Princess Angelina's MAW PT report

Momto15

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Sep 9, 2011
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We made it.
Today is the day when my sweet little Angelina gets to make her wish.
Wish Day! Yea!
My house is full of giddy small children who are dancing around yelling wish day! wish day! I couldn't ask for a more blessed life, truly.

I must admit that starting this PTR was daunting to me. Just introducing the cast of characters in and of itself seems overwhelming because of our family size.
I suppose I should just start at the beginning. And please note this might be way too much information for some people, for that I am sorry.

I do have a blog if anyone is interested:
http://www.ourhaitianjourney.blogspot.com/ :hippie:

My husband and I were both single parents when we met. He had four children and I had one baby girl. At the time I was also a college student and a foster parent to three children. We quickly became best friends and in our own fairy tale sort of way we just knew that it was Gods plan for us to be together forever. We combined our two families and started with eight children, his four, my one + three foster children.
Being a large family to us is what is normal.

We loved being foster parents and we fostered over 50 children through the years. Six of those beautiful children would become a part of our forever family. Bringing our family size to 10.
As the baby (at the time) got to be about four years old- we had that tugging feeling again that maybe our family wasn't complete. My husband had a vasectomy during his previous marriage so we decided that we would save and have a vasectomy reversal and try to have a baby the old fashioned way. The reversal worked but because of the time between vas and reversal was 14 years, and because of some "girly" issues that I had- our chances were really low that it would actually work. We then decided to look into international adoption.
After much prayer and consideration we decided we would adopt from Haiti. We were quickly turned away because of our family size. :confused3
So we knew that Africa (specifically Liberia) was where we would try next. We got all of our mounds of paperwork ready and felt that two babies or small children was what Gods plan was for our family. :grouphug:
Then God sent us an Angel.
Over my email came a picture of a little sweet baby in Haiti. She was found abandoned outside of a hospital. She was desperately in need of a paper ready family who could move fast to get her adoption done quickly. She had Spina Bifida, club feet, her spine was open and the surgery wasn't available in Haiti... we knew that her days were numbered as she leaked spinal fluid from her back. Because she sat for so long in her waste and spinal fluid she had developed large decub. ulcers all over her backside. There was a huge chance of infection in one of those open wounds or in her "bump" (myelomeningocele).
We didn't know anything about Spina Bifida. But we did know that this little Angel was our baby. Even though we had been told we had a family that was too large to adopt from Haiti- I sent an application to the orphanage via email anyway. Later that day I got word that baby Angel was ours. :cheer2:
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We quickly changed all of our paperwork from Liberia to Haiti and sent off our huge dossier to Haiti. The hope was that we could get her adoption done within a few months so that she would be able to quickly come home. (Haitian adoptions were taking 18 months-2 years or MORE at the time.) As the weeks went by, and baby Angel got more and more ill- we knew that waiting even a few months for the adoption to get done was not going to be ok. Angel wouldn't make it a few months. Her head was swelling more and more by the day because of her hydrocephalus and she was a sick little baby. We quickly moved to action.
We knew that even if Angelina didn't survive to ever make it out of Haiti that it was Gods plan for us to go to be with her. We had talked to the orphange workers about getting a medical visa to bring Angelina to the USA. They had tried to MV's in the past and weren't able to ever get one done. I started researching medical visas. I started contacted other people and organizations who had gotten medical visas from Haiti in the past. I asked for help from one large organization that regularly helps international children but because Angelina had Spina Bifida (and it was something that wasn't ever going to go away with a surgery) her life wasn't worth bringing her here to them. It was crushing to realize that if we were doing this we were on our own.
I had never been to Haiti. I didn't know much about Haiti and I was still just learning about Spina Bifida! But fear of the unknown was minimal compared to the plan that was laid our before me and what needed to be done.
I started contacting hospitals all over the country to see if I could find a place that would donate surgery for Angelina. The days of phone calls made me grow weary hearing no, no, no, no. And baby Angelina kept getting more and more ill.
Finally- in a small city in Ohio we had a hospital and surgeon agree to do Angelinas surgery for FREE. They would sponsor her coming to the USA for life saving medical care. There was still the issue of them being able to travel within Haiti with a sick, fragile baby to obtain her Haitian passport and paperwork necessary for the medical visa. My husband stayed home with several of the older children to work. (Someone had to keep the bills paid!) And I left for Ohio with my oldest daughter and all the younger children. They were to stay with my Mom while my oldest daughter Leishan and I traveled to Haiti to get baby Angelina!
They were having a hard time getting the passport... and so while at my Moms in Ohio we kept putting off the travel dates and pushing them back day by day. We wanted to go at the right time and then at last we knew that Angelina might not make it and it was time to go even though they still didn't have her passport. We had gathered all the US documents, and they were gathering the Haitian documents at the orphanage so that when we arrived we could get an appointment at the embassy to process the medical visa. But without the passport, it was an impossibility.
Leishan and I flew into Haiti and arrived at a guest house in the middle of Port au Prince. We were waiting inside the house when we heard a baby screaming from the street out front. Angelina had arrived, and her scream was unbearable. We knew even before seeing her that she was in terrible pain, that she was very sick, and that our time was so limited.
Once we had Angelina settled down a bit we found some old medical text books in the guest house and researched what was going on... bacterial meningitis. Based on the way that Angelina was arching her back and screaming in pain, we knew she had meningitis. The bacteria had gotten into her open myelomeningocele on her back and traveled up her spine into her brain and she was dying. Truly dying. Might not make it through the day dying. And we were in Haiti. At a guest house. With our dying baby.
We needed a miracle.
We needed many miracles as we still didn't have a passport.
The orphanage worker had traveled into Port Au Prince and had been spending day after day riding around on his motor bike trying to get Angelinas passport. He was an :littleangel: and our miracle worker. He wasn't going to give us. He begged, cried and pleaded for her life to the passport offices and finally... they gave him her passport. He arrived dirty on his motor bike with the passport in hand. And we sobbed and hugged and knew that if Angelina made it through the night that the next day we would be able to the embassy and try to get her a medical visa.
We changed our return flights for the next afternoon. We would arrive at the crack of dawn at the embassy and get in line. We knew that there would be a long line and we hoped that they would have mercy on baby Angelinas life and see us through that line. We also knew that sometimes they grant the medical visa and it could take a few days to actually get approved and put onto the passport. But we didn't have a few days. We were on borrowed time.
Each time that we moved to fast or went over a bump in the road Angelinas wails would intesify. She was in terrible pain. Touch was excrutiating for her. She also had a parasite and her bowels were like acid running out of her, tearing up her little bottom more and more.
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Here is a picture of Leishan holding baby Angelina. Leishan had been sobbing and was exhausted. She was terrified Angelina would die. (As was I- but I had to hold it together. I didn't think how much this would affect Leishan- and felt horrible for both my girls!)
Through a series of miracles that still to this day blow my mind away. Someone advocating for us in the street to be let into the embassy. A stranger inside who worked from Nigeria for the United Nations telling people to step aside and allow us "to go to the front of the line now!" to pay our visa fees for Angelina. The woman behind the glass who had mercy on Angelinas life and watched us break down to her and she heard our pleas. The people in Washington who approved her visa in record timing and we were out the door, back to the guesthouse within hours. The driver who sped through to the airport and the airlines that waited for us to get on the plane before take off. The paramedics in Miami that checked her vitals and gave us a quiet place to wait for the next flight to Ohio.
Once in the US we felt so much better but the fact remained that Angelina was still so ill. Would she survive?
Yes! She did!
And today is the day... she gets to make her wish.
Dreams really do come true.
Miracles really do happen.
And Blessed we are by this amazing little girl. Who we were told MANY times wouldn't live, wouldn't be able to walk/talk/breathe on her own. She survived and she thrives. And she is a JOY in everyones life that she meets.
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We would go on to adopt two more children from Haiti and this past January we had yet another miracle... a baby girl. Whom we had the old fashioned way. We are so blessed.
Its wish day!!!:cheer2:
 
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Today was a wonderful day.
It was WISH DAY!
Angelina's wish coordinators arrived this afternoon.
They brought a gift for the family of
board games and a "basket of treats".
For Angelina they brought a Disney Princess
doll- Sleeping Beauty. A new nightgown and
some wonderful sticker paper dolls.
What lovely surprises that
helped truly make the day so fun.


One of her wish volunteers asked if the Princess
looked just like her with long blond hair just
like she has...
Angelina said... "no, not really."
(She has so much personality and a little too honest!)

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We chatted and filled out paperwork.
Angelina played.
And they talked to her about what she likes most.
Then it was time to make her big wish and a
back up wish just in case.

Angelina wished for:
A Pink Princess Makeover at Disney World!


and for the back up wish she had debated either
a hot tub, or trip to China to see the Pandas...
and it came out like this...
"For my backup wish I would like a trip to China
to get a hot tub AND a panda."


Too cute. Lol

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We should hear back in a month if the wish is granted
and what will happen from here on out.
They are thinking it will be March or April before we travel.
Angelina can't wait for that pink princess makeover!:lovestruc
 
First- :welcome:


Awwwww you guys are so cool to have adopted kiddos! I hope to do so in the future one day, first I have to convince the husband though :lmao: Your kiddo truly, truly deserves this wish- and so does the rest of the family. Hope she gets her wish and can't wait to read more!!!
 
What a STORY! And What a MIRACLE!!! Yes, I DO believe in Miracles, Angels on earth and God's divine hand in our lives. Praise God for your beautiful child and that she was able to make her wish! May all her dreams come true!!! :goodvibes:goodvibes

 

Wow!!! What an amazing story! It brings tears to my eyes to hear everything you had to go through to get your precious dd home, and all the wonderful miracles in the process.

I am looking forward to hearing more about Angelina's Wish Trip. :lovestruc

D~
 
Thanks all so much for the warm welcome! Angelina had her first day of school this week and although things went well there were some older sixth grade boys making fun of her. (And this was in front of Angelinas sixth grade brother.) They laughed at her and and said "she can't walk hahaha!"

Who does that? :confused:

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We had a very sad evening after this first day of Kindergarten. But thankfully the teachers reacted immediately and the older boys are going to be writing apology letters and the parents were called. It just pains me to know that my sweet angel girl has to go through so much. I am so thankful that she had the big blessing of her wish this week to carry her through!!

I need to work on introducing the rest of my family!! (Or cast of characters!!)

Blessings and Happy Day!
Sarah
 
Oh, that kinda stuff irks me! Kids can be so cruel, but I am glad the teachers acted quickly. I hope the kids parents also talk to their kids about how wrong it was. My kids know better..... oi vey. Give your kiddo extra hugs and kisses and just know that she is perfect- in her own way. :hug::hug:
 


Ok so I hate having pictures taken of me so I don't have anything recent. But if you visit this link you read more about our family and see a picture of me... mind you- its a couple years old!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34883851/ns/world_news-haiti/t/world-away-foster-parents-hold-out-hope/

So we have me- Mom to the brood- Sarah.
And my lovely DH.. Robert. (aka: Bob, Bobby, Dad)
Or as I love to call him : SUPER DAD :laughing:
LR1aw-4817.jpg

He works his tail end off doing construction for our family.
He works long summer days and typically has to catch up on family
time when the weather isn't good over winter. (We live in the pacific northwest.)

To limit the confusion I won't include the "children not at home". We have five adult children who are grown and moved away. And our 13 year old daughter suffers from serious mental health issues and isn't at home right now either.

So at home, and including in Angelinas make a wish are:

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David- age 17.
David loves soccer and is a high school junior. He works at a local fast food restaurant and is a great teenager.

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Cole- age 14
Cole loves running track and hanging out with his friends. He is a high school freshman and is my most organized child!

Gammons-Reesefamily1-0933.jpg

Grace 14 and Isaac 5
(That's right we have two 14 year olds and two 5 year olds- but none are twins!)
Grace loves soccer and is a girly girl but LOVES her sports. She is a high school freshman this year and works really hard on her athletics. She has a good head on her shoulders!
Isaac just started Kindergarten with Angelina. He loves life and was adopted from Haiti. His adoption took four years and he came home right after the Haiti earthquake. He is a blessing.

(More on the next post in a little bit- have to check the soup!)
 
:grouphug:OK I must be doing something wrong because the pictures aren't showing up. Sorry! Can someone give me some advice :)
 
I have no clue..... did you read the how to part on the main thread? I see some of the pics, but not all of them. Are you using photobucket? :confused3
 
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Alyssa is 9 and Dominick is 12
(Yes, girls grow faster than boys!)
Alyssa loves soccer and horses.
Dominick loves football and is really into SHOES at the moment!

Last time we were at Disneyworld Alyssa and Dominick were a baby and a toddler so they don't remember going. I am excited for them to experience the magic of Disney this time around and be able to remember it!

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Jude is almost 3 years old. He loves robots! Jude also has Spina bifida like Angelina.

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Baby Izzy is 7 months old. She just started saying Mama and she knows how to wave already!

I think thats everyone!
David 17
Cole 14
Grace 14
Dominick 12
Alyssa (almost 10)
Isaac (almost 6)
Angelina 5
Jude (almost 3)
Izzy (Isabella) 7 months

Not at home currently:
Sophie age 13

Adult children:
Jeremy, Lei, Danny, Tyler and Lauren- ages 19-25
 
I am so sorry about the boys teasing Angelina... that is so horrible. I am glad that the school reacted so quickly, ours is very good about bullying and takes it very seriously, as well.

I loved seeing your family - everyone looks so bright and happy. :lovestruc

D~
 
Our fantastic maw coordinator called today amd asked if we could travel December 4th! Unfortunately my dh and I are celebrating my birthday and or anniversary our of town that weekend. So theu are looking into other dates when our colleen might haver part of the time off school already. We are hoping to extend our trip at our own expense for a few extra days to visit my God mom who lives in florida. This will be the first time that we have all flown on vacation together! Hopefully our chapter will allow us to do this. I had read that somer do and some do not.

I wanted to ask about character dining. Where is the best place to read about different places to go? And I am thinking its expensive...so would it be horrible to only take our maw girl and some of the younger children? Thanks in advance for your reply. :goodvibes
 
Our fantastic maw coordinator called today amd asked if we could travel December 4th! Unfortunately my dh and I are celebrating my birthday and or anniversary our of town that weekend. So theu are looking into other dates when our colleen might haver part of the time off school already. We are hoping to extend our trip at our own expense for a few extra days to visit my God mom who lives in florida. This will be the first time that we have all flown on vacation together! Hopefully our chapter will allow us to do this. I had read that somer do and some do not.

I wanted to ask about character dining. Where is the best place to read about different places to go? And I am thinking its expensive...so would it be horrible to only take our maw girl and some of the younger children? Thanks in advance for your reply. :goodvibes


I hope they let you extend! I have beard some do and some don't. Can't hurt to ask though- the worst they could do is say no. :goodvibes

As for dining- maybe you could ask your wish org if they are planning any dining for you as a special thing? Or are they doing the princess BBB thing? Either way, can't hurt to ask. But if they say no and you have to pay out of your pocket or expense check- go for a breakfast buffet. They are cheaper than lunches and dinners and they can get you into the park early as well! So plan carefully- you would have to use a ticket if you choose one in a park, say the one with winnie the pooh and tigger at the Crystal Palace (but you can make your ADR early and see the castle with hardly anyone around- magical! :wizard:) Or if you do O'hanna's with Lilo and Stitch, it's at a resort (the poly) so no ticket and you can park there during your breakfast and then go where ever your plans take you. But if you did a big character breakfast, you could maybe snack lightly at the parks and have a big dinner at GKTW when you get back. You can always order pizza too there! That would make for an early morning too, so you could get back to GKTW earlier and do one of the parties there too! Anyway- dunno if I helped or made it worse lol :rotfl2:
 
That definitely made it easier and helped to narrow it down. Both of those breakfast options sound reasonable and very fun.
When we were at Disney many years ago we had each of the middle children (who are now the "big kids") choose one thing to do. The girls went to the Mad Hatters tea party and the boys went on a pirate ship outing. We scheduled both at the same time and my husband and I went to lunch while they were at their events. They still have very fond memories... and seeing my sweet girls dressed as Alice in Wonderland was incredible!

Ok I have some more questions if you or anyone would care to give some feedback. We are trying to extend our trip and we were hoping to spend a few extra days in Orlando and then maybe a few days on the coast with my Aunt. So we will need to rent a car- actually a van... or two cars.. and ouch-thats spendy! A 12 passenger or 15 passenger van is more than I thought we would spend for lodging for the week! :rotfl2:
Are there any tips or hints or tricks or discounts for rental cars?

Also... lodging... the last time we went we bought someones Marriot 2 bedroom timeshare on ebay for super cheap. Then I bought park tickets through the reptile convention for a discount. :banana:
Where is a good place to stay with a bunch of kids? Rent a house for a couple nights? What area should we rent in? Or is it better to get something on site and is there anything cheap? (Doubtful and not likely to fit us all!)

Thanks in advance for your time answering my questions!!! We are so excited for Angelinas special wish. :)
Blessings!
Sarah
 
:confused3:confused3:confused3

I am driving myself crazy with indecisiveness.
Our wonderful MAW coordinator called this afternoon and said that we can basically try for any dates between November-on? including Christmas week!
Now I am going nuts trying to decided when would be best to go.

:confused3:confused3:confused3

We are trying to stay some extra days so waiting until tax refund time would be good for paying for extras.

Our wish girl Angelina wants to go for her birthday- which is February 1st.

My high schoolers want to go during school breaks- either Christmas, end of Feb. break or Spring Break.

My husband will likely be laid off over winter (he works construction) but doesn't know when that will be. (So if he isn't laid off he is basically taking time off unpaid which is he was laid off- that would make the most sense to go during that time that he wasn't going to be working anyhow.)

Crowds and weather. Not sure how much this matters depending on the time.

Oh those Christmas decorations must be so magical!
But the crowds must be horrible.

I am reading that the cost of things is higher during Christmas and Spring Break. That does affect things.

So what do we do?
When should we go?
I would love your expertise advice!

Also the weather seems hit or miss over the winter? Anyone?

Thanks so much in advance for your time. Sorry for the multiple posts of questions. We had a family meeting this evening about things and we came to no conclusions and only had multiple different opinions. Maybe we should just let Angelina call the shots on this one? :)

Blessings all!!
Sarah
popcorn::
 












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