Christmas/Birthday 2009 dilemma...need advice

[mrs_hower726]

While we were in WDW last month, I mentioned to DH that I wanted to spend my 30th b-day in Disney and on the last night we were in the parks he suprised me with telling me that my dream would come true.

Here's the problem:

My birthday is on Christmas Eve

The day after we got back from Disney, I found out my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. DH and I worked with some figures and we determined that if we start saving now, we would be able to pay the way for my parents since mom always wanted to go to Disney, but could never afford it. I saw it as a light at the end of the tunnel for all that she is going through right now.

I found out just a few minutes ago that my mom would not be able to get off of work the week of Christmas/birthday or the week after. She's a traveling therapist and they are usually busy during that time. Her boss doesn't give anybody that time off those two weeks out of fairness, which I understand. The boss did tell her the compromise would be that she would give mom the week BEFORE christmas/birthday off.

We also invited members of his family to come with us given they pay their own way. I know DH is not going to be happy with the possible change of dates, but it will be easier for everybody to get off of work the week before compared to the week of.

So do I change the dates and have mom and dad come along or go with the original plans and take them on the trip another time? It is 18 months before and nothing has been reserved yet.

I also am hoping to start my doctorate in the Fall of 2009 and might be in school or have finals the week before my birthday...


Advice, suggestions? I would appreciate if this was a flame-free thread.

Thanks in advance

 

[ToddyLu]

Do you have to start your Doctorate in the fall? I would go for the trip with DH and parents. The memories you will have will last for a lifetime. I would have to postpone my education for the trip. We all only have so much time here and while your education is very important--family is more so...College will always be there...Have a great 30th Birthday!!

 

[mrs_hower726]

To be considered for a TA or assistantship (a must-have), they only offer them for people starting in the fall. There is nothing that says I can't wait another year. I also looked at the academic calendar at the universities I'm taking an interest to and it looks like it would happen during finals week. If it's anything like the masters', it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Another thing that DH and I were discussing is maybe extending our trip to 10 days and having them fly out a few days before we come so we can spend time together but they also have "their" time (my parents will be celebrating their 40th annivarsary 3 weeks after the trip) and we can still spend the holidays in disney.

The only thing that concerns DH and I is the finances. We were thinking of staying in a moderate and having adjoining rooms but if we stay a little longer, a value might be more in our budget (especially going at the most expensive time of the year! ouch! )

If we do stay at a value, which would you recommend? The ages of the party when we go will be 60, 56, 35, and 29/30 with a possibility of DH's parents at 60ish and 57ish.

Thank goodness this is still a long time away! I definetely need pixiedust and some Christmas magic to pull this one off!