A Ten Day Ride on A Magic Camel - Almost Finished Trip Report

[MeMom]

When my mother was in her early 30's she realized that marriage and children was not going to happen for her like she had always dreamed. So she went against what her family believed to be proper and did single parent adoption. She ended up having to wait a few years, was denied by some foreign adoption agencies because she was single, spent tons of money, and finally ended up with me. 3 short years later she was able to adopt another little girl, my sister Kris. My sister and I couldn't have ended up in a more loving home and we are forever thankful that we ended up with our mom.

My cousin is unable to have children and her husband is a few years younger then her. He was against adoption at first (he had many of the same fears that your husband has), but he realizes how much she longs for a child. Last year they made the decision to become foster parents with the intent of adopting. Shortly after completing thier required courses they got a phone call about two little boys who needed a foster home. They said yes. The last year has been a difficult one. They find out in just a few short weeks if the boys will go back to their original home or if they will stay where they are. They are very much loved by my cousin and her husband and we pray every day that they get to keep these two little boys who have stolen our hearts.

I know the red tape and pain of waiting for your child to get to you through adoption. Your mom is a lucky woman to have her two girls! I know she has no greater treasures on earth than the two of you.

MeMom, you inspire me all the time with your beautiful outlook on life. It is so easy to sometimes get caught up in what we wish we had and forget all the blessings we have been given. I appreciate your amazing soul in my life to remind me.

I love the picture above, you have a great eye. I would probably walk right by this shadow and barely notice. You not only notice but bother to take a picture of it to share with all of us out in internet-land

In the midst of many tough times along the way, I have learned to appreciate the little things. We can't really appreciate all the days that we go to our car and take for granted that it will carry us to work until we go out and find it has a flat or a dead battery. That may sound trivial, but I bet the day after you've had either one of those happen and you go out and get in a car with a new battery or full tires you are more aware and appreciative of those things than you were the day before you had the problems.

I can't give you as wonderful of a first hand experience as DisKate but I know that my friends who have adopted believe what they had to go through to get their babies were worth everything! It didn't always seem fair but they know these kids were meant to be theirs. I read something recently where Sheryl Crow was talking about adopting her son and said "Wyatt is definitely all mine. Little souls find their way to you, weather they're from your womb or someone elses" If it feels like what you were meant to do, go for it!

I totally agree. I remember holding Drew and just thinking it was such an amazing thing that God made him just for me!

I would think you would really love ice....especially with your kiddos

Of course you dress warm but they give you these HUGE parka's that are SO warm!!! They are awesome!! I bet you would enjoy it....at least once

BTW.....How is Drew?? I'm sure you've updated but I don't always read all the banter and just keep it to the TR. But I've been thinking about him

This makes me sad

I also LOVE this pic!

Those are cute but I really liked the mickey head placemats in the bottom right corner. I thought those were really cool!

I'm sure you can't wait to hear from Jill tomorrow!!!

I got Jill one of the Mickey head placemats.

Have you heard the talk of them changing the name of Pop to Animation Inn & Family Suites? I read a thread one day that said that's on the drawing board for several years down the road. If true, they would be using classic Disney stories as the theme - Snow White and Pinocchio were mentioned. We won't know until we see it, but classic Disney would be cool.

Maybe someday you, Jill, Brooklynn, and I can go to Ice. Dawn can come up, too, and anyone else who is in the area.

Or maybe I'll just go shop in the warmth of Opry Mills while you guys go freeze your buns off. I'll wait for you at Barnes & Noble after I pick up my pretzel from Auntie Anne's.

Funny, I read forty second as a time also. I seriously wondered what your hurry was!

I guess I thought you people knew me better than that!
Forty seconds? No way!
Forty minutes. Yes.
Forty hours. Now you're talking!


Now for my thoughts on adoption, for what they're worth.
I knew when I was a teenager that I would adopt. I planned to adopt more than once. I planned to have a few children and adopt a few. My plans were not God's plans, though.

I have never felt that Drew was not mine in any way. I forget that I did not give birth to him until it is mentioned. I really only think about it on his birthday, because I always do wonder if the young lady who gave birth to him thinks about him every year on that day. I hope she knows he came to a mom who loves him with all of her heart!

I don't know if everyone who adopts feels the same, but in my case, I just never think about adoption or him looking different or any of that until someone else brings it up or looks at us strangely.

Like when I went to the hospital and told them I was his mother. They did that, "You don't look like his mother" stare for a minute, but when I signed papers taking responsibility for the little daredevil, I guess that convinced them that he was mine.

I do not know anything of his biological parents, so if there is ever a medical issue, I will not know of a history involved in that. I'll just have to hope that never happens.

Anyway, if you're asking if I am pro adoption, I am. Be ready for all the ups and downs, including issues of abandonment that in spite of all the love in the world, often surface in not so pretty ways. Counseling allows young people to verbalize things they carry with them, so that might be a part of things for you when he/she is a teenager.

The love is no different than loving the ones you created yourself.
The differences don't exist. They are yours in every way.
If I had had the money when I was younger, I would have adopted again. I never had the money, so I have to assume that Jill, Trent, and Drew were what God planned for me.

I loved them every day.
I liked them most days.
And I still do!

I am very, very, very happy that I am called Mom by those three awesome people!

 

[lmillercrew]

Memom, you brought tears to my eyes several times in your last couple of posts. I gave a talk in chuch 2 Sundays ago on being thankful. I said a lot of the same things you did about being grateful that I have a car to get me where I need to be. I'm grateful that my DH has a job that provides for our family so that I don't have to work. I'm grateful for my children and the good examples that they are. I'm grateful for the soldiers who have fought and still fight for my freedom. I'm thankful for mornings because that means that I will see one more day on this earth with my family. There are so many little things that we don't think about on a daily basis that we need to thank God for.
I'm grateful that you adopted your son Drew and that the Lord blessed you with a great and loving spirit. I thankful that you post your beliefs in God and aren't afraid to do so. Thank you for sharing your deepest thoughts and prayers with us!

 

[sunny_stace]

Fun updates MeMom! I'm glad to know it was the 42 trip into the gift shop and not a 40-sec. trip! That is not even close to enough time to shop, especially at Disney! And Heaven knows I am living vicariously through your photos for the next 10.5 days (I don't think today should count as a full one anymore! ) I was on the phone earlier with DBFF (who I go with every year) and saying "oh well I saw these CUTE plates that MeMom was looking at and I totally want them, I wonder if they're still around since they're summery..." and she just says..."Who? Your mom? Who is MeMom?!" She doesn't Dis, silly girl! You have become my Disney shopping guru!

You know, it is so strange. I have been thinking more and more about adoption since my birthday in September, and now stories are popping up around me like crazy!
I have always always always wanted to get married and have babies and be a mom. When I was about 6 years old, my mother recorded asking me what I wanted to be when I grew-up. My responses were "A princess, an actress, a teacher, Paula Abdul, and a momma." And then in highschool I always wanted to be married with my first baby by 25....well, that didn't happen! And then I always started to think 30...well, I'm 27 now with NO prospects! I am not willing to give up the idea of having children, but I could ultimately live without being married. Plus with my medical history, it's highly likely I wouldn't be able to have biological children anyhow and I have always liked the idea of adoption.
It is wonderful to hear so many amazing stories on these boards! You all have such fantastic, warm, huge hearts and I have found it incredibly encouraging. To hear of people who are just getting into the process, and then people like our wonderful MeMom who has raised a great young man...it just keeps up my faith that I will still be able to have my own family despite life not going as planned. Thank you for that

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I wish I could see every last pic you have, I think they are all great!! You have opened my eyes to the beauty and uniqueness around WDW. I always loved it but I LOVE it more now. I can't wait to take my own pics.

You have such a lovely way of sharing your thoughts with us. You should be proud of the mother you are. We all should feel grateful for our many blessings.

I have decided that I need to get a second job to pay for all the things I want from WDW. I loved these last shopping pics.
Handbags (can't have too many)
Plates (very practical)
Charms (so cute, I've never noticed them before)

 

[DisKate]

Like when I went to the hospital and told them I was his mother. They did that, "You don't look like his mother" stare for a minute, but when I signed papers taking responsibility for the little daredevil, I guess that convinced them that he was mine.

I do not know anything of his biological parents, so if there is ever a medical issue, I will not know of a history involved in that. I'll just have to hope that never happens.


MeMom,
We never got the "you don't look like her stare" growing up, because oddly both my sister and I look like our adoptive family. The only exception is that all of our family has brown eyes and my sister and I have blue eyes...in fact when most people find out that we are adopted, they don't believe us! (Kris and I are not biological sisters as far as we know).

I think that some day both Kris and I will try to find out some more about our biological parents simply because we both want a medical history, and are a bit curious about what they would be like. We both love our mother, but we don't really ever talk to her about them because we think that it might be hard for her. If you don't mind my asking, how would you feel?

Now, on a lighter note, since I know that this will be most appreciated here vs. anywhere else where people just look at me like I'm silly when I tell the story....When we picked up my sister when she was first born I was just about 3 years old. My mother asked me what I wanted to name her and my response wasn't what she was expecting. I replied that I wanted to name her Christopher Robin. My mother decided that that wouldn't work for a little girl, so she started giving me variations such as Christina Robin, but I wasn't happy with that, so I finally said "lets name her just Kris" and it stuck!

 

[MegansMom]

To MeMom and all the other lovely TR readers who have posted in response to my adoption remarks:

Thank you for sharing your stories with me, and for sharing with me--a somewhat complete stranger--very personal emotions and insight into the world of adoption. You have affirmed in me all that I know will be if I get to adopt a child--I know that I will love that child, born in my heart, as much as I love my Megs, who was born of my womb. Tom and I share a deep faith in each other and the Lord, and I know that he has led us down the path we have already traveled with great purpose and intention, and I have put complete and humble faith in knowing that if it is meant to be for me to adopt, it will happen---the door will be open---as well as our hearts to receive another precious gift into our family. I also know that I will also gladly accept the reality if it is not meant to be, knowing that THAT is the path that I am to walk on my journey. I appreciate your kind words, the loving advice, and the mere acknowledgment of my questions since we are on one level strangers. I greatly appreciate the loving support from this our little DISfamily, and I will keep you updated on the adoption front as much as I can!!! With a thankful heart---Jen

 

[scottny]

Hi,
Ok all caught up. woo that was a lot. great as always. I love the pic of Brooklynn standing on hte chair at O'Hanan with her hand up looking like she is waving. too cute.

Read your adoption post and I was adopted. I was told when I was 8. My parents were very up front with me about it. I was not going to look for biological but then when I met Biff he headed up an organization that did adoptee searches and he convinced me to search. Well I barely began and my biological brothers found me first. I have 5 of them I did want to find my family for medical reasons only because that is so important as you get older and it turns out cancer is on both sides of my family so I am very grateful to have that info for my doctor.
My father side I had to search but I sent a letter to a church where his funeral was and they forwarded it onto his brother. Now we are all one big happy family.
So I could have gone through life without looking for my family to know (now I would say no) but medically it is so important to know.

Can't wait for your next update.

 

[MeMom]

I was gone for the weekend (helping my best friend build his new house!! I have many uncovered talents! LOL ) and I have spent the past few days catching up. Anyway, this post just touched me. My prayers are definately with this sweet little boy and his family. I can't imagine something this tragic wrong with one of my daughters. Isnt it amazing how a group of people who have never met in person can be considered friends? what an amazing world. God bless you and may you be truly thankful for all your Blessings! I know I am grateful for everything I have. 2 gorgeous daughters and a brave husband doing an important job far from home. Happy week before thanksgiving to all my friends!
--Jenni

I've often thought of helping with a Habitat for Humanity house, but I don't know what I'd have to offer, other than picking up trash that the more talented people left behind!

We did get an update on the baby. They were bringing him slowly back to consciousness that day, and his mother was able to hold him. That was a thrill for them all, but that is the last report I have heard.

Oh my gosh I am from the northeast so I'm used to that around this time of year, but I can't imagine how it must have felt for you! HAVE A GOOD TIME! I hope it gets warmer for you.

MeMom: I, too, am adding Basin to my to-do list. That list is going to be longer than my arm by the time February rolls around.

I am also looking forward to your response about adoption. My boyfriend of almost 3 years and I have future plans (very future plans--gotta finish school!), for marriage and kids, and we both are very open to adoption. His aunt and uncle have a biological son, but they also adopted a girl from Korea. She's seven now, and she is the funniest, smartest, cutest little girl. She amuses me to no end with some of the things that she says and does.

I'm sending you an extra long sheet of paper for that famous list of yours! How many days are you staying?

I love to see families when I'm out and about who have little ones from other countries. It takes me back to Drew's little kid days. It always makes me smile and gives me great memories. I'd love to have a seven year old little bundle of energy running around this house again, but I don't think they let 50+ people adopt.

Memom, you brought tears to my eyes several times in your last couple of posts. I gave a talk in chuch 2 Sundays ago on being thankful. I said a lot of the same things you did about being grateful that I have a car to get me where I need to be. I'm grateful that my DH has a job that provides for our family so that I don't have to work. I'm grateful for my children and the good examples that they are. I'm grateful for the soldiers who have fought and still fight for my freedom. I'm thankful for mornings because that means that I will see one more day on this earth with my family. There are so many little things that we don't think about on a daily basis that we need to thank God for.
I'm grateful that you adopted your son Drew and that the Lord blessed you with a great and loving spirit. I thankful that you post your beliefs in God and aren't afraid to do so. Thank you for sharing your deepest thoughts and prayers with us!

The older I get, the more aware I am of the good things I have.

I am so glad you do not have to work outside the home. I'm old-fashioned, so I'm all for moms being at home, at least most of the time. The younger generation likes to work, it seems, and I guess that's best for them, but I was able to stay home when Jill and Trent were very small, and I was very happy being a stay-at-home mom. We read books and did crafts, and they helped me grocery shop. We went to Ladies Bible Class on Thursdays, and then we all went out to eat and let the kids play together. We watched Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers, and we took my grandmother to the store every week. She loved seeing the kids. We did Special Friends, which meant one weekend a month we took kids who were in foster care so the houseparents could have a weekend off. I was quite happy being at home.

Jill prefers to work, and the job she has right now allows her to work four days and be off three, so that's a good mix for her. When she has the second one, she might decide 2-3 days a week is better, or she might like it just like it is now. She'll just have to see what is best for her.

Fun updates MeMom! I'm glad to know it was the 42 trip into the gift shop and not a 40-sec. trip! That is not even close to enough time to shop, especially at Disney! And Heaven knows I am living vicariously through your photos for the next 10.5 days (I don't think today should count as a full one anymore! ) I was on the phone earlier with DBFF (who I go with every year) and saying "oh well I saw these CUTE plates that MeMom was looking at and I totally want them, I wonder if they're still around since they're summery..." and she just says..."Who? Your mom? Who is MeMom?!" She doesn't Dis, silly girl! You have become my Disney shopping guru!

You know, it is so strange. I have been thinking more and more about adoption since my birthday in September, and now stories are popping up around me like crazy!
I have always always always wanted to get married and have babies and be a mom. When I was about 6 years old, my mother recorded asking me what I wanted to be when I grew-up. My responses were "A princess, an actress, a teacher, Paula Abdul, and a momma." And then in highschool I always wanted to be married with my first baby by 25....well, that didn't happen! And then I always started to think 30...well, I'm 27 now with NO prospects! I am not willing to give up the idea of having children, but I could ultimately live without being married. Plus with my medical history, it's highly likely I wouldn't be able to have biological children anyhow and I have always liked the idea of adoption.
It is wonderful to hear so many amazing stories on these boards! You all have such fantastic, warm, huge hearts and I have found it incredibly encouraging. To hear of people who are just getting into the process, and then people like our wonderful MeMom who has raised a great young man...it just keeps up my faith that I will still be able to have my own family despite life not going as planned. Thank you for that

I'm glad to assist you in your shopping needs! I love to just look at everything. I don't shop at home - I don't go into a mall or store unless it is for groceries or some specific mission, so I guess that's why I enjoy the browsing when I go to Disney World.

Creating a family through adoption is a beautiful experience. Families are made in different ways.

You're getting to Disney World on the 30th? What time? We have to leave by noon at the latest, but if our times overlap, maybe we can meet up for a minute. Let me know.

I wish I could see every last pic you have, I think they are all great!! You have opened my eyes to the beauty and uniqueness around WDW. I always loved it but I LOVE it more now. I can't wait to take my own pics.

You have such a lovely way of sharing your thoughts with us. You should be proud of the mother you are. We all should feel grateful for our many blessings.

I have decided that I need to get a second job to pay for all the things I want from WDW. I loved these last shopping pics.
Handbags (can't have too many)
Plates (very practical)
Charms (so cute, I've never noticed them before)

I'm thinking about a second job myself, but I don't know where I would fit it in. I already know I'll be working in the after-school tutoring program starting sometime in February, so that's a little extra, but I need to get a Saturday job, too. I need to build up a savings account, and I'm not having much (any) luck with that right now!

Like when I went to the hospital and told them I was his mother. They did that, "You don't look like his mother" stare for a minute, but when I signed papers taking responsibility for the little daredevil, I guess that convinced them that he was mine.

I do not know anything of his biological parents, so if there is ever a medical issue, I will not know of a history involved in that. I'll just have to hope that never happens.


MeMom,
We never got the "you don't look like her stare" growing up, because oddly both my sister and I look like our adoptive family. The only exception is that all of our family has brown eyes and my sister and I have blue eyes...in fact when most people find out that we are adopted, they don't believe us! (Kris and I are not biological sisters as far as we know).

I think that some day both Kris and I will try to find out some more about our biological parents simply because we both want a medical history, and are a bit curious about what they would be like. We both love our mother, but we don't really ever talk to her about them because we think that it might be hard for her. If you don't mind my asking, how would you feel?

Now, on a lighter note, since I know that this will be most appreciated here vs. anywhere else where people just look at me like I'm silly when I tell the story....When we picked up my sister when she was first born I was just about 3 years old. My mother asked me what I wanted to name her and my response wasn't what she was expecting. I replied that I wanted to name her Christopher Robin. My mother decided that that wouldn't work for a little girl, so she started giving me variations such as Christina Robin, but I wasn't happy with that, so I finally said "lets name her just Kris" and it stuck!

Drew being Korean made the differences obvious, so there was no doubt about the fact that he was adopted. It wasn't common around here to see an Asian baby, so he got a lot of looks. People would ask questions out of ignorance. They didn't mean to say ridiculous things, I'm sure, but it was just a pretty new concept many years ago. One lady asked me if he would speak English. He was probably six or seven months old. I wanted to tell her yes, since English was the only language I knew, thus the only language he would hear, most likely, he would speak English! But, I just said yes, kindly, and went on.

We do tease Drew about really being Mexican, though, because he loves Mexican food and anything spicy!

How would I feel if he wanted to search for biological parents? I don't know if I have an answer, really. If I am honest, I might feel a little twinge of fear that he would some time in the future consider someone else his mom instead of me. I don't guess I've ever really given it much thought, since it's never come up.

To MeMom and all the other lovely TR readers who have posted in response to my adoption remarks:

Thank you for sharing your stories with me, and for sharing with me--a somewhat complete stranger--very personal emotions and insight into the world of adoption. You have affirmed in me all that I know will be if I get to adopt a child--I know that I will love that child, born in my heart, as much as I love my Megs, who was born of my womb. Tom and I share a deep faith in each other and the Lord, and I know that he has led us down the path we have already traveled with great purpose and intention, and I have put complete and humble faith in knowing that if it is meant to be for me to adopt, it will happen---the door will be open---as well as our hearts to receive another precious gift into our family. I also know that I will also gladly accept the reality if it is not meant to be, knowing that THAT is the path that I am to walk on my journey. I appreciate your kind words, the loving advice, and the mere acknowledgment of my questions since we are on one level strangers. I greatly appreciate the loving support from this our little DISfamily, and I will keep you updated on the adoption front as much as I can!!! With a thankful heart---Jen

That's what I do. I let doors open without forcing them. If it's meant to be, it will all fall into place. Things will begin to stack up on the pro side instead of the con side, and you'll know what to do. If you think you want to adopt, you can always begin the process, because it takes a long time. You can stop it at any time it doesn't feel right.

Hi,
Ok all caught up. woo that was a lot. great as always. I love the pic of Brooklynn standing on hte chair at O'Hanan with her hand up looking like she is waving. too cute.

Read your adoption post and I was adopted. I was told when I was 8. My parents were very up front with me about it. I was not going to look for biological but then when I met Biff he headed up an organization that did adoptee searches and he convinced me to search. Well I barely began and my biological brothers found me first. I have 5 of them I did want to find my family for medical reasons only because that is so important as you get older and it turns out cancer is on both sides of my family so I am very grateful to have that info for my doctor.
My father side I had to search but I sent a letter to a church where his funeral was and they forwarded it onto his brother. Now we are all one big happy family.
So I could have gone through life without looking for my family to know (now I would say no) but medically it is so important to know.

Can't wait for your next update.

Drew has never expressed any desire to do a search, and with a foreign adoption, I don't know that that would even be possible. He has never made an issue of anything as far as me not being his real mother, but I do know he has had some feelings of inferiority, and I don't know if some of that could stem, deep down, from knowing someone gave him away as a baby. He's never said anything out loud about wanting to delve into his past, though.

I'm glad things have worked out nicely for you in finding and getting along with family members.


*************************************


On this day, we were going back to good old Magic Kingdom.

Here's what it looked like in front of where I stood, waiting for the rope to drop.

Here's what it looked like behind me.

I like the fact that these guys are always there to greet us.

Gotta love empty streets.

My sweet Brooklynn waving as she circles around.

Next, we went through Peter Pan, because it is standard for us to do Dumbo and Peter Pan before the lines form.

After that, it was time to see one of Brooklynn's all-time favorite half-fish half-humans.

Awull's friend, Thu-bath-tion.

Little girl heaven.

Jill shared with Ariel that Brooklynn watched her movie often, and of course Ariel was just thrilled to hear that.

(I just noticed that Ariel looks like she more playing the role of one of Cinderella's stepsisters in this picture, but she really was being sweet. I just caught her at a bad second, apparently. It looks like she's thinking, "Get this snot-nosed little kid outta here!", but she's really not.)

Later today, we will take a ride on It's a Small World. I have taken the day off, as I have an 'epizudi' of some kind - coughing, congestion, watery, burning eyes, chest hurts, ribs hurt, head hurts, etc. You all know what epizudi is, of course.

I've got things to get done around here, so I will be productive at home instead of school today. It'll be a good day for me to pack for the trip.

In a few hours, we'll know what our new baby is.
I don't know what Jill has planned about getting word to you guys who are interested,
but either she'll get on and tell or she'll give me the word to let you know.
She's ready to know, and she's really ready for Brooklynn to stop calling it Baby Kermit!

What do you think?
Will we add a or a to this crazy crew???

 

[IluvXU]

Big Day! Here are some prayers that the baby is healthy and answers about whether a baby boy or girl is coming will be found!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Do you think Magic Camel will be that empty this time next week?

Have a wonderfully productive day today -- are you driving to Jill's Saturday or tomorrow after you get off work?

I can't wait to find out what Jill is having -- I hope the little baby cooperates today!!!

 

[kschafer]

Oh MeMom, I hope you get to feeling better soon! Packing is an exciting way to spend a day off though! (And obsessing over Jill's news today I'm sure) When do you leave?

I wanted to say that I have 2 good friends who have both adopted from the same organization in recent years (one has 3 babies and the other has 1). the agency they used arranges adoptions through Korea. They have all the medical history of both parents provided to them so if issues arise in the future, they have that knowledge.

(And someone asked one of them what language they spoke too! I couldn't believe it! I think my friend probably gave them a polite answer too. I'm not sure I would have)

I too believe in leaving doors (and your heart) open to see what your future brings. when I quit my job last spring I didn't know where I would end up and it was scary but I knew it was what I had to do for me. Well, it took awhile but the right job came along and I am very happy now. And it's only 1/2 time which financially makes things a little tighter but I am so much happier and more contented than I was a year ago. It's not what I was expecting at all but exactly where I should be in my life.

 

[lmillercrew]

I vote for Kermit!! That's hilarious. Crazy little two year old. They say the funniest things!
Good luck with the ultrasound and hope that they have a healthy baby.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

I hope you feel better soon and that you get a lot done today! But make sure you rest enough so that you're well for the trip!

I can't wait to find out about the baby!

That picture of Ariel looking at Brooklynn is hilarious!

 

[hollyluvsdisney]

Wow, were you guys first in line for the MK that morning? That's awesome!

We'd most likely be in the very back of this group! That's my DH's fault though... he does not like to get up early, even for Disney!

Ariel's expression was pretty funny! I'm sure it was just a bad moment, though, like you said. How could anyone not think Brooklyn is as cute as a button?

That's so exciting that you're going to find out about the baby today!!!

 

[feedthebirds]

You have a beautiful family, MeMom! All 5 of my kids just love your trip reports, especially your pictures. Hope you get to feelin better! I'm thinking maybe it's a princess. But then again this is coming from a mom who never guessed her own pregnancies right! We found out only on our 3rd, we had some issues that we had to see a specialist, it was incredibly obvious it was a he not a she. I really enjoyed being surprised each time. Hopefully Jill's appointment is in the morning, I'm sure the anticipation is making the day go at a snail's pace! We're off to the children's museum, I can't wait to hear your or Jill's news when we get back.

 

[Megablocks]

I'm sending you an extra long sheet of paper for that famous list of yours! How many days are you staying?

Thanks, I'll need it! We're staying a week, February 11-18. Next semester, I will have class only twice a week, one on Monday and one on Thursday, so I'll only end up missing one class each, which is a relief. We have an early-ish flight out of Boston -- it leaves around 10:30, so we should get to Orlando around 1:30, hop on the ME, hopefully be at Pop by around 3:30 or 4, and maybe hit a park (my vote is Epcot) before going to the nighttime EMH at Animal Kingdom.

I hope you feel better. I'm heading to class now, but I'll be back later to check on Jill's news!

 

[MeMom]

The baby did cooperate, so we know what it is! Jill said she will try to get on sometime today and let you guys in on it.
I'm so glad she was able to find out, because now we can definitely do some Disney shopping for the new little one!

Big Day! Here are some prayers that the baby is healthy and answers about whether a baby boy or girl is coming will be found!

It was exciting news, and all is well.

Do you think Magic Camel will be that empty this time next week?

Have a wonderfully productive day today -- are you driving to Jill's Saturday or tomorrow after you get off work?

I can't wait to find out what Jill is having -- I hope the little baby cooperates today!!!

Probably not, but that was Fourth of July week, also crowded, so it just shows that if you get there early enough, you still can have the park to yourself for a few minutes anyway.

I am not going to Jill's until Monday. Metro was kind enough to let students out for a full week, but they thought it would be nice if teachers disrupted their nice 9 day break (when you add weekends) to come to school on Monday for a planning day!

Jill will hopefully get to the computer at lunch time to tell you what the baby is.

Oh MeMom, I hope you get to feeling better soon! Packing is an exciting way to spend a day off though! (And obsessing over Jill's news today I'm sure) When do you leave?

I wanted to say that I have 2 good friends who have both adopted from the same organization in recent years (one has 3 babies and the other has 1). the agency they used arranges adoptions through Korea. They have all the medical history of both parents provided to them so if issues arise in the future, they have that knowledge.

(And someone asked one of them what language they spoke too! I couldn't believe it! I think my friend probably gave them a polite answer too. I'm not sure I would have)

I too believe in leaving doors (and your heart) open to see what your future brings. when I quit my job last spring I didn't know where I would end up and it was scary but I knew it was what I had to do for me. Well, it took awhile but the right job came along and I am very happy now. And it's only 1/2 time which financially makes things a little tighter but I am so much happier and more contented than I was a year ago. It's not what I was expecting at all but exactly where I should be in my life.

The lady who sits in front of me at church has two grandsons from Korea. She shows me their pictures, and it just brings back a flood of memories from when Drew was little. Those little guys are so cute!

I'll meet Jill and John at their house Monday evening, and we will be ready to roll!

I vote for Kermit!! That's hilarious. Crazy little two year old. They say the funniest things!
Good luck with the ultrasound and hope that they have a healthy baby.

Everything is fine - nice healthy baby b...g...bo..gir....oh, I better wait and let Jill tell you. It is her baby, after all!

I hope you feel better soon and that you get a lot done today! But make sure you rest enough so that you're well for the trip!

I can't wait to find out about the baby!

That picture of Ariel looking at Brooklynn is hilarious!

That's about all I'm doing right now - hanging out in bed and on the Dis. I did wash dishes, and I'm going to the grocery store later today. I've got a load of clothes drying, and when they're ready, they'll go to the suitcase.

Wow, were you guys first in line for the MK that morning? That's awesome!

We'd most likely be in the very back of this group! That's my DH's fault though... he does not like to get up early, even for Disney!

Ariel's expression was pretty funny! I'm sure it was just a bad moment, though, like you said. How could anyone not think Brooklyn is as cute as a button?

That's so exciting that you're going to find out about the baby today!!!

Us and a hundred others were right at the rope. You have to be brave to be up there, too, because at rope drop, if you don't scurry along, you will be stampeded!

When I look at pictures of Brooklynn looking at the characters, it just makes me want to be able to read her little mind.

You have a beautiful family, MeMom! All 5 of my kids just love your trip reports, especially your pictures. Hope you get to feelin better! I'm thinking maybe it's a princess. But then again this is coming from a mom who never guessed her own pregnancies right! We found out only on our 3rd, we had some issues that we had to see a specialist, it was incredibly obvious it was a he not a she. I really enjoyed being surprised each time. Hopefully Jill's appointment is in the morning, I'm sure the anticipation is making the day go at a snail's pace! We're off to the children's museum, I can't wait to hear your or Jill's news when we get back.

Thanks so much. I think they are pretty special. I'm so glad your kids are enjoying the pictures. It makes it even more fun for me as I start out again next week. I will try to capture more of the fun, excitement, joy, and magic that I feel and bring it here to you.

I know the museum will be/was fun. I am hoping Jill can get on at lunch time to share her news.



I get such a thrill out of Jill being a mother. To watch my own child laugh at, play with, sing to, be silly with, cuddle, snuggle, hug, kiss, and love her child is just one of the best feelings I have ever had in my entire life!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Probably not, but that was Fourth of July week, also crowded, so it just shows that if you get there early enough, you still can have the park to yourself for a few minutes anyway.

I am not going to Jill's until Monday. Metro was kind enough to let students out for a full week, but they thought it would be nice if teachers disrupted their nice 9 day break (when you add weekends) to come to school on Monday for a planning day!

Jill will hopefully get to the computer at lunch time to tell you what the baby is.

Don't you love those, "But we don't really think teachers should enjoy themselves too much" disruptions??? That's just a dumb way to do it! Next year we are getting a full week at Thanksgiving which I am really excited about!!!

DON'T LET JILL KEEP US IN SUSPENSE TOO LONG!!!

 

[tinkgurl]

Hey, I'm finally here. Still up for some pics of my trip whenever I make it home to get them up on here?

 

[DisKate]

I will be checking the DIS at work this afternoon to see if Jill has posted...Hopefully Brooklynn will get away from calling it Baby Kermit when she knows if its a brother or sister!