We're off to see the World! A Wish TR w/ pics from BigGive, Days 1-7, and PhotoPass!

[GoofyDoo]

OK, now just stop it you guys! I just finished writing letters of reference for our nanny, who will be leaving us next month after 9 years. All afternoon as I've been writing, I've been thinking about all the help that she has given us, especially our son Mark who has cerebral palsy...that has made me a little sentimental...and now, all these wonderful pictures, the joy on the faces of these kids - and a hubby who really doesn't look Grumpy...new friends, some bonded by their common link of children who have faced unchild-like challenges, others who have given so generously of their talents...

...well, this much kindness is enough to make a girl cry!

Thanks to all my new DIS friends...you bring a smile to my face!

Alison

Aww, it must be hard that your nanny's moving on. I understand the sentimentality! It's hard not to have those feelings when we think of all the kind people God sends our way to brighten our lives. Some people will never know the impact they have had on me and my family.

yay! I am so glad it glows! Now he's going to want to colour in the dark lol

He has played with it all day! He is truly obsessed!! They think the glowing thing is the coolest ever.

I just want to say have a great time at disney! I have enjoyed your pre trip report and hope that the kids enjoy the trip. The smiles on all their faces are priceless.

Thank you, Jessica! We will think of you on Nickelodeon Night and on the day we meet SpongeBob at Universal! Pictures will be forthcoming.

Amy,

Lance does not do a very convincing "Grumpy." Ask Lin, she will tell you that I really fit the part at Sea World. http://www.google.com/:grouphug:

So little time before you go. It must seem like a dream now. I can hardly wait to hear about your trip when you get back,

HUGS

Bill

I'm sure we will all be wearing the Grumpy shirt at some time, but I'm hoping the magic of the trip will prevent too many "Grumpy" moments--LOL! We are very excited!

 

[bex271]

Amy,
tell shay lynne that she looks like a little princess in her new outfit. The bling is precious.

Becca

 

[esab4]

I logged on this morning hoping to see that the package had arrived. I'm so happy that it did and that Shay Lynne likes the outfit and accessories! Thanks for the great pictures! She looks really pretty in those colors. My daughter is going to LOVE seeing her in it.

If you think she's going to be too warm in the leggings and you want to switch them out for a shorter pair of shorts I will not be the least bit offended.

The picture with the hand written note and drawing is the best possible thank-you! Too cute!

 

[GoofyDoo]

I have been regretful about something...I didn't make any ADRs back when we first got our travel dates and I've wondered lately if I made a big mistake. Well, today I decided to call and just see what they had. Shay Lynne wants to dine with Cinderella in the castle, but Clay says he would rather eat somewhere with Goofy. When I called I wasn't hopeful at all, but it turned out that we got in to the castle for lunch on our MK day at 1:10pm!! Then I started thinking about what Clay wants to do and asked about Chef Mickey's, but there was no availability. Then I asked what else is available that has Goofy, and we ended up getting into Liberty Tree Tavern on our EPCOT/MK day for dinner at 4:10!!! I couldn't believe it! So we'll be dining at the castle on Wednesday and Liberty Tree Tavern on Sunday. WOW! So, here is our tentative itinerary (changed up a bit from the first posting):

Tuesday -- Arrive at GKTW & hang out there
Wednesday -- MK all day (Cinderella's Royal Table @ 1:10pm)
Thursday -- US & IOA, then Christmas at GKTW (7:30pm)
Friday -- AK until early afternoon / DHS until Fantasmic
Saturday -- US/IOA until early afternoon / SeaWorld for the rest of the day
Sunday -- EPCOT until mid-afternoon / MK (Liberty Tree Tavern @ 4:10pm)
Monday -- Checkout of GKTW (hang out there or Downtown Disney), then fly home

I'm so excited about these two ADRs!! If we are just exhausted by Sunday or if we decide we'd rather do rides than spend time at LTT, then all it takes to cancel is a courtesy call (surely Clay will have seen Goofy plenty by then)...but for now I'm excited about eating there. The only thing is, I wish Mickey was going to be there, too! Oh, well. I hope the food is good!

 

[bigdisgrandma]

I have been regretful about something...I didn't make any ADRs back when we first got our travel dates and I've wondered lately if I made a big mistake. Well, today I decided to call and just see what they had. Shay Lynne wants to dine with Cinderella in the castle, but Clay says he would rather eat somewhere with Goofy. When I called I wasn't hopeful at all, but it turned out that we got in to the castle for lunch on our MK day at 1:10pm!! Then I started thinking about what Clay wants to do and asked about Chef Mickey's, but there was no availability. Then I asked what else is available that has Goofy, and we ended up getting into Liberty Tree Tavern on our EPCOT/MK day for dinner at 4:10!!! I couldn't believe it! So we'll be dining at the castle on Wednesday and Liberty Tree Tavern on Sunday. WOW! So, here is our tentative itinerary (changed up a bit from the first posting):

Tuesday -- Arrive at GKTW & hang out there
Wednesday -- MK all day (Cinderella's Royal Table @ 1:10pm)
Thursday -- US & IOA, then Christmas at GKTW (7:30pm)
Friday -- AK until early afternoon / DHS until Fantasmic
Saturday -- US/IOA until early afternoon / SeaWorld for the rest of the day
Sunday -- EPCOT until mid-afternoon / MK (Liberty Tree Tavern @ 4:10pm)
Monday -- Checkout of GKTW (hang out there or Downtown Disney), then fly home

I'm so excited about these two ADRs!! If we are just exhausted by Sunday or if we decide we'd rather do rides than spend time at LTT, then all it takes to cancel is a courtesy call (surely Clay will have seen Goofy plenty by then)...but for now I'm excited about eating there. The only thing is, I wish Mickey was going to be there, too! Oh, well. I hope the food is good!

Wow, how lucky are you! You will really love LTT. It is one of our family's favorites and a must do for our trip. The food is great and the characters are great, Goofy, Minnie, Chip, Dale, Pluto. We didn't even try for the castle and Cinderella. I think we will be okay though because we have several other fun dinners planned.

Have a wonderful time. I will be thinking of you and your wonderful family having so much fun and making such wonderful memories for you all.

Denise

 

[bex271]

Amy,
I just wanted to tell you I hope y'all have a wonderful time. We're heading out of town for appointments tomorrow and won't be here to wish you safe travels before you leave. I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. Have a fun and safe trip and take a whole lot of pictures.

Becca

 

[tinkerbeth]

Great job with the ADR's! Now don't work too hard this week or you'll be tired when you get there! Get some sleep. And give me the same advice in about 3 weeks time.

Beth

 

[mytwotinks]

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Amy,

I just read your pre trippie for the first time, have a great time! I think your kids will love both of those meals.

Have fun and can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!

Love the princess outfit by the way. She looks like a princess herself!

Amy

 

[Bill_Lin]

Well Amy,

The time has come, and the magic has just begun. A world of beauty, joy, excitement, color, caring and sore feet is about to blossom before your eyes. I am delighted that such a wonderful family is going to experience such wonder.

Don't let it bother you when someone gets grumpy for a bit, or even half a day.... after all you will be pushing your endurance, sleeping in a new place, eating different foods, changing a lot of routines. For a day or two that won't phase most folks, but after that.... Give yourself and everyone else grace to be human and not take it to heart. Remember, each day will be a new beginning with a fresh start. Also, it is amazing how rejuvenating a GKTW whirlpool bath can be. I used it every night especially for my feet.

If y'all need a bit of extra sleep on morning, just let it be and go with the flow. Enjoy all that happens, regret nothing that is skipped. Live in the moment, literally and use your senses to take in all the magic.

May you all be blessed. You will be in all of our thoughts here on the thread.

Bill

 

[GoofyDoo]

Wow, how lucky are you! You will really love LTT. It is one of our family's favorites and a must do for our trip. The food is great and the characters are great, Goofy, Minnie, Chip, Dale, Pluto. We didn't even try for the castle and Cinderella. I think we will be okay though because we have several other fun dinners planned.

Have a wonderful time. I will be thinking of you and your wonderful family having so much fun and making such wonderful memories for you all.

Denise

Denise, I so wish you were going to be there to ride Splash Mountain with me!! I'll think of you when we are on it!! And I'll be thinking of your MIL when on BTMR!!! You are full of such funny stories--I wish we could talk in person. I'll miss all of you while we're gone! Once home it will be so much fun to tell you about all our adventures. Enjoy all that pixie dust that is sure to be coming to your mailbox soon.

Amy,
I just wanted to tell you I hope y'all have a wonderful time. We're heading out of town for appointments tomorrow and won't be here to wish you safe travels before you leave. I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. Have a fun and safe trip and take a whole lot of pictures.

Becca

Becca, thank you! I'll be thinking of little Jonah when we meet Goofy as I know how excited he gets!!! You'll be there soon! xo

Great job with the ADR's! Now don't work too hard this week or you'll be tired when you get there! Get some sleep. And give me the same advice in about 3 weeks time.

Beth

I will try to take your advice to heart as I know I'd better! And I'll return the favor by reminding you to do the same when your time draws near. Thank you for all your advice, Beth. Have a great week!!

Have a wonderful trip!

Thank you, Denise!!! Thank you for everything you've done to make our trip so spectacular. Today we went to see my Grandma in the hospital, and I took all of our new outfits with me. My Grandma always sewed for me growing up and although she hasn't in years, I knew how much she would love to see all of these wonderful outfits. Besides, she loves Disney--she and my Grandfather would always go to Florida on vacation and go to Disney World, just the two of them. She seriously adored everything that you DISboutiquers made for us. And I had Shay Lynne put the skirt you made on over her shorts just so my Grandma could see her twirl. She just looked at each item and loved it. I just cry thinking about it because I've really been afraid something would happen to my Grandma (89) around the time of our trip, and I'm so thankful she's OK for the time being. I've been praying hard!

Amy,

I just read your pre trippie for the first time, have a great time! I think your kids will love both of those meals.

Have fun and can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!

Love the princess outfit by the way. She looks like a princess herself!

Amy

Thank you for reading, Amy!! And thank you for the compliments. I love the princess outfit, too! I love all of them and couldn't pick a fave if I had to!! I know just when and where I'm going to put each outfit on each twin. We are so excited!! I'm glad you think we made a good choice with the ADRS! I love to hear everyone's opinions as we have never dined with characters before, so this will be a new experience for us.

Well Amy,

The time has come, and the magic has just begun. A world of beauty, joy, excitement, color, caring and sore feet is about to blossom before your eyes. I am delighted that such a wonderful family is going to experience such wonder.

Don't let it bother you when someone gets grumpy for a bit, or even half a day.... after all you will be pushing your endurance, sleeping in a new place, eating different foods, changing a lot of routines. For a day or two that won't phase most folks, but after that.... Give yourself and everyone else grace to be human and not take it to heart. Remember, each day will be a new beginning with a fresh start. Also, it is amazing how rejuvenating a GKTW whirlpool bath can be. I used it every night especially for my feet.

If y'all need a bit of extra sleep on morning, just let it be and go with the flow. Enjoy all that happens, regret nothing that is skipped. Live in the moment, literally and use your senses to take in all the magic.

May you all be blessed. You will be in all of our thoughts here on the thread.

Bill

Thank you, Bill! I'm sure we will all have a case of the grumps from time to time, so I needed your reminder. I also have actually calmed down a lot about having to do "everything". I've heard so many say that the kids won't miss what they don't do, and I know that is correct. I'm looking forward to it, and I will appreciate everyone's prayers while we're gone. I wonder if I'll have Internet withdrawals? I actually want to take my laptop because I need a place to dump the camera cards. Maybe I'll be able to drop y'all a line....

***

OK, I must get off here per Tinkerbeth's advice. Church comes early in the morning!! Thank you for all the well wishes and for EVERYTHING you all have done for my family and me.

 

[IlovemythreeC's]

Hi- You have a beautiful family. I just found you this am and I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU It is almost here!

 

[hotmamac]

What a great pre trip report!!
It's been fun reading and I can't wait for the official trip report!
Good luck and God bless!!
I can't believe how excited I am for you!!!
May all the magic in The World be yours!!!!!
Misty

 

[GoofyDoo]

Hi- You have a beautiful family. I just found you this am and I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU It is almost here!

Thank you so much! I absolutely cannot believe WE ARE LEAVING DAY AFTER TOMORROW!!!!

What a great pre trip report!!
It's been fun reading and I can't wait for the official trip report!
Good luck and God bless!!
I can't believe how excited I am for you!!!
May all the magic in The World be yours!!!!!
Misty

Thank you so, so, so much!!! I cannot even begin to tell you how excited we all are!!!!

 

[Robin+5]

I just want to say have a wonderful trip and just let the magic happen I will be thinking about you all week wondering how everything is going. I can't wait to hear all about it
God bless you and your family
Robin

 

[bigdisgrandma]

Travel safely, enjoy the trip, take time to just enjoy where you are! I'll be thinking of you all week, knowing how much fun you all will have! Eat a cookie in Magic Kingdom before riding BTMR and splash mountain!

One more quick WDW story. When my husband and I were at the Magic Kingdom to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary, we got caught in a brief rainstorm. As we sat on a bench under an umbrella, we just people watched. We were soon joined by a young couple on thier honeymoon. It quickly became evident that they were on a very limited budget and were looking for someplace to have a nice, albeit cheap dinner. My sweet husband reached into his wallet and handed the husband $50 and said "Have a wonderful dinner as our treat." When the young man protested, Mike said "Just come back to Disney World on your 30th anniversary and do the same for another couple!" Everytime we have been to Magic Kingdom since then, We look for "our bench" on the path near the Crystal Palace and think about that wonderful way we celebrated our anniversary.

Hope you make some great memories for your family as well.

Love and safe trip to you all.
Denise

 

[GoofyDoo]

I just want to say have a wonderful trip and just let the magic happen I will be thinking about you all week wondering how everything is going. I can't wait to hear all about it
God bless you and your family
Robin

Thank you, Robin. We will just let the magic happen. I've decided it doesn't matter what we don't get done--we will save those things for another trip. I cannot believe we leave in the morning!

Travel safely, enjoy the trip, take time to just enjoy where you are! I'll be thinking of you all week, knowing how much fun you all will have! Eat a cookie in Magic Kingdom before riding BTMR and splash mountain!

One more quick WDW story. When my husband and I were at the Magic Kingdom to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary, we got caught in a brief rainstorm. As we sat on a bench under an umbrella, we just people watched. We were soon joined by a young couple on thier honeymoon. It quickly became evident that they were on a very limited budget and were looking for someplace to have a nice, albeit cheap dinner. My sweet husband reached into his wallet and handed the husband $50 and said "Have a wonderful dinner as our treat." When the young man protested, Mike said "Just come back to Disney World on your 30th anniversary and do the same for another couple!" Everytime we have been to Magic Kingdom since then, We look for "our bench" on the path near the Crystal Palace and think about that wonderful way we celebrated our anniversary.

Hope you make some great memories for your family as well.

Love and safe trip to you all.
Denise

That is one of the sweetest stories I've ever heard, and it makes me cry. What a way for that couple to pay it forward in the future, and I bet they will. I want to be able to do the same on my thirty-year anniversary. I was already emotional before reading your story because I have fifty more pages to go on the story of Henri Landwirth and GTKW. You really must read it if you're going or have gone there--it's amazing and so touching. So first that, and now this story, plus all the other that everyone has done for us.... I want to thank all of you.

I really should be packing, but I'm reading! Almost through, though, then off to pack, then tonight's the send-off party. I can't believe it's finally here. WOW. And Denise, I WILL eat a cookie for you, and I will be thinking of all of you all week as well.

 

[GoofyDoo]

We had Clay's send-off party tonight. We are just home to finish up packing and send everyone off to bed! We got our final paperwork, an expense check, and a backpack with Make-A-Wish t-shirts and Clay's cap and button. I guess we're all good to go!

Here is Clay with his wish granter, Mike. He threw a way-fun party tonight...

A couple more...

And one with my parents...

I want to say one final goodbye, and just once more I feel compelled to say one last [inadequate] thank you to everyone who has given of themselves to make our trip special. See you in a week!

View Day 1 of our trip!

 

[tinkerbeth]

More amazing pics. I can't wait to read your trip report when you get back. Your thread has made me want to get involved with the Make-A-Wish foundation!

 

[oklamomof4boys]

Well, I'm sure you are already gone so I am late on wishing you all the best on your trip- but I can't wait to read all about it!