PLEASE PINCH ME!!! Disney Update....

This afternoon I was checking my email during nap time. I was going through deleting all the spam mails, and I got to one that I did a double take on. It was on of those emails that you ask yourself 'do I chance this being a virus filled email and open it or not.?' I didn't, but I didn't delete it either. I left it and once I was done clearing all the adds for 'extending this and tucking that'. I went back and looked at it again. Hmmm?

I am sure by the title it is obvious that I opened it...

It was from Disney! It was informing me that we had been upgraded.... AND we could pick from either Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa OR Old Key West. Both of these are deluxe villa's. The offer was for a studio villa. All I could think was ok yeah right suuuurrreee. I thought for sure this was just another email from a travel agency. But then I looked at the phone number, it was the same first six of the normal Disney numbers. Chris and I talked and we decided to call in about it.

Now let me back up a little. Chris and I had a nice long talk about Disney and WHO this trip was really for (nooo, not us!!)... the girls. They won't care where we stay. At the end of that very nice talk (it really was!) I called and moved us back to Pop for good. We both were at peace with this and had NO intention of making anymore changes.

Where did I leave off... ok we were calling in. In the meantime, just in case this was for real we started researching both resorts. We had never ever given them a second glance as they are way WAY out of our price range. After about 10 minutes on hold Chris got through. He told the CM what the email said and gave him the PIN number we were given. He looked us up and IT WAS FOR REAL!!!! We were allowed to choose between the two. Just on the general lay out we picked Saratoga Springs.

Ready for the best part?!?!?! We got an upgrade on the upgrade, he put us in a one bedroom villa! ! ! We asked if we had to give up anything for this and we were assured that we kept everything the same including the FREE DINING!!! In fact at the end of the phone call Disney ended up owing us money! Apparently the Disney property sits between two counties, one has higher taxes then the other! We got $3.00 BACK!!

Here is how the numbers for this work out: This is unbelievable!!

8day/7night stay at Saratoga Springs
free dining
7 Day Hopper tickets

Drumrolll please......

$1793.00 -I rounded up because I forgot the exact change!

The same package full price is well over $5000!!!

Holy Crap right?!?! Chris and I have been in a state of shock since 1pm. Lily was so excited by how excited we were she thought we were going there right after nap!! I think it is going to take a few days for this to sink in fully.

Ohhh after we hung up and sat looking at each other, I asked Chris if he asked for them to send an email he couldn't remember. So we called back, on the number that we have used for other questions in the past. I guess we thought this would be the way to make sure it was really for real! Chris talked to another CM who did confirm the changes and sent the email for us.

Later I checked the Disney board I stalk, oops I mean follow! It turns out we were one of many who also got these PINS! The CM we talked to said it was due to overbooking at the values. I just checked to see if our week was sold out and it wasn't. I don't know nor care! I know for sure we are good to go for an unbelievable vacation!!!

For Grandpa

15 new photos... 5 minutes to upload, 2 new videos in one.... 10 minutes, Making a good Granpa smile... priceless!

So today while Chris was talking to his Dad on the phone he gently reminded us that we have not had a good picture update in a while. Ok, Ok I have been a little lax I admit.... so Grandpa these are for you!! :-) We love you and will see you really soon!!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Back to Normal Soon!

We are ok and doing well. Things were a little crazy last week. Chris had a trip for work and the girls and I went to my parents for the week. Then Lily stayed behind this week to enjoy a 'big girl' vacation with Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop! This Friday we are meeting up again with my parents. Charlotte will join the party in Va until Monday when I go to collect all of our babies! WHEW!!

I have tons to share, and lots of pictures to update.

A little teaser...

Miss. Charlotte is saying her name now, and she is singing the EIEIO of Old McDonald! It is more like IIIIIoooooooOOOOO! I am going to try and get both on video! It is sooo SUPER sweet!!

Saturday in the Park

Well it was really a Zoo! But I had that song in my head...



It didn't matter where we were because we were surrounded by friends that we have 'known' for many years, Chris and I had never met any of the families. We are all joined by a strong common bond and have shared in some of the brightest and darkest days. It was like meeting old friends! I was talking to Chris about our day and how important it is for Lily to have ties to other children who have also been adopted. It was also nice for us because our family doesn't 'fit' the typical mold. We are the minority in many social settings, but on Saturday we were just one of the group. It was wonderful and I can't wait to do it again!



OK on to what you all really want... the pictures!! We took a TON!!

Lily and Rudy

Dog Pile!!!

Out....!

Look at that smile!

Rudy, Jaidyn and Lily

Bubble Time!!

Kathy and Lily

Lily G and Jaidyn

Charlotte was eveyone's little sister!

Long day!

Charlotte didn't make it out of parking lot.

Happy Father's Day Chris!

Remember you're her daddy
when she's crying late at night,
when she needs a little loving
to know that it's alright.

Remember you're her daddy
when dolly's lost an arm,
when you take the time to fix it
because you can't resist her charm.

Remember you're her daddy
when she's had a real rough day,
when school's been pretty tough on her
and nothings went her way.

Remember you're her daddy
when she goes on her first date,
when you tell her to be in by ten
and she's not home 'till late.

Remember you're her daddy
when she makes you very proud,
when in a very awkward way
she stands out in a crowd.

Remember you're her daddy
the first man she's ever kissed,
and when you go away
you'll be very, very, missed.

Remember you're her daddy
remember I'm your wife,
we know that you'll love us
for the rest of your life



This is the poem I used with Chris' present this year. I took the girls hand prints scanned them in to the computer. I did this because getting 3 sets (for Chris, Grandpa and Pop-Pop) just wasn't working. So I took the best of the best. Grandpa/Pop-Pop had poems about Grandpas hands with a watermark of two big trees at sunset. Chris had this poem with their hand prints on a watermarked picture of the Wilderness Lodge boat dock at sunrise. I had picked a different picture at first, so I printed them both out. I asked Lily which one she liked better and without any prompting she picked the Wilderness Lodge. When I asked her why she liked it she said 'it means something to us'. She is just too intuitive!




This is the picture:


Father's Day morning we got up and hung out till after nap time then we headed over to Aunt Lizzie's house for a Father's Day cookout. We had such a nice time. The girls just ran crazy all over the yard and though the sprinkler. We didn't leave there until it was close to bedtime. Overall I think it was a really fun day!



Chris Thank you for being such a great Daddy! Your girls love you bunches!!

Crayons, Markers and Paint OH MY!

This week the girls and I have been hard at work making all week making our Daddy's Day goodies! I had found a really good idea about using fabric paint to make a custom tie. Well I couldn't find a white tie, so I picked up handkerchiefs. Yeah.... that didn't go well at all. They were covered in paint, I am talking literally covered! Charlotte had paint on her back! I have no clue how that got there. It was so messy I ended having to give them a bath! I shelved that idea and went back to the drawling board. Luckily I figured out an even better (I think) gift idea! I cannot spill the beans on that because I know Grandpa and Pop-Pop frequent the blog.
:-)

Today we went to work on the newest idea. O M G! It went so much better... They were into it and had a really good time making it! I am really excited to get it all together now! Then we worked on the cards I signed Charlotte's name BUT Lily wrote her own!!! Yes! She is writing her own 'short' name I love that she calls it this! She can almost get her 'long' name too! She just having a little trouble with the N... apparently it is 'trwicky'! She just about has it. I am going to take a picture when Chris opens his card on Father's Day. Then once they both sign I have them write something special on the card. It was really sweet!

Chris I know that you read this too so this is ALL the info I am giving up! We just have a couple of loose ends to tie up and we are all done!

Chats With Lily

Today she and I had the best adoption conversation ever. I love to see how much she is understanding, and even better how a 3 year old expresses that.

This happened today around lunchtime. I was getting it ready for them and they we watching a cartoon/playing in the living room. Lily came running to the gate and announces...

L: Mommy! Did you know that Diego's friend is the same name as my birthmador? It is A just like her.
M: Yup they are the same...(then I think about this for a sec) Lily remember that they are two different people.
L: Blank stare
M: They have the same name but Diego's friend isn't your birth mother.
L: Oh like the red shirts
M: blank stare
L: (shows two fingers) the two red shirts they are both same red but they are different.
M: (thinking that she is brilliant) Yes that is a very smart way to think about it.

We have been keeping her birth mother's photo is easy reach, just for times like these. She ran back into the living room and I went to go get the picture.

M: Lily this is your birth mother picture remember (it had been a while since we looked at it)
L: Ohhh she is A, my birthmador... she has long hair like me.
M: Yes she is very beautiful like you too. You grew in her tummy, like Charlotte grew in my tummy.
L: I grow in your heart
M: Yup
L: She holding me. she love me.
M: yes she does. Lily do you want to hang up this picture so you can look at it whenever you want to?
L: Yes (she got up and pointed to a very low place on the wall.. to close for Charlotte)
M: How about we find a place in your room, way up high. Maybe by your bed. That way Charlotte can't get it.
L: Yeah she is a baby, this is for big girls (I LOVE when she says that!)

She picked a great place, but I didn't want to put tooo much tape on it and it kept falling down. So I asked if we could wait and I would ask Chris to put it in a frame for her. She liked that idea. She held on to the picture for a while looking at it. Then she looked back up and said

L: When I was a baby you rock me and gave me a bottle in Guatemallra?
M: Daddy and I came for a visit but we couldn't stay. We had to leave and come back here to wait for you. It made us very sad to leave you.
L: (she started to cry!) I cried when you left, I didn't want you to go.
M: (trying to stop the crying) I know, but we were able to come back, and we brought you home and now we are together forever.
L: that made you happy
M: Very, I tell A thank you all the time because she gave me you.
L: I love her.
M: You should she was very brave woman.
L: She not a woman she a girl in Guatemala. (Pauses) we are friends.
M: Who are your friends?
L: Daddy, Chardette, me and you we friends we are together because of A
M: (trying not to tear up) yup you are right.
L: yes Mommy we are a family.

I heard the phone ringing but I couldn't move I just gave her the biggest hug and asked if she wanted to help finish lunch. I always imagined that she would talk about her adoption. I thought it would be more formal, but it never has been that way. We have had the best talks about everything when something pops up out of the blue. It is casual and easy.

Disney Update

This morning brought strong thunderstorms inside and out of the house! I called in right at 7 am, I am talking literally the clock turned to 7:00 and I pressed send! I got right through, told the CM what I needed, then she informed that their system was undergoing 'enhancements' and to call back at 8:30!!! I hung up and wanted to cry.... ( I have done a lot of that lately). I just sucked it up called Chris for moral support.. yeah he giggled at me for being upset about this.

Did I wait till 8:30 to call back.... nope! I tried again. This time I got a great CM who made NO mention of the computers being down. I start working on getting everything booked, we made it half through and the system froze!!!! O M G! I know this may seem like I am making a mountain out of a mole hill. I am sure in some respects I am... but when you have done as much research for this as I have and know it is hard to get ressies for some of these places it just really crappy when this happens.

The CM was wonderful and apologized all over herself, but there was nothing more she could do it wasn't letting her even see what we had already booked. Without confirmation numbers it is like nothing was even put in for us. It wasn't her fault the system did this and I told her this. She told me to wait it out and try back in about an hour. I called Chris again... more giggles... this time I wasn't as ummm forgiving about this!

Did I wait out that hour... not even a chance someone else was going to get my Lily's Bibbity Bobbity Boutique Princess makeover appointment.. I was a women on a mission!! I sucked it up and started calling back every 5 mins! Thankfully we have free long distance!

I had just hung up and the phone rang, it was a weird number but being that it was only 8:00 in the morning I went ahead and picked it up. I am sooo glad that I did! It was my CM I was working with! She said that my ressies just popped back on her screen and it let her confirm at least those! It was the first 4 days! She gave me those confirm numbers and then we were able to very slowly get through the final 3 we wanted!! By the time we hung up I must have told her I loved her at least 12 times! It took 2 hours but it is DONE!

Here is what I booked:

9/7 Whispering Canyon (wilderness lodge) Dinner at 5:10

9/8 Crystal Palace (magic kingdom)- Breakfast- this is a Character meal Pooh and Friends! 8:10... we get into Magic Kingdom BEFORE it opens.. can we say photo ops!!!!

9/9Akershus (Epcot)- Lunch This is a character meal with the PRINCESSES!! @ 12:00pm

9/10 Bibbity Bobbity Boutique (princess makeover for Lily!) Magic Kingdom @ 4:00pm... then we go over to the Grand Floridian for Dinner with CINDERELLA! @ 5:30pm. That is the night we are staying late in the park for fireworks and the Spectromagic Parade!

9/11 Cape May Cafe (Beach Club resort) Dinner 5:30pm

9/12 Chef Mickey's! (Contemporary Resort) Character Meal with MICKEY and Friends! Dinner 6pm

9/13 Tony's Town square Magic Kingdom Lunch 11:30am

With the exception of Lily's Princess makeover this was FREE! WAHOO! Now I get to move on the fun part of this... packing! Did I mention I have spreadsheet for this... I know, I know I am looking into a program!!

Doctor Follow Up

The girls and I got it together this morning and headed to the doctors office for Miss. Charlotte's follow-up appointment. THANK GOD our Ped was back! I told her that she is NEVER allowed to be sick again! LOL

She agreed that Lily also had Croup, just much milder. It was just too similar in the symptoms and onset. It just effected Lily (again thanking God) less then Charlotte. She told me that Lily's age played a large part in that.

I am glad to report that Charley has been given a clean bill health. No more meds WAHOO! We are to keep a close eye on her for the next few days but other then that she is free to run wild! Our Ped did tell me that because it was so severe that she is now predisposed to getting it again. With Charlotte nose diving as fast as she did, if we even think we are headed in that direction we are to call and she will call us in steroids, and then see us in office ASAP. So at least we have a good game plan.

Charlotte is back to herself, in to everything. She did the sweetest thing tonight... we were supposed to have a bath tonight, but we had strong storms rolling over so we had dance time instead! Charlotte threw up her little chubby arms in the air and was dancing around like a Ballerina! It was a good time and so nice to see her back to normal... even if that means we are back to chasing her through the house!!

I just wanted to say Thank You to all my blogging Momma's who left such sweet messages. Also a big Thank You to all of our family who helped us coordinate over these past few days. :-)

Eye of the Tiger (Disney Update)

Today marks 90 DAYS until we arrive at Disney!! This is a big deal as it is the day that I get to fight it out with others trying to get their dining ressies. Between 2 weeks if sick kiddies this part of the planning has rightfully taken a back seat. Last night Chris and I were finally able to figure it out and now I have a plan written out that has been reworked more times then I even want to think about. That is the only draw back is that you must plan your days around where you are going to eat lunch/dinner. I guess it won't be such a big deal when the girls are a little older. But for this first trip we don't want to drag them from park to park just to eat lunch.

I have 9 minutes left until I can call! It is just funny to me that it is FINALLY time. Time has drug since we started planning this trip in Feb. I better run and get ready to speed dial (I have already programmed it into my phone!) to beat out others who want to eat with a Princess!! Full Disney update coming soon! Wish me luck!!