Jun Honeymoon YC & Nov Invasion ASSp-Uptd 12/29 Holy Updates Batman!!

[joleen76]

Still here, I just haven't been posting. So waiting to see how you manged with 4 boys over Thanksgiving.

Yay!!! Was begining to think I was like one of those guys in the straight jackets walking around mubling to themselves and trying to bite their own face.

I'm here! I'm here! I just caught your updates! Cracking up at the continued antics of your crew. It's been at least 8 or 9 years since I've been Six Flags over Texas. We have done SF Fiesta Texas a couple of times, most recently last summer, and we've done Sea World San Antonio 3 or 4 times. The last tiem I was at SFOT, they had JUST opened Mr. Freeze. I DO remember the bridge of doom and the first time I stood on it. I remember thinking I'd be the first person in history to drown while standing on a bridge.

GB glad you find the humor in our brood that we do! I am never bored I can tell you that much. Especially with DH being as big of a kids as the boys are, well most of the time at least. We usually make it to SFOT about once a year. Sad too because it is so close to us, but to me it just doesn't have the magic like Disney does!

The bridge of doom mainly scares me for DS9. He's so thin, I think that wave will just take him along for the ride. I mean somedays I think a good fart could blow him a couple feet at least.

 

[cathy0124]

Hey Neighbor! I'm in Sachse
Just caught up on your TR and I'm loving it!

My DH and I had a similar experience with our Fence- thankfully it has stayed up. I wasn't sure it would with all the rain we've had over the past week!

Looking forward to more

Cathy

 

[joleen76]

Hey Neighbor! I'm in Sachse
Just caught up on your TR and I'm loving it!

My DH and I had a similar experience with our Fence- thankfully it has stayed up. I wasn't sure it would with all the rain we've had over the past week!

Looking forward to more

Cathy

Hey Cathy! Neighbor!

Glad you are enjoying our Disney adventures!

I know what you mean about all the rain this weekend. Luckly we have not had any more issues with our fence (Yes I am knocking on wood). I am looking at it as if we have weeded out the unworthy fence posts and replaced them with the worthy!

Next installment coming up!

 

[joleen76]

We realized the first ride we might have sat wrong. DH & I like to sit by each other so we did. This left the boys on the other side. Anyone seeing what’s wrong with this picture, on a spinning ride? The lopsided weight made us spin like mad people. I realize halfway through the ride that I can not look outside the car or I’m going to hurl. I decide to focus on DS’s. Yes that’s the ticket. How much longer? Ok, ok breathe. We get to near the end….I see the end of the ride. Then ummmm the ride stops….it shuts down and we are left spinning in the “waiting to unload zone” for about 5 min’s. It’s only by some divine intervention that I did not spew all over my dear family. For those playing along at home, yes I did say the first ride. We rode this about 4-5 times this day. Luckily we did not spin at the end like this again and we started dividing the adults. They actually video tape you on the ride. The reactions are priceless. Just watching everyone on the ride at the exit was almost better than the ride. We bought the DVD’s and watch them some even now. Yes we cackle like crows still. Only downside is its one DVD per side of the car, so for a family of 4 you have to buy to. Good thing it was birthday time or we would have skipped this.

Next DH decides he needs his thrill fix. I’m cool with sitting and waiting. The rule is no more than a 20 min wait. Today he hit a trifecta. He was able to ride 3 rides in 20 min’s. He rode Batman, Mr. Freeze, and Superman.

The kids played in the water spray fountain while we waited.

LOL got him!

Superman!

We ran around like maniacs today. The park had very low crowds. An unheard of thing, it was truly amazing. We rode everything we wanted to and a lot at least twice. We actually stayed until close.

One more picture for the rode.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

We ran around like maniacs today. The park had very low crowds. An unheard of thing, it was truly amazing. We rode everything we wanted to and a lot at least twice. We actually stayed until close.

Mark of a good day right there.

 

[joleen76]

Just realized I posted the wrong pic for the road!

This is the one I meant to post!

 

[joleen76]

The road up to our Thanksgiving Disney getaway.

We went back to our normal life or what we call normal anyway. Then about August/September the discounts came out for November. We even had an offer for free dining! I called DH and told him he had to talk me down. We could go for 8 days with all the boys over Thanksgiving with FREE DINING for 6 people! I was so excited. Sadly for our bank account he could not even muster up a word of rebuttal. The Disney bug had bitten him hard on our Honeymoon. He couldn’t wait to go back, and to be able to take all 4 boys with us! Part of me hits a bit of reality. You know when you continue to smile, but your brain is turning at the same time, but you keep your smile as you think Oh Goodness what have I done. Luckily our boys are good; there are just a lot of them. We are sorely out numbered. Nonetheless, I’m so excited and I can start planning.

I quickly decide on Nov. 22- 28. I start thinking though. What if we never go back, I want all the boys to have been to MVMCP. There is one on the 21st and 30th. Hmmm. I decide on the 21st. We can leave when the kids get out of school on the 20th, and they will miss the 21st. Cool we can do this. We will drive all the way through at one time. DH and I will trade off driving. I call and make our ADR’s. We skip some of the restaurants DH & I love simply because the youngest is 4 and no way would he stand for it. I manage to sneak a couple of our must see’s in. It was really hard to get tables for a party of 6 but I did okay.

Our line up is:

11/20 Leave Texas and drive over night.
11/21 Check into All Star Sports & MVMCP – Counter service
11/22 AK & MK – Counter service lunch and an early dinner @ Yak & Yeti 4pm (AK only open till 5 pm)
11/23 EP & MK – LeCellier lunch @ 12:30 and counter service dinner MK Late Hours after Illuminations
11/24 DS – snacks for breakfast, Mama Melrose @ 2:45pm - Fantasmic Tonight & a counter service in there somewhere.
11/25 MK – counter service lunch & Liberty Tree Tavern dinner @ 8:45 pm
11/26 MK – counter service lunch & Tony’s dinner @ 7:15 pm (Spectro and Wishes tonight)
11/27 (T-day) DS/EP – Sci-Fi lunch 12pm, Teppan Edo Dinner @ 8:45 pm
11/28 EP – Counter service lunch & Nine Dragon’s Dinner @ 5 pm (See some Santa’s today)
11/29 Drive home 

Yay! Everything is in the works, things are great. Then the first crisis hits.

My DH’s boys moved to New Mexico. It was quite sudden and very dramatic. After a lot of arguing we were still getting to take the little boys with us on our trip, but now we had to drive 4 hours the other way and 4 hours back to meet to pick them up! So now DH is taking off at 7 am to go get them and be back for our 4 pm departure. Man he’s going to be tired of driving! Oh and we get to do the same thing on the way back, but we get to go to Disney!

Crisis #1 taken care of, should be smooth sailing from here on out! (hmm foreshadowing)

Meanwhile, I call back 2-3 times a week to try and move those MM & LTT ressies. Sadly, this was a lost cause. I was never able to change them, “our party size was too large”.

The "next" change of plans.

About a week before we plan to leave for our First Vacation as a FAMILY!!! DH’s ex calls again with more changes. Now instead of meeting half way each way, she wants to drive all the way in the night before we leave and have us drive the boys all the way to New Mexico on the way back. UUUgggghhhh what a long last day of a trip. Now we will be driving 16 hours on Sunday after we get back from DW on LATE LATE Sat night. Which is also a 16 hour drive!! DOH….but we’re heading to Disney right?

Up next the phone call a mother never wants to get!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Actually we need an emoticon for Andy Capp Hot Fries as that is what I'm stuffing down my gullet. Looking forward to more!

That's a WHOLE Lotta driving right there my friend. Hope you guys had caffeine and some rockin driving tunes.

 

[joleen76]

Actually we need an emoticon for Andy Capp Hot Fries as that is what I'm stuffing down my gullet. Looking forward to more!

That's a WHOLE Lotta driving right there my friend. Hope you guys had caffeine and some rockin driving tunes.

I think that emoticon would be a cross between & .

The driving really isn't too bad when we split it up, I have driven it with just me and the kids a couple times before and that was pretty rough. The extra drive back was tough. Back to back days of 16 hour driving was wearing to say the least. Not to mention the issue of needing help and no help was open on a Sunday, but that's getting ahead of myself. We definately had caffieine, but you have been reading through the honeymoon right? My DH is entertainment enough for anyone! J/K even he has a battery that wears down. Honestly it came down to paying for 6 plane tickets or one car's gas. The finances made it an easy decision.

 

[joleen76]

(Caution this post may be a little graphic on the details)

First I must say this was by far the hardest installment I have written. It’s one of those things in life that no matter where you are or how long it’s been you can close your eyes and be right back in that situation and remember each minute that passed in great detail. So, by writing this it brought me back to each minute and sometimes was a bit overwhelming. That is why it took me so long to “get to the point” between trip reports. Sorry!

So here is the next installment.

Everything was great again still until November 15th. This is one of those days you will never forget. Less than a week until we leave for vacation. My DS13 was visiting his dad before we went on vacation. About 6 pm that Saturday night, I get a call from his step-mom. I can tell she is crying. Then the next words I will be able to hear forever.

DS is hurt. He wrecked the 4-wheeler and cut open his head……pause….. the ambulance is here and they think the cut is only 2-3 inches. They are going to take him to the emergency room to check him out and stitch him up.

Me – is he okay?

SM - Yes, he walked from where he wrecked the 4-wheeler through a barbed wire fence back up to where we are. He’s in a lot of pain.

Me - Which hospital and where…..a few more questions and answers and I am pacing the floor trying to get answers and get dressed at the same time. DH hears some of the conversation and starts asking me questions. Poor DH, I’m afraid in my frustration I told him to shut up and let me figure everything out before he asked any more questions.

I got the address, filled DH in, and got dressed in about 2 min’s flat. DS 9 would stay at the house with my sister who happened to be staying the weekend with us. DH and I tare out of there in a flash. We are speeding to a little town where my DS 13’s grandfather has a ranch the whole family was at for the weekend.

About 30-45 min’s into our frantic race we get another call. The small ER can not get a good x-ray of DS’s neck and have decided to care flight him to Dallas. My heart sinks! I am tempted to fall apart, but somehow manage in that infinite way only parents can, to pull myself together and let them know we will be waiting for them when they land. We are about 15 min’s from where they will take him. Our Children’s Hospital is one of the best in the country and we are lucky enough to live so close to it. DH and I were supportive of each other, but we both weren’t saying what we were thinking. Kids don’t get care flighted unless it’s serious.

I cry off and on to the hospital. Did I mention I am driving? I knew I needed to focus on something for the drive so I knew driving would do it, and I could feel like I was doing something…anything, for my child. It was about 7-7:30 pm when we got to the hospital. We had called my Mom, who works in a children’s hospital in Fort Worth to come be with us, then called my Dad to come as well. We had no idea what to expect and I knew I was going to need my support system with me. There were many delays on getting the care flight to DS and when they finally arrived at 9:45 pm I couldn’t wait to see him. Just to see he’s breathing, he’s talking, he’s still my DS.

I have nothing but great things to say about the trauma team at this hospital. They were the best I have ever seen at taking care of my child’s needs and my own at the same time. Before they brought me into the trauma room the head (lead) trauma nurse told me what to expect to be going on, to be strong for DS, and the extent of the injuries they knew about at this time. As it turns out the cut to the back of his head was 6-7 inches long and all the way to the skull. He had road rash on his neck, and they needed to do x-rays, etc to find out more. Then, they brought me into the trauma room while they were working on my baby. I was able to talk to him and hold his hand and let him know everything was going to be okay. He really seemed to calm down when I came in the room. He had been very combative for them. He hated being strapped down to the board. He had been restrained for nearly 3 hours at this point. They couldn’t let him move in case anything was broken. They quickly ruled out a broken back. He has a great step-mom and she had been with him at the other hospital with his dad and then rode in the care flight helicopter with DS. In my overwhelming need to be with DS I’m afraid I didn’t show the kind of restraint I should have. You see at that time only one parent could be with him. I obviously wanted that parent to be me. So I kind of gave the nurses a piece of my mind and informed them I was him mother etc. Yes the typical speech I am sure you can figure out. I later apologized to DS’s step-mom and she was very understanding, but I digress…Where was I? Oh yes trauma room, they were still worried about whiplash etc on his neck and possible brain injuries. We spent the next 3 hours doing tests to make sure he was okay. He was okay, no major injuries except the cut to his head. It took 2 more hours to sow his head up and over 100 stitches.

I hope this is not to graphic a picture, if so I will be glad to remove it.

Then about 6 am he was moved to a room. We spent the next 3 days in the hospital with him. Many, many tests were run. My sweet angel was okay. No real lasting injuries, just the cut to his head and some road rash on his neck and shoulders. The lord was with our boy and has a plan for him, of this I am sure. The doctors told us he may have some effects of the concussion, acting younger, memory lapses, and may struggle in school for a while but they didn’t expect any permanent issues.

We didn’t even start asking about Disney until we were sure he was okay and about to go home. To our amazement, the doctors said he could go! No real rollercoaster’s for a week from Tuesday and he had to be in a wheelchair because the walking would be too much, but we could go! The doctor’s suggested a pass if they offered one to let us use the wheelchair entrances to the rides so DS would not have to stand for long periods of time. With these directions, it would mean only 4 days of no rough rollercoaster’s and a wheelchair for the trip. DS is a ride wienie anyway. How blessed are we!

When we get home, it’s a Tuesday and we are leaving on Friday!!!

Up next…..we haven’t packed and what about the animals?

 

[joleen76]

A little "real time" info. Just so everyone knows, my DS13 is doing great. He's been back at school since we got back from Disney, is back in sports, and being a total teenager! I am really starting to look forward to the days his hormones are back at a normal level, or at least on a steady level. Whew teenagers!

 

[Mrs. The King]

A little "real time" info. Just so everyone knows, my DS13 is doing great. He's been back at school since we got back from Disney, is back in sports, and being a total teenager! I am really starting to look forward to the days his hormones are back at a normal level, or at least on a steady level. Whew teenagers!

Sweet Joleen. I am so sorry I didn't see this until now. I am so thrilled he is ok. Your post about your trip to the hospital was so emotional. You are a great mom.

 

[joleen76]

Sweet Joleen. I am so sorry I didn't see this until now. I am so thrilled he is ok. Your post about your trip to the hospital was so emotional. You are a great mom.

MTK, thank you for your kind words. I truly debated weather or not to post about everything, but I looked at our November trip and knew it would make no sense if I left it out. I mean our experiences with the wheelchair were plentiful and explaining why we had a GAC card etc.

A new post will be up soon!

Can't wait for your trip next month so I can read another one of your TR's!!!

 

[noogagirl]

Oh my gosh, my heart sank when I read about your DS's accident. I'm so glad that he is ok. I've definitely enjoyed reading your honeymoon TR and can't wait to read the next one.

By the way, great shots of the ducks. When we were there in Oct. '08, my husband was bit by one of the ducks in Epcot because he was trying to feed them popcorn. I really think he freaked out a little girl and her mother that were standing near us. DH was trying to show her how to feed them and he was attacked!

 

[joleen76]

Oh my gosh, my heart sank when I read about your DS's accident. I'm so glad that he is ok. I've definitely enjoyed reading your honeymoon TR and can't wait to read the next one.

By the way, great shots of the ducks. When we were there in Oct. '08, my husband was bit by one of the ducks in Epcot because he was trying to feed them popcorn. I really think he freaked out a little girl and her mother that were standing near us. DH was trying to show her how to feed them and he was attacked!

Thanks for posting!!

It was really hard to write about the whole experience with DS. I'm glad DS is okay too!!

I'm glad you enjoyed our Honeymoon TR...there is a new post coming soon too!

I love your story with DH and the Ducks! I could definitely picture this happening to DH. He is like an accident looking for a place to happen!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

What an ordeal! Glad to hear everything turned out okay. I know you had to be panic stricken on the way to the ER. Can’t wait to see how the trip shaped up.

 

[joleen76]

What an ordeal! Glad to hear everything turned out okay. I know you had to be panic stricken on the way to the ER. Can’t wait to see how the trip shaped up.

I was paniced for sure. DH says I appeared pretty calm though. I am so thankful everything turned out well.

It was very different to try and tour DW with a wheelchair. Lot's more to come!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

Just posting to say I'm glad your son is ok! As a mother, I can imagine the feeling you must have had when you heard the news.

 

[joleen76]

Just posting to say I'm glad your son is ok! As a mother, I can imagine the feeling you must have had when you heard the news.

Thanks for posting!

Thank you for the well wishes too. You are right about that feeling. I hope I NEVER have to feel anything like that again.

 

[catherines_mama]

You had me in total tears. I've been a complete lurker til now (sorry!).

Your story is great.. all of it. We're a blended family as well, and I know how us Step-moms can be. LOL I'm sure she completely understood, I know I would.

((HUGS)) to you. Now get working on that NOV trip!