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

[kellyw8863]

Oh, Melissa, I'm so sorry to read of your grandmother's passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all during this difficult time.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I am so sorry about your grandmother.

 

[MaryAz]

I am sorry to hear about your Grandma. Big
Loved all the pics
Next time you come to Phx, sendme a pm, would love to meet up and watch Tessa and Cayley tear up the place!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Thanks everyone. I've shed some tears here and there but I've not been too emotional yet, which scares me. I'd rather get it all out now in private than bawl at her funeral. I guess I don't really have control of that though. My sister just told me that they (the children of my grandma, I guess) asked her to speak at the service from a grandchild's POV. She is the second oldest grandkid, and I don't know why the oldest isn't doing it, but she asked me to be her backup if she ends up totally losing it. I don't really like the idea because I tend to think I'm fine until I see someone else losing it and then I'm gone. A friend stopped by tonight who lost her 17 yo brother in an accident a couple of weeks ago. When she got choked up is one of the few times I've cried this weekend, so you see why I'm nervous. My sister, on the other hand, said she's been crying all weekend so maybe by that time she'll be all cried out? Because they have to move my grandma to a different state they have to wait until they have a death certificate and other paperwork before they can leave. This is making them all nervous to make plans for the services so STILL no plans on when, but we are assuming it will be next weekend. We will probably leave Weds and split the drive into two days, with a half way point of Vegas. I've been through Vegas a million times. Been TO Vegas a couple of times with just DH. Never been with kids. Not that we'll be sight seeing or anything, but I think it would be nice to be able to go walking and stretch our legs. All I can remember is the nasty flyers people hand out on the streets and the homeless everywhere. Anyone have a suggestion for a clean, kid-friendly hotel, not too expensive but has more entertainment that the typical Super 8? Or is that too tall of an order? LOL Maybe we should just get a motel on the outskirts. Anyway, I have a couple more days to get packed and ready. I bought the Sea-band wristband for Tessa, and also a little vial of oils that claim to help motion sickness and is safe for kids. We'll see!!!

Well, as I type, I am getting yet another possible plan that involves waiting until early next week, so who knows.

Melissa,
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!

I hear so much about women of color not liking their hair. I'm trying to be proactive and tell her NOW how beautiful it is and have her acknowledge the many people who compliment her. I dread the day when she wants to "rebel" and ruin it!

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!

Sounds like Phoebe. Very slow, but always progressing! It is that progress that has helped the docs rule out certain diagnoses, because so many conditions involve regression but she's definitely not in that category.

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!

Oh, that sounds nice! How fun to have a convention there!

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...

How fun that your DD helps! I love when I read about the kids that get into it. Must be great kids. And don't worry, I always have a hard time deciding which pics to leave out! I'm sure there will be plenty more before we even leave for the trip.

Nini

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.

Thanks for the tip Jordan! I will check hers out and PM her! (Woohoo - you are sooooo close!)

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.

Awesome, more tips! I love it!

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!

Thanks! One thing I love about adoption is that I can brag about my kids and not feel like I'm bragging about myself. LOL

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

My grandparents were both born in Idaho, as was my mom. They moved to Utah after my mom had graduated HS but lived the next 50+ years there. I have aunts, uncles and cousins all over the valley. I spent many summers in Utah as well as a fair amount of Christmases. It's a nice place. A few years ago we had a reunion in Bryce Canyon. It's gorgeous!

Next time you come to Phx, send me a pm, would love to meet up and watch Tessa and Cayley tear up the place!

That would be fun, and probably entertaining!

She's such a character. We went to find snow on Friday (success, barely) and we were walking along this trail. Dh wanted to cut one way to get to another part and I was suggesting a different way (10 feet from each other, not a big deal) and Tessa turns around and looks at us and says (with hand gestures and everything) "Calm down guys! Calm down!". We both burst into laughter.

 

[TokyoDina]

Soooooo let's see. What way are you going?? Cause it's cheaper to stay at state line. Otherwise anything far away from the strip is more kid friendly. But if you wanna stay on the strip I'd recommend the Sahara. Ummm more of the smaller Casinos usually have better prices. Oh! Are you going thru the Hoover Dam??? Cause there is a Casino that is right there on Lake Mead. I can't remember the name right now but I've seen really awesome prices there too. (I go to Vegas waaaaay to much! FIL lives there.)


As far as Savannah goes there is this AWESOME Salt-Water Taffy place they have in down town. They make it right there for you. It's just to great! They have a tons of sea food places. And I think right before you get to Fort Pulaski there is a place you can go see the dolphins. They take you out on a boat and you get to see them swim by your boat and chat you up. I thought that was kind of cool. Savannah itself is really pretty and since it's set up in a grid pattern it's hard to get lost. They have so many pretty Churches to take pictures of and gardens. I'm trying to remember what else. I spent a lot of time at Tybee Island cause I wanted to swim in the ocean. Make sure you bring those water shoes cause those seashells cut like no one business out there!

 

[jordanyosh]

Melissa, try circus circus

 

[MaryAz]

It may be more on the pricey side but MGM has both the Rainfrest Cafe and the Lion exhibit.

 

[Momofwishkid]

I was going to say Circus Circus also. Tons of stuff for the kids to do and very kid friendly atmosphere but their is alot of the teenage punks that habg out there. Of course it's been years and years since I was there.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Thanks for the tips. I actually booked a room at Circus Circus last night through Expedia. The total is under $40! There were several that were offering incredible deals (since it is a Weds I suppose) and I had a hard time deciding. I might try a different one on the way home. I do want to go inside several of the casinos and see their place. There is one on Fremont St that has a shark tank in the pool! Too bad it's too cold for swimming. I'll let you guys know how it is. We're leaving tomorrow and I'm just starting to pack. Sigh. The laundry is done, and most of the "stuff" is out, just needs to get packed. It's not how I want to do the Disney trip. A good prep I suppose.

 

[jordanyosh]

since the economy is in the tank, it's pretty easy to score a deal mid week.

 

[myasma]

Hope you guys have a safe trip.

 

[pnutallergymom]

Just wanted to stop in and wish you all a safe trip. Will be praying for all of you.

 

[Thumper321]

I thought that I had subscribed to your thread, but I was wrong. Found it this afternoon. I am so sorry about your grandmother. Stay safe while traveling. And give those babies a little extra love. It makes them feel better, but it's a wonder what it does for you in return. Keeping you in our thoughts.

 

[Thumper321]

I thought that I had subscribed to your thread, but I was wrong. Found it this afternoon. I am so sorry about your grandmother. Stay safe while traveling. And give those babies a little extra love. It makes them feel better, but it's a wonder what it does for you in return. Keeping you in our thoughts.

Wait, am I reading wrong? Was it last Wednesday or tomorrow? Either way, thinking about you.

 

[swwake]

Hi Melissa. I followed your siggy from Jackie's PTR when I saw "WISH" in it. I am a registered (though not active) Wishgrantor for MAW. When I lived in Memphis in the 90s, I granted about 20 wishes. I have read your first post, and I have to subscribe to read the rest.

I have to tell you that you are right not to question the "fairness" in all of this. MAW isn't there to be fair. It is there to create extra special once-in-a-lifetime experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses. The wish child need not be dying, and need not be on a limited budget. All of that is forgotten in making the dream come true.

I can't wait to go back and read the rest of your PTR!

 

[yinyanggirls]

As many of you know by now, we're back. I've been catching up on your PTR/TRs all day and having fun. House is a mess but mostly unpacked and laundry done. It was a good dress rehearsal for WDW. It was an eventful, but good trip and the funeral services went well. I will try to give a little more detail tomorrow. I've got to get to bed because Tim leaves for a weeklong detail tomorrow and I know I'm going to be worn out alone with the kids for the next seven days.

 

[myasma]

As many of you know by now, we're back. I've been catching up on your PTR/TRs all day and having fun. House is a mess but mostly unpacked and laundry done. It was a good dress rehearsal for WDW. It was an eventful, but good trip and the funeral services went well. I will try to give a little more detail tomorrow. I've got to get to bed because Tim leaves for a weeklong detail tomorrow and I know I'm going to be worn out alone with the kids for the next seven days.

Welcome Back !!!!!! Glad you guys had a good trip, hope it wasn't too stressfull. Hugs for being left alone with the children, I definitly understand how scary that can be. Looking forward to reading your mini trip report.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Welcome back, Melissa!

 

[dawnbu40]

Welcome back Melissa!

 

[that's nice]

As many of you know by now, we're back. I've been catching up on your PTR/TRs all day and having fun. House is a mess but mostly unpacked and laundry done. It was a good dress rehearsal for WDW. It was an eventful, but good trip and the funeral services went well. I will try to give a little more detail tomorrow. I've got to get to bed because Tim leaves for a weeklong detail tomorrow and I know I'm going to be worn out alone with the kids for the next seven days.

Welcome back. Glad everything went well.

Welcome Back !!!!!! Glad you guys had a good trip, hope it wasn't too stressfull. Hugs for being left alone with the children, I definitly understand how scary that can be. Looking forward to reading your mini trip report.

I saw the news on your caring pages... So glad that everything is going well and Mya can go to school. Has your doctor talked to you about giving Mya Miralax for her constipation? When Juliana was on treatment, her doctor suggested using it to combat the constipation.