Update! Post #61 - Wherein I compare Universal to Disney. Guess who wins!

[Love_Monkey]

Thanks J'sMum! I like that tip!

I hate packing. I mean REALLY REALLY loathe it! I'd rather clean toilets and I pay someone to do that and we are not even close to wealthy.

But I REALLY hate packing!

The packing part always puts a little damper on my pre-trip excitement.

I just realized I have no point. It's just the whole gallon bag thing reminded me that I'll actually have to pack!

Anyway... here is a link to my blog with pictures of all of us.

And here is a link to our last Disney trip. I plan to write a LOT more during this trip. Last year I didn't have a laptop and we learned of her cancer diagnosis RIGHT after we got back so displaying the thousand or so pictures I took moved to life's back seat.

Thanks for being excited for us! Totally needed that!

 

[mzozzietj]

Danielle, I loved your blog and i'm so excited for you all! How amazing that you were able to get into BBB on the same night as MNSSHP!

Were you able to talk to someone to confirm it's okay to go to the morning Orientation the morning after the party? I hope so!

 

[Love_Monkey]

I spoke to a volunteer at GKTW and told them our intent and they said that would be fine.

I know that at orientation we get our park tickets and we won't need them before Saturday morning because MSSHP is a separate event. I'm much more of a "better to ask forgiveness than permission" kinda girl anyway!

 

[J'sMum]

From your blog
"Don’t talk to me about the quality. When you are the mom you must rely on self-portraits with a cell phone in order to make it into the picture."

This picture of you 3 is a gorgeous picture ! quality looks like it was meant to be that way , kinda fogged very nice loved it

OOOo you called GKTW? did they sound friendly hehehe? I wanted to czall just to hear someone .. now that sounds dorky. But I have had no reason to call as of yet so.. I will have to wait and see lol

Oh? have you guys logged on to the facebook yet and said hello? I have a couple people added onto facebook now that are also wishflight families would be cool to add you if one of those 2 are not you guys hehe

 

[Love_Monkey]

Believe it or not... I've called twice already. Next time I need to call I'll ask you to do it for me! Actually, it's really funny because they sound like volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House. One guy was sorta old sounding and a bit grumpy and then a younger woman answered and was all perky. The guy at the ice cream parlor was super-helpful and friendly. My son has some allergies and I wanted to scope out ice cream choices before we get there. He is the non-wish child and has no problem at all with his sister getting the deserved attention but the boy wants his ice cream!

I will log onto the FB page now!

 

[maroo]

I am sooooooooooo excited for you!!!

I will be there when you guys are...

I will be using a power wheelchair because of my foot (which is in a boot cast, but I can't walk long distances at all). I am traveling solo, but I have a ton of meets scheduled...But my chair is going to have an orange cover on the seats with suns on it...so if you see me, say hello!


Wish Flight is going to be amazing!!!!!!!!

You are going to love it. And congrats on the ADR's!!

 

[Love_Monkey]

We are leaving one week from today and the whole family is pretty insufferable! We are all so happy and prone to random outbursts of joy. I know every family who has a child with cancer would give up a trip like this in a heartbeat (how I wish we COULD trade in on it) but oh my goodness is this amazing!

We got our package from American Airlines, read other people's account of Wish Flights and youtubed last year's event and it was dawning on us... "Wow, this Wish Flight thing is really awesome." Then I find out that only 45 families are participating in Wish Flight and it was like, "Whoa, this is a seriously rare once-in-a-lifetime thing we've been invited to." Then when I read the letter it says to arrive two hours early to enjoy the celebration and I read on Facebook that Dallas is getting ready and I realize we only have a 50 minute layover and suddenly got pretty bummed. Not bummed in a "We want more! Give us more!" kinda way but bummed in a "What a bummer that we were so close but won't get to participate in this awesome event" kinda way.

See, I would have bet money that our local airport was not participating because it is TINY. Like, I could stand at the entrance, holler and everyone in there would be able to hear me tiny. Like, you can see your car in the parking lot from baggage claim small. Plus, I figure, there can't possibly be many families going on Make-A-Wish trips from my little city so surely there would be no coordinating for just US. Oh, and add to that, my Wish Coordinator knew NOTHING about Wish Flight... all these things pointed to us missing the whole thing. I know this trip will be amazing so it was OKAY.... I just wished our layover could have been longer.

BUT.....

I went on the Facebook page for the Something MAAgic Foundation and saw this message:

CRP is part of WISH FLIGHT this year and we cannot tell you how EXCITED we are!!!!! Planning has already begun, and we are counting down the days till October 1st!!! It's going to be a mAAgical experience for all involved!

THAT'S MY AIRPORT!!

My little tiny airport is planning a celebration for my beautiful Warrior! I'm just.... I'm.... I CAN HARDLY STAND MYSELF I'M SO EXCITED!! I know DFW will be a big party but I also know there are a lot of Wish Families leaving through there but to be honored in our own town.... SOOOO much more special!!

Next Friday cannot get here soon enough and would someone please stop me from telling everyone! The check-out lady at the grocery store does NOT care!

 

[maroo]

He he.

I don't think you will be disappointed.

I think our airport has 12 gates. And I can see my car from baggage claim too. And they were awesome to the girl officially doing Wish Flight and even to Lauren, who ultimately could not participate at all.

 

[Love_Monkey]

Just got word from our Wish Coordinator and they are coming TONIGHT with our "expense check" and gift for Rachael!! TONIGHT TONIGHT TONIGHT!! I would love to play this all cool but OH MY GOODNESS I AM SO EXCITED!!

This is the absolute PERFECT way to celebrate this VERY SPECIAL DAY!!

(I've gone all crazy-caps-lady and I'm stealing all the exclamation points. Somebody stop me!)

 

[Love_Monkey]

He he.

I don't think you will be disappointed.

I think our airport has 12 gates. And I can see my car from baggage claim too. And they were awesome to the girl officially doing Wish Flight and even to Lauren, who ultimately could not participate at all.

I saw the pictures... I haven't made it all the way through your TR yet but am working on it. That rainbow was INCREDIBLE... what a memory!

 

[aksunshine]

Danielle, I am so excited for your family! I wish I had found your PTR sooner. Sending you a PM.

 

[J'sMum]

!!! um no we can't tell you to stop telling everyone because ! yeah um i'm just as bad here LOL another thought occured to me while catching up on your blog. Out of all the people in the world and idea that only 45 families (43 if you look on something maagic website which still has me confused) ...oh back to where I was going with this. Out of all that and we bumped into each other on here prior to logging into FB with instructions. Pretty Fascinating. and I agree with you, I would rather our kiddos not have to deal with any illnesses at all. I would rather not have him going in every 6 to 8 weeks for treatments. However, Since it's teh hand we have been dealt and we would have to deal with this with or without a wish trip, I see no reason at all not to jump for joy that we are blessed with this opportunity. !!
When we first started plannign this I hang pangs of guilt for being excited to have a vacation happening for our family. Almost made me feel like I was celebrating the idea James was ill by being excited.. Talk about off thinking, I'm wondering how many others have felt that as well but never really said so? I;m over that though now LOL because he is going to be ill no matter what and it is OK to be excited for a change ... oh geesh look at me go and babble here LOL hushing up !!!! long story short ! Enjoy being excited and if the cashier doesn't care thats ok babble anyways, Most tbh don't mind hearing about what people are up to , I didnt mind when I was working at the Town Office

 

[kissesbykim]

So close!!!!!

 

[Love_Monkey]

Why-oh-why does the rest of the world continue to rotate on its axis when WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY?? Seriously? Work? How can I be expected to be productive when I have pixie dust for brains?

 

[Love_Monkey]

I haven't started packing yet.

Did I mention that I hate packing?

 

[maroo]

Why-oh-why does the rest of the world continue to rotate on its axis when WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY?? Seriously? Work? How can I be expected to be productive when I have pixie dust for brains?

AMEN!!!!!!

Hence my sitting here instead of working....

 

[Love_Monkey]

I have been TERRIFIED to look, especially after news that a tropical storm is brewing but I finally made myself check out Orlando weather for our trip and I could cry! I could cry GREAT BIG TEARS OF JOY!!

Gorgeous and sunny!

 

[Glo's wish]

I have been TERRIFIED to look, especially after news that a tropical storm is brewing but I finally made myself check out Orlando weather for our trip and I could cry! I could cry GREAT BIG TEARS OF JOY!!

Gorgeous and sunny!

Yay for gorgeous and sunny!!!!!!!

 

[cajunfan]

Have a MAGICAL trip!

 

[Love_Monkey]

I'm all done packing!

Both kids have woken up hoping it's morning.

I posted this on Facebook:

I've never had a Dole Whip. I hear they are good but you can only get them at Disney. So, tomorrow... I THINK I'LL HAVE ME ONE!!

I cannot believe that we're going to be in the Magic Kingdom tomorrow!