I’m going to post a lot of random chit chat in this paragraph to force my Facebook fans to come to the blog to see what my announcement is. By posting a lot of random chit chat, it doesn’t show up on the feed and they have no choice but to click on the link and come to the blog. It’s kind of mean…. but I really love my Facebook fans. If you haven’t checked out my Fan page yet, you should. I interact with my fans all day long on it. We have random chit chat, share frustrations, and talk about anything else that I want. And you can also become my friend on Facebook if you’d like to learn even more about me….
Go here to join my Facebook page.
Now on to the major personal announcement….
As you know, my family has been through a lot of trials this year. My daughter Emily’s appendix ruptured on August 27th and we had no idea. By the time we got her to Children’s Hospital on September 5th, she was in pretty bad shape internally. You wouldn’t know it by looking at her. She cheered at a game the day before we took her to Children’s! She spent 8 nights at Children’s (I never left the hospital) before she was discharged in the care of home health. I had to administer IV antibiotics 3 times a day for 10 days. Finally on September 27th she was cleared and her appendectomy was scheduled.
But then the unthinkable happened….
My pregnancy was normal. We were so excited on October 11th to find out the sex of our baby. We were shocked to find out that he was measuring behind. They scheduled me for a level 2 ultrasound 4 days later. And they didn’t prepare me….. when I went in for the ultrasound I found out my son had passed away. My heart was so broken. I carried him 3 days after that before they induced labor. It was a very hard thing to go through, but honestly I’d do it all over again to have those 3 precious hours with him.
I gave birth to Andrew on October 18th. It was October 30th before we were able to have his memorial service (here in town) and November 6th when we were able to lay him to rest with my father-in-law (in Georgia). And then my sweet Emily had to have her appendix removed on November 11th. She spent the night in the hospital and returned to school today.
Praise God that we survived this as a family and came out on the other side. I feel like I can finally breathe again.
But we need to heal as a family. And we want to celebrate Andrew’s life. And what better place to do that then……………. Disney World. You totally saw that one coming didn’t you? It’s not that hard to guess since I am totally obsessed with Disney World.
So on January 1st (or 2nd) we will leave Birmingham and travel the 8 hours to Disney World. We will be spending 7 nights at Pop Century. We will spend 6 days in the parks (no park hopper this trip b/c of low crowds) and we will have the quick service dining plan (pays for lunch and dinner). We will eat breakfast in our room.
Our grand total….. $1707! Not bad for 2 adults and 2 kids.
We will be keeping the cost of the trip right at $2000. We plan to purchase a pair of Mickey ears for Andrew and just spend the week enjoying our family and reconnecting.
This is NOT the Couponing to Disney trip. That trip will happen in November of 2011. This trip is being paid for out of my husband’s yearly bonus. I know it doesn’t really fit in with the whole “Couponing to Disney” mission. But this is something that we NEED to do. When we found out that we had lost Andrew my husband asked me what I needed. I told him I needed a trip to Disney to plan. As I plan the trip, I am able to take breaks mentally from my life and this pain. It helps.
So the fund I have now will not be touched. (As most of you remember, the fund has not grown like it should. We found out that we were surprisingly pregnant not long after our May 2010 trip and due to medical bills we weren’t expecting (pregnancy and Emily’s surgery), that money had to be re-designated. But that’s the great part about saving money. It’s there when you need it.)
So I do hope you will join me in celebrating my family and my son. And if you are going to be in Orlando when I am…. let’s meet up! I love meeting my wonderful readers.
As my husband said “We might be going to the happiest place on Earth, but Andrew is in the happiest place there is.”
Oh my gosh. I am new to this site and yes we are planning a disney trip when Austin is old enough. But I figured if we started now a little at a time. We could save alot and maybe have my dad and stepmom tag along, with my brother and his wife. And that if we start now we would maybe beable to pay for some of my dads. Since we live in fl its alot cheaper to begin with. neways I was reading your blogs to find out when I came to this. Cried my eyes out. I am sorry and yes what a wonderful way to celebrate your angel.
I so understand the pain of losing a baby I have lost 4 babies. But Dec 27th ,2010 I finally gave birth to a healthy happy baby girl. After we adopted 3 beautiful children. So my house is full of childrens laughter and the bickering lol.
I am loving reading your ways to save for Disney. We saved for 5 yrs and finally was able to go last June. And we started saving again right away. We only saved spare change and the kids went around every Thursday and collected cans from ppl they had asked to save for them. It took $5000 for our trip 2 rooms at Pop century. Free meal plan was awesome and worked wonders for us. Maybe using some of your tips we will get to Disney a little sooner then 5 yrs. this time. : )
Hi,
I realize I’m a tad late here, but I am so sorry for your loss! Your husband is indeed correct though, Andrew could not be in a happier place. Even though it seems as though your trip helped to heal you, I think you should get the book “The Fun of Dying”. It talks about how wonderous tge afterlife and goves you real evidence that it exists! It saya that even miscarried babies are raised in loving environment, where they eagerly await the coming of their parents. Ut’s not a religious book so don’t worry if you’re not religious.
Hope tgis helps!
I’m very sorry about your loss when I read this it brought tears to my eyes. I just stumbled upon your website while looking for ideas on couponing and saving. I would really like to start using coupons as I’ve heard you can save a lot and I’m also a frugal shopper. LOVE deals. Just wanted to say I really love your blog so far and you have a new reader:)
I’m so sorry for your loss.
And I hope you find the peace that the mouse cannot bring, true lasting peace that doesn’t cost thousands of dollars nor teach your children to buy happiness.
I honestly didn’t mean for that to sound so awful. I’m sorry. I truly do hope you find peace.
And have fun on your well-deserved trip.
Sorry, something happened and it wouldn’t let me finish the post. Anyway, enjoy your trip! Please write me any time if you just need to talk about your experience with someone who’s been there.
It’s 3:34am and I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to check out your blog because a friend told me about it on Tueday. God works in such interesting ways. I just happened to stumble upon this post. In Nov. 2006, I lost my son Nathaniel at 20 weeks. Like you, I was shocked to discover his passing because everything was going great. Our son was also buried with my husband’s dad. If you are like me, when they asked what the arrangements were going to be, I had no idea how to respond. One day we were planning the nursery and the next day a funeral. We found comfort in being able to bury Nathaniel with his Grandpa. It takes a while to get through the hurt, but our loss made me a better person. I told another friend who experienced similar loss, “Welcome to the club that no one wants to be in.” Please know that you are not alone. I’ve walked where you are walking. I’ve felt that pain. I will pray for God to give you the peace He gave me – the peace beyond understanding. Grieve as long as you need to.
Kristin, you and your family are in my prayers this Christmas season. I am so sorry for your lose. I pray that you can celebrate Andrew’s life at Disney World without sadness. Yes he is in the happiest place there is. Enjoy you other children and let them know that he will always be with them in their hearts. Have a blessed Christmas and a safe trip to Disney World.
Kristin,
I’m so sorry for your loss, and for all the medical stress you’ve been through getting your daughter healthy again. We lost our precious daughter Jovie in 2007, I was 9 months full term,and she had a cord accident. Your right- those precious hours spent with our children are worth it. We were so sad, we knew we’d see her again in heaven, and we knew that was the best place for her truly, but we wanted her here of course. anyways, we decided to plan our first trip to disneyworld (to go 6 months after she passed away), we planned for the beginning of december since I loved Christmas and knew it would be hard that year…
it was PERFECT. it gave us something happy to look forward to and it was a place that was happy and had a lot of distractions from the grief, we got to celebrate little Jovie’s life and laugh and smile and it WAS so healing.
I’m glad to hear you and your family are going to celebrate sweet Andrew’s life. I didn’t think to get her ears, but we’re going this december again, and I think thats a perfect idea.
*hug* so sorry you have to go through the grief of loosing a precious child. I knew when we lost Jovie that God allowed it for a reason… i can honestly tell you I was not a fan of the reason.. but I know God loves me and loves Jovie even more than I ever could and took comfort in knowing that He allowed it and knew what was best for Jovie.
God truly has restored our Joy, we now have a beautiful son, Levi, who is 2 years old and such a joy! We are having so much fun, and truly Disney made such a difference. that was the best trip ever.
So glad for you guys to be able to go. *hug* I’ll be praying for you! I loved what your husband said. I hope everything goes perfectly on your trip and that this Christmas you will be comforted and full of Joy.
Honestly? I did NOT see that coming so I got a big giggle out of it. I’m so glad you will be reconnecting as a family. You are so blessed that your husband asked what you needed. Some people might not be so fortunate to have a spouse that would ask that question. I pray that your daughter is healing well and that you’ll have a Mouserific trip (yep, made that one up on the spot!).
I will just be missing you!! I will be checking into POP on Jan 9th and be there through the 14th.
What a wonderful testimony! I cried as I read your post from the last year. I have just stumbled on to your website and I am already loving it. Thank you for your work and inspiration! God Bless you this year!
I think it’s fantastic that your family can do this, to spend time together in a place you love and heal your hearts <3. Have fun! I've always wanted to do Disney in the winter- maybe soon! :)
May God bless you all as you walk through this. I am walking through it with someone right now. You do so much for so many. Thank you so much for all that you do and what a true blessing you are. May God continue to heal you all.
I hate to hear about all you & your family have gone through. I can’t imagine the horrors of having a sick child as well as losing your own baby. I found out back during the end of the summer that I have a bone infection and had 2 amputations between the beginning of September and mid-October, and we’ve been administering IV antibiotics 3X day since September. Unfortunately they aren’t working, and we aren’t sure what or even if there’s a next step. I’m pretty sure they don’t think I’m going to make it through it this time. I would give anything to be able to afford to go to Disney World and experience it with my husband before I die. He’s never been and it’s been over 15 years since the last time I went, but medical bills are drowning us. You’re lucky that you have your blog income and your husband’s income and insurance to help you through your trials and tribulations, because we aren’t quite so blessed in that department. Medicare barely covers the necessities and we have to come up with the rest, and since disability is our only income we have to save what tiny bit we can to go toward necessities. I’m just trusting that God will see that His will is done and He will not put more on us than we can handle.
I’m glad your daughter is feeling better, and will keep you and your family in my prayers. Enjoy Disney enough for both of us, I’d give anything to be there too! Your husband was right, your son IS in the happiest possible place!
I am so happy for you and your family!!! After all you have been through, you deserve this trip. God Bless you and your family…
I am so happy to hear your happy news! Your family deserves some Disney magic.
I’m also hoping that you will share a bit of Disney magic with us in January. We had a trip scheduled for December 4-11 but decided to cancel. The older my kids get the harder it is to take trips during the school year. We rescheduled a longer trip for June and I am looking forward to it VERY MUCH! My kids will be taking part in some of the YES programs.
Glenda
Kristen,
My family and I went last September 2 weeks after my mom passed away of cancer. Something that my son and I did while we were there was send a balloon to her. We also do this at Christmas, and her birthday. It has really helped my son.
Kristin,
So… like everyone else this brought tears to my eyes. I too thought, they need to go to Disney! God gives us the desires of our hearts and supplied you with the money! I know it will be a wonderful time of bonding with your family and healing after so much this year. I love your idea to get Mickey Ears for Andrew. How sweet. I live in FL and would love to meet you and your sweet family with the others. But ONLY if you feel like this would not take away from your trip.
Enjoy every minute of your ‘planning’.
Blessings~
Prayer and happy thoughts are with you and your family.
Kristin,
What a beautiful idea. I hope you and your family enjoy the special time together. If I can offer just one piece of advice, I know I love planning a Disney trip and it can be a bit of a letdown when it’s time to leave and come home. Try and plan a little special activity for a couple of days after you get home so that you’ll have something to look forward to on that drive home. :) Blessings.
You have a great Husband & family. His statement to you brouht tears to my eyes! Have a great time, you all deserve it :)
That is wonderful Kristin, what a great plan! I have to admit reading your husband’s quote just got me really choked up to tears!!!!! I think of you as a friend since you are so open and honest about your life and your struggles and I am truly happy for you and your family to be able to share this trip together and heal together.
You are such a blessing to SOOO many people by all you do, I pray that you in turn will be blessed 100 fold.
I absolutely think Disney World is a great place to heal and regroup.
I am very happy for you all.
Happy Planning!
That is wonderful!! I am so happy for you…we’ll be there in January but the end of it….bummer. I would’ve loved to met you. Maybe in a future disney world trip :-) I’ll say a prayer for a wonderful time….:-)
I hope you and your family have a great trip.
You deserve it more than anyone right now! Have fun, I can’t wait to see all the fun pics and stories you are going to share with us!!!!
Hunny trust God now and He will reveal why later! God knows what he is doing.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:17-19
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 2:2-4
Good for you and your precious family. You all deserve to be at the Happiest Place on Earth. You do for us all year round, enjoy!
Have a wonderful time!
I am so happy for you. We just returned from a trip last week that we hadn’t really planned into the budget. But we have also been experiencing a lot of frustration and heartache as of late and just needed a break from it all. I came home so refreshed, I hope you do too. Sometimes we just need to get away and have some fun!
You deserve it, I bet it will be wonderful at that time with the Christmas scenes and it should be like a brand new part this way.
I think it is wonderful Idea.
You deserve some time in a Happy Place!!! We will be going to Disney in March and Nov. and I can’t wait!
Have a great time on your trip!!
Michele
I totally agree with your husband…and yes, teary eyed also. You and your family deserve this trip, Kristin! Still praying that you get the healing you need! Your blog is something I have to catch up on every morning. Even my husband asks me if I read about “this or that, pertaining to Disney” on your blog. We are excited to be going in May!
Enjoy your trip!
-Britney
What a wonderful idea! Your husband’s comment brought tears to my eyes. Hope you all have the most magical time!
This brought tears to my eyes! I’m so happy you guys are doing this! Disney is the best place in the whole world! There really is something magical there. We live about 45 minutes and we have yearly passes. When my husband and I were dating we went together several times and they were really special times for us! When we had kids the times were even more special experiencing those times with them! I hope you guys have the best time ever!
My husband took me to Disney World after our first miscarriage. It was wonderful to get a glimpse of what it would be like for us to take our kids there. We loved watching the children’s faces as they encountered the different characters. It was very healing for us. We have since been many times with our 3 kids and are annual pass holders for years now. My kids are teenagers and still love Disney, My two youngest will be singing at the Epcot candle light processional for 4 days during the hoildays this year and I can hardly wait to soak up the Disney holiday joy. I hope your holidays are joyful too.
yay! praying continously….glad you and your family can do this! :-)
Woohoo!!! You go girl!!! I am super-duper excited for you and your family. This will be a wonderful time to relax and reconnect. My husband and I have been fervently praying for you and your family, and I told him about your news last night. We were both so happy for you! Enjoy your wonderful vacation.
I am soo happy for you! I do hope this helps heal all your hearts and bond together as a family. on another good note you get to go when we are going!! the 2nd through the 9th at pop century!! Its going to be a great trip!!
Great! You totally deserve it!
I think it’s great that you are going! I went last year around that time, the crowds were so low we got to run on Thunder Mountain three time in a row with now line, the ride was not even full! It was SO COLD last year though, so you might want to pack gloves so you do not get stuck paying up the marked up versions in the parks in case it is cold again.
I think your family totally deserves a week of family time to reconnect and enjoy each other! I wish you all the best!
Good for you!! I hope that your Disney trip brings you lots of peace and happiness with your family!
You are such an inspiration!! Through all of life’s trials, you have held your head high and hung on to your faith!! You are an amazing woman…and you have an amazing family!!!!!
While my trip will have come and gone before you even get there (Nov.28, 2010-Dec.7, 2010), I promise to pray a special prayer for you and your family as we enter the Magic Kingdom on our first day in the parks. While you have saved me lots of money since I started following you, you have, more importantly, given me great joy for life and an appreciation for it. Of course, along with that for all of us Disney families, I have developed a bond with you and all your readers. I may not know any of you personally, but we share a common thread that we all love…a wonderful, magical place that brings a smile to all our faces and a tear of happiness to our eyes. May God bless you, Kristin, your entire family and all who read this!!! Have a blessed Christmas everyone!! Love to all!!!
So sorry for your loss!
We will be at Pop starting January 9th. Would love to meet you, like so many others I have followed you when all you had was the blog.
You should plan a huge meeting of all your fans!
I sorry for your lost and all that has happened. As I sit and read your post my heart goes out to you. I understand you pain. My daughter told me about what was going on in your family. I just did not know that it was so close to the time my son was born in the arms of Jesus, 10 years earlier. Buy, do what every you need to for you. I wrote a letter to my littles ones. I do read them from time to time. It helps.
And know that a lot of people are praying for you.
Have lots of fun on your trip to Disney for your son.
Again I’m so sorry for your loss, I look forward to hearing as you all as a family heal and bond during this trip. Your announcement hits my heart because I also endured a terrible loss this year. I cared for my terminally ill mom since Dec of 2009. This past June as her condition worsened I took a leave of absence from work and went to Mexico with her and my daughter to have her spend her last moments with family .. Sadly, she passed away a month later, I laid her to rest in a cemetery next to my father .. THis took a huge toll on me physically and emotionally and as I continued to live in Mexico to care for business, my husband knew when I came home I needed a time out … Time for the both of us to reconnect as man and wife.. He surprised his Disney freak of a wife with a 5 day trip to Disney in October … Just the two of us and although I was still grieving the loss of my mom it was a good have the magic of pixie dust begin the healing process…
I took my cancer stricken mom to Disney 3 years prior and she loved Soarin… In her memory I rode it with a huge smile on my face :D
God bless you and your family <3
Sending you and yours all of my love, prayers and support!!! Your such an inspiration to all of us women!!! STRONG!!!!!
hugs
-missy-
I’m very happy for you Kristin. I know this vacation will help you through these difficult times and will give you all the family “recoup” time that you all need. Wishing you a WONDERFUL trip!!
And I’m excited for you that the Castle will still be light with the millions of crystal lights. It is possibly the most beautiful thing in Disney. It lifts my spirit everythime I see it.
Everytime I read about Andrew I cry once more. Even though I know he is in Heaven and with our Lord, I feel the pain that you and your family must be feeling. As a mom, my heart and prayers go out to you.. as a Christian I’am joyful that your precious baby is in the arms of Jesus. One day you will see him again, this I know is true. During your trails here on earth, you have one more person in heaven praying for you.
I’m glad you have shared his life with all of us.
This was the best site I decided to join. I feel like your family demonstrates what we go thru at different times of our lives. The ups and downs and how we as women deal with it. You are so strong and your dedication is something to admire. Your family is so loving and it feels like am with you guys. I tell my husband when he gets home from work, guess what Emily got sick, and how sad we were for you on your loss. I tell him how your hubby is with you and that Jacob seems just like our boys when they were little. Your family is forever in our hearts. Have fun and no one feels its going against your work. Your family deserves everything Our Heavenly has in store for you.Sorry so long.
Yay for your family. Love your husband’s comment. Can’t wait to follow you through the park like we did last May. :)
Amen to healing and the lifting up one’s family. Hugs from all of us.
Have a wonderful time with your family. Yall certainly deserve this “extra” sprinkling of pixie dust ;)
Sooooo excited for you!!!
I knew it!!! YAY for you guys!!! I have to say, kinda bummed about the date you chose – we will be there the end of January and it would have been fun to meet you! Have a wonderful trip and please continue to share money savers to help get us all to Disney :)
I also think its a fantastic thing for your family to do, I don’t think everyone in your position would choose to really focus on pulling their family in a positive direction, it is very admirable! Have fun and reconnect!
Yeah for you & your family! I this trips serves as a turning point & you will only have good times in your future! My family & I will also be down at Disney at that time. We are checking to POFQ on 1/2/11 & checking out 1/9/11. I would love to meet you! You are such an inspiration!!!
Phew. I was so worried you were leaving your site. I’m so sorry for the hardships you have encountered this year.
However, I think its great that you are finding sanctuary with Disney.
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so excited for you guys! I have to say January is our favorite time to go. You will have the best time!
My hearts jumps for joy for you and your family!!! I will be counting down the days with you!!!!
You have a great idea! I got teary eyed, I know you will have a great time and honor you baby angel at same time!!
I have to say ever since I heard of your tragic loss I wanted to reach out to you. I want you to know I completly know what you are going through with Andrew. On January 26th I deleivered my son 5 weeks early to find out that he had a life threatning genetic condition that we were completey unaware of. Noah was sent directly to Children’s Hosiptal in Philadelphia. He passed away a week later and I cherish every moment of that week – all of the highs and lows. But once all of the dust settled my husband, son (we have a 2 1/2 year onl) and I went to Disney to be at the happiest place on earth and I must say the week was such bitter sweet but it got our minds off of things, Therefore enjoy the week with your family, Andrew will be looking over you and enjoying it as well.
Kristin-
I’m so sorry you have had to go through all of this heartache, but happy that you have planned the trip in January. Sending prayers that your family can begin the healing, in anticipation of your trip.
Have fun. You and your family need time to heal together. Enjoy your trip.
Sounds like the best place to re-connect with your family. ya know last year we had a disney trip planned for the first week of december, it is our dream to see disney all decked out for the holidays.. and well we found out my husband had a cancer tumor in his hand and had to start 8 weeks of radiation everyday monday thru friday. then had 2 surgery’s to remove and reconstruct his hand.
.
so that put a damper on our wonderful plans. we did never get to go to disney last year and wanted to plan on goin this year, but instead we are going to pay bills with the tax refunds that hopefully we can save enough money so we can go and finally see disney all decked out for the holidays in dec of 2011, and maybe actually spend disney there! now this is god willing that i finally can find a job that accomidates a schedual around my little ones therapy sessions. but it is extremely hard.. now i know this isnt half as bad as what you have been through in the past few months but i do understand the reason why you want to go to disney to get away from it all! it truly is a place were you are able to forget all and just have plain old fun and act like a kid and not an everyday adult!
enjoy your trip you truly deserve it!
Wouldn’t it be lovely if Disney donated a trip in Andrew’s memory for all you do in promoting?
what will you celebrate???? andrew’s life and all he stands for. i’m so excited for you and your husband..but most of all for your kids. they will love seeing their mom so happy and in a place that brings a smile to everyone’s face..no matter what. i’m so thrilled for you and wish you the best. the holidays will be tough but i am hoping that by having this trip to look forward to it will help you make it through.
So happy for you! Disney helps heal the heart!
I am in tears for you joyful and sorrowful. if you need anything while you are down here just shoot me and email I live 45 min away from Disney. I am so glad you are doing this to heal. I will continue to pray for you and your family God has a plan which we will know one day in his time,
Kristin
I am really excited for you and your family to get to go to Disney and reconnect with one another after the trying few months that you have had. Disney is my place of magic as well. I pray you and your family have a wonderful time :)
That is awesome. You totally deserve it, as does your family. I’m so happy for you all.
YAH GIRL! You and your family deserve this trip. HAVE A BLAST!
God bless you on your travels! Know that we are all hoping your visit to the wonderful world of Disney gives you some much needed relaxation and bonding time with your family!!
Yay! I am so glad you get to go! We love Pop Century. Can’t wait to hear all about your trip!
Congratulations! What a wonderful way to connect with your family and focus on the good things in your life and celebrate a life that as your husband said is in a much better place. Happy Planning : )
Yay!!! Sooooo excited for you guys!!! I hope you all have the best trip EVER and I can’t wait to see pictures!!! My kids love looking at Emily and Jacob with all of the characters!! :)
So happy for you guys! You will have a wonderful time. I hope it is what you need to heal!!
My prayers have been with you. I have actually been thinking…Kristen needs a trip to Disney! I know you will have a wonderful time and it will be a healing process. My sister in law passed 2 years ago suddenly with no warning. It broke my heart so much I cannot imagine my husband’s pain and my MIL pain. She couldn’t sleep for months. She just recently moved back in her room to sleep at night. She is healing…finally. She made her biggest strides with a trip to Northern California where my SIL lived for many years and loved. My MIL, my hubs and his other sister (I was pregnant and unable to fly at the time) went and had a service with all her friends on her favorite beach and were able to spread some of her ashes there. They all brought all her things from storage. It helped to have all her belonging home in SC and part of her (ashes) in California, a place she loved. I think it is a wonderful idea for you to go. I wish you the best time!
Kristin, how absolutely wonderful that you get to go to DisneyWorld in January! It will be here before you know it. I’m so excited for you and your family. You all really deserve this vacation. Disney fills us with joy and makes us smile! Have fun planning your trip and have even more fun on the trip!
Hi ho hi ho it’s off to Disney World we go… :)
I am so happy for you and your family! I have been praying for you as you go through the healing process. What a great deal – under $2000 for the whole week! Sometimes it seems like – when it rains, it pours – but God has a plan for you family. And when His plan plays out you’ll know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be and your heart is prepared and HE will shine through you! I hope your family has a fantastic time – what a great way to ring in 2011! I hope the new year is joyfully adventurous for you!!!
I am glad that you and your family are getting to go on this much needed trip.
God bless you all.
Love, love, love your husbands comment!!!! So glad you’re making the trip. It will be a wonderful time for all of you. A trip away was what I needed after our son passed away too. I’m about 40 min from Disney so let me know if you do a meet up!
Yeah for all of you!!!!!! You deserve this little time away. Your timing will be perfect, everyone will be leaving after the holidays, but the Christmas decorations will probably still be up. I hope you have a wonderful time. I say you wait and send New Year’s Cards with a great family picture from your trip!
What a perfect idea! This will be wonderful for you and your family. And how blessed you are to have such a supporting husband. Awesome.
Just found this page today and how appropriate for me to read this. We cared for my mil in our home from the beginning of 2010 until she died in August. She and I talked often about not putting off the things we could do today and she kept telling me that when she passed, we were to go to Disney and not wait until the planned 2012 trip. When she kept lingering, hospice told us that there was something unresolved. It finally dawned on me that I had never planned a trip, so I went online and ordered tickets. I went into her room after getting the confirmation and told her we had tickets. She died within an hour. I really believe she was “waiting” to know that we would do something for ourselves after she passed. Dh and I just got home from our unplanned trip Saturday. Mil came to mind frequently as we knew it was only because of her that we were there. And it turned out to be our best trip ever in spite of three days of rain and three days of cold.
Go, enjoy your trip, and remember your Andrew.
I am so sorry you lost your sweet angel baby Andrew. What an amazing way to celebrate his life! Hugs and prayers for your family.
I hope you all have a wonderful time. You truly deserve a break!
I’m so excited! We will be at Pop that week too!!
I meet you last time you were in Orlando and would love to meet up with you again!!
Something very similar happened to my husband and I in 2008. I’m so happy that you are able to get away. It’s hard to see around things right now, but your husband is right! You will never forget, but it does get easier!! ;-)
So happy for you. What a wonderful way for you to heal as a family. It brought tears to my eyes as I read your plans. I also love the fact that you’re going to buy Andrew his very own Mickey ears. That’s a requirement for every member of the Cooper family! :) God Bless your family.
Great- I hope you have a great trip. We will be at Disney on Jan 8th when my husband is on R and R we are trying Animal Kingdom Lodge one night and the rest of the week will be at Shades of Green.
I’m with everyone else!!!!! You and your family deserve this trip and I’m so glad that it has worked out for all of you to go. God is good even in the storms of our lives. Enjoy the upcoming planning you get to do. :-) God Bless you and your family!!!!
Kristin~
You have absolutely nothing to feel ashamed of by using your husband’s bonus to celebrate a life you all loved. Your fans are here because you do a great service to all of us and you share your personal moments with us, too. I think I can speak for the majority here when I tell you that your family needs to heal and you need to do it your way. There is never a right way to go about healing after such a tragedy except what works for you. So go on your trip and enjoy yourselves to the fullest. Your precious Andrew will be watching from his perch in the clouds and there will be a smile on his face because he has a great family who loved him dearly. Your family has been in my thoughts and prayers a lot lately and I wish you the best during this trying time. I know you will come out of it a well healed family that is closer than ever. And we will all be here waiting for the happy details!!
Kristin,
You are such an inspiration in so many ways, I can’t even begin to tell you. Just know that you and your family are in my prayers and I wish nothing but magic, love, and healing for you all! I look forward to pictures and stories and thank you for sharing such a wonderful announcement! :o) and thank you for sharing your husband’s quote. From another Disney fanatic, I completely agree……..
Good for you!! Disney is good for the sole!! 14 monthes ago I gave birth 8 1/2 weeks early and it was the scariest and happiest moments of my life. Life with a preemie was something else!! We finally took her home and had her home 12 days and we were back in the hospital getting diagnosed with a rare heart condition and then at 6 months she had skull surgery to repair her bones as they had prematurely fused. Over that time I felt like we were living in stress and not giving my 10 year old son the attention he so deserved. We needed to get away! We got everyone healthy and my little princess turned 9 months old meeting Cinderella at 1900 Parkfare. It was amazing and replenished our souls. Everyone thought we were crazy but it was the most amazing thing for us. God bless you and I can’t wait to hear more details!!
So glad you get to make the trip. Hope it goes a long way in healing all your hearts just a little.
I am so sorry for your loss and for your daughter’s health issues. I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip and make some great family memories.
That is so wonderful! Super happy for you!
Krisitn,
It would be my pleasure meeting you while you are here in Orlando. I have been following your blog for around a year now, and you have saved me sooo much!! I own a Day Spa just outside of Orlando and invite you to come to my Spa and pamper yourself, my treat. We offer Massages, Facials, Manicures, Pedicures, and much more. Please visit my website http://www.ascenciondayspa.com and let me know what you think. I would love to return the favor you have been doing me for so long :)
I am so happy that you are getting to go! I just might see you there. My husband and I live 20 minutes from Orlando and I think we are going to renew our season passes for christmas. Would love to meet up with you!
I think that is a wonderful idea.
AMEN!!!!!!!
Yay, I’m glad your coming to Disney again. If you do have a get together, I’d be willing to go! I live 10 minutes away from Disney, and luckily have friends to get me in free!
Enjoy your time, and your family. You deserve it!
<3
Yeah! I knew it was coming. I think it is just what the doctor ordered!! Have a blast!!!!!!
Kristen–if at all possible, I want to meet you and just hug your neck-we’ll be at Disney around the same time, but we’re locals from the Tampa area. You’re an inspiration to us all, and loved deep in our hearts.
wouldn’t it be neat if a bunch of us Tampa friends meet up with her about the same time?
I’m all in for this. I’m just an hour away in Tampa. Let’s set a day and all go hug Kristen and her family and show them how much they mean to us. I’ll drive!
I’m in Titusville, just an hour away. I will be there too!
I’m in Clermont – about 30 min away! I would Love to met the “locals”!.
Just let me know when a good day will be. It would be great to meet some of Kristin’s fan club members from Florida. I moved to Florida March 1st from Michigan, and I”m looking forward to meeting lots of new friends, thanks to Kristin.
:-)
Shari
after everything you and your family have been thru in 2010..only appropriate to start 2011 at your favorite place….good for you..enjoy and keep us all posted
I was worried that something else had gone wrong! I’m so glad that you have the chance for this healing time. HUGS!!!!
Kristin,
I’m so excited for you and your family.
I live only 1hr 20 mins from Disney, I would love to meet up with you. Will you be traveling on Sat Jan 1, or Sun Jan 2? Will you be staying until the next following Sunday? Do you usually stay a full day or a half day at the parks?
I’m trying to schedule for my husband to take a day off, so I don’t want to miss you.
Good times,
Shari
Have a wonderful time with your family!! No one deserves it more then you!!! ENJOY and God bless!!!
I have tears running down my face Kristin!
I can totally relate to the miscarriage & kids health bills. Take all the time you need- we the readers are like family. You have our support & we’ll be here when you get back. (hugs)
Yay! So happy for you!
Your post and husbands comment made me cry!!! I am so happy for you guys to be getting away! God Bless all of you!
First of all glad your daughter is better!!! [i remember reading your posts when it first happened!] and sorry to hear about your son, i cant imagine =\
But on a happier not we’re planning a Disney trip — not for a few years BUT starting to get ideas!!! So i’ll definitely be seeking out advice from you [if you dont mind!]. We’re trying to teach our 6 year old about saving money etc. so we opened up a savings account for her just for Disney — She is under the assumption she is paying for our whole trip hehe, but really the money shes saving is going to be [depending on how much she saves] her plane ticket and/or spending money. She loves doing this. She turns in cans, finds change on the ground, then once a week we go to the bank w/whatever she has! Today we deposited $15 making $169.xx! We prob aren’t going till Nov 2012 when our son is 4 and our daughter will be 8. Both their bdays are November so we’re going to do it as their bday present! Im excited to start planning!!!!
if you don’t already follow me on FB!! =)
My heart breaks for the loss that your family has endured over the last few months. I’m glad you are able to leave and spend quality time with your loved ones to heal, remember, and love on each other.
I am greatful that our Savior, Jesus, paid the greatest sacrifice, so that you and the rest of your family can spend an eternity with Andrew in heaven, getting to know each other.
I pray that this trip will help heal each of you and that your family bond will grow stronger.
Lots of Hugs!!!!
Good for you Kristen. The year I was about your daughter’s age my family went through one crisis after another including sickness, a housefire and more. My beloved parents didn’t have a pot to begin with but decided our first trip to Disney was what the family needed. They were right, I still smile when I think about the trip and my parents selflessness 25 years later. You know best what your family needs, and your kids, all of them, will quietly thank you each in their own way.
Count down the days and then cherish every moment :)
What wonderful place to spend with your family and remembering your little angel. I wish you a wonderful and healing trip.
Its a great way to heal, and celebrate life! We did this 2 Januarys ago, when I was still deeply saddened by my friend’s sudden departure from earth while giving birth to her son. It was devastating. He was able to be saved, but she could not, and the event that should have been a miraculous moment, was forever marred. He’s adorable and doing well, but I really think about her and how much she’d love him if she were here! His birthday (as you can imagine) is always bittersweet.
Anyway, Disney was a good dose of happy for me, and did help me get over the “hump” I hope it does the same for you! God bless you all!
Enjoy your trip! I wish you and your family a fantastic trip!
I will be in Disney November 2011, when will you be there! We will be there for our wedding (on the Disney Dream, Castaway Cay!) and our honeymoon!!!!! I hope your family has a wonderful time on this spontaneous trip!
I just cried like a baby! I am praying for you and your family! We are coming back on the 30th. I wish I could extend my trip togive you a big hug! Have fun!
Beautiful idea! We took a family disney trip about 6 months after our son died( when I was 24 weeks pregnant). It was a wonderful trip to reconnect as a family and remember our baby boy. Enjoy your trip!
What a great way to celebrate Andrew. Enjoy your special time with your family. We will keep you and our families in our prayers. May you have a magical trip!!!
I am so excited for you and your family. No one deserves this more than you guys! You are a true inspiration to all of us Disney lovers!!! I only hate that we will be leaving on the 1st to return home from our trip :(
I am very excited that you and your family have decided to do this. I hope it will help you to get through this hard time that you all are going through. I am so sorry for your loss. I meet you in May, and my Daughter and I would love to meet up with you again in January. Sending prayers and pixie dust your way! Shelley
Good for you! Nothing like a little Disney cheer to lift your spirits! God bless you all!
WHat a great announcement!! I’m very excited for you all!
We live 2 hours from Disney, by Jacksonville. If you need a place to stay, we’ve got room anytime!!
I’d love to come and meet you, but this is an important time for you and your family, so I’ll wait until next November.
Congratulations! Disney will be a great way to celebrate your precious Andrew, and to heal your hearts. I am so happy that you can go to “the happiest place on Earth”!
Crying…for your losses, for your victories, for your joy through all of the pain, for your upcoming trip…but the clincher? Your fabulous husband’s remark at the end…”I Can Only Imagine!”
Blessings to you and yours and may this celebration of your family be sooooo much fun!
– Heidi :), a FB fan in Maryland!
Have fun at Disney and relax. You and your family deserve it.
Sometimes plans need to change. Good for you. If Disney is what makes you and your family happy and feel connected more power to you . To have so much sadness it’s good to know there can be joy also. I hope you have a WONDERFUL time,
What a wonderful way to celebrate! So glad you are able to go and do this with your family.
I am so very sorry for your loss and will say a prayer for you and your family. I am glad you have found a way to help deal with all of this and I know you will have a wonderful time. God Bless you.
AWESOME!!! I can’t think of a better way for your family to heal!! Praying you guys have an amazing trip!!
Kristin,
That is wonderful that you are going to celebrate Andrew at Disney. It is fitting. I know the pain you have. We lost our son Carson at 6.5 months old about 5.5 years ago. He passed away here in NC and is laid to rest with my grandparents in Sylacauga, AL. Although I will not be at Disney the first of the year, I would love to meet you. My hubby’s family lives in Trussville. So, when we head that way again, I will look you up. Your husband was exactly right. Heaven is the happiest place there is. God Bless you and your sweet family.
Your husband is so right! What a great perspective after everything your family has been through. I’m so glad you get to go- and I know about “needing a Disney trip to plan”. I enjoy following your trips, and hope this is the healing that you all need.
I am soooo excited for yall!!!! You deserve this trip more than anyone I know!!!!!! Enjoy every minute!! Cant wait to watch the updates!!! We will be there on Jan 15-21
I got tears in my eyes when I read your husband’s statement. What a wonderful man :o)
I did too! I think it’s a much deserved trip!
I agree! Praise to the Lord for allowing your husband a job where he can get a bonus!
I did too. What a wonderful man you have!!!!
Add me to the list! I totally choked up when reading that line out to my husband. Have a healing time, my prayers have been with you and your family.
Me too!! I was tearing up at what he said!! I hope you guys have a wonderful trip! Do the kids know you are going?
ABSOLUTELY KRISTIN! You said it best “what better place to heal than Disney World!” Amen sister and you enjoy every single second of those 7 days. (Our week flew by and I have a lot of regret. . . and I want to go so bad in 2011 – – we’re working toward that). I can’t want to hear about your trip and see pictures!
Much love girl!
Oh wonderful! I thought it was something bad.