A New Blog

Just wanted to share a new blog address, for those of you who still check this one.

After Daniel's death, I started a blog entitled,

amilliondanielmemories.blogspot.com

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Daniel's Make-A-Wish Trip

We had such a wonderful time on Daniel's Make-A-Wish trip.  SO many wonderful memories.  For months he asked us to take him to "World" so he could give Goofy knuckles, kiss Minnie Mouse and see Jake's boots!  :)  I am happy to say that all of those wishes came true and many, many more!  While on the trip, he actually added a new character to his list of favorites, Pooh!  Pooh has always been a favorite of mine too.  These are just a handful of the 889 photos we have to remember the trip by.  Disney sent us 489 and we took over 400 ourselves!  I am thankful we will be able to look back and remember this time spent with Daniel in one of his favorite places on earth.

Here he is with his suitcase...he actually ran down the ramp to board the plane!  That is a Jake and The Neverland Pirate's suitcase that he received on his 4th birthday!!  When he came home it was filled with all of the treasures he received on his trip...

Daniel got to be the co-pilate of the airplane before we took off.  He asked the pilot to make the "guns" go over and over.  He loved when it shook, and his laugh and enthusiasm made the flight crew laugh too.

Our first stop was Epcot, as we had reservations at one of our families favorite restaurants "Teppen Edo" in Japan.

We met Mickey, Minnie and Goofy right away the first morning.  I love the photo of Mickey being "cool" with my teenage boys! :)

Later on that day we headed over to Hollywood Studios and a highlight was meeting Buzz and Woody! Daniel loved Woody's boots...

We ran into Minnie again over at Hollywood Studios and captured some of my favorite photos of the trip.

This photo of Daniel will be on a canvas for sure.  Forever on my wall. And the memory forever in my heart.

The Tower of Terror is one of our favorite rides...I'm the only Jackson who holds on for dear life though!!

Animal Kingdom is a family favorite.  We all love one or more of the attractions at this park.  The Lion King being an overall family favorite.  The girls were thrilled to be chosen to be a part of the show this time!!

The Very Merry Christmas Party is where some of my very favorite moments of this trip occurred...

Daniel meeting Tinkerbell was definitely a highlight.  Before he hugged Tinkerbell he hugged the photographer (which made the photographer's day!) and then threw his arms around Tinkerbell and after that he went over to start hugging those who were waiting in line to meet Tinkerbell.  Our little buddy has so much love to give!! And everyone in the room was laughing and enjoying this joyful moment!

This is him running to give the photographer a hug!! :-)

Hugging the people waiting in line...

Later on we met the Frozen characters!  Daniel loves "Let it Go" so this was a favorite not only for him but the girls too!!

In this photo, Daniel is telling Anna "I have to wear this wristband to be at the Christmas party...it's not for the hospital." After or before hugging most all of the characters at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party he would explain why he was wearing this wristband to each of them, I think more to reassure himself that it was a "fun" wristband and not for the hospital.  He has spent so many days there, it is hard for him to believe there could be a wristband for any other reason. The characters were so sweet to take the time and listen (With me helping to interpret what he was saying).

After explaining to Anna about the wristband, he threw his arms around her and hugged her so close. About 20 seconds into this massive hug Anna pulled back to talk to him and Daniel hugged her tighter. This dear, sweet lady playing Anna tried so hard to stay in character and eventually said, "Daniel, you give warmer hugs than Olaf!"

There are so many more photos I could share, but I am going to end with Daniel's new favorite character Pooh and his friends...

We had such a wonderful time, and I am forever grateful for the memories made.  Daniel's smile in these final photos say how he felt about the time we spent at Disney World.

I love this boy more than words can say.  I am so happy he got to "Make-A-Wish", it was amazing to be a spectator and watch it come true.  Thank you Jesus.

Silent

I did not mean to go silent on this blog again.  The last few weeks have just been overwhelming and I have been so very tired.  Our Make-A-Wish trip was wonderful and I will share photos and details in a post a little later, but a few days after we returned home we discovered the kids had lice.

This began a three week span of washing and combing and washing and combing and washing, the combing happened at home, but much of the washing happened at a laundromat.  About 1 week before we left on Daniel's Make-A-Wish trip our washer flooded the main level of our home as it did not stop filling.  Thankfully, I was in the kitchen when it happened, so the mess that ensued was as minimal as it could have been.  But it was still a mess.  We did not have the money to buy a new washer and dryer before our trip, so when we came home and discovered lice we were without a way to wash all of the towels, clothes, bedding, etc.  So I filled the back of my van with everything and spent many hours at the laundromat.  In the meantime we had fixed our washer so that it could wash small loads.  So once I had the bulk of the laundry washed I was once again able to keep up at home with washing sheets and pillowcases each day.

That lasted about a week and then the washer flooded the main level again.  And the day before this, we found that two of the kids who had shown no signs of lice, now had the pesky bugs too.  So began the process of washing and combing and washing and combing and washing and combing and washing and combing and washing and combing and washing and combing and washing and combing again.  Yes, I wrote that 7 times on purpose as I had seven people to wash and comb.  And so on round two we treated everyone.  Multiple times.   All I sincerely did for 3 weeks was wash clothes and comb hair.

And Brent tried to finish his last seminary class.  Poor guy.  It was a rough way to finish.  But finish he did and we just found out he passed!  Barely, but passing was all we cared at this point!!  Now he just needs to complete his internship (which is underway) and Lord willing he really will graduate from Dallas Seminary in May.

Anyway, lice and floods were what has kept me silent these past weeks.  It has been so exhausting.  But hopefully we are on the other side of it all.  And my mom and dad bought us a washer and dryer for Christmas, so no more trips to the laundromat either!!  I am so thankful for that.

Make-A-Wish Send Off Dinner

On Sunday night, through Make-A-Wish, Maggiano's Italian Restaurant provided our family with a wonderful send off dinner!!  

Tears spilled onto my face as I walked into the restaurant and saw the Jake balloons.  What a special gift this trip is.  This is such a huge milestone for Daniel!!  I cannot wait to watch him play and see and do all of the things he loves at Disney World.  

Noodles are Daniel's favorite... Pesto Noodles, Spaghetti Noodles,  Noodles in White Sauce,  Plain noodles, butter Noodles...you name it Daniel loves noodles!!  :)  

Drew loves the Cheese Ravioli!

These girls love Maggiano's too!!

I just love him so.  

And then at the end of our meal, Suzy (our wish granter) had a special cake brought out!!  It was a Jake cake and seemed almost too cute to eat!!  

This is Daniel with one of our wish granters, Suzy!  Thank you Make-A-Wish and Maggiano's for the wonderful send off dinner!!  We cannot wait to go to Disney World!!  

Daniel continued to enjoy the Jake balloons at home!

We are so very grateful for Make-A-Wish, for Daniel's upcoming trip and for the celebration of Daniel's life this will be!! Thank you Jesus!