Princess Emily's MAW Cruise TR - UPDATED with Day 1 Pics

[maroo]

I LOVE Jeremy Camp and Casting Crowns.

I am from Mississippi and the Casting Crowns song, "Praise You in the Storm" was released the day after Katrina. Boy...that one hit home and still does. The song has nothing to do with Katrina...but it was appropriate for the situation on the coast...and still is, really.

Anyway...I digress!

The Nutcracker!!! And the kid version. I think I would enjoy that!

We have a Christian Ballet Company in Jackson, and it is WONDERFUL! They do ballet to Contemporary Christian music a lot...and it is fabulous!

 

[iu97alum]

Awwww.. love the new pics. I am jealous about Jeremy Camp and front row.. how amazing. I am going with some ladies from church to see Point of Grace on the 12th and I am very excited about that!

It was a fan appreciation concert and a friend of ours got tickets and called DH and asked if we'd like to go. We got there early (like two hours!!) stood in line outside (thank goodness it wasn't too cold) and had the front most pew (it was in a church that holds about 2500!) It totally ROCKED!! And I got his new album AND had him sign it!! I was so pumped. Only thing I didn't have a voice to really sign along. Oh well! Point of grace is awesome! I bet it'll be an amazing concert too! You'll have to tell me about it! I went to casting crown's christmas show this past sat too! Their xmas album is beautiful too!!

I LOVE Jeremy Camp and Casting Crowns.

I am from Mississippi and the Casting Crowns song, "Praise You in the Storm" was released the day after Katrina. Boy...that one hit home and still does. The song has nothing to do with Katrina...but it was appropriate for the situation on the coast...and still is, really.

Anyway...I digress!

The Nutcracker!!! And the kid version. I think I would enjoy that!

We have a Christian Ballet Company in Jackson, and it is WONDERFUL! They do ballet to Contemporary Christian music a lot...and it is fabulous!

Wait, what part of MS are you from? I was raised in Ocean Springs I'm a southern girl at heart! That song by CC is wonderful and really does apply!!

 

[Hschlink]

One of my fav. songs to listen to while Carter was going through treatment was Maybe Tonight, Maybe Tomorrow by Wideawake. I think it's also the theme song for Lance Armstrong's LIVESTRONG org. It's a good one

 

[t-beri]

I am so excited that Emily is excited for the Give. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of pixie dust gets sent your way!!
Sounds like you're having a great time planning...I'm so excited for your trip!
...t.

 

[maroo]

It was a fan appreciation concert and a friend of ours got tickets and called DH and asked if we'd like to go. We got there early (like two hours!!) stood in line outside (thank goodness it wasn't too cold) and had the front most pew (it was in a church that holds about 2500!) It totally ROCKED!! And I got his new album AND had him sign it!! I was so pumped. Only thing I didn't have a voice to really sign along. Oh well! Point of grace is awesome! I bet it'll be an amazing concert too! You'll have to tell me about it! I went to casting crown's christmas show this past sat too! Their xmas album is beautiful too!!

Wait, what part of MS are you from? I was raised in Ocean Springs I'm a southern girl at heart! That song by CC is wonderful and really does apply!!

Central MS here!

I went to the coast a bunch of times during the months, actually years, I guess, after the storm.

The first weekend we went that CC album was brand new...and we set it up to play music where we were handing out supplies...and that song came on and everyone just stopped what they were doing and listened. We played it over and over. Not a dry eye in the house.

In fact...I could tell stories for days of all of the amazing things that happened with our church during those few weeks.

Anyway...we were mostly in the Pass the whole time...so pretty far away from Ocean Springs...but it was all a disaster. Some of it still is. They say we still have 300 families in central MS that are STILL living in hotel rooms. Paid for by FEMA. A tragedy on two counts!

anyway...I digress!

I am excited about your trip...and particularly about The Big GIVE!! Woo Hoo!!!

 

[jessica52877]

Jumping on board. What adorable kids! So glad Emy got her wish. You will all love the disney ship!

 

[2cutekidz]

I'm on board!! We went on a cruise last February on the Wonder!! You are going to have a fabulous time!! I can't wait to see all the surprises the Big Give has in store for you!!

ETA - I have an Emily too. She's 6 and is looking forward to helping with the Big Give for your Emily!

 

[iu97alum]

Jumping on board. What adorable kids! So glad Emy got her wish. You will all love the disney ship!

Thank you!! We are all getting so excited!!!

I'm on board!! We went on a cruise last February on the Wonder!! You are going to have a fabulous time!! I can't wait to see all the surprises the Big Give has in store for you!!

ETA - I have an Emily too. She's 6 and is looking forward to helping with the Big Give for your Emily!

You did? How did you like it? Was it warm enough??? You have an Emily too? It's such a beautiful name. I had no idea when we picked it that iw was so popular! It was the #1 name for 2003! Then of course I did the same apparently for Samantha as it was the #1 name for 2005 too!!

 

[iu97alum]

One of my fav. songs to listen to while Carter was going through treatment was Maybe Tonight, Maybe Tomorrow by Wideawake. I think it's also the theme song for Lance Armstrong's LIVESTRONG org. It's a good one

Ooo, I don't know that song but I think I'll have to find it and listen to it!!

I am so excited that Emily is excited for the Give. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of pixie dust gets sent your way!!
Sounds like you're having a great time planning...I'm so excited for your trip!
...t.

You guys have made all of us so excited!

Central MS here!

I went to the coast a bunch of times during the months, actually years, I guess, after the storm.

The first weekend we went that CC album was brand new...and we set it up to play music where we were handing out supplies...and that song came on and everyone just stopped what they were doing and listened. We played it over and over. Not a dry eye in the house.

In fact...I could tell stories for days of all of the amazing things that happened with our church during those few weeks.

Anyway...we were mostly in the Pass the whole time...so pretty far away from Ocean Springs...but it was all a disaster. Some of it still is. They say we still have 300 families in central MS that are STILL living in hotel rooms. Paid for by FEMA. A tragedy on two counts!

anyway...I digress!

I am excited about your trip...and particularly about The Big GIVE!! Woo Hoo!!!

My uncle is still doing repairs on his house (he was outside of NOLA). I'm thankful that my family doesn't live there any more (they moved out of MS when I started college) but I do feel for the friends I have down there. Luckily they survivied but the cleanup is never easy from a hurricane.

We are so excited about the Big Give too! I laugh often b/c emily really remembers about this and reminds me or says something to me like " member (her verision of Rememeber) those nice people who said they'd make stuff? I really love xxxxx (insert the favorite character of the day..). Will you tell them?" It really is so cute!

 

[iu97alum]

This past weekend was the New World Ballet's production of the Nutcracker. They call it Nutcracker in a Nutshell because it's an abbreviated version that is kid friendly.

Our wish granters asked us about a month ago if Emily would be interested in this. Both girls take dance (tap/ballet) and LOVE it! So this was a no brainer to say YES!

Fast forward to this weekend. We got an email from MAW confirming that we had dinner reservations at 6PM (at the theater) which was paid for and then the show at 7:30.

Earlier in the day the girls had a bday party at the outlet mall (Lunar golf) so we'd parked outside of the Children's place (not knowing it had MOVED). Emy immediately saw a dress she loved so I picked it up (I was getting tights anyway!) Sami then said SHE wanted one too (and melted down since it was nap time) so I gave in and bought one for her too! Of course they HAD to wear them that night. Here they are right before we left for the show:

Dinner was AMAZING! So yummy I thought I'd probably sleep during the show. The girls were great and we even let them pick whatever dessert they wanted! Hey, it was a treat!

The show was great! They had kids of all ages in the show (we met one of the mice who was 5!!) and it was adorable!!! Emily watched the whole thing w/o moving practically and Sami did pretty well for a 3 yo who's attention span lasts about 30 mins!!

The best part? The girls got to MEET the dancers!!! The girls got back stage passes (Sami holding hers)

Afterwards, the President of their guild took us backstage, the girls met both the Claras and were CROWNED princesses:

Then if THAT wasn't enough, they took them back stage, put them in the sleight with the Prince/Nutcracker and brought them out on stage with music, the dancers and snow!!

And if THAT wasn't enough, they gave them GIFTS! I'm talking, picture frames, a REAL nutcracker (Emy is still excited about this) ornaments, nutcracker book, and the lead dancer gave each girl one of her pointe shoes SIGNED!

It was truly a magical night Just wanted to share!

 

[maroo]

aw...how totally sweet!!!!!

It seems like they went completely out of their way to make the whole thing so magical!

Great pics...great storytelling! Awesome!!

Thank you so much for sharing your magical day with us!

 

[Hschlink]

That's Awesome!

 

[jenny105]

Your girls are so cute! Emily must be one very strong little girl, having to endure so much at such a young age. I can't even imagine. I'm so excited for her and for you and the rest of your family! I'll be following along

 

[iu97alum]

OMG! This past week has been wonderful in our house. We received two packages!! I'll have to find the cord to upload the pictures I took

I'm going to have to instruct DH NOT to even remotely open the packages when the arrive. He sees their names on them, opens them up and goes "What?" and then will either let them have them or if I'm luck, wait for me to come home from work!

We got some Dreams Ears (they are so cool!) and autograph books. Emily was seriously jumping up and down when she saw that Ariel was on the front of her book! OMG! It was adorable! Off to find the cord to the camera so I can post pics!!

THANK YOU LADIES!!!

 

[Alice_on_WONDERland]

What an amazing story! I just found your thread today, and as many before me, I bawled like a baby while reading the intros. I can sympthasize with your family, we had a bit of a health struggle this year also, so I know what it's like to have your life put on hold, all the while fearing what the future will bring.

I must say that you are an amazing, strong woman. I'm positive your faith had alot to do with that, huh? It's the only way I got through my ordeal. We are taking a Disney cruise to celebrate the happiness of good health also!

Your family is beautiful. Even though the road is difficult to walk at time, you are truly blessed.

Enjoy your trip! I can't wait to read all about it. I'll be hanging in there with you all throughout your experience. Hugs!

 

[camarks1234]

I'm following your trip report with excitement! It's getting so close for you! Ours is a couple weeks later so I can't wait to hear your post-trip as well!

 

[lillygator]

jumping in...your story had me in tears. Congrats on your trip - I am sure you will all have a fantastic time.

 

[2cutekidz]

Thank you!! We are all getting so excited!!!

You did? How did you like it? Was it warm enough??? You have an Emily too? It's such a beautiful name. I had no idea when we picked it that iw was so popular! It was the #1 name for 2003! Then of course I did the same apparently for Samantha as it was the #1 name for 2005 too!!

I didn't know Emily was the #1 name either when we picked it. I also didn't know who Emily Elizabeth was (Clifford). We named her that anyway!!!

We loved the cruise!! I spent a good portion in the cabin though. My DS(2 at the time) came down with an ear infection our last day in the park, so was miserable on the cruise. To top it off I was pretty sick too. But good news is the cabins are nice and pretty spacious, and the medical staff is very nice!!

The only time we were chilly was Pirate Night. We were out on deck and needed lightweight jackets. It was perfect at Castaway Cay - not too hot. I would go again that time aof yearin a heartbeat!! You are going to have a fabulous time!! You will be spoiled by your servers, and the whole crew is so nice!

These are my 2 favorite pictures from our cruise (being sick I took very few pictures of the cruise!!)

Pirate Night with my Emily's favorite cousin and Castaway Cay

Sorry that first picture is huge!! I tried to resiize it, but its not getting smaller!!

 

[ndloewen]

Just found this thread and subbing!! Can't wait to read more!!!

 

[OneBlessedFamily]

I just found this PTR and I love it! We're another Wish family, and we leave on SATURDAY for our week @ Disney. Can you say excited?!?!?!?!

Your daughters are just gorgeous! I can't wait to read more about your trip!

Mary
PTR - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1990775