TJ’s Children’s Miracle Network Trip – Day 1
Today started a little like any other day. We got the kids up at the normal time they would for school. I had gotten up earlier and did some setups at a hotel. Grandma Carol took us to the Airport where the kids were amazed that we ran into three different people we knew and spent time talking to them. This is the first plane ride for the kids. The plane had 4 seats straight across and each kid got a window seat. TJ stared out the window as we were taking off in total amazement with no sign of fear. Kaitlyn on the other hand did the “sign of the cross” a half dozen times, was full of apprehension and hugged Linda as the plane started down the runway. If anybody needs pictures of flying above the clouds, ask TJ because he has hundreds. We changed planes in Atlanta and met up with three other Miracle Network Kids. The t-shirts sent out to the kids ahead of time really help. The plane to Orlando had TV’s at each seat and kept the kids entertained. Having a live GPS map and statistics that we were flying at 33,800 feet and traveling at 585mph and that the outside temperature was -63 F made a huge impression on Kaitlyn. She also watched the countdown and we hit the runway with 6 seconds left on the timer. When you exit the plane you can feel the change in temperature and humidity. Very warm and appealing. At the Airport we were met with a whole contingent of people from the Network welcoming us and guiding us to the buses to the resort. As you take the bus ride and enter Disney World you really enter another world. Everything is clean, and the landscaping throughout is manicured. Words cannot describe how huge this place is. All of the CMN events and our rooms are at the Coronado Springs resort. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/coronado-springs-resort/
Once we got to the resort we were greeted by other CMN people. One of the banners hanging outside of the convention rooms had a picture of TJ on it. The kids were given a goodie bag and Linda and I got updated agenda/itineraries and keys to our room. We got to our room by way of meandering walkways, past multiple fountains and courtyards. Throughout the property we kept running into other Champions and their families. The kids wanted to go swimming so we went to one of the four swimming pools here, all outdoor. It was massive and designed with a Mayan temple as a centerpiece with a waterfall coming down the steps. There is also an 180ft. waterslide that the kids loved. They swam until just after 8:00pm. Even though the sun had set 90 minutes earlier it was still very warm with just a light breeze but it was well lit. It felt like an August night back home in Nebraska…except that we didn’t have the high humidity and no bugs but here it is March. The kids were amazed to once again see green grass. We then went to dinner at a restaurant here that has islands of multiple styles of foods all made to order. That was the first real food the kids had gotten since bagels at breakfast and airline peanuts. Got back to our room about 9:30 and the kids laid down and literally died. It was just 8:30pm in Omaha and the kids were asleep. That hasn’t happened in years. All in all, a great day. TJ even refers to our hotel room as home. End of day one. Tim
PS: One of the reasons this is so long is I want to be able to archive this for TJ. As he grows up and realizes how lucky he is to be with us, this log will help to tell the story of his (and our) little “Miracle”.
Today started a little like any other day. We got the kids up at the normal time they would for school. I had gotten up earlier and did some setups at a hotel. Grandma Carol took us to the Airport where the kids were amazed that we ran into three different people we knew and spent time talking to them. This is the first plane ride for the kids. The plane had 4 seats straight across and each kid got a window seat. TJ stared out the window as we were taking off in total amazement with no sign of fear. Kaitlyn on the other hand did the “sign of the cross” a half dozen times, was full of apprehension and hugged Linda as the plane started down the runway. If anybody needs pictures of flying above the clouds, ask TJ because he has hundreds. We changed planes in Atlanta and met up with three other Miracle Network Kids. The t-shirts sent out to the kids ahead of time really help. The plane to Orlando had TV’s at each seat and kept the kids entertained. Having a live GPS map and statistics that we were flying at 33,800 feet and traveling at 585mph and that the outside temperature was -63 F made a huge impression on Kaitlyn. She also watched the countdown and we hit the runway with 6 seconds left on the timer. When you exit the plane you can feel the change in temperature and humidity. Very warm and appealing. At the Airport we were met with a whole contingent of people from the Network welcoming us and guiding us to the buses to the resort. As you take the bus ride and enter Disney World you really enter another world. Everything is clean, and the landscaping throughout is manicured. Words cannot describe how huge this place is. All of the CMN events and our rooms are at the Coronado Springs resort. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/coronado-springs-resort/
Once we got to the resort we were greeted by other CMN people. One of the banners hanging outside of the convention rooms had a picture of TJ on it. The kids were given a goodie bag and Linda and I got updated agenda/itineraries and keys to our room. We got to our room by way of meandering walkways, past multiple fountains and courtyards. Throughout the property we kept running into other Champions and their families. The kids wanted to go swimming so we went to one of the four swimming pools here, all outdoor. It was massive and designed with a Mayan temple as a centerpiece with a waterfall coming down the steps. There is also an 180ft. waterslide that the kids loved. They swam until just after 8:00pm. Even though the sun had set 90 minutes earlier it was still very warm with just a light breeze but it was well lit. It felt like an August night back home in Nebraska…except that we didn’t have the high humidity and no bugs but here it is March. The kids were amazed to once again see green grass. We then went to dinner at a restaurant here that has islands of multiple styles of foods all made to order. That was the first real food the kids had gotten since bagels at breakfast and airline peanuts. Got back to our room about 9:30 and the kids laid down and literally died. It was just 8:30pm in Omaha and the kids were asleep. That hasn’t happened in years. All in all, a great day. TJ even refers to our hotel room as home. End of day one. Tim
PS: One of the reasons this is so long is I want to be able to archive this for TJ. As he grows up and realizes how lucky he is to be with us, this log will help to tell the story of his (and our) little “Miracle”.
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