Drew's Wish Comes True...

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

I am really enjoying reading about your trip. I can't wait to read more.

Carol

Thanks Carol.

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

This was the morning of the meet and greet at GKTW. Meagan again opted for an extra hour of sleep. Steve and I took the kids up to see Mickey and his friends. I hadn’t realized they take a little break while they are there so we had missed them by 5 minutes. Thankfully we still needed breakfast so the Gingerbread House was a great place to wait for the characters to return.


We were the fifth family in line to meet Mickey and Minnie. The family behind us agreed that it was amazing that a week at Disney and this was the first line we really had to stand in.

We took lots of pictures and Mickey & Minnie signed Drew’s 2008 Mickey. As they were taking our group picture I whispered to Mickey that Drew’s wish was to see him.

Mickey had Drew come back and get a picture by himself. Drew thought it was the best thing ever.

Snow White was in the foyer as we exited. Madilynn’s eyes got so big! She looked up with the biggest smile.

Zander was sure he did NOT need a picture with Snow White. Once again he was told to suck it up. This was a picture taking morning.

Pluto and Goofy were in the courtyard. Ryan loves them both. I had to use my cell phone to get pictures here.

I told Steve I just couldn’t do another day without a camera. Thankfully he agreed and a semi-quick stop to Walmart for a point and shoot was our first stop of the day. Another thing that’s the same across the country – there’s no such thing as a quick trip into Walmart.

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

We started the day at Animal Kingdom. First stop was the Tree of Life. The kids all wore their Mara Team shirts. When we first got approved for our Make-a-Wish trip this was a picture I wanted to take. I had no idea then that Mara’s courageous fight would end before we went. All morning I thought of her and what a determined little girl she is. How she always wore the biggest smile, it shone from her eyes.

As we past through the land of Africa, Ryan was getting his groove on to the show in front of the Tusker House. He loved those drummers and was dancing right along with the people.

Then we were on to the Kilimanjaro Safari. That was really cool. It’s much better that Northwest Trek. We got to see a lot of animals close up. I wish we had seen more giraffe’s, but loved the ride. It was the favorite ride of the day for most of us.

Madilynn loved pushing Drew in the wheel chair any chance she could get.

Meagan & Brittany then headed to ride Expedition Everest while we headed to DinoLand with the little kids. Ryan really wanted to play in the BoneYard but time was running short and so we had to pass.

They rode the Triceratop Spin. Meagan & Brittany met up with us and they all headed Primeval Whirl. Steve came back shortly with Madilynn, she was too short L Only ride the whole trip she was turned away from. She was so very sad. Gramma used some of her dining points to get her some popcorn. That made her happier.

Which Ryan made sure she shared LOL

As soon as the kids got off the ride we were off to the van. Madilynn fell asleep in Meagan's arms on the way out.

Then she woke up when we got to the gate.

The kids loved the Rainforest TreeFrog and the big tree : )

Madilynn fell racing Ryan onto the tree frog and had to have me document her battle wound LOL

We had 45 minutes to our reservation at Garden Grill for the Candle Light Processional.

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

We finally found a parking spot (didn’t even think of the lot being full) and ran towards the entrance.

We rushed back to The Land (after consulting the map a few times) and finally got checked in – only 15 minutes late. Quick bathroom breaks and we were seated.

I really wish I had looked closer at the menu for Garden Grill. I was so focused on making sure we had seating for the Candlelight Processional that I over looked that. It’s definitely not a restaurant we will ever visit again. We paid Adult price for the older kids to eat chicken nuggets and fries. Definitely not a restaurant for a family full of picky eaters.

We did have a VERY nice waitress though.

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

I didn’t realize this was a character restaurant either. Dale was the first to stop at our table. He was so loving to Drew and very patience with all the kids.

Next up was Pluto, Ryan’s new favorite. He absolutely love him.

Then Chip came by. He thought it was great the kids knew he was Chip and not Dale LOL

Our waitress was so patient and brought whatever we asked. When she realized we were on a wish trip and that Drew’s wish was to see Mickey she had him come back by. He loved on the kids for some time.

I was so caught up in the moment that I didn’t realize I had forgotten to take a picture of Zander with Mickey. Zander had stayed in his seat like he was asked and had missed out. I felt so bad. Once our waitress found this out she had Mickey come by again. Of course he arrived just after Zander had headed to the restroom.

Finally Zander & Mickey got their picture and we headed off for some serious talking with Ryan’s favorite Turtle.

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

Ryan had made a sign that said “I love Crush” He wanted so badly for Crush to talk to him. The only memory he has of our trip in 2005 is that Crush didn’t talk to him. I felt so bad for him. He sat there so still in the front row holding onto that sign waiting and waiting for a turn to talk with Crush.

And of course Madilynn, who wouldn’t sit still, gets called on. Ryan was happy for her though. The worker there saw his sign and told him if he would sign his name she would make sure crush got it. That made his day and kept us from tears.

We rode the Nemo ride. It was ok. Not something we feel the need to do again. Even the younger two thought it was “babyish” The starfish at the end of the ride is the only part they talked about.

By now it was time to make our way to the boat to get across the park for the Candle Light Vigil.

We were late (again) and missed the beginning but were quickly seated. Steven Curtis Chapman was the narrator for the night. He’s the reason I bought the tickets. I really wanted to end our trip with the true meaning of Christmas. I think it’s great that Disney has such a program in their park. Sitting there in the cold breeze off the water, our hearts were warmed. When he read from the Bible it pierced your soul. We sat just in front of the Trumpets. What a spiritual experience it was. Once again Madilynn fell asleep. Drew & Meagan sat next to me huddled together in Steve’s coat because theirs had been left in the van. As I sat with my arm tucked around Drew, trying to keep him warm and constantly having to use his magnet to stop his seizures I was thankful for the blessing God has given us. We were ending an amazing week from home. We had spent a week without a single worry of illness. Even when Drew was up in the night I never worried. I knew we would be ok.

After the show we walked around the different countries. It was funny that Ryan actually thought we were actually visiting each one. It takes us all day to fly from WA to FL but we can be from Germany to Mexico in a matter of minutes LOL

We stopped by Soarin' We love that ride. Last trip to Disneyland mom sat with Ryan & Madilynn who were too little to ride. This time everyone got to The kids loved prooving they were big enough LOL

We walked back out to the front. It was a really cold night, the only one of our whole trip. We made it back to be the last people on Spaceship Earth. How cool that ride is. I wish we had enough time that we could have ridden again.

After some not-so-quick shopping and a good half hour sitting with kids in the cold, we boarded the monorail back to the MK. This time Meagan and the three younger ones rode up front.

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

The top priority was to see Cinderella. Requests were made for another ride of Peter Pan and Pirates. We had hoped to ride the train and were bummed to find out it quits running at 9pm. So we hoofed it back to Toontown. We walked through Minnies house – she was already in bed : (

Over to the tent we went. Cinderella and Belle were the princesses there.

Cinderella was so amazed by Madilynn’s dress. She made sure to tell her that Mrs. Heather made it special just for her.

Cinderella asked Madilynn if she had any step-sisters. Madilynn told her no but she did have a sister and three brothers. And then went on to tell her how one was annoying, one was mean and one was the best.

Cinderella made sure she had all the boys correct – to Madilynn’s description – before she had a picture with them.

Then they danced and danced. They sang and danced some more. My little girl was in absolute heaven.

Madilynn made sure Belle knew about these brothers of hers too. It was a bit embarrassing. Zander was less than excited about more pictures with more princesses.

Madilynn really wanted to see Tinker Bell. The boys begged to not have to go. Steve and my mom took Madilynn up and I took the rest of the kids out to ride the Tea Cups while we waited. I guess Madilynn was something else with the fairies. She wanted to see Tinker Bell – NOT the blue fairy. She had no need to visit there. Finally Tinker Bell came and took her hand and talked her into visiting her blue fairy friend. Finally she got her picture with Tinker Bell and mom was spared any more embarrassment by my over tired, head-strong princess.

Some of the kids wanted to ride Snow White. We hadn’t been on it yet so we tried to hurry. We came off that ride and dashed to Peter Pan just to have the attendants walk away. The clock had struck midnight. There were no more rides to be ridden. We had totally missed seeing our beloved Country Bears.

Thankfully we got to walk pass the amazingly lit castle again.

We stopped along the way on Main Street for a few last pictures.

Hats were picked up, souvenirs bought at the Emporium, one last stop in a Disney restroom.

Mom and Brittany had a bit more shopping to do that we did so we left them in the park to catch the bus back to POR. We made the trek back to the monorail. Our feet were so tired.

Even daddy caught a little shut-eye on the ride back to Epcot.

It seemed like our van was moving further and further away with every step we took. We were thankful though that we weren’t one of the few cars that were parked WAAAAYYY out because the parking tram had quit running.

We walked through our door at the villa and fell into bed. Hoping and Praying our flight would be one of the ones cancelled due to snow that had fallen here at home.

 

[mom2lilnick]

Wow.. amazing TR.

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

Wow.. amazing TR.

thanks Amy

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

5:30 am the call came that we weren’t one of the lucky ones. Our flight was leaving Orlando on time. I had so much packing to do. We needed to be out of the Village by 8:30 am.

Steve and I got up and started packing. I woke Meagan and told her our flight was on time and she needed to get up and packing too. I once again made the “5 minute Jacuzzi” announcement and didn’t have to wake any of the little kids again. Steve headed to the Media Center to pick up the video we had taken and to check us out. He came back a half hour later to let me know that we had to be all the way out of the villa before he could check out. The breakfast cart came by. Steve loaded up the van while I grabbed a quick shower and we were off.

It was already 9am. GKTW was very understanding of our need to hurry and got us checked out in record time. We made a drive-thru at the gas station and headed for the airport. Why on earth do they insist on having the car return as far from check-in as they can? Trying to race to the counter with all our bags in tow and keep track of the kids was less than exciting. It was now after 10 am. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 11:10.

We got our bags checked and they tag them with LATE. They tell us there’s no guarantee our bags will make our flight seeing as we are scheduled to leave in less than 45 minutes. We raced over to security. They wouldn’t let us move to the front of the line. We waited and waited. Of course they also insisted on thoroughly checking Drew. Leaving Seattle they just let him walk right through. Here they patted him down, checked his pant legs, checked the bottom of his feet, etc. I felt so bad for him. The kids DVD player was also left in their carry on when it was scanned so they had to search that bag. The yogurt from the breakfast cart is 3.5 ounces. The limit is 3 and yogurt is considered a liquid. They even took the cream cheese. It was a larger container but only had about a teaspoon left in it.

We caught the tram and made our way back to our gate. When over the loud speaker we hear “Final call for flight xxxx Rogers party of 6, Turner party of 1” Meagan & Ryan booked it down the last five gates. Steve and I hurried the rest of the kids along, bags in tow. They shut the door behind us.

Good-bye Florida, land of sunshine and dreams, granter of wishes, home of healing.

I was so exhausted. I slept most of the way to Denver. My poor mom was left to deal with the little kids. Steve was sitting a few rows up.

Thankfully when we got to Denver we just had to walk across the lobby to the gate for our connecting flight. I checked my phone to see if I had a call from my friend Joy. Steve walked up and got us all more McD’s and we just sat for a bit.

The kids enjoyed watching it snow.

It was soon time to board for home. Mom made sure we knew she was NOT watching all the kids on this flight LOL. Just to be fair we had Brittany and Meagan sit with her. Zander and Ryan sat with me & Drew and Madilynn sat with Steve. This flight seemed to drag on. I was so cold.

We had received a message that our Wish Grantor was snowed in and we were on our own. We headed down to claim our bags and were more than ready to be home. The kids were all hungry.

Grampa Bob’s expertise came into play here. I piled those bags up like he had and off we went to catch the shuttle. The kids and I sat on the bench while Steve went to let them know we were there. He came back to let me know they were only doing Hotel drops due to the snow. The hotel they were willing to drop us off at was no where near our home and I in no way wanted to spend a night in a hotel. Steve tried to reach the grantor that was scheduled to meet us and when he couldn’t reach her he called the other. Thankfully he was able to reach Ken and he got right on it trying to figure out how to get us home. We sat and sat in the parking garage.

After about an hour sitting there the airport relations lady stopped to ask us how we were doing. That was a mistake! I let loose. It was now after 8pm. Our plane had landed at 5:55. She went to see what she could do. Ken called back to let us know he had a few calls into the Coordinator and was waiting on a call back. After some more waiting she came back to let us know that she had gotten clearance from her boss and they would indeed drive us home. Just as we were loading into the van Ken called back to let us know he had gotten us a van. We told him the shuttle had come through and thanked him.

An elderly couple that lives down in the valley was trying to get home too. It was a tight fit but we were all more than happy to squeeze in to make it home. I was amazed how bad the roads were. We slipped and slid more than a few times. Thankfully we never got stuck. Just after 10pm we walked through the front door – we were HOME. And we had S.N.OW.(these pictures were taken the next morning when it was light out)

Steve and the boys carried the bags upstairs to the playroom and then Steve ran to get Subway Sandwiches and Pizza for us for dinner while the kids and I emptied the bags and got laundry going. I was so glad when the day was over.

I lay there and thought back about our week. So many things we had done. So many memories made. I thought of all our Wish Trip Friends and how each of our trips is just as different as our children and families are. Each of our trips has different magical moments. Different moments etched in our hearts forever. I thought of all our Big Give Blessings. Often times our children left out – you brighten their days. How wonderful you all are and what an amazing example you are to your children. What an impact you are making on all of our children’s hearts and what a difference you make for our trips. How a bit of you all joins us on each and every one of our trips.

I thought about my son. About his face lighting up when I asked him if his wish had come true and the biggest smile that shone on his face when he told me YES! I thought about how healing this trip was for my heart. From the moment we drove through the gates at GKTW that first early morning how we felt lifted wherever we went. How we had spent a whole week without any great worry. How I was able to hug and hold my son while he seized and feel blessed instead of fear or despair. How not once the whole week did I see stares or hear whispers from strangers while we waited seizures out. How when we walked through the village and were greeted by other smiling parents and children our hearts understood. It didn’t matter what had brought us there – we were family. I thought about all the volunteers that serve our children and families. I wonder if they all realize what a great act they are doing. I hope they realize the difference they are making daily in the lives of so many.

I thought about Henry Landwirth. What an amazing man he is. He is definitely a doer and a giver. He’s made an impact on so many children and their families. A difference that will last much longer than a lifetime.

I thought about all the people that care for and help us with Drew. How blessed we were for my mom and Brittany to join us on this trip of a lifetime. Any time I have sat at the doctors with Drew my mom has either been with me or watching my other kids for me. Drew’s life has just as an effect on her as it does me. I’m forever thankful for all she does. She is definitely a blessing to us.

And finally I thanked God. Thanked him for our new friends, our new GKTW family, our doctors, Ken, Laurie and Trina (our MAW grantors and coordinator), our church family that lifts us up and encourages us and for family. For each one of my children that blesses my life each day. How lucky I am to be there mom.

 

[mom2lilnick]

Awwwww.. tears in my eyes. Wonderful ending.. well, not the flight home but your message.

 

[maroo]

Aw man...

The closing of your TR...

Wow. I am so crying. Big tears streaming down my face. Not a little misty-eyed.

You are so right...the whole ending...wow.

I am going to go back later and comment on the rest. Right now...I am just speechless...

great, great job!!!!

 

[kimmylaj]

what a wonderful report . i enjoyed seeing your pics . your family is beautiful as are your words on the last page. thanks for sharing with all of us. Christmas at disney is truly magical isnt it?

 

[oklamomof4boys]

What a wonderful trip report- thanks for taking the time to write it! Your travel day home stressed me out reading it- I can't imagine living it!

Carol

 

[llurgy]

Loved, loved, loved the trip report!!!
Very emotional at the end But very uplifting also

Sorry that you had such a bad time getting home, I have my fingers crossed that that doesn't happen to us. Well if it has to snow it had better be on the way back and not on the way out

Mandy

 

[HeatherSue]

I love Maegan's comment about having fun instead of taking pictures of having fun. So true!

Wholeo sounds hilarious!

Did the Grinch really get into a burping contest with Ryan?

"RYAN GetOffThatDirtyGroundRightNOW!" "WAIT let me take a picture first"

That was so sweet of that guy to give Madilynn a penguin (it's a penguin, right?)

I love the surfing pictures!!

Oh no about the tummy aches!!

Peter Pan is one of my favorite rides, too.

"Golly" ride, how cute! It took me a minute to figure out what she was talking about!

We're going to eat at Crystal Palace on our next trip. It looks like fun!

Drew +Pooh= Oh my gosh, how sweet is that story of how Pooh calmed him down and fed him cereal?! It brought tears to my eyes!

I love the pictures of the kids gettin' their groove on and dancing in the street!

That train looks so cool at GKTW!

OH NO!! Your poor camera!

It must have been so scary to lose Madilynn, even for a few minutes.

Your description of what you were feeling during the Shamu: Miracles show made my cry again.

No pepper jack cheese at Subway??? My SIL was visiting from Arizona and was appaled that we don't have avacado at Subway in Michigan

Oh my gosh, Drew with Mickey and Madilynn with Snow white, here come the tears again!

There's also no such thing as an inexpensive stop at WalMart.

I'm so sorry to hear about Mara. I don't know who she is, but it sounds like she was a very special person.

If you want to see giraffes, come to Michigan! We have a wonderful zoo here in Battle Creek (Binder Park Zoo) where you can actually feed and pet the giraffes!!

I love Chip and Dale! Some of my favorite character interactions have been with them. I hate to burst your bubble, but the one with the black nose is Chip and the other one is Dale!

Aw, too bad Ryan didn't get to talk with Crush! What did Madilynn say to him?

Cinderella seeing Madilynn's dress made my day!! Thank you so much for posting that picture!!

Ugh! I hate all the rigamaroll that flying entails! I feel your pain on trying to get through the airport and to the plane on time!

"Good-bye Florida, land of sunshine and dreams, granter of wishes, home of healing." Crying again!

The last few paragraphs had me crying once again.

I LOVED your TR!!! You really did a wonderful job! Thank you so much for sharing your magical wish trip with us.

 

[msce2]

What a great trip report! It looks like your family had a wonderful experience. Something they will remember forever!!!

 

[iu97alum]

WOW! What a TR!!! Blessings for sure!!! Welcome home!

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

Awwwww.. tears in my eyes. Wonderful ending.. well, not the flight home but your message.

Thanks Amy. This trip was so amazing. When they say MAW will change your life they aren't kidding

Aw man...

The closing of your TR...

Wow. I am so crying. Big tears streaming down my face. Not a little misty-eyed.

You are so right...the whole ending...wow.

great, great job!!!!

Thanks Maroo I too am crying (again) so many emotions. I feel very blessed

what a wonderful report . i enjoyed seeing your pics . your family is beautiful as are your words on the last page. thanks for sharing with all of us. Christmas at disney is truly magical isnt it?

Thanks Kim. Christmas at Disney is so very magical. I wish we could go every year. I know it would never get old. It was just what we needed when we needed it most

What a wonderful trip report- thanks for taking the time to write it! Your travel day home stressed me out reading it- I can't imagine living it!

Carol

Thanks Carol. I loved sharing our magical time. I'm so thankful for finding the DIS. It made our trip that much more special and I love looking at other TR now and remembering how much fun we had in the exact spot.

The trip home was crazy! But already it's forgotten. So many happy things to remember. I can even laugh about it now

Loved, loved, loved the trip report!!!
Very emotional at the end But very uplifting also

Sorry that you had such a bad time getting home, I have my fingers crossed that that doesn't happen to us. Well if it has to snow it had better be on the way back and not on the way out

Mandy

Snow on the way back is so much better, especially if it means and extra day

I can't wait to read about your trip. Becca's going to have SOOOOO much fun!!

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

HeatherSue

My Meagan is all about the FUN -- having it, not documenting it

Wholeo is one of the things the kids still talk about a lot

Yep, the Grinch burped with Ryan. He LOVED that. He's all about body functions LOL

Yep, it's a penguin and the boys are NOT allowed to touch it

My kids played for about a half hour on that surfing thing. It was a great time filler while I rested my feet

Madilynn loves her "Golly's"

I was impressed with Crystal Palace. It's great for my picky eaters.

Dancing in the street "in da middle of da street" is one of Madilynn's big highlights. She doesn't realize it wasn't a "real" street


Drew and Pooh still make me cry. I can be screaming mad and see that picture and still tear up. Pooh

I cried over my camera too. That was my first digi camera. Now it's in camera heaven and I'm learning to use my new one. It even matches my new cell phone

Madilynn's lucky I was so thankful to find her or I would have sold her to the Step-mother right then and there. I was in a panic the worker said to wait

I won't let Drew know about your griaffees, they are his absolute FAV. Michigan is so far away

Chip n Dale are some of my favs now too. OH Man! I thought I had messed those pictures up. I had to upload them in stages and I wasn't sure. I should have asked the kids

I'm glad Cinderella & Madilynn made your day. It made Madilynn's day too

"Good-bye Florida, land of sunshine and dreams, granter of wishes, home of healing." Crying again!

The last few paragraphs had me crying once again.

I LOVED your TR!!! You really did a wonderful job! Thank you so much for sharing your magical wish trip with us. ​

Thanks HeatherSue. I've really enjoyed sharing it with you all. Florida will always be our Home of Healing.

...off to find some Kleenex