Not even a brain tumor can keep me away from WDW!

[Lidian]

Fingers are crossed that WDW will offer a good discount, or you'll score a PIN!

 

[Corrine 1973]

My fingers are crossed right there next to Lidian. (I would try crossing other things, but it hurts after awhile.)

I also wish you good luck with the one more Disney Day contest. Are you entering everyday? I have entered everyday except the first to day in Jan (my computer was giving me problems.) I would love to win and take all the kids on a suprise Disney Trip.

 

[Lidian]

I've entered most days. I text in my entry. I've forgotten a few days here and there, but work hard to remember to get my entry in. Not like I'll ever win (I'm just not lucky) ... but at least I try!

 

[lovethattink]

Tink, I wish I had your problem.

Where was the mac 'n cheese at? I didn't see it, and wonder if the kids did. DS is a big fan (DD can't have it), so I'm surprised it didn't end up on a plate. Maybe they just didn't have it out when we were there. And yes, I agree, that Bavarian cheesecake is divine!!!!

I think the Mac and Cheese is between both food section lines. There is Cheese and onion spatzle, hot dogs, mac and cheese, ketchup, and other condiments.

Liam has done JTA during both of our trips to DHS and had a blast doing it. He loves Star Wars so much and though he loves Darth Vader I don't even think he would even consider joining the Dark Side. He always make his younger brother the bad guy when they are playing.

I've seen your pictures from this last trip, the JTA pics are great!

So yesterday I decided to actually price the trip we are planning to take in Dec. I am sure it seems crazy that I haven't done so earlier, huh? Anyway the point is I need a code to do this- or to win the one more disney day sweepstakes like thats going to happen!
Right now the total cost looks like this
7 nights at Art of Animation with 4 day base tix and the regular dining plan No discounts $4361.40

Add in airfare which I really have no idea the cost but figuring $1400- hopefully will get a better deal than that and MVMCP Tix at $238 and IOA tix at $334 and transportation costs to and from IOA which are estimated at around $70 and tips for DP and meals at IOA which I estimate at about $300 and then figure spending money (usually do $100 per person) and well lets just say I am over the budget DH set.

I did price the DP vs no DP based on the ideas my family gave for where they wanted to eat and DP was cheaper by about $100 without adding tax or tips.

I do recognize that Art of Animation takes up a huge chunk of my budget and its a value- I could stay at AKL with a 40% discount cheaper. I can change the resort but Jess must have her own bed. She is such a mover that no one and I really mean no one will share with her. She leaves bruises. It truly hurts to share a bed with her.

So now I am a bit stressed, but it is the good kind of stress, the fuzzy disney math stress, lol. I just need to come up with an extra $2000 to make DH happy. Is it wishful thinking that a code would come out and a great airfare deal that would make it all fall into place?

I didn't know there was a sweepstake. I hope you win the lottery, the sweepstake, or score an amazing code!

Thanks Tink. Kid mac n cheese is exactly what she wants.

That's awesome!! My son wanted to do this, so my oldest boy took him while the rest of us were doing other things (I had the 5yr old at Princess Fantasy Faire) & we had warned him that he probably wouldn't be picked. We didn't bring a sign or anything like that......well wouldn't you know it~~he got picked & we weren't there!!! I felt horrible we missed it!! Luckily we did get the photopass pics of it, but it still wasn't the same. My son did say, that one of the kids did join Darth......everyone was cracking up!!

I have never seen any kids join the dark side. That's cool! So sorry you missed it.

That getting picked was a toughy. My son got picked once when he was 4. While the line is long some mornings to get signed up, I do like the present system better than pot luck. The only other time my son did JTA was with the new system. It worked well for us. We were just shocked at how long the queue was and we got there at 9:10am.

 

[DMGeurts]

I sure hope Disney offers some sort of disount code for your dates, that would be a rough amount to cough up, or at least free dining.

I know I went online to figure our exact trip with out free dining, and it was about that price too - that FD really helps out a lot.

Got my fingers crossed for you!

D~

 

[Lidian]

I think the Mac and Cheese is between both food section lines. There is Cheese and onion spatzle, hot dogs, mac and cheese, ketchup, and other condiments.

I must have totally missed this whole area.

Guess that means I should go back and try to find it!

No, really. I should go back. The food was DELISH!

 

[cogero]

I was pleasantly surprised by how much my picky family enjoyed Biergarten.

 

[lovethattink]

I must have totally missed this whole area.

Guess that means I should go back and try to find it!

No, really. I should go back. The food was DELISH!

Lol, yep, guess you should.

 

[sl_underwood]

Thanks guys. I had plenty for this trip before the tumor... but even with insurance this treatment is expensive so money will be a little tighter. I have been entering everyday, but I never win anything so its probably a waste of time.

 

[sl_underwood]

Our first trip was truly amazing. Our girls had so much fun. They were teary eyed as we said goodbye to the mouse and made our way home. Stephen promised we would make it back. September 2006 came around and I started toying with a plan for January 2007, but something came along to change my plans... and my life.

On Halloween night 2006, we were at a party and got the call that changed our family forever. Our social worker called and told us of a little boy who was lying in childrens hospital in a full body cast, bruised and broken. He was high needs, not toilet trained and functioned at about 1, rather than the nearly 4 year old he was. She knew I was a long shot because I never took kids who werent toilet trained and I really only wanted kids available for adoption. I also wasnt sure I could parent a severely delayed child. I was terrified but I agreed to take him as an emergency placement and that is the moment life changed completely.

On Nov 1, 2006, I met Luke for the first time. He was covered in bruises, cigarette burns, and had a cast that started underneath his arm pits and went down to his ankles. He had 27 injuries, including a skull fracture, a ruptured ear drum, several broken ribs, both hips broken, and a broken femur. He must have been terrified and in pain, but the moment I walked in his room, he looked up at me and smiled. Later that day, he was released into my care. The ride home was awful, two hours and he cried through every bump because it hurt so badly. The next 8 weeks were a blur. 24/7 care, trying to entertain a child who had really no movement, night terrors, it was heartbreaking but during that time I bonded with him and he with me. In 8 short weeks, I fell in love and when the social worker called to say she found a family member to take him, I was heartbroken. I decided if I had to give him up I was going to check out this family first. So glad I did, the grandfather had abused his own kids and gotten a teenage girl pregnant I immediately went to work on keeping Luke. With the help of an attorney, Luke remained in foster care and the courts set up a reunification plan for his birth parents which included rehab and other parenting classes and such. For the next two years, we lived in constant fear that child protective services would decide that blood ties mattered more than being safe. I spent countless hours advocating for him and even more hours teaching him as much as I could. Around December 2007, we decided that we had put our Disney plans on hold long enough and begin the process of taking Luke to WDW for his birthday that next April. This plan was not easy as we were required to get the ok from the courts to take him out of state. For the next few months, I read everything I could get my hands on doing all I could to make Luke's birthday trip perfect.

 

[Moodyzblu]

Oh my gosh .. how heartbreaking ! So glad you were able to hang on to him .. it sounds like you were able to change his life for the better and give him all that he needed so desperately. God bless you !

 

[lovethattink]

Moodyzblu, Lora is one special mama!!

Lora, Luke is so blessed that you stepped into his life when you did. I'm so glad you are his Mama. He carries so many scars (emotional and physical) from his early childhood. While you can't erase them, it's good he has you to help him through those rough patches. I know yours and Luke's story. It was very difficult to read. I'm sure it was very emotional for you to write. I'm glad there is happiness in his life now. That he has a family to share Friday night Clone Wars watching, to love him unconditionally, and try everything in their power to help him.

 

[Lidian]

Your story was so heartbreaking and very touching. I am so proud of you for doing what was right in your heart and fighting so hard to give him the life he deserved!!!!! You are an inspiration to mothers.

Thank you for sharing your story of how Luke came into your lives. I'm looking forward to more! Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a tissue.

 

[sl_underwood]

Guys, you are giving me a whole lot more credit than I deserve. Luke is the true inspiration. To have been through all he has and still be able to trust me enough to give him a better life is amazing. I just fell in love and when you love someone you do what is right for them.

 

[blessedmom4]

Dear Lora, I am so happy you signed our TR so I could "find" you and what a day to discover your family! That is some incredible God story about Luke! How can people NOT Believe when they read/hear/witness what could only been orchestrated by Him. I have gone back to re-read to discover if I have missed things. I have SO many questions for you about your family and hope you share more of your life journey as you plan your Disney Trip.

I would also love to hear more about your brian tumor if you don't mind sharing...we seem to have a lot in common health wise...

I loved reading the Homeschool journey of others having been on this road ourselves since 1996...I STILL can't believe my first student (Our oldest) graduates COLLEGE May 5! HOW can that be when i am only 29???? I keep asking myself that...He is my ADHD guy, the MAIN reason I started to homeschool. Thankfully for him (and the other three), I learned homeschooling doesn't mean school at home. Of course, with David, my HF autism son...that was a very good thing, especially since it took me three years to teach him letters, shapes and colors...I am happy to say as he has gotten older, while the challenges are still there, we HAVE seen so much growth. At one point in time, I had feared he would never know anything beyond the colors of blue and yellow!

I hope this is a good day for you, that you are feeling joy and that the dreams of your Disney trip are getting you through the hard days! Like many on here I am also trying to win one of the trips to Disney...it would be a great respite. I never win tangible things, but I have a sister that wins EVERYTHING (trips, cars and more)...BUT, all I have to do is look at my family and realize I have won far more than I could ever hope and I KNOW you feel the same...but a trip to Disney thrown in would be the cherry on top, wouldn't it??? How fun if a lot of DISer's won and we could all meet up! THAT would be MAGICAL!

Thank you again for signing our TR so I could "meet" you. PLEASE keep reminiscing, I LOVE IT and it helps me to know you better! I see you already know my good friend Tink and the adorable JJ!!! As for sewing/embroidery...How I WISH I could do that! Having the beautiful work of the talented D~ and Chiara in my house...I KNOW their advice is stellar! One of these days I AM going to learn how to do this stuff! My dear MIL gave her vintage sewing machine to my SIL...I wish I could get her to pass it on to me! It looked very much like yours, but I know NOTHING about them, so I could be very wrong...

So sorry for the novel, I WILL be back to enjoy more...I have been a little behind lately on the DIS...but I WILL be here and won't leave, so PLEASE keep writing!

 

[sl_underwood]

So I left off with planning our second trip. This trip we were a family of 5 and the options were somewhat limited so we decided to stay at POR for 6 nights. This trip would be Luke's first plane ride and his first disney trip so I wanted it to be perfect. I fretted for months on how Luke would react to things like airport security and the park crowds. I read over these boards, asked lots of questions and even contacted the airport we would be flying out of for information. A woman from the OKC airport mailed me a kids dvd to have Luke watch and it was perfect. It explained the TSA procedures and showed Luke what to do. Even after all this, I was still worried. What would happen if he had a meltdown on the plane? or at MK? What would happen if he was scared to death of the characters? So much of this trip being perfect depended on Luke's reactions to it. This momma was a bundle of nerves!

 

[Corrine 1973]

Hey Lora, reading the story of how you first meet Luke really got to me. I can't believe anyone could treat a child that way. I am so glad that you found each other and were able to make each others lives better. For even though I am positive that while you have made his life better that he has equally made you and your familys life better. I understand how it can be, sometimes you can just look into a childs eyes and fall instantly in love and would move montains to make them safe. Even if the child isn't biolgically yours.

Here is a big hug for your and your husband for being the wonderful, giving parents that you are. And here is a hug for Luke. Not many little boys (or anyone for that matter) could go through all he has gone through in life and be the happy boy he is now.

 

[sl_underwood]

:Welcome: Judy! I have enjoyed your TR immensely. I feel like I know you through it. I am so glad you stopped by for a visit. My tumor is called a meningioma and its in my frontal lobe. It is more annoying than anything right now. It is small 1.7 cm but has caused some serious headaches and such. Right now I am taking meds to control the symptoms but as soon as the insurance companies give the okay, I will start radiation to kill it dead. The meds help with the symptoms but they make me so tired that I really hate taking them.

As for homeschooling, I started when I just had the girls. Kara was a 4th grader and Jess was in Kindergarten. We started out school at home and that worked well for Kara. She thrived with textbooks and really didnt need much from me as a teacher. She is my gifted child who has never really struggled with any subject. She homeschooled through high school, graduated at sixteen. After graduation, she went to our local beauty college and got a cosmetology degreeand this fall she started college with the hopes of a career in fashion design. I know what you mean when you say you arent old enough to have a college age child. Believe me, Stephen and I are in our thirties so we feel the same way.
Jess, on the other hand, school at home did not work for. She fought me at every turn and couldnt sit still for 5 minutes. We found a system that worked but it took a whole lot of trial and error. Jess has ADHD and a blood disorder. She spent a lot of her early years in the hospital, chemo treatments, etc. She was very sick and we did a lot of what alot of homeschoolers call unschooling- we followed her interests and learned about what she wanted to. Up until 4th grade the only curriculum she used was Handwriting without tears. She played educational games and watched educational programs. We did lapbooks. She read hundreds of books and wrote stories, even submitted some to magazines like Highlights. Later, when she was healthy enough, she volunteered at our local vets office. She did that from 9 until this past summer. As a freshman in high school she decided to attend a local private school and she is very happy there.
Luke, I am still and probably always will be homeschooling. He has an official dx of PDD-NOS, PTSD, SPD and ADHD. I can relate to it taking three years to learn a few things. We have been on Pre-k/k level for the past year now. Luke is struggling with memorizign his alphabet and their sounds. We just keep doing it and hope someday he will get it. While Luke has a curriculum, we really do not use anything but the HWOT. I think Luke will always need care, just hoping that he can have some independence.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Lora,
Thank you for sharing your story about Luke. The suffering these kiddos go through is horrible. Doing foster care for 8 yrs we heard our share of these stories & it just added to the frustration that the State were going to work with the parents so the child could go home. No person, who treats a child like that, should EVER get the chance to do it again. Some people may not agree with me & my strong opinion on that......but when you've looked into the eyes of one of these kids....you'd understand.

Luke is blessed to have you & your family was blessed by adding Luke!! We feel very lucky to been blessed 4 times......and as you know, everyday is a new adventure with these kiddos!!

Hugs for being there when Luke needed you the most!!

 

[cogero]

Oh thank you for sharing Luke's story. It is always amazing how children have the ability to trust even after being thru the wringer.