Waking up at 4am is not something I enjoy...ever! But when you know you are going to be in Orlando by 6pm that night, it makes getting up a little easier. We were SO blessed to have Diana take us to the airport that early in the morning. It was on our way to the airport that I realized, I had forgotten my cell phone and my new ColorNook that James got me specifically for this trip! Always my superhero, Diana went straight to our house after dropping us off and mailed it to us. (Thanks my friend!) 
When we got our bags checked and started our way through security, I didn't really think we would have that many problems. And we didn't BUT it is really tough to get a wheelchair, 3 backpacks, a laptop bag filled with electronic gadgets, 3 carry on bags, 3 kids, and 2 adults through without making a mom go nuts! I even had to go through the x ray machine because of the hardware in my foot. (Let me just say, I DO NOT MIND all of these precautions because they keep us safe, but it isn't the easiest thing to do.) This was the first time Julie and Jackson had ever been in an airplane and they were so excited. Our first stop was to Detroit and I have to say it was probably the best experience I have ever had flying! They even switched our seats around so that we sat behind the bullnose to give us more room to help with Jeffrey. Our kids were the only ones on the entire flight so it was so calm and quiet. The stewardess even brought all 3 kids wing pins. It was wonderful and the kids loved it! Jeffrey LOVED taking off in the airplane.
We landed in Detroit and it was COLD! I mean, seeing your breath in front of your voice on the walkway cold. We didn't have much time during our layover so we quickly grabbed a bite to eat and went to load once more onto the plane. This flight, we weren't so lucky...it was filled with people and over half were kids excited to get to Orlando. All 3 kids were so tired at this point that they feel asleep as soon as we got on the plane and didn't even wake up during take off. We arrived safe and sound in Orlando Saturday night and were met by the wonderful volunteers of Give Kids the World. (PLEASE check out their website to learn more about this magical place, www.gktw.org ) They led us through the airport and were so friendly and nice. They told Julie she could pick out our rental van and helped us load all of our luggage in. They made sure we knew where we were going and even wanted to give us money for the toll booths (Make a Wish made already covered that expense as well). We started to pull out of the parking garage and we knew something wasn't right. We drove to the gate and sure enough, we had a flat tire. But we quickly switched vans and we were on our way! When we arrived at Give Kids the World, we immediately knew we had made the right choice in our wish. It is AMAZING! We all went to check in and Julie and Jackson each received a stuffed Shamu (Julie named hers Shami which should make Courtney & Steve smile) and Jeffrey got a big stuffed Mickey Mouse! They told us a little bit about the place and while James followed in the van, they drove the rest of us to our villa in a wheelchair accessible golf cart which Jeffrey LOVED! Our villa was perfect for us and had everything we could have ever wanted, including more presents on the table!
The volunteers told us to hurry and get settled in because James needed to go to an orientation and the kids and I needed to get over to the main plaza because every Sunday is Mayor Claytons Birthday and they have a surprise party that was about to start. We unloaded in record time and went to eat dinner at the Gingerbread House. The volunteers at the airport had let us know that the food at GKTW was great and if we went away hungry, it was our own fault. They were right. After dinner, James headed to orientation and the kids and I had a birthday party to go to! We went to the main walkway and were greeted with tables to decorate your own cupcake, balloons, cotton candy, snowcones, and lots of dancing! 
We met up with James a little later and went and put the kids to bed. James then let me know what we were in store for the next week. 3 days to any Disney park, 2 days to Univeral Studios, and a free day to Seaworld. There were several other places we could enjoy free tickets if we wanted them. They also told James that all we needed to do is show the people at all the different parks Jeffrey's GKTW button and they would tell us, "Your moneys no good here!" at all the parking garages. At Disney we were told to have the kids play "Find the Disney photographers" and make sure they took our pictures and scan them on this special card. When we got home, we could order all of those pictures with a copyright release on a CD for FREE! They also gave a lanyard with to wear at Disney and Universal that would let all the employees there to know that Jeffrey was a Make A Wish child. Those lanyards got us to the front of all lines for the rides AND the characters. No joke! Now, I know there are people who think this is a lot of bunk but I will tell you this, it meant a heck of a lot to us. We went to bed with visions of Jeffrey's laughter on rides floating in our heads.
When we got our bags checked and started our way through security, I didn't really think we would have that many problems. And we didn't BUT it is really tough to get a wheelchair, 3 backpacks, a laptop bag filled with electronic gadgets, 3 carry on bags, 3 kids, and 2 adults through without making a mom go nuts! I even had to go through the x ray machine because of the hardware in my foot. (Let me just say, I DO NOT MIND all of these precautions because they keep us safe, but it isn't the easiest thing to do.) This was the first time Julie and Jackson had ever been in an airplane and they were so excited. Our first stop was to Detroit and I have to say it was probably the best experience I have ever had flying! They even switched our seats around so that we sat behind the bullnose to give us more room to help with Jeffrey. Our kids were the only ones on the entire flight so it was so calm and quiet. The stewardess even brought all 3 kids wing pins. It was wonderful and the kids loved it! Jeffrey LOVED taking off in the airplane.
We landed in Detroit and it was COLD! I mean, seeing your breath in front of your voice on the walkway cold. We didn't have much time during our layover so we quickly grabbed a bite to eat and went to load once more onto the plane. This flight, we weren't so lucky...it was filled with people and over half were kids excited to get to Orlando. All 3 kids were so tired at this point that they feel asleep as soon as we got on the plane and didn't even wake up during take off. We arrived safe and sound in Orlando Saturday night and were met by the wonderful volunteers of Give Kids the World. (PLEASE check out their website to learn more about this magical place, www.gktw.org ) They led us through the airport and were so friendly and nice. They told Julie she could pick out our rental van and helped us load all of our luggage in. They made sure we knew where we were going and even wanted to give us money for the toll booths (Make a Wish made already covered that expense as well). We started to pull out of the parking garage and we knew something wasn't right. We drove to the gate and sure enough, we had a flat tire. But we quickly switched vans and we were on our way! When we arrived at Give Kids the World, we immediately knew we had made the right choice in our wish. It is AMAZING! We all went to check in and Julie and Jackson each received a stuffed Shamu (Julie named hers Shami which should make Courtney & Steve smile) and Jeffrey got a big stuffed Mickey Mouse! They told us a little bit about the place and while James followed in the van, they drove the rest of us to our villa in a wheelchair accessible golf cart which Jeffrey LOVED! Our villa was perfect for us and had everything we could have ever wanted, including more presents on the table!
The volunteers told us to hurry and get settled in because James needed to go to an orientation and the kids and I needed to get over to the main plaza because every Sunday is Mayor Claytons Birthday and they have a surprise party that was about to start. We unloaded in record time and went to eat dinner at the Gingerbread House. The volunteers at the airport had let us know that the food at GKTW was great and if we went away hungry, it was our own fault. They were right. After dinner, James headed to orientation and the kids and I had a birthday party to go to! We went to the main walkway and were greeted with tables to decorate your own cupcake, balloons, cotton candy, snowcones, and lots of dancing! We met up with James a little later and went and put the kids to bed. James then let me know what we were in store for the next week. 3 days to any Disney park, 2 days to Univeral Studios, and a free day to Seaworld. There were several other places we could enjoy free tickets if we wanted them. They also told James that all we needed to do is show the people at all the different parks Jeffrey's GKTW button and they would tell us, "Your moneys no good here!" at all the parking garages. At Disney we were told to have the kids play "Find the Disney photographers" and make sure they took our pictures and scan them on this special card. When we got home, we could order all of those pictures with a copyright release on a CD for FREE! They also gave a lanyard with to wear at Disney and Universal that would let all the employees there to know that Jeffrey was a Make A Wish child. Those lanyards got us to the front of all lines for the rides AND the characters. No joke! Now, I know there are people who think this is a lot of bunk but I will tell you this, it meant a heck of a lot to us. We went to bed with visions of Jeffrey's laughter on rides floating in our heads.
After doing some paperwork, we took part in the "Wishing Game". Most wishes fall into 4 categories: They want to be someone, be something, go somewhere or meet someone. So our wish granters told James and I we were not able to talk and they focused on the kids. They asked them to think and answer about what Jeffrey would like to do. First they asked them who Jeffrey would like to meet? Julie said Taylor Swift and Jackson said Darth Vader. (Those are definitely things Jeffrey would have picked....shesh kids!) Then they asked them if Jeffrey could have anything, what would he like to have? Julie surprised us by saying how much Jeffrey loved to swim so an above the ground pool and Jackson said a boat since he loved riding in them. (I loved Jackson so much at this point!) Next they asked the kids what Jeffrey would like to be? Julie said a dancer at Dancing with the Stars since Jeffrey LOVES to hear people dancing around him and Jackson said a Rock Star since Jeffrey loves him some rock music. (I will be honest and say that both of the kids were now giving answers that Jeffrey would have loved and not thinking of themselves anymore.) Last they asked the kids were Jeffrey would like to go? Jackson immediately answered Disneyworld because Jeffrey is a HUGE rollercoaster enthusiast. Julie said maybe New York to see and meet the cast of Wicked and go see other Broadway shows since Jeffrey does love music. (Now I loved Julie with this shocking but pleasing request!) The wish granters told us that Disneyworld was a vacation that no amount of money could duplicate. We would be treated like royalty, stay in a special place just for kids like Jeffrey, and have the trip of a lifetime. With such a incredible review, we all agreed on Disneyworld and the wish was made!
12 days before we took off for our trip, Nikki & Joyce dropped off a box full of presents to open, one a day, before our trip. They were filled with a backpack, treats, and activities for the kids to do on the plane. The kids looked forward to opening these presents everyday and Jeffrey LOVES him some wrapping paper.
