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

[wishin' on a star]

This trip will be the most amazing trip, for your whole family. It is SO much about the siblings just as much as the wish kid. While there were little things that were just for the wish kid (the star at GKTW, for example), pretty much everything makes the whole family happy, and focuses on ALL of the kids. Abby and Ethan will love it right alongside Hannah. We had some hard issues at first with my oldest DD (she was 8 at the time) when Catherine was granted her wish--jealousy over her getting a wish, and not understanding what "life threatening" meant for Catherine. But we got through it, and the trip was such a healing moment for our family. It put a gigantic bandaid on all that we have been through in Catherine's life.

So much so, that we are going back this spring. Surprising the kids and going down on Easter Sunday...so get those dates, and maybe we'll meet if you go the last week of April!

 

[Chelley00]

Hi, Carrie! It's Chelley00 from UW and UB way back when. I'm so excited to read about your trip to Disney. I've been following along on Hannah's story and am happy your family gets this chance to celebrate!

 

[blessedmom4]

So much so, that we are going back this spring. Surprising the kids and going down on Easter Sunday...so get those dates, and maybe we'll meet if you go the last week of April!

Laura, that is AMAZING!!! How about a little PTR...

I agree with Laura, this trip will be magical for EVERYONE!!!

 

[Tonyababyrn]

Congrats on Hannah's wish trip!! You have a beautiful family!! We are waiting on dates too. Hopefully we will both hear something soon.

 

[LVMom23]

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.

It just amazes me how much our kids "grow up" when they are living with situations such as these. We can tell by her acting out and behavior that there is a lot going on in her head, and I think we are going to seat out professional help for her. I WISH they had sibling support programs out here!

Now being on the otherside with a child with an illness, I try to remember what I went through on the other end... 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!

So true. The way my son deals with Hannah's situation is so much different than the way my daughter does. I'm so sorry you had so much to deal with on both ends of this spectrum.

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!

That was the main reason our wish strongly included GKTW. After talking to other families, I know that with all the downtime Hannah will need that GKTW will be a perfect place to have fun even while being on downtime. I can't wait to take Hannah on the train!

We had some hard issues at first with my oldest DD (she was 8 at the time) when Catherine was granted her wish--jealousy over her getting a wish, and not understanding what "life threatening" meant for Catherine. But we got through it, and the trip was such a healing moment for our family. It put a gigantic bandaid on all that we have been through in Catherine's life...so get those dates, and maybe we'll meet if you go the last week of April!

I think what *I* personally am looking forward to the most is letting the kids have free rein and just have fun all the time. Not worrying about what they are eating, getting them to do their homework, chores, etc. Nothing but fun and being together.

That would be very cool if we were able to meet you in April!

Hi, Carrie! It's Chelley00 from UW and UB way back when. I'm so excited to read about your trip to Disney. I've been following along on Hannah's story and am happy your family gets this chance to celebrate!

Wow, talk about a blast from the past! How the heck are you?! By the number of your posts, you definitely seem like a Disney expert

]I agree with Laura, this trip will be magical for EVERYONE!!!

I'm ready for a little magic in my life!

Congrats on Hannah's wish trip!! You have a beautiful family!! We are waiting on dates too. Hopefully we will both hear something soon.

Hope we both hear sooner than later

 

[LVMom23]

I'm having SUCH a hard time not starting to plan this trip, I tell ya!

I keep thinking there is so much to start organizing -- fun stuff, medical stuff, travel stuff. Ethan and Abby have already started with their "wish" list of stuff including autograph books, pins, fanny packs (or little backpacks), and wanting me to go out and buy some Disney park music for Hannah so she can start getting into it. We also need to see if we can find more board or foam Disney character books for Hannah because she LOVES books!

I also keep thinking trach supplies, G-tube and formula supplies, oxygen?, flight safety, meds, car rides, clothes, etc.

We need to figure out how much spending money we need to bring with us, whether or not we should get a reservation now for character dining (even though we don't have firm dates yet, only two sets of tentative dates), and start figuring out how we can do WDW/Universal in sets of 3-hour-ish blocks because we know that is how much Hannah could probably tolerate without a break.

OMG, I so want to start planning right now!!! Hopefully the MAW grant team will call soon and just let me know if we are officially a 'go'!

I admit it, I have Disney on the brain almost all day long these days!!!

 

[blessedmom4]

I'm having SUCH a hard time not starting to plan this trip, I tell ya!

I keep thinking there is so much to start organizing -- fun stuff, medical stuff, travel stuff. Ethan and Abby have already started with their "wish" list of stuff including autograph books, pins, fanny packs (or little backpacks), and wanting me to go out and buy some Disney park music for Hannah so she can start getting into it. We also need to see if we can find more board or foam Disney character books for Hannah because she LOVES books!

I also keep thinking trach supplies, G-tube and formula supplies, oxygen?, flight safety, meds, car rides, clothes, etc.

We need to figure out how much spending money we need to bring with us, whether or not we should get a reservation now for character dining (even though we don't have firm dates yet, only two sets of tentative dates), and start figuring out how we can do WDW/Universal in sets of 3-hour-ish blocks because we know that is how much Hannah could probably tolerate without a break.

OMG, I so want to start planning right now!!! Hopefully the MAW grant team will call soon and just let me know if we are officially a 'go'!

I admit it, I have Disney on the brain almost all day long these days!!!

I say start planning, how could they deny your her Wish? Simple, they can't! I absolutely would make a few reservations if you can get them...you can always cancel if you need to! At least you would have some. Disney on the brain is a good "illness" to have...it helps get me through a lot of hard moments in my day! Happy Dreaming!

 

[Mom2Miracles]

I'm having SUCH a hard time not starting to plan this trip, I tell ya!

I keep thinking there is so much to start organizing -- fun stuff, medical stuff, travel stuff. Ethan and Abby have already started with their "wish" list of stuff including autograph books, pins, fanny packs (or little backpacks), and wanting me to go out and buy some Disney park music for Hannah so she can start getting into it. We also need to see if we can find more board or foam Disney character books for Hannah because she LOVES books!

I also keep thinking trach supplies, G-tube and formula supplies, oxygen?, flight safety, meds, car rides, clothes, etc.

We need to figure out how much spending money we need to bring with us, whether or not we should get a reservation now for character dining (even though we don't have firm dates yet, only two sets of tentative dates), and start figuring out how we can do WDW/Universal in sets of 3-hour-ish blocks because we know that is how much Hannah could probably tolerate without a break.

OMG, I so want to start planning right now!!! Hopefully the MAW grant team will call soon and just let me know if we are officially a 'go'!

I admit it, I have Disney on the brain almost all day long these days!!!

I would try and book a few character meals if you can. I had more time out to book them then you will and we still didn't get our top choices. Worst case, you don't get the weeks you want and you cancel them. Its better to try and get what you want then lose out.

I hear you about having this all on your mind. When we found out back in January that Peanut was getting her wish, it was all I could think about. Things have calmed down and while i'm still so excited, i'm not 24/7 Disney. Shhh, don't tell anyone that, its probably a sin to say that on a Disney board. I hope you get the call really soon, it really does make it feel so much more real once you have dates.

 

[smileycrissy]

Hi , just joining in! I have to admit, the name of your thread attracted me. It's too cute and so are your children!! I love the photo of Hannah sleeping with her Minnie.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Hannah gets her Disney trip. And I agree, go ahead and plan some dinners for the kids. Like others have said you can always cancel them.

Hoping you'll be doing a happy dance soon!!

 

[LVMom23]

Hi , just joining in! I have to admit, the name of your thread attracted me. It's too cute and so are your children!!

You know where my title came from? Hannah's favorite toy. Dance Star Mickey.

Her by-far favorite song of his is the hip-hop "M to the I." We must hear it a dozen times a day! Here is a link to the song:
http://www.fisher-price.com/pages/v6/us/dancestarmickey/download.aspx?e=download&music=m1 (It is by the lady who sings the Choo Choo Soul songs)

M to the I, I, C to the K E Y, M O U S E. I hear it in my sleep!

 

[blessedmom4]

You know where my title came from? Hannah's favorite toy. Dance Star Mickey.

Her by-far favorite song of his is the hip-hop "M to the I." We must hear it a dozen times a day! Here is a link to the song:
http://www.fisher-price.com/pages/v6/us/dancestarmickey/download.aspx?e=download&music=m1 (It is by the lady who sings the Choo Choo Soul songs)

M to the I, I, C to the K E Y, M O U S E. I hear it in my sleep!

I thought so! That has me grinning ear to ear ...because I could sing in in my sleep as well...LOVE that Dance Star Mickey, I saw him in the store and wanted him for ME!! I hope your day is lovely!

 

[LVMom23]

I talked to our MAW volunteer today to get an update. There has been some confusion about which doctor they are calling to get approval from but it turned out it didn't matter because they gave their approval. It turns out they were waiting approval from a "doctor in Texas", but Hannah hasn't seen any of her Texas docs since we moved last June. The ones we gave them (we thought) were her local specialist here in Vegas and our NIH pediatrician in DC.

Now we just have to wait for them to go through the rest of the MAW approval process and hopefully we will get dates soon!

Abby (Hannah's sister) wanted to take a picture with all the Mickeys and Minnies we have. The extra big one was given to us by a friend (it was her son's, but he outgrew it), the big Minnie was from the MAW volunteers, and the musical one was given to Hannah by one of her nurses.

 

[blessedmom4]

Only time for a Quick note ( I am cooking dinner). The photo is ADORABLE!! I will be back.

 

[LVMom23]

( I am cooking dinner).

Judy, do you deliver to Vegas? I'm so not in the mood to cook! LOL

 

[smileycrissy]

I talked to our MAW volunteer today to get an update. There has been some confusion about which doctor they are calling to get approval from but it turned out it didn't matter because they gave their approval. It turns out they were waiting approval from a "doctor in Texas", but Hannah hasn't seen any of her Texas docs since we moved last June. The ones we gave them (we thought) were her local specialist here in Vegas and our NIH pediatrician in DC.

Now we just have to wait for them to go through the rest of the MAW approval process and hopefully we will get dates soon!

Abby (Hannah's sister) wanted to take a picture with all the Mickeys and Minnies we have. The extra big one was given to us by a friend (it was her son's, but he outgrew it), the big Minnie was from the MAW volunteers, and the musical one was given to Hannah by one of her nurses.

What an adorable picture!!!

Oh yay, you are one step closer!!! We can do a dance for that, right?

LOL, now I will have that Mickey song in my head tonight.

 

[blessedmom4]

Judy, do you deliver to Vegas? I'm so not in the mood to cook! LOL

HA! I wish I could have!!! I wanted to get married in Vegas...SERIOUSLY!! DH was having none of that, he wanted the pictures (Most of which were lost when our house burned down in '96, so I COULD have with no worries over the photos). Plus he said his Mom would never speak to us again if we did...I thought it sounded FUN!!! (Vegas, not his Mom never speaking to us).

 

[LVMom23]

Still waiting on dates here. Tentatively our MAW volunteer said they are trying for 4/23 to 4/29 with a second choice of 5/3 to 5/9. We know that the doctor approved Hannah's trip, so I'm not sure which part of the process we are now waiting on.

I've made my initial packing list, but I am holding off on getting anything ... even though we are just a month away!

Every day Ethan and Abby ask me if I have heard yet, and I hate saying 'no.' Even though I'm glad they realize it isn't a done deal yet, I wish I could totally get them more excited to go now.

I think if I don't hear by Thursday night, I may email our MAW volunteer for an update

 

[tinytreasures]

fingers crossed we both get dates soon so we can plan our trips together

 

[LVMom23]

just got the call! It is official!

Hannah's wish was approved, and we are going to WDW and GKTW from 4/23 to 4/29!!!

OMG, now I get to start planning for real. Wow, there is so much to do - we leave in ONE MONTH!

 

[cogero]

so happy you have your dates.