Make A Wish Sends Lauren to Disney World! * IT IS FINISHED...* *Updated 1/28/09*

[MousekaMaddi]

Im off to find a dictionary ,

..........to define" patient"........

 

[maroo]

Sniffle, sniffle. I am balling like a baby! That was one of the most incredible things I have EVER seen. Amazing! Wow! I can't wait to hear more about the trip!

I know...I used a box of kleenex myself! MAW took the pictures. Aren't they AMAZING!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was AMAZING!!!!!!!! I don't even know what more to say... That was just incredible!!!!! SO looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip!

I hope to have another installment up today or tomorrow.

Ok, count me onto the tears train! That is totally amazing, and Lauren and all the wish kids out there deserve every second like this that comes their way!! I can;t wait to read more about your trip

Yes, I agree. Every wish trip has something special that happens to the wish child...or at least most of them. On TOP of the fact that they get to go to Disney World for a week!!! This was definitely a magical moment for Lauren and her family!

That rainbow was just awesome! How great to do that for Lauren's flight! I love that she is old enough to appreciate how special all this is!

Umm, on that note, we leave saturday for DL, so I sure hope you type FASTER! I cannot wait that long to hear about all the fun!

Uh...well...I doubt I will be done by Saturday... but, I will keep working on it! I am barely done with the first half of a day!

That is truely spectacular! That is sooo special! I am in tears here too!

They are a very special family!

Thank you so much to you and Lauren for touching my heart. You are truely special people.

Aww...don't mind me! I am just a spectator on this trip! Lauren is the star...and her family was the cast, too!

The rainbow is just the coolest thing ever!!!! What a special thing to have! I am really enjoying your trip report. I can 't wait to hear more.

Carol

You guys are going to have a wonderful trip, too! Each trip has something special that just HAPPENS...no planning...just a magical moment. I can't wait to read about yours!

that was so cool that they made a rainbow for her. She looks so happy and her hair and make-up look so good. I can't wait to hear more.

becca

Yea, it is funny, most of the time when she talks about that day she mentions how good she looked before anything else. She is all teenager! The rainbow was perfect for her! She is a light to everyone around her.

Wow! Just WOW! Amazing!

Agreed!

 

[teresajoy]

So, I'm crying already, seeing how beautiful Lauren is. And, I mean that inside and out. Her personality really shines through in the pictures! THEN! I get to the part about the party and her name on the cake, and I have to get my kleenex, THEN you post pictures of the RAINBOW!!! Oh my goodness! I am glad no one else is home, because I am just literally sobbing like a little baby! How beautiuful and wonderful!!!

Thank you Mary for taking us along on your trip!

Sorry, that was kinda long! And the short version!! If you want a longer version, let me know! !

I want a longer version!

 

[jillalvarez2003]

Beautiful and touching!

 

[twinmum]

Wow! It took me a while to pull myself back together after reading your update! What a wonderful surprise from MAW!!! And Lauren looks so beautiful and happy...she's absolutley beaming!

Alison

 

[maroo]

So, I'm crying already, seeing how beautiful Lauren is. And, I mean that inside and out. Her personality really shines through in the pictures! THEN! I get to the part about the party and her name on the cake, and I have to get my kleenex, THEN you post pictures of the RAINBOW!!! Oh my goodness! I am glad no one else is home, because I am just literally sobbing like a little baby! How beautiuful and wonderful!!!

Thank you Mary for taking us along on your trip!





I want a longer version!

You are so sweet!! I am glad no one else was home. We really appreciate you...all you did to help organize the Big Give! We certainly have enjoyed all of the gifts and the effort that was put in to make them!

Beautiful and touching!

Thank you! They are a beautiful family!

Wow! It took me a while to pull myself back together after reading your update! What a wonderful surprise from MAW!!! And Lauren looks so beautiful and happy...she's absolutley beaming!

Alison

I know!! I was so excited when I heard about it. It seems like each child has that special moment that just happens! With no planning on our part. Those are the moments that are so fun to watch!!

 

[maroo]

Ok guys!

I PROMISE that I will put an update up tonight. I was helping Lauren last night and she is trying to get caught up from missing school for the trip...so we are helping her write so she can finish up faster! But, my next installment is ready to go on my computer...so I should be able to post it tonight!

Thank you for all of your kind words of encouragement for us! This trip was a trip and I can't wait to share the rest with you! I can't believe we are hardly through day ONE! What a wonderful trip.

 

[LindaBabe]

HOW did I miss this? OMG- talk about cliff hangers. Rotten that y'all were ill, but so glad it got better again afterwards! Maroo, you ROCK!

 

[LindaBabe]

OH MY Goodness! I am SO crying I can't see the screen. How WONDERFUL!

 

[Katy Belle]

Wow! I can't wait to read the rest! That rainbow is unbelievable!!!!!!!

Katy

 

[maroo]

Most Make A Wish kids get to stay at Give Kids the World. Give Kids the World is such a wonderful place that I have decided to include a whole installment JUST about GKTW…so, no pictures of us…just some details (but no MAJOR surprises) about Give Kids the World.

One of the many gifts that we received while at GKTW was a book about Henri Landwirth. Stay with me here…Henri created GKTW. Which I guess anyone with a heart for kids could do…but Henri is special. His heart came out of LOTS of pain. He survived the Holocaust, both of his parents were killed and he survived unimaginable things…and out of this pain came a man that created such a WONDERFUL place for these kids.


GKTW is mostly run by volunteers. They have volunteers that do everything from landscaping to party planning. Lots of people have full time volunteer jobs at GKTW.

Here are some highlights…

You have the Castle of Miracles. This is complete with a carousel that is wheelchair friendly , lots of activities inside and a place to meet special characters (Mickey Mouse himself has even been known to make an appearance!!)

An Ice Cream shop with FREE ice cream…all day long …(and sandwiches, if you like that kind of thing)…

And a play area any kid would love…

with Putt Putt (the coolest one I have ever seen, by the way)...

…an arcade…pool table…boats you can drive…and a train.

And The Gingerbread House…where you get breakfast and dinner…every day… for FREE. Did I mention that ALL OF THIS STUFF is FREE!

And each family stays in a 2 bedroom, 2 bath villa that easily sleeps 5 people...it has a kitchen and everything!

This place is very “Disneyish”…and what I mean by that? It is just so magical. The decorations and construction are so detailed. And there are surprises behind every corner.

I mean…who could not LOVE a place that has chocolate covered strawberries as decorations.

Anyway…more about this when I tell you all about OUR visit to GKTW!! It’s coming….I promise!! You don’t want to miss it! Stay tuned!

But First....
What HAS Maroo been going ALL this time??

 

[kimmylaj]

wow that rainbow is the tops

 

[maroo]

OH MY Goodness! I am SO crying I can't see the screen. How WONDERFUL!

Hey Linda! I know...I did FINALLY stop crying!! It is SOOOOO cool!!

Wow! I can't wait to read the rest! That rainbow is unbelievable!!!!!!!

Katy

Seriously! It was wonderful!

wow that rainbow is the tops

Well said!!

 

[teresajoy]

You are so sweet!! I am glad no one else was home. We really appreciate you...all you did to help organize the Big Give! We certainly have enjoyed all of the gifts and the effort that was put in to make them!

I had the fun part! I love hosting the Give families!!!

I was hoping for more updates before I had to go to bed!

Thanks for the tour of GKTW!!! It looks amazing!

 

[MickeyReeds]

Very cool report! It is wonderful that people in today's world do little things to make someone's day very special--that rainbow was awesome! Looking forward to reading more!

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Oh my goodness! I'm definately joining in on this one!

Lauren is absolutely gorgeous and her family is adorable

I can't wait to read more!

 

[HeatherSue]

Teresa just e-mailed me and asked if I read your lastest update. She said I HAD to read it because it would make me cry. She was SOOO right! I was crying when you mentioned that Lauren has her pillow with her all the time, and then to see that she really did have it with her and William with his pillow. You have no idea how much that means to me. Then, just reading about this wonderful family, how you met them, and then a RAINBOW!! Oh my gosh, this is wonderful!

Plus, you're too darn funny and I love the way you write! I am LOVING it!!

 

[maroo]

Now, while Lauren and her family were flying through rainbows…OK, another picture! I can’t help myself!!

...I was a busy bee…I got up early (HAPPY to leave the Best Western!) and drove to GKTW to go to Orientation. This is about an hour long meeting where they give us our tickets, explain the GKTW activities, give us Lauren’s Make a Wish button
(this will be called the “magic” button for the rest of this trip!) and other important information…like what to do in an emergency and junk that no one ever needs…...….........right…...…


Anyway, I purposefully went to this meeting early so that we would not have to wait for the late evening orientation. Since we weren’t staying at GKTW, I wanted everyone to be able to get to the hotel and get in bed so we would not be all worn out. This would not have been an issue if we were staying at GKTW, though.

I had ice cream at 8:30 in the morning…You see, at GKTW, you can have ICE CREAM whenever you want! YUM!

Then I run to Walmart to just get a few things…milk, Lactaid for William, deli meat, ice for our coolers, etc. I fill up the coolers and get that all situated. And then I drove to the Contemporary to check in. Now, I probably should explain this, too. Normally wish kids stay at GKTW. They have these awesome 2 bedroom villas with kitchens...

…BUT…they were full due to WishFlight and so they put us up in the Contemporary. (OK, we are SOOO excited about that!!) It was so convenient for the family to be able to get around using the monorail!


Now, when GKTW makes our reservations, they obviously book the lowest rate room they can, right. But I am praying for an upgrade…mainly because it is obvious to me that this family will never be able to stay in the Contemporary again (medical needs take priority over very expensive hotel rooms)...but I would LOVE to go back!!!!!!

Anyway...I really, really want the kids to get to stay in the tower where the monorail runs through it.


PLEASE...PLEASE!!


The kids have NEVER been to Disney World, so they have only seen pictures of the monorail. The kids keep saying that they want to ride it. Can we ride “the train in the sky?” They have NO idea that we are STAYING where the “train in the sky” actually goes through our hotel.
Oh my goodness…I LOVE a good surprise!



So, I get to the Contemporary and unload all of our luggage and medical stuff (can you say FOUR bell carts…FOUR!) and check in so that we can be done with that. And I am praying for an upgrade…and guess what…PIXIE DUST!!!!!! We got one!!!!!!!!! They actually had a roll in shower and regular room (we had 2 rooms) on the same floor IN THE TOWER…so we took it! YES!! How cool is that! And the kids don’t even know we are staying there yet! At this point, I am TOTALLY beside myself with joy!!!

Then I am off to get gas and to the airport to deliver Lauren’s wheelchair when the plane lands. Now…at this point, you can rewind to my first post…because after I take about 30 min to find a handicapped parking spot…I drive Lauren’s wheelchair into the airport terminal. Ok, I only hit about 2 walls and an elevator door...but people are looking at me like I am crazy, driving an empty wheelchair around…I look pretty stupid!


CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE...NO MORE ROOM IN THIS POST...

 

[maroo]

So, I am driving Lauren's wheelchair to meet them at the airport...strolling right along...And then I see him…our greeter!! GKTW has sent a greeter to meet Lauren and her family.

The first person I see is William! He comes RUNNING across the terminal and JUMPS in my arms! I think he missed me!

And Lauren looks beautiful. The crown just tops it off!

And her whole family...they are SO sweet!

We give Lauren back her legs...

Now THAT is MUCH better!!!!!

Lauren tells me all about her flight. Including the RAINBOW...(ok, I won't show you ANOTHER picture)
...the man that handed her a HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL in the airplane (we have NO idea who this guy was...but thanks!)
...and her flight attendants...

And then Lauren’s family took the MEARS shuttle and I drove the van to GKTW. Now, I guess I could skip the part about how I got TOTALLY LOST in Orlando …but…for your enjoyment, I should say that the road leaving the airport spit me out going North instead of South and I got a little lost for a little while. But I eventually get back on track and make it back to GKTW only a few min after Lauren’s family arrived.

They get checked in…by this time it is 2:00 in the afternoon and we are HUNGRY. I was particularly hungry…but that may be because I had ICE CREAM for breakfast. So, we head BACK to the Ice Cream Palace and get some sandwiches. I order my sandwich and some fruit…in the form of a BANANA split! (you only live once, right!)…and we enjoyed our lunch! (Did I mention this was FREE!)

Here is Richard enjoying his banana split. He is a Type I diabetic and he has a pump that he uses to give himself insulin...so he CAN eat what he wants...well...he pumped the HIGHEST dose of insulin...EVER...in his whole life...before he ate this... You only live once!

And William is enjoying his PB&J!

Then we explored the place. I have to say…everything here was fun….the decorations were cool…the music was fun.

I can’t really remember being happier than I was this day…the whole trip was ahead of us…the weather was PERFECT…we had an awesome surprise waiting for the kids (hello! We are staying in the TOWER at the Contemporary!)…and life just doesn’t get much better than that!

Walking along that sidewalk...Listening to upbeat Disney music...and just enjoying life. THIS is what the trip was all about! Celebrating life!

So on that fabulous note...I will end this update...but we have MORE at Give Kids the World! So stay tuned...

Give Kids the WORLD - Part TWO!

 

[maroo]

Thank you all for reading! And especially for posting! Lauren and her family are enjoying reading all of the comments from everyone.

Very cool report! It is wonderful that people in today's world do little things to make someone's day very special--that rainbow was awesome! Looking forward to reading more!

I know! Our trip was FULL of things that made Lauren's (and her family's) day!! Thanks for joining in and posting!!

Oh my goodness! I'm definately joining in on this one!

Lauren is absolutely gorgeous and her family is adorable

I can't wait to read more!

Wow! another Lauren! So cool! Thank you so much for joining us!! Lauren is a beautiful girl and her family IS the greatest!!

Teresa just e-mailed me and asked if I read your lastest update. She said I HAD to read it because it would make me cry. She was SOOO right! I was crying when you mentioned that Lauren has her pillow with her all the time, and then to see that she really did have it with her and William with his pillow. You have no idea how much that means to me. Then, just reading about this wonderful family, how you met them, and then a RAINBOW!! Oh my gosh, this is wonderful!

Plus, you're too darn funny and I love the way you write! I am LOVING it!!

I am so glad Teresa emailed you! And I am SOOO glad that you think I am funny! That made me smile! I LOVED your TR...so I am glad you are enjoying mine!



(Have I used enough exclamation marks?!! Is there a limit!?)