Princess Phoebe's Pre-WISH-Trip Report (arriving in MK 4/17/10)

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Tonya, have you ever been there? I've heard of it, of course, but not sure which beach would be best for the kids. I've been told Hilton Head is somewhat upscale. Other than that I'm trying to find pics and websites for these places.

I sure have been. I wanted to move there when I was younger.I think it is North Myrtle Beach that we go to. If Im thinking right (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) North Myrtle Beach has things like the Grand Strand which has Ripley's museum lots of shops the boardwalk and it has a area that has some shopping and Hard Rock Cafe. South Myrtle Beach (again correct me if I'm wrong here) is more laid back. I may have the two names confused. But I love it there.

 

[TokyoDina]

We use the hair milk (or protective mist bodifier, when I'm stocked up on Taaliah Waajid) every day, sometimes twice if she naps or if we are going out and need to get it back to non-playtime condition. Rarely use shampoo, but use a deep conditioner in the tub every week, sometimes more. I have also bought oils, but don't use them as often because they seem to work best on dry hair and I'm always wetting hers with the hair milk, so... Thanks so much for the tips. I knew alot about what NOT to do, but felt stuck not having access to salons and beauty supply places to get the good stuff and styles going. I'm ready to move forward now.



Makes sense. I'll ask the salon about what types they do and what they recommend for kids. If I do it myself it's not going to be corn rows, fur sure.



Welcome!!! I hope you like chit chat, 'cause this PTR is full of it. :rotfl:

Yep yep! I discovered it while I was in San Antonio last year. It's been a miracle for me!

My poor future kids who knows what kind of hair they will get.

I wish there was another Sephora in town cause Tucson Mall is kind of far. But OMg Sephora has all kinds of hair products. Also if you are not sure if you want the product, Sephora will give you free samples to take home with you. I can't get over Carol's Daughter it's done really great things for my hair and it's really for it. My only gripe is the air here. If I have to be outside all day, it sucks it right up.


I hope that salon works out for you at least for the braids.

Ohhh Spokane would be nice. (Now I'm going to sound like a stalker over here!) I have family living up there. DH has been up there. I've never been but I heard it's really nice and the community is great.


whee your trip is really soon!!! Can't wait to see your TR~!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

I just have to say I love all the pretty pictures!!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Melissa,

I just want to say that I am so excited for you guys to be not only going on a MAW trip, but also being part of the BIg Give!!! You're girls are just beautiful and I am so looking forward to being a part of your experiance!!

We are thrilled to be part of it! Thank you for joining in.

Also, I was just so excited when I read that you are involved with adoption and have experiance both personally and professionally. My heart has been called for some time by God to adopt and that calling has been so strong lately. My husband and I would like to get the ball rolling, but have been so intimidated by the processes, who to call etc that we don't know were to start. Would it be ok if I PMed you with my questions??

Absolutely! I have a deep love for the miracle of adoption. I like to share our experience with everyone, but if someone is really interested for themselves, it makes it that much more exciting. It's hard to take that first step. There are so many choices and so many unknowns. Ask away!!!

Thanks in advance and I am so so excited for you and your family.

PS I see that you are going to be cruising the coast...might I suggest that you stop over in Coco Beach, FL....check out NASA I think both of your girls would be interested and the beach there is so lovely!

Thanks for the tip. I had thought about Kennedy Space Center but haven't looked into the details yet. I'll put Cocoa Beach on the research list!

I sure have been. I wanted to move there when I was younger.I think it is North Myrtle Beach that we go to. If Im thinking right (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) North Myrtle Beach has things like the Grand Strand which has Ripley's museum lots of shops the boardwalk and it has a area that has some shopping and Hard Rock Cafe. South Myrtle Beach (again correct me if I'm wrong here) is more laid back. I may have the two names confused. But I love it there.

I'm thinking Myrtle Beach would be better than Hilton Head for us. As a family, we are not really into "upscale". My husband hates going to restaurants where I have to explain to him which utensil to use.

Yep yep! I discovered it while I was in San Antonio last year. It's been a miracle for me!

My poor future kids who knows what kind of hair they will get.

Your kids will be gorgeous I'm sure. Is your DH mixed also? When I saw your TR pics I thought you guys were such a cute couple. I'm convinced that "mixed" chicks are the most beautiful in the world! (Alicia Keys, Halle Berry, Mariah Carey, TokyoDina, my Tessa, hehehe)

I wish there was another Sephora in town cause Tucson Mall is kind of far. But OMg Sephora has all kinds of hair products. Also if you are not sure if you want the product, Sephora will give you free samples to take home with you. I can't get over Carol's Daughter it's done really great things for my hair and it's really for it. My only gripe is the air here. If I have to be outside all day, it sucks it right up.

Seriously, I don't think humans were meant to survive in 0% humidity. My hands are cracked in a million places. It almost makes me iwsh for the monsoons of summer! I said almost....

I hope that salon works out for you at least for the braids.

Ohhh Spokane would be nice. (Now I'm going to sound like a stalker over here!) I have family living up there. DH has been up there. I've never been but I heard it's really nice and the community is great.

LOL, I forgot where I said that. I'll take anywhere in WA state (talk about change in the weather!). Being in Spokane would be fun to be close to our favorite family members. Right now we're not close to anybody.

whee your trip is really soon!!! Can't wait to see your TR~!

I just have to say I love all the pretty pictures!!

Thanks! It's so fun to walk down memory lane....

 

[pacrosby]

Yes, that is my darling daughter playing in the mud in her flower girl dress at the wedding.
Alright, well. I'm feeling encouraged to try a few things. I'll have to PM you and get your email in case I have problems!

Ooooooh you are a SAINT!!! Just ask Liv if momma ever allowed THAT

She is soooo cute


Pamela

 

[yinyanggirls]

Well, I think maybe I've had so much fun chit chatting because I am not sure what else to do as far as plans go. So here are a few updates.

I'll move this up so I don't end on a down note....my grandmother has been released from the hospital but not because she is doing better. I think she was tired of being there and wanted to get out. It sounds like she is in pain, depressed and miserable. She has been for most of the past year and I think that being in her 80s and being miserable means it's a good time to go. I hate saying that, but I also hate hearing my mom get excited about her oxygen levels and other details that don't necessarily transfer over to my grandmother feeling any better. She has relatives who lived to be 100 and I think that's what my mom expected from her parents. She definitely doesn't want to let go. I'm praying that they all will have the strength to let His will be done, whatever that may be.

On to happier thoughts, my friend Heather got her plane tix reserved. She flies in Friday night, the 23rd, the evening of our last day at GKTW. The plan is to pick her up and start driving to a beach city somewhere in Florida. The kids will probably (definitely) sleep and we'll be all set to wake up the next morning ready for a new adventure. Or a lot of relaxation. Whichever we're in the mood for that day.

My problem is that I have such a wanderlust and I want to go everywhere and see it all. I think the rest of the family is fine with that too, as long as the schedule is not too demanding. So I really just need to decide on the most interesting places we want to experience and make some ressies. Thanks to a tip from Tim (Thatsnice) I will probably make one fully refundable car rental ressie soon, and then see what last minute deals I can find on Priceline. We really should get a minivan, but those are a good 150 more than a full SUV for the week. Phoebe's wheelchair does come apart so an SUV is doable. Not sure if it's worth the extra hassle. Good thing about having a friend coming along is everything will be a little cheaper. We decided to split the hotels and car in thirds. Since we have the kids we will obviously pay the higher amount. I have laughed several times when I've read things in the Savannah tour guide like, this church has the oldest bell in continuous use in the US. I am NOT going to do that to my children! My parents pulled way too many National Lampoon type vacations on us. My dad always wanted to see the largest this and the oldest that. My mom used to take us to graveyards to find headstones, and not ones we already knew of relatives, I mean hours and hours walking up and down rows looking for some. My goal is for everyone to have fun and make good memories.

 

[yinyanggirls]

So much for trying to end on a happy note...
I just wanted to let you all know that my grandmother did pass this morning. As predicted I have very mixed emotions. She was an amazing woman that many, many people admired and loved. She was the type of woman who took care of strangers like they were family. She operated a day care for most of her life and all the kids called her Grandma. There is no doubt she will be greatly missed. I don't know when the funeral is going to be, but they are planning to have it in Salt Lake City, UT. My guess is it will be next weekend but not sure. So if I suddenly disappear, you'll know why.

 

[NiniMorris]

Melissa,

So sorry to hear about your grandmother. I know there is nothing I can say to ease the pain, so I won't try, but know you and your family will be in our prayers.



My youngest two are biracial as well. My DD9 was given the choice of hair styles when she went to the beauty shop last. I had envisioned braids again...she came home with straightened hair! Dad said it was ok...It looked great for about 2 days, then it looks like a rat's nest until it grows out! Her hair is so thick and dry (and now brittle!) She always looked so cute with the curls, I really miss them! But she has decided she is 'grown up' and braids are for babies!

When we were home schooling her I didn't have this problem. Now that she is back in public school, she has become one of 'those' girls that has to fit in with the 'in' crowd. I really HATE that!

Her younger brother is our special needs child. He is a survivor of Traumatic Brain Injury. I know what you mean about the labels. We just had our regular annual testing and they added another label to him...MR. Even though it is an archaic term, the doctor said it would help us if we decided to put him back in public school at a later time. I'm inclined to just keep him as home schooled. We work around his schedule (including daily therapy or doctor appointments) and he is making progress...although very slowly!


And, I have to vote for Tybee Island! Very laid back, rarely crowded, and just a short drive from inexpensive (but nice) hotels in Savannah. I have only stayed on the island once (Hubby is also a police officer and we had a convention there), while it was nice, it is too expensive for me!

My DD9 and I are also very glad you are one of the Big Give families. She loves to help with the designing and sewing of all our projects!

Now...when you get a chance, more pictures please! I love looking at little ones...

Nini

 

[jordanyosh]

Melissa, so sorry to hear about your Grandmother.

Like you said, it's a mixed bag of emotions, but ultimately she's now at peace and able to have a healthy body again in heaven.

If you end up going to Savannah, PM punkin413 and said I sent you to her. She just visited Savannah and had a mini-TR in her last WDW TR. She had tons of pictures.

 

[that's nice]

Melissa~ so sorry to hear about your grandmother.

 

[Momofwishkid]

Melissa Im so sorry about your grandma but like you said she is now at peace.

 

[syncsk8mom]

Melissa,

I am so sorry to hear of your Grandmother's passing.

Even thought she is in the hands of God, it takes time for those of us left behind to morn the loss.

My prayers are with you and your family at this time.

Sarah

 

[StefaniLyn]

Melissa I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother. You are all in my prayers!

 

[dawnbu40]

So sorry to hear of your loss.

You and your family will be in my prayers at this difficult time

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Melissa I am so sorry for the loss of your grandmother. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Praying for your family as well. hugs!

 

[TokyoDina]

Aw...Melissa I'm so sorry for you loss. Of course we'll all understand if your gone for a bit.

I totally vote for Tybee Island as well! When I used to live in GA we went there all the time. (From a little place called Warner Robins....military stuff you know?) I also highly recommend going downtown. The food there is great if you like seafood and there are lot of little shops. I would recommend going to Fort Pulaski too. It's full of heritage and it's pretty interesting and there is a mote with Alligators in it! I liked it when I went.

I'm a mutt literally! I'm Black, Turkish, Russian and Bulgarian and DH is Filipino and White. Haha! Our future kids have it in for them. Thank you! You Tessa is so pretty I love her sweet little smile! I meant to comment on Phoebe's eyes before because they are such a shocking shade of blue and so pretty!! She a very pretty girl as well!

 

[myasma]

I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother passing.

 

[pacrosby]

Pamela

 

[kayrosek]

So sorry to hear about your grandmother. You are all in my thoughts and prayers as well.

Is your family from the Salt Lake City area? I was born and raised just 40 min from there.

 

[pnutallergymom]

I was so sorry to read of your grandmothers passing. Many thoughts and prayers to you and your family at this difficult time. It sounds like you have wonderful memories of her.