You ASKED for it, You GOT it!! GKTW ALUMNI RETURN! UPDATE 1/9 MOVING DAY

[addictedtonostalgia]

Originally Posted by VBAndrea

Meredith Hope you are feeling better after your surgery. I am queen of oral surgeries and know they are not fun. I also hope the herbal route helps you. I found some things help and some things don't. But I always try.

I am doing a bit better today, I'm pretty sore still. Any expert tips? This is my third oral surgery and I'd like to think I'm pretty used to pain, but it's still unpleasant.

Herbal route/alternative medicine is all I have left for now. I've started acupuncture and a bunch of herbal supplements. As long as something helps even a little bit, that's better than nothing.

Glad to hear your pain is a bit better. I hope it continues to improve and stays that way!!

Awesome to hear the DISmeet went well today, can't wait to hear all about it!

[miprender]

Originally Posted by Panotchr

I won't tell details of the DIS meet at the Walk for Wishes. I will let Judy do the telling, but I will say meeting her in person and getting to hug each other and meet each other's family was the highlight of the day for me!

Emily was thrilled to meet and talk to Judy and we got great pictures of Emily and Lisa together. Two wish girls

Hope everyone has a great Saturday.
xo, Kelly

Originally Posted by VBAndrea

[
[Me Update: I'm finally feeling a bit better. My pain is drastically decreased and I've cut down on the meds. I am trying hard to get more active, with taking plenty of breaks. Today it's catching up on laundry, cleaning Alexa's room which has gone to the pigs as she threw everything in her closet and her walk in closet was no longer walk-in-able. I'm on a break from that right now. Then I have a shirt I must start on and really want to get it done by tomorrow (three appliques). Wish me luck! I'm glad we have a long weekend. I am freed for two hours a day not having to transport the kids to and from school.

Glad that you are finally feeling better.

[blessedmom4]

Final amount Team B’s Bountiful Blessings made...

$835.00!!!!!!

I think that was pretty awesome!!! We came home after having a great time at the walk to discover that there were even MORE kind folks who had donated to Make a Wish in our honor and all I can say is a humble Thank you to all of you, in no particular order:

Erika, Gail, Lisa, Sandra,Tracy, Liz, Billy, Carolyn, Michelle P, Deborah, Debbie, Kathy, Krystal, Cheryl, Karen, Betty, Suzanne, Susan.

(If you requested to be anonymous, I TRIED to honor that)!

We weren’t exactly sure of what to expect, my contact at MAW said we should arrive at 9:30...the walk didn’t actually start until 11:15 we found out. We left in time to account for traffic and difficulty parking as they stated...we were WAY early, although everyone was already there and had set up. As we waited for the 10:30ish presentations we wrote letters to Santa (Macy’s was donating a dollar for every one). I wasn’t surprised to find on the older ones list requests for jobs, health, Papa to be well and the bats to be gone from our home. The only one who wrote a “typical” letter to Santa was Lisa. Calico Critters and their dollhouse and Pinkalicious Video Game was all she wanted and “that's it.” I was actually HAPPY to see a “thing” on her list, my children can be too unselfish at times...

There was a banner where Lisa wrote what her wish had been. Then we finally made it over to the Radio Disney fun. They hula-hooped, played Games and generally tried ot keep the party going. One of the games was to complete song lyrics by saying the next line to the song Call me Maybe...When Lisa knew the lyrics, she sang her lines...I had SO many people comment on what a gorgeous voice she has...even to such a strange song, lol...

I was talking with one of our child life buddies from the hospital when someone came up and said Hi Judy I am and I said KELLY!!! We hugged (we are both huggers)! and met the families IRL. I felt as if I was flitting around everywhere, the Radio Disney Emcee really liked Lisa. Was it her fearless dancing, her fearless singing, her fun loving attitude? ALL of the above...she told me she would like to try and get Lisa on her radio show one Saturday and just hang out. She said maybe she could have lunch with her at school and I explained we homeschooled...then she said, Maybe we could just hang out. Before you think she was creepy, Lisa told her that her wish had been to be famous at Disney...and I think she just wanted to help extend the dream! Rachel and I had to run to the restroom, it was about time to walk! We came back to find out they were handing out awards to the top walkers, THEN they awarded a little boy his wish to Disney (he was so excited, I was crying). It brought back so many memories of Lisa dancing on stage with the Beast. Then there was an awarding of the medals to the Wish Children...it was so beautiful and sweet. Lisa was worn out at this point, she had been in and out of her W/C for two hours. This was one part I wish they had handled differently, they wanted all of the wish children up front and there was a crush of people toward them, which was quite intimidating Lisa told me later, THEN they stuck microphones in their faces and asked their wishes... you couldn’t see a thing and you could tell some of the children were nervous/scared and their parents had to speak for them. We couldn’t see her, but cheered for Emily when she told her wish. One team there was walking in memory of their wish child and I started to cry all over again. Then they said it is WALK TIME!!! We headed over to the starting line and I looked at Emily...she didn’t look as if she would be able to really do this first leg of the course, it was long. I had been on my feet for over two hours dancing with Lisa first IN her W/C, then out of it, so I suggested Emily and I sit out and chat. I am so glad I did, what a sweet, poised daughter you have Kelly I truly enjoyed getting to know her. Pete took some pics for me along the walk...Lisa was again in and out of her W/C and loving life. Everybody joined Emily and I at the wall where we were sitting, took a few pics then said our goodbyes, they had to leave and Rachel wanted to do the next lap of the walk. I ran ahead and joined Pete and the girls and Christian and David helped the ladies from the hospital dismantle their booth and load their cars...it was an AWESOME day! It costs approximately $6, 000 to fund a child’s wish...it is good to know that we were able to help in this small way and I THANK YOU once again for the generosity and kindness you have displayed! Many of you wanted to help and were NOT in a spot to be able to ...please don’t feel badly...there is ALWAYS next year! It is IMPOSSIBLE to do every fundraiser/project/event.

I was happy to have ALL of my family with us Saturday. David was supposed to be at the Young Adult weekend at Victory Junction. He was torn, he wanted to support Lisa at the walk. I told him to go, have fun, with our blessing and that was the plan. Fast forward to this past Tuesday and my Dad was so ill, David decided he was NOT going to the camp he was too worried about his Papa. I asked him if he was sad he didn’t go and he said no, he was happy his Papa was better, even slightly.

As always, THANK YOU for the warm, good wishes and prayers. Kelly, it was a TRUE pleasure to meet you, you were exactly what I expected...very genuine!! Don’t forget to send me any pics and your contact info so I can send you pics as well.

Lisa!!! Glad we FINALLY got to talk last night!

[blessedmom4]

WISH PRINCESSES!

Jeff, Bailey, Kelly, Emily, Lisa, Judy Rachel, Christian, David and Pete

[VBAndrea]

Great pics and congrats on raising so much money for MAW

I hope your Dad had a decent day yesterday and continues to improve.

[miprender]

What a great picture. It looks like the weather was beautiful too

[DMGeurts]

Loved all the pictures! Thanks for sharing! Congrats on making such wonderful goals!

D~

[Panotchr]

I love the pictures! I will get mine uploaded now. It was a beautiful day and it was just great to meet up with Judy and crew and spend the morning celebrating MAW and two wish princesses.

My family was so excited to participate in our first event with MAW and it was made doubly exciting to meet friends.

Judy, thank you for spending time with Emily. I think she is pretty wonderful, and I appreciate you saying you think so too.

We were missing our Lily girl yesterday. She had the opportunity to spend the night with a friend, and so little is normal about our lives, that I encouraged her to go be normal. Lily was recently diagnosed with all the things Emily has: Chiari, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Tethered Cord Syndrome, and she even has Syringomyelia. Emily does not have that, but she does have Intracranial Hypertension and has a shunt. So, we are trying to be as normal as possible, but the reality is, Lily now faces some of the surgeries Emily has had and I know she is scared. Emily's next surgery is this coming Friday. She will have a valve replaced on her shunt. We are leaving for Maryland on Wednesday and her surgery is Friday morning. This makes 7surgeries in 26 months. You can see where Lily might be intimidated. She is only 12.

But yesterday was great and we really enjoyed our time with everyone.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday and I am going to go get my pictures xo Kelly

[KatMark]

Congrats....and love all the photos, especially the group shot with Kelly and her daughter with you guys.

[Panotchr]

Here is Emily signing the banner. I think you can see Lisa's name too Didn't realize that when I took the picture.


This is Emily getting her "Wish Kid" medal after saying what her wish is. I agree with Judy, it was a little chaotic, but it was a sweet idea. Maybe next year it will be a little more organized.


Baylie and Emily writing letters to Santa. Emily has been chosen as the Wish Kid for this event on December 14. We will go to Macy's and I don't know what will happen, but she will be there! I know they chose her since she is going on her trip so soon after this and it is to NYC and Macy's headquarters is in NYC.


This was the view headed back towards the walk start point. It was a beautiful day and I had to shed my hoodie and I see in pictures that Baylie did too. It got pretty warm as we were walking.

Judy, the others I have I will send to you. They are pretty much the same ones you have I'm sorry if these are huge. I have no idea how to resize them but at least you will see clearly! ha ha
Can't wait to see you again! xo Kelly

[cogero]

Thank you for always sharing pictures Judy I love seeing them.

[Restrasz]

What a wonderful event! So nice to see everyone smiling and happy! What a wonderful cause!

[DisNorth]

Love the photos from the walk!! Looks like a fun day.
Sorry I'm not around much this weekend, but your family still in my thoughts and prayers. :hut:

[mommy2mrb]

what a great day for you and your families Judy and Kelly...so happy you finally got to meet....Kelly, keeping Lily in my prayers for her upcoming surgery

was great getting caught up last night Judy, hope I didn't keep you up too late!

hope your dad enjoys his special meal you are making him Judy and he has a restful day!



Thank you to Pete and all other veterans and their families here on the DIS for your service and committment to our country

[blessedmom4]

I have been trying to answer emails for too many hours I just realized. I HAVE to get to bed, I have to take Mom to the hospital. I still have 101 emails I need to answer. , not tonight! I did make a dent in them though. Kelly, loved the pics and how fun you got a portion of Lisa's wish writing. She was in her W/C trying to write on that slick paper. I wonder what they did with it? I never did see what they did with the pics they had us send either, prior to the walk. Did you see them? on't forget to send me out pics you took please. Lisa, THANK YOU for your kind comments on Veteran's Day. Saturday was the Marine Corps BD too. We always remember it. I am missing a lot of your comments (Andrea, Tracy, Michelle, Kathy, Chiara, D and Ruth). I am just too tired to answer right now, Thanks for enjoying our pics.

I made Chicken and Dumplings Sunday, just for my Dad. He is so tired of being in the hospital. I spoke to his nurse and he is still having to go on the non-rebreather mask at times for shortness of breath. His Oxygen was at 14 liters Sunday... Pete hadnt seen him in a while, but thought he looked good. Poor Christian has a horrible cold, so the Chicken and Dumplings were good for him as well. Dad said he is so tired of the hospital. I know he is. I Thank you for the continued prayers.

Thank you to ALL of the veterans who have sacrificed so much for this country...especially my Dear Hubby.