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

[ndloewen]

A couple of weeks ago, I got a pm from Meg, asking if she could bless our family with a care package...

The package arrives...(It actually arrived the day before, but everyone had to wait until Noah was feeling up to opening it!)

Ripping open the paper...Noah's favorite part!!

Despite not feeling so great, the gifts were definately a hit with Noah...

Kailyn showing off her loot...

Joshua and some of his loot...

We especially love the flashing Disney pins! They will be lots of fun to wear at the parks!!

And someone knows the way to my heart! A Tim's card!! Mmmmmmmmmmm!!! Can't wait to get myself a double/double, or maybe one of those new latte's!! For all you US disers, Timmy's has the absolute best coffee here in Canada!! Kailyn took the picture, so the actual gift card got a bit cut off

It was like Christmas here this morning!! Meg, thank you so very much. Your generosity has blessed us in a big way today. Thank you for the pixie dust

 

[mom2lilnick]

That is wonderful!

 

[lizet313]

WOW those gifts look great. I am so happy to see Noah is feeling better. Joshua and Kaylin both look very excited.

 

[QueenMomof2]

I'm new here and have been reading your Pre TR. I'm so happy your family has been blessed with a trip. Your little man is so strong and has been through so much I can't imagine anyone more deserving.

Also what complete DOLLS your kids are they are just so adorable. Noah's smile just makes me smile when I see it. I'm so glad he's feeling better.

We're in Canada too I'm so looking forward to your TR I can't wait to hear about all the magic you experience.

Thanks for sharing and allowing us to be part of your trip.

 

[ndloewen]

I'm new here and have been reading your Pre TR. I'm so happy your family has been blessed with a trip. Your little man is so strong and has been through so much I can't imagine anyone more deserving.

Also what complete DOLLS your kids are they are just so adorable. Noah's smile just makes me smile when I see it. I'm so glad he's feeling better.

We're in Canada too I'm so looking forward to your TR I can't wait to hear about all the magic you experience.

Thanks for sharing and allowing us to be part of your trip.

Welcome! Yep, that smile of Noah's...what can I say? It makes everything so worth it!!

What foundation are you working with here in Canada??

 

[maroo]

How cool!! What a great package!

Your pictures are great. Noah looks so happy! And Kailyn and Joshua got some cool stuff, too!
I like the small lunch boxes (is that what you would call them?)

I hope Noah continues to feel better and better!! Keep us posted!

 

[QueenMomof2]

Welcome! Yep, that smile of Noah's...what can I say? It makes everything so worth it!!

What foundation are you working with here in Canada??

We got a call from Make A Wish on Monday so that's who we were referred to. I'm just waiting on the consent forms to get here and then they said they contact her Neuro. After that they said if he okays it then she will get her wish.

I was surprised, they make it seem so easy. I can't imagine it's quite that easy.

 

[autumnpalm]

Aww I love the pictures! I'm glad the wrapping paper stayed on, I was a little nervous it would get all torn up. I had my fingers crossed that everyone would like everything.

Have a great weekend!!

And lattes?! And Timmy's? Why have I not seen those yet?

 

[ndloewen]

Noah seems to be doing better today, so hopefully those antibiotics are finally kicking this pneumonia. Still struggling some with his breathing and our home care nurse brought us a nebulizer so we could do some ventolin masks at home.

We also found out that our home care nurse will be in Florida on vacation the same time as us!! She is hoping to help us out for a day, or even just give us some respite one evening while we are there. She is like family to us, so we are excited to spend a bit of time with her out there. Do you think her and her hubby would be able to come to GKTW for part of a day or an evening to help out?? I'm not sure how it works with visitors there.

The hospital gave the kids some extra chocolate advent calendars, so we are using them to start our official disney countdown! Wow, so much to do between now and then!! We started making packing lists yesterday for everyone. I need to search out Amber's amazing list and see what I'm all still missing.

 

[ndloewen]

And lattes?! And Timmy's? Why have I not seen those yet?

I've just seen advertisements for the new lattes but haven't tried one yet. They look oh SO yummy!!

Oh, I just saw your pretrip report...the Yacht Club and then Disneyland!! That's fantastic!! And nice to put a face to a name.

 

[dmbfan]

Nichole, what great pictures of the kids with their gifts...Ohhh I am such a tearful person, so of course seeing Noah's face brought tears to my eyes. Amazing how strangers can turn into true friends for you and your family so fast. Such a blessing this board is.

I was going to ask if you if you were able to get a nurse or someone else to go on the trip to help you? My sister is coming ( she is paying her way cause our PCA does not touch Jake's line or TPN) with us to help as a third set of hands with all of Jake's stuff.

By the way, I pray for Noah everyday that when I got to your blog I do not see Noah in the hospital, his last stay had me worried for sure. I saw and commented on your post on the TPN board about the locks, how are they going for you?

 

[ndloewen]

That's great that you get your sister. We only have 2 nurses who we would even consider...one is on mat leave and the other is the one who will be there at that time anyways. And as nice as the help would be, I really wanted this to be about our family, and not have another person there all the time. So I think for us, this will work out best.

Nichole, what great pictures of the kids with their gifts...Ohhh I am such a tearful person, so of course seeing Noah's face brought tears to my eyes. Amazing how strangers can turn into true friends for you and your family so fast. Such a blessing this board is.

I was going to ask if you if you were able to get a nurse or someone else to go on the trip to help you? My sister is coming ( she is paying her way cause our PCA does not touch Jake's line or TPN) with us to help as a third set of hands with all of Jake's stuff.

By the way, I pray for Noah everyday that when I got to your blog I do not see Noah in the hospital, his last stay had me worried for sure. I saw and commented on your post on the TPN board about the locks, how are they going for you?

 

[ndloewen]

So I found this magical coutdown clock that you can download onto your computer. You enter the time that you are leaving for Disney, and it counts down to the exact milisecond. It's actually kind of freaky...I'm watching the time just flying away on me and I think it's making me more panicky!!

23 Days, 14 Hours, 52 Minutes, 47 Seconds...no wait 38...33...

Magical Countdown Clock

 

[oklamomof4boys]

Noah seems to be doing better today, so hopefully those antibiotics are finally kicking this pneumonia. Still struggling some with his breathing and our home care nurse brought us a nebulizer so we could do some ventolin masks at home.

We also found out that our home care nurse will be in Florida on vacation the same time as us!! She is hoping to help us out for a day, or even just give us some respite one evening while we are there. She is like family to us, so we are excited to spend a bit of time with her out there. Do you think her and her hubby would be able to come to GKTW for part of a day or an evening to help out?? I'm not sure how it works with visitors there.

The hospital gave the kids some extra chocolate advent calendars, so we are using them to start our official disney countdown! Wow, so much to do between now and then!! We started making packing lists yesterday for everyone. I need to search out Amber's amazing list and see what I'm all still missing.

I would think it would be fine to have visitors. I would call GKTW to find out but I know before our trip our wish coordinator told us that if we had a family member that wanted to pay their own way they could stay with us at GKTW ( the villas hold 7)- and that was to stay the entire time with us. So surely you can have visitors-especially if you explain the situation.

I'm glad Noah is feeling a bit better. You all sure are in my prayers and thoughts a lot. I think EVERYBODY is very excited about your upcoming trip.

Carol

 

[ndloewen]

By the way, I pray for Noah everyday that when I got to your blog I do not see Noah in the hospital, his last stay had me worried for sure. I saw and commented on your post on the TPN board about the locks, how are they going for you?

The locks are going well so far. It's only been 2 weeks, so hard to tell yet, but we've had no issues (other than pharmacare and our hospital refusing to pay for them. Thankfully they aren't too expensive.)

 

[autumnpalm]

Oh my gosh, your trip is getting soooo close!! I am just so excited for you to go! I can't believe you have only 23 more days!

I pray for little Noah (and the rest of you!) every night, I am so glad his Wish is becoming a reality.

And hmmm I wonder if they have the lattes in Ontario yet? I'll have to check next time I'm in there! Funny, I don't like coffee but I like lattes. I hope they have flavoured ones!

 

[jennipooh]

I just found your post and have fallen in love with all your kids.

I have a Noah, myself, and of course that name caught my eye right away!!

My Noah is 9 and we love Disney World! He will turn 10 on February 24th..... the date your begin your trip!!! People are always asking us if we get bored with traveling to Disney World ........ no way!

I know your family will have a great time. I know your older two love their little Noah and take great care of him and deserve the extra attention and care-free time they will be receiving at Disney.

Also, how wonderful that Kailyn and Johsua have been included in the care packages! How sweet the Big Give Board is... I would like to hear more about them. They sound so sweet, as well as the others who have sent your kids so many neat things. Pre trip souvenirs are a wonderful way to get excited for Disney World.

You and your family seem blessed in so many ways. The love that you all share is truly special and I can tell that you all know and appreciate that. Also, how wonderful it is that you are a nurse and are able to care for Noah so well and can depend less on others to care for him. I think at Disney World it will give you so much more family time than if you needed to count on another nurse to help you the whole time.

You are very wise to have asked for that extra week at Disney World. Normally, it could get pricey, but the 4/3 deal will be awesome + the 200 gift card...wow.

We prefer 10-12 days. It gives you so much more time to relax, knowing that you have a few days to visit each park. It gives you more time to enjoy the pools, mini-golf, water crafts, etc. And you don't have to feel like down time at the resort is wasting your shot at park time.

GKTW sounds really neat, but I think one of the All-Stars will be a nice treat for you guys. Staying "inside the magic" will be so very special and convenient. If you will be using Disney Transportation...which is so convenient, then I highly recommend Sports over Movies and Music. Sometimes the three resorts share a bus! We have stayed at All-Star Sports and enjoy the fact that we are the first on and off the buses!!!

As for your older kids, I could not tell if there were lanyards and pins inside the care packages. But I think pin trading would be a wonderful activity for them while at the parks and would give them some one on one cm attention.

When my Noah was little he was not ready for pin trading and only collected a couple of special pins. Then when he was 8, the "Pin Fairies" started visiting our room each night and left a few pins for him to trade (it is very easy for him to let go of the girly pins, but sometimes he chooses to keep other pins). He loves the interaction with the CM's as well as trading for the pins he wants. This saves me tons of $$$$ as I buy the pins at the Disney Store and the internet for next to nothing before we go!!!!

Prayers for your family and I hope you have a wonderful Disney trip.

 

[ndloewen]

I just found your post and have fallen in love with all your kids.

I have a Noah, myself, and of course that name caught my eye right away!!

My Noah is 9 and we love Disney World! He will turn 10 on February 24th..... the date your begin your trip!!! People are always asking us if we get bored with traveling to Disney World ........ no way!

I know your family will have a great time. I know your older two love their little Noah and take great care of him and deserve the extra attention and care-free time they will be receiving at Disney.

Also, how wonderful that Kailyn and Johsua have been included in the care packages! How sweet the Big Give Board is... I would like to hear more about them. They sound so sweet, as well as the others who have sent your kids so many neat things. Pre trip souvenirs are a wonderful way to get excited for Disney World.

You and your family seem blessed in so many ways. The love that you all share is truly special and I can tell that you all know and appreciate that. Also, how wonderful it is that you are a nurse and are able to care for Noah so well and can depend less on others to care for him. I think at Disney World it will give you so much more family time than if you needed to count on another nurse to help you the whole time.

You are very wise to have asked for that extra week at Disney World. Normally, it could get pricey, but the 4/3 deal will be awesome + the 200 gift card...wow.

We prefer 10-12 days. It gives you so much more time to relax, knowing that you have a few days to visit each park. It gives you more time to enjoy the pools, mini-golf, water crafts, etc. And you don't have to feel like down time at the resort is wasting your shot at park time.

GKTW sounds really neat, but I think one of the All-Stars will be a nice treat for you guys. Staying "inside the magic" will be so very special and convenient. If you will be using Disney Transportation...which is so convenient, then I highly recommend Sports over Movies and Music. Sometimes the three resorts share a bus! We have stayed at All-Star Sports and enjoy the fact that we are the first on and off the buses!!!

As for your older kids, I could not tell if there were lanyards and pins inside the care packages. But I think pin trading would be a wonderful activity for them while at the parks and would give them some one on one cm attention.

When my Noah was little he was not ready for pin trading and only collected a couple of special pins. Then when he was 8, the "Pin Fairies" started visiting our room each night and left a few pins for him to trade (it is very easy for him to let go of the girly pins, but sometimes he chooses to keep other pins). He loves the interaction with the CM's as well as trading for the pins he wants. This saves me tons of $$$$ as I buy the pins at the Disney Store and the internet for next to nothing before we go!!!!

Prayers for your family and I hope you have a wonderful Disney trip.

Thank you so much for all the great advice. Noah is a fabulous name! Kailyn has been asking about the pin trading. They don't have any pins yet. I think she'd really love it. Joshua is my very shy one, and I don't know how interested he'd be. Noah is too young for it. But I should try to get to our local Disney store and see if I can find a few for the kids...

I wanted to book in at the All Star Movies, but it was booked for our dates, so we are booked in at my second choice, Pop Century for our second week. It looks like lots of fun for the kids. We are renting a van as I think the buses would just be far too stressful trying to drag all of Noah's pumps/stroller/supplies along with us to the parks. Our second week still is not for sure, as we need to wait for our airline tickets from the wish foundation. So I'm just hoping it will all fall into place at the last minute!

 

[ndloewen]

So...got a call from a friend of mine today, to talk about the weekend we had booked with them...

Weekend????...what weekend???...oh yeah!!

A few months back, we had booked a winter getaway with a small group of our close friends from church at Thief River Falls in Minnesota at 7 Clans resort which is about 2 1/2hrs away from here. They have a fantastic indoor water park that the kids love. I had actually forgotten about booking it, until today, and now I'm a bit panicked about the dates. The weekend is Feb 20-22, and then we leave on the 24th for Disney!!

So, after discussing it, we decided that since our wish foundation does not do a send off party, we would still go, and make this our own send off party. We will be going with our closest friends, who have been there for us, through everything we've gone through with Noah. So what better way to have our own celebration. It's going to make things so nutty though, as we will get back on Sunday afternoon, and then have only one day to get repacked for Disney.

Kailyn is so cute this afternoon...she packed her carry on bag, found her Mickey ears from our last trip and is now wearing them as she watches Disney rides on youtube. She is SO into the spirit...

Praying that we will get there. I can't imagine the disappointment if Noah gets sick and we have to cancel.

 

[tinytreasures]

wow you are coming to Minnesota
to bad I am over a 6 hour drive there
at least we get to meet at GKTW