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Our trip was amazing. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip, just like Make-A-Wish told us it would be. Every last thing was taken care of and we only wished we had more time to enjoy it all. Especially the weather. Boy, was I glad to miss some of the northern weekend temperatures I only heard about after the fact!

I have to say, both Daniel and I aren't sure we would have enjoyed Disney World half as much without the Make-A-Wish privileges. Getting to the front of every line and avoiding long, long, long waits? Priceless, I tell you! Because of it, we never felt frantic and-- believe me-- I could tell there were plenty of people experiencing panic as they felt the hours slipping past them, and they occasionally got downright pushy and rude!

Every single employee and volunteer that we encountered everywhere we went (Give Kids the World, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Sea World, etc.) was incredibly gracious and that was probably one of the best parts of it all. They seemed genuinely excited to be able to do something for Aubrey, even if it was as small as giving her a bag of chips for free to escorting her to special seating or giving her a hug. It was awesome.

And now we're home.

I'm so glad we got to go on our own little adventure and too-good-to-be-true trip, but I'm mostly really glad to be here again. I really am a homebody. I love what the Lord has helped Daniel and I build right in our little house. It's a haven for us, our place in the world that we can rest and find refuge, and I'm thankful for that.

Also? I'm really glad we made it home before the stomach bug struck! Within 2-3 hours of settling all the kids in their beds Monday night, the first one was throwing up. The stomach bug is never fun, but at least we're not feeling bummed about missing out on Disney World on top of it all, you know?!

Magical

We're here at Give Kids the World and having the time of our lives. To say we're being spoiled would be a huge understatement! We have everything we need and so, so, SO much more. My favorite part? Not having to think about a single detail and just getting to enjoy being together as a family. Of course, the kids are loving the gifts that are left on the kitchen table of the villa each day while we're out, the front-of-the-line access we get thanks to the little button Aubrey wears everywhere we go, the spending money that allows for extravagance we would normally never even entertain for a millisecond, the endless supply of ice cream here at our resort, and more!

The one thing we don't have is wifi, so I haven't been able to update much. Here's a photo, though, that gives a glimpse of Aubrey's sheer energy and excitement pretty much every minute of this week:

Belle came to visit here at the resort yesterday morning. Aubrey was in heaven to have our meal interrupted by such an honored guest!

I'll be posting more photos on facebook while I've got internet access, if you're interested in seeing more!

Jack-a-boo

Jackson Edward is five years old today. He is [too] quickly leaving the years of early discovery behind and developing into a full-fledged little man.

Jack is your classic all-American boy. He loves dinosaurs, baseball caps, playing in the dirt, hot dogs, wrestling, video games, and (what else?) football!

He is also a really sweet guy who goes with the flow and doesn't make much of a ruckus most days (off the field, that is!).

Jackson recently began some formal kindergarten work after his mother *ahem* realized he was, on his own, writing words and doing basic math as best as his phonetic little mind and simple addition experience would allow. In just a few short weeks of attention, he has already-improved fine motor skills and is sounding out simple words.

Some of the things I love most about Jack (besides all those things I already wrote about)?

His care for his little sisters, his willingness to show affection, his good-and-without-complaint attitude toward work, and his eagerness (and ability!) to keep up with Daddy and Gabriel.

Happy Birthday, my special-little-growing-up man!

Today I...

... had my quiet time before breakfast for the fifth straight day in a row. It's been a great blessing.

... didn't get a shower until close to 3pm. Hey, you can't have it all, you know!

... made thank you cards and read a couple chapters of The Cabin Faced West with the kids before bundling them  up to enjoy almost 2 hours of winter wonderland beauty, and with that, called it a school day. We needed something fresh and fun after what felt like a very long and arduous Return to Routine week. Fortunately, that lesson plan was just the ticket.

... turned the heat up to 70* at one point because I just couldn't shake the chills. It felt like breaking a rule, and then I realized that I'm the mom: I get to make the rules!

... thought about putting away the Christmas decorations for, oh, about 30 seconds. There's always tomorrow.

... only drank one cup of coffee. I'm trying to rein myself in after getting just a smidgen lot out of control over the holidays. It wasn't a bit fun, but I did it.

Aubrey's wish

In less than two weeks, we are headed out on the trip of a lifetime-- and it's all our spunky Aubrey Collette's choosing!

Several months ago, we found out that Aubrey had been accepted by the Make A Wish Foundation to receive a wish.

[Side note: the whole process of being accepted and chosen is a strange one. I mean, do you simply say "Okay," to the physicians who have clearly communicated to the Foundation that they believe your daughter's life expectancy and/or quality is compromised by her health issues, or do you call them up and tell them to change their recommendation because you absolutely don't accept their prognosis-- which is true, but you also know that that very prognosis is part of her miracle and what makes her such a testimony?! It's strange, I tell you!]

Since that time, it has been unbelievable to be the recipients of such over-the-top generosity. From the volunteers who came, bearing gifts, to talk with Aubrey and get to know her so that they could ascertain what she might wish for, to the announcement party where a college girl volunteered to dress up as a princess and invite Aubrey to her castle and the restaurant provided the meal at no cost and where there were gift bags for each of the children and balloons and a donated cake, to the steady stream of gifts and cards and thoughtfulness, to learning about our travel itinerary and realizing it includes phrases like, "Your limousine will arrive..." and, "...spending money for each family member each day," and, "...all-inclusive resort," we are blown away.

They cover every detail. The volunteer who has interfaced with us has gone so far as making sure the airline has written down notes about Aubrey's health needs during the flight, and she will personally meet us at the airport with our rental vehicle when we arrive at our destination.

I know for a fact that one week will barely give us enough time to do all the things they are arranging for.

I also know that we are increasingly excited about a whole week of being together as a family and not worrying about a single thing.

Mostly-- and I really do mean this-- Daniel and I are excited about even more people we are crossing paths with who get to see the faithfulness of God in Aubrey. People who are familiar with the facts of Aubrey's condition are astounded when they actually get to know her, because she is the picture of health if you're not examining her heart. It's mind-boggling, and gives us opportunity left and right to share the story of a God who sustains in all things!

Snow

My kids love winter.




Love, love, love.




Especially this one.




They are not particularly happy about all the snow having melted over the weekend.




I keep reassuring them that it will be back!
(As long as it's not a winter like last year, when we got hardly any snow to speak of, that is.)

Christmas 2010 recap

Christmas 2010 was a great Christmas. Having barely moved back into our house meant that we didn't even get a tree up until 3 days before. Needless to say, I am still enjoying the tree and have no intention of removing it any time soon! It's a pretty little douglas fir ("Doug. Uh... Doug Fir-wood.") that fits beautifully into our great room. I'm not a bit tired of it yet.

the day or 2 before Christmas

The same goes for the other decorations. I'm still loving them and just don't feel ready to be done with them for another year!

I think we found a good balance of simplifying (which we had to do!) and pulling off many of the traditions I hear my children talking about before they've even been mentioned by Daniel or I. I know Christmas isn't about the traditions-- and therefore there really is no real loss when we have to go without-- but I also love the way traditions help us mark, notice, commemorate, and feel the things that are important, don't you?

1. Christmas Eve dinner here.

there were 24 of us in all, all comfortably accommodated in the dining room & great room

2. The Candlelight Service at church. Daniel was a true sport and juggled all 5 kids so I could sing in the choir. Gabriel and Bronwyn were readers in the children's reading of Luke 2. It was a really, really, really special service and perhaps the tradition that I would be saddest about having to go without-- thankfully, I haven't had to most years!

the kids beforehand

our whole family after

3. Stockings. Especially at this age. I love watching kids get excited about Strawberry Shortcake bandaids, new child-sized silverware, toothbrushes, socks, hair barrettes, and lip balm. Does it get any simpler and yet more enjoyable than that???!!!

4. Gift-giving.

5. The after-glow of the festivities.

the tree Christmas morning, boasting all the newly discovered goodies

This year's celebrations were extended by time with Daniel's parents and two sisters & families. It was so great to have them here this week to continue the restful family time, game playing, story telling, memorable aspects of Christmas.

Christmas 2010 may go down in the book as one of the most condensed and yet somehow most special and wonderfully memorable of them all.

Or maybe I just say that every year!