Make-A-Wish and "M to the I, I, C to the K E Y, M O U S E" for Hannah!

[blessedmom4]

I have heard that from other people here, which is why we requested that the main wish be to stay at GKTW along with Disney. I'm so glad to hear that it was worthwhile!

Reality is that Hannah is going to need a lot of breaks from the entertainment. So during that downtime, we can let Ethan and (my) Abby explore and play at GKTW and just have a fabulous time while Hannah is resting.

I can SO relate to needing the downtime, three of ours will need that and it will be fun to have a place to enjoy while they decompress! GKTW looks PERFECT for that, I agree!

It made such an impact for Ethan and Abby, I tell ya! I think when this whole process started, it was going to be another "everything for Hannah and we tag along" situation. But when they handed gifts to Ethan and Abby and made it a point to say they were for them...it all changed. They realized this was just as much for them as it was for Hannah.

THAT is what I want them to feel. I just am so anxious to get dates already!

I am with you, I want ALL of the children to feel special, they have endured SO MUCH and deserve to have a magical time as well...it is VERY hard on the siblings I think...although mine insist that isn't so, I still have concerns over that.

Tell Ethan I am with him, I LOVE Harry Potter! Christian was HP for Halloween before anyone even knew who he was. I had to make his costume and all night people inquired who he was supposed to be ....Tell Abby that Lisa LOVES Belle, her favorite Princess...although Rapunzel is now a close second and with Lisa's long hair she could pass for her too...

I hope you get dates soon!!!!

 

[Loodlow]

Subscribing to keep up with your plans! What an awesome family. I just know your wishes will come true!

 

[blessedmom4]

 

[tinytreasures]

You will love the top 2 books those are my kids bedtime stories around here
Plus we have the the other Brinbaum too.
I don't have the 3rd book so no help there.

 

[LVMom23]

Nothing comes between Hannah and her Minnie...

 

[blessedmom4]

Nothing comes between Hannah and her Minnie...

What a precious photo....

 

[tinytreasures]

Nothing comes between Hannah and her Minnie...

aww that is so sweet

 

[chelleydi77]

Nothing comes between Hannah and her Minnie...

Can that be any sweeter! Make sure you take her pic when she finds out her wish has been granted, I am so looking forward to her smile!

 

[brookerene]

Here is a calendar I made for Hannah's wish trip....! Hope she likes it... it's inspired by her dress in one of the photos from page 1!

I recommend printing it on matte photo paper if you have some. You can't have a photo place print it because of copyright.... Also stickers work great for counting off the days and you can stick it on 12x12 paper to put in a scrapbook!

 

[LVMom23]

Brooke, I love this!!!! Thank you I do have some matte photo paper, and I will print it out this weekend!!

 

[blessedmom4]

Brooke, I love this!!!! Thank you I do have some matte photo paper, and I will print it out this weekend!!

Isn't Brooke AMAZING!!!

 

[LVMom23]

Things are moving along.

I got a call from one of our wish volunteers, and she asked about two sets of dates and which would be better for us. End of April or beginning of May. I asked her if Hannah's specialist had approved the wish already, and she had said, "not yet." But since GKTW, where we really want to stay, fills up really quick, they want to put in a tentative request for us so that once they get the approval, we have a place to stay.

For those of you who follow Hannah's blog, I had a tough discussion with my daughter last night (details).

We got our three Disney World books from Amazon today, and my 10yo son tore into the books. He is very excited.

My daughter wanted nothing to do with looking at them tonight. I know it was because of our conversation last night. It broke my heart. I want her to be excited about this. I know that she has a heavy heart right now with everything going on, but this wish is just as much for her and her brother as it is for Hannah - even more so.

 

[cogero]

OH I just read your blog {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}} to both you and Abby.

I can so relate to your convo to a certain extent. My son (3) is on the Autism Spectrum and has been a train wreck since birth with some other issues. I can't tell you how hard I strive for alone time with DD who is 9 andmaking sure she can do what she always has.

One thing I would do is tell the school what is going on and make sure the let you know how she does which I am sure they have been doing. Her talking to you is the 1st step.

You are a wonderful mom and have great kids.

 

[tinytreasures]

HUGE HUGE HUGS for you and your daughter.

 

[brookerene]

I'm glad you like the countdown calendar... and I hope all goes well with you and your family! I know it is hard for Abby...and for you. I guess one question I would ask her if I had the guts as a mom ... is that - would she not want to have had Hannah at all? If you knew you had this gene and decided not to have Hannah because of it....This is a hard question but an important one...even at 7, I think she can understand... Because if you are like me, I would have chosen to have her no matter what.... and I think Abby would too. (In an age where 90% of Down syndrome children are aborted and I don't know how many other disabled children are aborted) .. I think we need to look at the good things... Hannah is a beautiful daugher/sister, we know she may not be with us long.... how can we spend this time with her to the greatest value! Create the best memories... love her... and know that when she does go home... there is hope to see her again...that hope is what makes the loss bearable!
My mom had difficulty with my son's illness and was blaming herself for passing on some gene...(we don't know if his is genetic or not, I doubt it at this point)... and I had to explain to her (my mom) that it wasn't anyone's fault...even if it was genetic...we don't have any control over genetics... but that we will make the best choices we can, trust that God will watch over him, lay him at God's feet... Fortunately, he was able to do something to keep him alive and healthy but he will face another transplant or many...it's not gone completely away...and it may cost his life later on...
but every moment of life is valuable...even life that is suffering... every moment we have with a loved one is precious and shouldn't be wasted...I am sure that Abby understands that...and that it isn't anyone's fault, but that in the big picture, good will come of everything if we only hold on! Hope I didn't everstep myself here, take care.

 

[LVMom23]

Thanks everyone for the support. It really helps hearing how other parents handle these situations

 

[blessedmom4]

I am happy your daughter is opening up to you, that is tough for both of you. Kudos to you for having the strength to be there for her! My daughter is sandwiched between two very ill siblings (and an ill Daddy) and I have always known she is deeply affected by all of this, although she tries to deny it, so she will not "bring more trouble" to us...Our oldest son is also affected; he remembers when no one was sick, although he handles things differently...Siblings have a very difficult path to follow when there is so much illness and parents are away/working just to help everyone survive... for your entire family. I hope you are able to have more alone time with Abby, to help you both...I know that isn't easy to do with such a full plate!

Brooke, you are so eloquent and thoughtful in what you write, I know that came from your heart.

 

[brookerene]

My struggles with my son have not been as difficult as with many famlies.... one of the things that gave me a perspective as a kid, was that my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer when I was ten...and he was sick on and off prior to that diagnosis. He was 36 at diagnosis and 39.9 when he died, so I really learned a lot from that experience. Now being on the otherside with a child with an illness, I try to remember what I went through on the other end... the feelings and the fear and how do we deal with it. My faith in Christ was the one factor that gave me what I needed to face that time in life and this time... everyone faces things differently... and it's very difficult to try to met everyone's differnt style. But with thought and prayer, it can be done!

 

[Emilyswish]

I'm glad you had a great meeting and congrats on getting a wish trip for your family!!

Your kids are just adorable and I know there will be so many things to see and do at Disney and the other parks, and at GKTW that will make Hannah so happy!

 

[LVMom23]

Abby is finally starting to get excited about the possibility of going to WDW. I caught her and my hubby going through the WDW kids book this morning and talking about the rides.

She even asked me if she could get an autograph book so she could get all the princesses autographs! I was like, "of course!"

We also told her that we would celebrate her birthday there if we go as well. Her birthday is 4/3 but my hubby has to go out of town for work and won't be here. We are going to have a park birthday party with her friends, but she loves the idea of being the "birthday girl" too.

We of course have to remind both Ethan and Abby that the trip may not happen for whatever reason. But there is no harm in starting to plan as long as we keep that in mind!