on being a Leader then i thought since Mackenzie would probably need me to help ease her in bc she walks with braces but for a long time he couldnt stand still like her balance would not allow her to lock her knees and stand without holding onto someones hand. So I became their DAISY leader and now 5 years later they are going into 5th grade. Time flys

[xanphylus]

Originally Posted by princessmamaof5

one quick question when trying to add a photo from photobucket what link to you use there are 4 to choose from.

I want to say its the one that says image code....

Originally Posted by princessmamaof5

We have 15 girls and somehow I have a few juniors and a few brownies. The brownies are little sisters of two of our girls. One is mine and one is a mom helpers daughter, it was just easier having one troop lol. I originally wasnt planning on being a Leader then i thought since Mackenzie would probably need me to help ease her in bc she walks with braces but for a long time he couldnt stand still like her balance would not allow her to lock her knees and stand without holding onto someones hand. So I became their DAISY leader and now 5 years later they are going into 5th grade. Time flys

Ours started as a Brownie troop, and as we had some in 1st and some in second grade, it just kinda happened. I wanted to start DD in daisy's, but no one from GS ever called me back... I even told them I would be a leader IF I had too.... I was only going to help lead for a year since they had no one else, but just kinda stuck with it. yup, time flies- my kiddo is going into 5th grade and is a second year junior. They are working on their bronze award right now. Fun stuff!

[wishin' on a star]

Welcome to the DIS! I'm sure your DD must be so excited to make her wish. I cannot wait to see pics of your family!

We went on a wish trip in May of last year, and it was really just so magical for everyone. Going on a MAW trip as the kids' first trip to Disney has our family hooked on Disney, and we returned in April this year for another week. We felt much of the same magic the second time around.

My DD has a biscuspid aortic valve, among several other cardiac defects, and we also share some of the issues that go along with SB at times.

I'm also a GS leader, and have 15 Daisies who just bridged to Brownies a couple of weeks ago! It's fun, and although I have my moments, I wouldn't give it up for the world. I also love that it's an activity Catherine can participate in without any limitations. She's been going to a GS day camp last week and this upcoming week, and she hops in the car every afternoon with the biggest smile on her face.

anyway, looking forward to following along and getting to know you and your family more! When are you hoping to go to Disney?!

[princessmamaof5]

how do i post photos on here

[princessmamaof5]

[wishin' on a star]

Originally Posted by princessmamaof5

how do i post photos on here

Use the [IMG] code once you upload your photos to Photobucket. Hope this helps!

[princessmamaof5]

Mackenzie(Wish Child) and Caitlyn a few years ago




OU family photo at disney in 2009 our son was not yet in the picture i actually found her was coming 2 weeks after we returned from the Magical Disney. After 4 girls maybe it really was magical.


Chase our lil stud muffin as my girls call him has definitely brought some flavor to our household

oh and sorry about the pics on this page i plan on moving to my post trip report . Im just so excited i figured how to put pictures on here

[princessmamaof5]

Originally Posted by wishin' on a star

Use the [IMG] code once you upload your photos to Photobucket. Hope this helps!

yes it did help let the pictures and posts begin. Thanks so much

[princessmamaof5]

When I found out i was pregnant with my daughter Mackenzie I was 15 young and in love.(or whatever love is at the age) I like any other naive pregnant teen thought ok I am young but if Travis (my husband) stands by me we can make it. Scared and young I went for my appointments like a was told and did exactly what the doctors said including the triple screen. I got call at 16 weeks pregnant that my number were off on the triple screen and that i needed to go to a genetic counselor and immediate ultrasound. I went to see the specialist agreed to an amniocentesis and ultrasound. By the look on the technicians face I started to panic she left the room and had to get a few doctors to talk to me. Those 5 minuets in between took me from innocence to adulthood. The doctor came in and told me that my baby may not even be compatible with life and only the amnio results would let us know for sure. Well the amnio confirmed SPINA BIFIDA and the ultrasound showed us thatshe has badly clubbed feet.From that point on until her birth im sure i earned some kind of degree in my research of her condition.

I continued school until it was time to schedule her csection. Upon her arrival i remember them calling her a cutie and quickly getting to work to cover her back and stabilize her. Travis immediately followed her and i at 16 was then no longer just a pregnant teen I was now a mom of a special needs child with many surprises, triumphs and setbacks to come.

At one day old Mackenzie got her back closure at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital. I somehow convinced my doctor to release me early and after promising to use a wheelchair and not over due myself he let me go. Let me tell you i dont even remember the pain from the csection because i was too worried about my fragile little one at another hospital than i was. I saw her good for the first time and counted her fingers and toes and thanked GOD for my precious tot and also asked him for courage and guidance on this road i was about to take. First mission learning how to cath a newborn upside down bc she couldn't lay on her back. At the hospital i never thought i would get this but low and behold i became an expert.

At four days old they sent her home. She had mild hydrocephalus but they were going to watch it and go from there. The whole first year were doctors and test and doctors and about 100 teddybears I think we got her one every time we went to the hospital gift shop. In that time she had cast to straighten her feet and the first 6 months we had to give her half baths bc her little legs couldnt get wet because of the casting she had on. At two years old she walked and at 3 years old she had her first controlled bowel movement (and hasn't had many accidents since) when she was born they said she wont ever be able to pee on her own she wont be able to control her bowels and that she wouldn't ever be able to walk. she proved them wrong on two of the three and for the third she learned how to cath herself at age 5. She said she didn't want a nurse at school and ever since she has self cathed herself.

Mackenzie became a friend of all at school she has luckily kept many friends since kindergarten and they sort of protect her. She rides horses cheerleads and is in Girl Scouts ( Im her leader )

Age 5 we go for a normal checkup and with first a murmur and a few higher up doctors concerned we are headed to a cardiologist. We find out she has a bicuspid aortic valve. What is that I say, just to get an answer of oh its complicated but at some point shell probably need surgery.

We take day by day and just hope for the best. Somedays are better then others, sometimes i forget she has a disability,i just know shes mine i love her and im used to her so what others see as different I just see as normal.