Noah's Wish Trip (Wings ~ July 29, 2009)

[oklamomof4boys]

Oh Nichole!!! I can't tell you how it does my heart good to see all three of your kids home smiling and opening their packages! Happy happy happy!!!!! That's me!!!

I agree! Seeing the 3 of them together brings tears to my eyes! I am almost as excited for your trip as I was for ours!

 

[maroo]

Oh Nichole!!! I can't tell you how it does my heart good to see all three of your kids home smiling and opening their packages! Happy happy happy!!!!! That's me!!!

I agree! Seeing the 3 of them together brings tears to my eyes! I am almost as excited for your trip as I was for ours!

I feel like we should all form a choir! I agree with both of you guys SOOOO much!!!!!


Here is to some celebrating!!!




Shucks...I ran out of space for icons!

 

[mom2lilnick]

Count me in too! Wonderful pics!

 

[tinytreasures]

Aww what cool pictures and presents

 

[lucyanna girl]

Beautiful babies! I have read your story and followed it day to day. Prayers for Noah are coming from Louisiana too.

Penny

 

[ndloewen]

Ok, so into planning mode today...can it really be January 19th already???

So many unknowns right now for our trip, it's driving me crazy!! We had asked about extending our trip as ideally we'd love to do an extra week on our own with Disney's buy 4/get 3 free deal...a super deal at the value resorts. That way we could have a much more relaxing trip and take lots of down time for Noah. We want to make the absolute most of what will probably be our last family trip with Noah.

Our wish coordinator told us that their policy states they cannot extend, but she also said what we do with our return ticket is up to us. So we are hoping to be able to change the return ticket to a later date. Not sure if we will have to pay a fee to do that, or how it will work?? The big problem is that we won't get our tickets until much closer to our trip. So I'm not sure what to do. I am thinking that we will just start planning for that second week without telling the kids in case it doesn't happen, and then hope it all works out??? But it's SO hard to plan details without definate dates!!

Yep, I just HAD to complicate things!!

We did find out that we have the flight times for the 24th:

Flight 1 departs at (gulp) 5am
Arrive in Toronto at 8:28am
Flight 2 departs at 10:15am
Arrive in Orlando at 1:05pm

Although the early departure time will be torture, (hopefully the kids will sleep on one of the flights), I'm very happy to be getting to Orlando in the afternoon so we will have the rest of the day to explore GKTW (after a nap of course!).

Noah is doing well...we are slowly settling in at home. It's always a big adjustment going from hospital life to home life. But we are so thankful for this time together as a family.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

Ok, so into planning mode today...can it really be January 19th already???

So many unknowns right now for our trip, it's driving me crazy!! We had asked about extending our trip as ideally we'd love to do an extra week on our own with Disney's buy 4/get 3 free deal...a super deal at the value resorts. That way we could have a much more relaxing trip and take lots of down time for Noah. We want to make the absolute most of what will probably be our last family trip with Noah.

Our wish coordinator told us that their policy states they cannot extend, but she also said what we do with our return ticket is up to us. So we are hoping to be able to change the return ticket to a later date. Not sure if we will have to pay a fee to do that, or how it will work?? The big problem is that we won't get our tickets until much closer to our trip. So I'm not sure what to do. I am thinking that we will just start planning for that second week without telling the kids in case it doesn't happen, and then hope it all works out??? But it's SO hard to plan details without definate dates!!

Yep, I just HAD to complicate things!!

We did find out that we have the flight times for the 24th:

Flight 1 departs at (gulp) 5am
Arrive in Toronto at 8:28am
Flight 2 departs at 10:15am
Arrive in Orlando at 1:05pm

Although the early departure time will be torture, (hopefully the kids will sleep on one of the flights), I'm very happy to be getting to Orlando in the afternoon so we will have the rest of the day to explore GKTW (after a nap of course!).

Noah is doing well...we are slowly settling in at home. It's always a big adjustment going from hospital life to home life. But we are so thankful for this time together as a family.

Our wish coordinator wouldn't let us extend our trip on our own dime- which kind of irked me since I knew others had been able to. What about calling the airlines and explaining the situation to them? Maybe they can work some magic for you!

You can not imagine how happy it makes us all to hear that Noah is doing well!

Carol

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

I am so happy to see you all home!! In your blog when I saw the video of Noah with his brother and sister I was so happy and cried tears of joy. I am so happy for you all! Can't wait to hear more about your plans!

 

[kimmylaj]

i hope you can extend your trip, as pp said it cant hurt to call the airlines and see what can be done. hopefully they will be able to help. regardless, i am sure that you will have a magical trip

 

[maroo]

Ok, so into planning mode today...can it really be January 19th already???

So many unknowns right now for our trip, it's driving me crazy!! We had asked about extending our trip as ideally we'd love to do an extra week on our own with Disney's buy 4/get 3 free deal...a super deal at the value resorts. That way we could have a much more relaxing trip and take lots of down time for Noah. We want to make the absolute most of what will probably be our last family trip with Noah.

Our wish coordinator told us that their policy states they cannot extend, but she also said what we do with our return ticket is up to us. So we are hoping to be able to change the return ticket to a later date. Not sure if we will have to pay a fee to do that, or how it will work?? The big problem is that we won't get our tickets until much closer to our trip. So I'm not sure what to do. I am thinking that we will just start planning for that second week without telling the kids in case it doesn't happen, and then hope it all works out??? But it's SO hard to plan details without definate dates!!

Yep, I just HAD to complicate things!!

We did find out that we have the flight times for the 24th:

Flight 1 departs at (gulp) 5am
Arrive in Toronto at 8:28am
Flight 2 departs at 10:15am
Arrive in Orlando at 1:05pm

Although the early departure time will be torture, (hopefully the kids will sleep on one of the flights), I'm very happy to be getting to Orlando in the afternoon so we will have the rest of the day to explore GKTW (after a nap of course!).

Noah is doing well...we are slowly settling in at home. It's always a big adjustment going from hospital life to home life. But we are so thankful for this time together as a family.

Wow!! It is totally happening!! YES!!!

I would go ahead and call the airlines...explain your situation...and maybe they can give you the policy on this. I would expect it would be a per ticket charge...it used to be $50...but...now days...who knows!

And I hope that MAW bought you the kind of ticket that you can change the dates...not one of the non-transferrable, non-refundable kind? Might check with MAW on that, too?

And is all of this different in Canada?

I do hope you guys get the extra time...because I think you are going to need some down time on your trip to make sure your little ones don't get sick.

That flight is early! Yikes! You might need to camp out in the airport!

 

[ndloewen]

So I've been doing a little digging , and it looks like it shouldn't be a big issue to change our tickets once we actually get the tickets/confirmation numbers. So it may have to be done at the last minute, and we may have to pay a $50 fee for each ticket, depending on the tickets they bought for us. But I think it will be money well spent for our family. So I am planning for 2 weeks, leaving Feb 24 and returning March 10th. We are not going to tell the kids about the second week, leaving it for a surprise when we are down there. How thrilled they will be, especially if we stay right in Disney!That should help with the let down of leaving GKTW.

So now the question is... where to stay our second week. Disney's buy 4 nights/get 3 free plus $200 Disney card looks great. But it has to be booked by Jan 24th, so I need to decide soon!! I am looking at the value resorts as that would be all we could afford, but I am worried it would be pretty cramped (Noah would be in a crib, but his supplies take up so much room). I think the kids would love the experience of staying right in Disney, and when I work out the cost, (minus the $200 that we would have spent in Disney anyways), it works out to only about $50/night. Don't think I can beat that outside of Disney! Any thoughts on the values??? I think I'm leaning towards Pop from the more positive reviews (and because they have frozen cokes that we all LOVE), although the kids would love the theming of Movies.

I also emailed our wish coordinator yesterday to let her know of the changes with Noah's medical situation:

1) We will need oxygen for the flights
2) We will also need oxygen for night while we are down there
3) We will have to bring all of Noah's bags of TPN in coolers on the flight and he will be running his TPN during the flight, which all needs to be cleared by the airline

Hopefully I will hear back from her soon in regards to what I need to do to get that all in place. I will feel better once I know that is all arranged.

Is this all actually happening??
My brain is still having trouble catching up...going from thoughts of never bringing Noah home again, to full out Disney planning!! Praying...praying that it all falls into place. Noah deserves this...we all desperately need this!!

 

[oklamomof4boys]

I am so glad things are falling into place! You are right, you all so deserve/need this trip! I've never stayed on property at WDW so I can't really give you any advice there. But my brother and SIL, who are Disney snobs ( they now HAVE to stay in the Grand Floridian- one time they stayed in some suite that cost nearly $2000 a night! And they stayed there several nights! Even if I had that kind of money, I can't justify spending that much per night)Anyway, before my brother started making the big bucks, they stayed at the Pop numerous times and they loved it!

 

[autumnpalm]

We loved our time at the POP. We were there last July and it was perfect for us. Our room was clean and comfortable. The grounds were very well kept and the huge icons were so much fun! Great buses, wonderful food court... I would not hesitate to stay at a value again. They are such good value for what you pay. We were in the 50s building on the top floor facing the lake... our room was dead quiet and we had such a gorgeous view from the balcony! Plus all the POP buildings have elevators which is great.

I would 100% recommend the POP.

 

[maroo]

I am so excited that you get an extra week!

You won't need much help at all planning! You will be able to really relax! And have a REAL vacation! The best vacation EVER!!!!!!

I don't know anything about the values! But, we are looking at staying at the POP when Lisa and I go to see if that would work for us for the next big trip. So, let me know how it goes!



I am praying, too...that will work out for you guys to be able to go! And hopefully everyone will stay healthy!! But even if you have to go really slow...you will have time to!!
I would love to just hang out at GKTW several days when you are there...take in the horseback riding...and all of the parties...and character greets!...and then REALLY do Disney stuff...everything you missed when you were at GKTW when you go to the POP! Woo Hoo!!!

 

[kimmylaj]

WOOHOO so glad to hear you will be able to stay an extra week. full steam ahead on planning

 

[ndloewen]

We were very excited to open the mail this evening and discover 2 packages!! First, a teeny package from maroo:

Hmmm...what could it be??

Kailyn reading the beautiful note your wrote her...Noah scratching his head, wondering what is going on...

Inside were 2 beautiful bracelets...one for Kailyn and one for myself.

Maroo, thank you SO much! Kailyn & I both love the bracelets. I love the colors you chose for both of us.

Package #2...

A pirate shirt for Joshua (and also showing off his new missing front tooth). I LOVE this material...

My kids being goofballs...

An adorable Cinderella outfit for Kailyn...

And of course, twirling time...

Can you tell she loves it??

And we just couldn't resist taking this picture. Kailyn's blanket made by Grandma!! Can you tell she's a princess fan?? She is so thrilled to have a dress to match her blanket!

April, thank you so much!! These are both adorable and you did a fantastic job! Can't believe you apologized in your letter for your sewing skills. They look amazing!!

Maroo and April, thank you for the pixie dust Thank you for blessing our family and making my kids feel so special today.

 

[maroo]

Oh my goodness! I can't believe her dress matches her bed!

When Lauren got Big Give stuff, she wanted to redecorate her room! I can't let her see that!!!!

I am glad you liked the bracelets!

You guys are going to have a wonderful time!!!

 

[mindymouse1]

AAAAAAWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!

They are all so cute!! I think you and I are both almost or more excited than our kids !!

They are adorable. Hope you all have a great trip!!!

 

[macntosh]

Those bracelets are amazing Maroo. I hope you give those to all the Big Give girls....

 

[maroo]

Those bracelets are amazing Maroo. I hope you give those to all the Big Give girls....

Well, now...we will just have to see...

But you should find out very soon...