So, this post is way beyond overdue, but I'm just now getting around to it. I debated which blog it should be posted to, but I suppose it still belongs here. Anyway...
Once upon a time, long, long ago... in January... we had a visit from the wonderful Joanna Franzke, a.k.a. "Aunt Jo." I got to know Joanna, basically, by doing what I do best, which is stalking people online! She does lots of work with Show Hope, and has traveled to MBHOH a number of times. She spent about six weeks there last summer, and one little guy she hung out with quite a bit just so happens to be a part of our family. Even though the wait to bring Asher home was horribly frustrating, Somehow in my mind, it wasn't quite as bad over the summer, knowing that Aunt Jo was there "babysitting" for me!
She flew in on a Thursday evening, and we spent all day Friday just hanging out around the house, playing with the kiddos, and chatting about everything under the sun. It's amazing to me how strong a bond you can build with people, even when you've only actually met in person a couple times. I suppose when you've got a common bond, it's not all that hard to do.
Saturday, we all loaded up and drove over to the Magic Kingdom. Now, technically, this wasn't Asher's first trip to Disney, as we did take the kids one evening the first weekend of January to see the Christmas lights at Hollywood Studios, but that was just one evening, and so we're going to say it doesn't really count. This was his first "official" Disney day. Our friend Jaimee, whom Joanna has known a while, but I just met while working the SCC concert in Ft. Pierce back in November, also met up with us there. The rest was a magical day...
We fought the line to get our picture taken in front of the Mickey plants at the entrance.
...and also posed for the official shot in front of the castle.
Ready to zap some aliens on Buzz Lightyear!
This was the best shot of all four kids I have managed to get thus far...
First (of what will inevitably be many) shots on the carousel
...and everybody else's turn for the carousel shot:
Annie
Gracie
Benjamin
Another Asher shot... he really enjoyed the rides
Sweet Jaimee, with whom little Miss Annie bonded pretty instantly
Gracie & Aunt Jo
Ready for the Philharmagic Movie!
After all the amazing people we've met and connections we've made through our journey, I have to laugh that it truly is a Small World after all!
On another note, Disney was a little off this particular day. Usually, they try very hard to keep up that Disney illusion. You rarely see anything broken, and even the people changing out the trash cans and sweeping the garbage off the street have some sort of costume or something. Major work is saved for after hours. However, Splash Mountain was shut down and these guys were walking around working on it... not even Mickey ears on those hard hats!
... and this fire alarm at Aladdin's Magic Carpets was hanging open... funny!
... back to the rundown of the day...
Riding on the Magic Carpets
I love this shot because of the light, but poor Asher looks a little terrified, but mostly he was just frozen. It was way colder than we were expecting that day!
Meeting Aladdin & Jasmine
In February, Show Hope kicked off The Movement, which is their initiative to get students involved in orphan care. For their big kickoff, they asked supporters to send in a photo of themselves holding a Movement sign. We decided to take The Movement to Disney! I'm sure we were the talk of the slideshow... right? Someone who was there that night just tell me "yes" and make me feel like all our planning was worth it! ;)
Benjamin also just so happened to have a birthday that weekend. So, Princess Jasmine gave him a present... a big, wet one right on the cheek!
Last shot before the sun went down: Freezing in front of Big Thunder Mountain!
It was a great visit! We hope to see both Joanna and Jaimee again very very soon! Love you guys!
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