The Many Adventures of Bridgie the Boo Wish Trip -GKTW 6/27-7/3/11 PTR

[jenb1023]

So glad Bridget is feeling better! I can't wait to hear about the baby zebra!

 

[belle41379]

Everything looks so great!! Can't wait to see more pics. LOVE seeing everyone with their BG items.

Hope Bridget is feeling well after such an exciting weekend.

 

[Happy Dreams1]

I still don't understand what the Big Give is? Do most wish families here become part of it? Are the people sending these things DISers?

 

[VBAndrea]

I still don't understand what the Big Give is? Do most wish families here become part of it? Are the people sending these things DISers?

The Big Give is a group of people who volunteer to do things for Wish Trippers. The administrators select a family going on a wish trip (via their posting on Disboards) and contact them to see if they are interested in being recipients of a Big Give. If they are, the administrators post the story on the Big Give Forum (link is in my signature) and those of us who are givers sign up to do whatever we like. Many of us sew and make items, others give pixie dust and gift cards and there are some awesome people who make scrapbooks or autograph books for the families. Some givers seem to sign up for almost every give that is posted, others do them as time and money allows. It's all volunteer on the part of the givers. I do it because I can sew and I have two healthy children so it is rewarding for me to bless others in small ways. It's very fulfilling to send items and I know the recipients are so deserving. Hope my explanation helps a little. Hopefully an administrator can chime in and explain it better.

 

[miprender]

I still don't understand what the Big Give is? Do most wish families here become part of it? Are the people sending these things DISers?

The Big Give is a group of people who volunteer to do things for Wish Trippers. The administrators select a family going on a wish trip (via their posting on Disboards) and contact them to see if they are interested in being recipients of a Big Give. If they are, the administrators post the story on the Big Give Forum (link is in my signature) and those of us who are givers sign up to do whatever we like. Many of us sew and make items, others give pixie dust and gift cards and there are some awesome people who make scrapbooks or autograph books for the families. Some givers seem to sign up for almost every give that is posted, others do them as time and money allows. It's all volunteer on the part of the givers. I do it because I can sew and I have two healthy children so it is rewarding for me to bless others in small ways. It's very fulfilling to send items and I know the recipients are so deserving. Hope my explanation helps a little. Hopefully an administrator can chime in and explain it better.

You explained it great.

 

[billwendy]

Andrea - you did explain it GREAT!!! Not all families can be chosen, we just can serve everyone. All of them are very deserving though!!!

 

[Happy Dreams1]

The Big Give is a group of people who volunteer to do things for Wish Trippers. The administrators select a family going on a wish trip (via their posting on Disboards) and contact them to see if they are interested in being recipients of a Big Give. If they are, the administrators post the story on the Big Give Forum (link is in my signature) and those of us who are givers sign up to do whatever we like. Many of us sew and make items, others give pixie dust and gift cards and there are some awesome people who make scrapbooks or autograph books for the families. Some givers seem to sign up for almost every give that is posted, others do them as time and money allows. It's all volunteer on the part of the givers. I do it because I can sew and I have two healthy children so it is rewarding for me to bless others in small ways. It's very fulfilling to send items and I know the recipients are so deserving. Hope my explanation helps a little. Hopefully an administrator can chime in and explain it better.

Thank you very much!

 

[mysevendwarfs]

The Big Give is a group of people who volunteer to do things for Wish Trippers. The administrators select a family going on a wish trip (via their posting on Disboards) and contact them to see if they are interested in being recipients of a Big Give. If they are, the administrators post the story on the Big Give Forum (link is in my signature) and those of us who are givers sign up to do whatever we like. Many of us sew and make items, others give pixie dust and gift cards and there are some awesome people who make scrapbooks or autograph books for the families. Some givers seem to sign up for almost every give that is posted, others do them as time and money allows. It's all volunteer on the part of the givers. I do it because I can sew and I have two healthy children so it is rewarding for me to bless others in small ways. It's very fulfilling to send items and I know the recipients are so deserving. Hope my explanation helps a little. Hopefully an administrator can chime in and explain it better.

It is very humbling to be on the receiving end of so much care, concern and generosity towards our family. The Big Give has been such a bright spot in our days as we prepare for this very special trip for our daughter and family. We feel so much love as we open the door to receive gifts from strangers, now friends. Words can not express how it feels to be a part of this. It has been especially meaningful that the whole family has been included. Bridget's siblings have been through a great deal as well and I just love that the Big Give has not just focused on the Wish child. It has regularly brought tears of joy to my eyes. Thank you so much Big Givers!!! You are an amazing group of people!!!

 

[mysevendwarfs]

VBAndrea sent Bridget three beautiful hats. Bridget’s hair is just starting to grow back, but her head is always cold. She almost constantly wears a Life is Good polartec stocking cap with a big cupcake on it. I am so glad she has some alternatives that she likes. We will bring cupcake for her to sleep in, but I was worried she would pass out from heat stroke with that thing on in Orlando. The hats are perfect for her and she loves all of them!!!

The first was the patriotic hat. It will be perfect on the 4th of July. Isn’t it cute?

The Snow White will look perfect with some of her other big give gifts. I love the Snow White colors. I had to include a picture of Nora because it was so darn cute. She just ate a red popsicle! "lips as red as a rose...."

Bridgie just loved the Minnie hat. It is darling. It’ s a little hard to see it on her head, but it is so cute! All the hats are so soft inside, I know she will be very happy wearing them. All the hats coordinate with other Big Give gifts she received. I’ve had a terrible time finding hats she feels keep her head warm enough and still look cute. She usually just wears the cupcake or the muppet hats her teacher’s friend made for her. She tried all these on and liked them immediately. They are so soft on the inside!!! Goodbye Cupcake hat!!! Thanks VBAndrea

 

[mysevendwarfs]

A very special gift for Nora and Bridget arrived last week. It was from the L family (didn’t know if you wanted your name given) . The L family made the girls Pluto and Daisy safari outfits. They are perfect for our day of Animal Kingdom! I love the colorful fabric. I am amazed by applique work. It is so far from anything I could do as I can barely sew on a button somedays. There are hair bows that coordinate with them as well. They look just adorable on the girls. Thank you so much to the L family for taking time to do this Nora and Bridget

I think Bridget looks so pretty here.

You can still see some evidence of Nora's red popsicle! The bow is just so cute too!

 

[mommy2mrb]

the hats and safari outfits are just so dang cute!!!!

I will tell you....being a part of the Big Giver's has been so heart filling for me and Megan! seeing the smiles on all the Wish kids and their families makes our day soar! we know what the Disney magic does for us and sharing that with other's is priceless!

 

[katieb4]

the hats are so adorable!! My dd hair is just starting to grow back too, and she has a fleece hat that has been dubbed her night time hat too...because finally she is to warm with it! yeah summer! Your DD should be protected from sunburn with those too....fabulous!

 

[VBAndrea]

I'm so glad the hats fit -- Bridget looks adorable in them! I hope she finds them comfortable. Everything you've received thus far from the Big Give looks great -- I bet your family loves getting all the fun packages in the mail.

 

[DMGeurts]

Everything looks fabulous! And everyone looks like they are loving their BG items! Your trip is gettnig so close!

D~

 

[mysevendwarfs]

We leave in less than 48 hours!!!! There is so much to do. I will also admit a little stress in the house Bridget received her final medical checks today. I got to see her MRI and the dr. said we just have to watch the area they are concerned about. She wasn't overly concerned, it is hard to really know though as Bridget's "tumor" has presented in such an unusual fashion.

I have lost my camera and wallet, but I haven't lost my mind completely yet so we are okay I think I am just going to have to go to secretary of state tomorrow as I need my license to rent the van!!!

I know I have mentioned that Bridget loves zebras. I think it really started with a favorite clothes outfit she wore when she was in kindergarten. I joke that she was a trend setter because it was about 5 years ago before I saw anything zebra in the stores. I bought her zebra pants with a top that had an applique zebra that said “I love my zebra” Well, Bridget loved that outfit. She would have worn it every day to school if I let her. The school set a uniform policy after that. I think maybe it was the zebra pants!!!

While she was so sick, many of her friends found out just how much she loved zebras. Santa Claus brought her a giant stuffed zebra for Christmas and her siblings delivered him to the ICU. One of my dh’s coworkers has a friend who is he curator of mammals at the Detroit Zoo. She told Bridget that when she got better she would try to arrange for her to go to see the zebras there! Well, on Father’s Day my dh and I took her to the zoo for a special visit. It was just the three of us. I realized that the only time she usually has us to herself is when she is in the hospital. So, this was extra special!

Our new friend Bob, the curator of mammals, met us at the gate and took us all over the zoo on a golf cart. Bridget was the guest of honor in one of the zoo golf carts. Bridget was so happy she got to ride in the front and lorded it over DH and me the whole afternoon!

Special note: The hat she wore is from GCast1. I broke it out before the trip, so I could get the cupcake hat off her head More on GCast1's big Give later!

First Bridget got to go on the seal deck to feed the seals with the trainers. She even was able to touch one. All the seals at the zoo can not be released because of various injuries. It was really cool and the keepers were so nice. She wasn’t gloved to feed the fish as they were so they were joking with her that she was going to smell like fish all day.

She then went on to the giraffes and met with one of their keepers who is also responsible for the zebras. She took us to meet Jafari who is a 3 year old giraffe there. He will hand feed so Bridget got to feed him to. I did too! He is such a handsome animal!

Then it was onto the zebras. Well, they were pretty from afar. Baby Jimmy was not eager to see his biggest fan. Baby Jimmy is on the top left.

Zebras are known to be a little skittish and they were hanging out about as far from the crowd as possible. In fact Jimmy laid down in the back of their area so you could not really even see him. Oh well, Bridget didn’t seem to care. She just loved being there.

Baby Jimmy is laying down in the way back. I don't think you can see him in the pic.

Bob took us to see a few more animals. Monkeys and chimps. He offered tigers , but Bridget seemed to be tuckering out and didn’t seem interested. We drove by the zebras again just to check and see if Jimmy was down sleeping in the dirt. He wasn't.

It was a great day though and so kind of Bob to do this for Bridget. When we got back to the car she said “That was sooooo fun” It was almost like having an extra "Wish"!

Bridgie and her daddy on Father's Day! Not such a hot picture of her, but I thought DH looks great!

Backstage at the zoo

 

[billwendy]

What a FUN day!!! love the picture of Bridgie and Daddy!!

 

[ellenbenny]

Oh my, what an absolutely amazing day at the zoo!! That looked like so much fun, I am so glad Bridget got to do that. That is so neat to have the personal attention and the up close interaction with the animals, an unforgettable experience!

Loving all the Big Gives, can't wait to see more pictures. Your trip is so close, I hope it is amazing!!

 

[mysevendwarfs]

Catching up on the Big Gives
Well, we have been kindly bombarded with wonderful Big Gives! I have had trouble keeping up!!! Here is a pic of the kids with a pile of Big Give love!!!

CJ Bear sent a special package just for Mary. It was all these adorable bibs.

I tried to corral Mary for a picture but she was on the move!

The bibs are so soft, like a receiving blanket! Aren’t they cute! Now I don’t have to worry about washing a bib every day or using those disposable ones. They are great! Thank you so much CJ Bear!!!

MyDisneyTrio sent a gift for Nora and Bridget. They received these totally cute skirts and shirts. Nora’s ensemble has a bow and Bridget’s a hat. They are so adorable!!! Both Tink and Belle are well loved in our house so they just love them! I love that the hat coordinates with the outfit! You are so talented Mydisney trio! The applique always amazes me!!! We are so grateful. Thank you MyDisneyTrio!

I like this one because of the “model” look by Nora. She is such a ham for the camera!

More to catch up on later. Thank you for all those gifts I haven't had time to post yet!!!! I promise I will post asap!

 

[DMGeurts]

The zoo trip sounds amazing... I smiled reading about the whole thing. Bridget was right, it seems like it was almost like a 2nd wish. Amazing...

Loving all the BG items!!

D~

 

[mommy2mrb]

what a wonderful day at the zoo Bridgie had! such a sweet gift and for the three of you to spend some very well deserved, happy time together!

love the bibs and outfits! your princessess look like they wll be very well dressed!

can't believe you leave in just two days! hope you find your camera and wallet!