Oh yes it was!!  WOW!!  I’m eager & happy to report that I was wrong… Eme did not require medical attention, she had no endocrine complications, and as a matter of fact, she did fabulous.  It was quite possibly the happiest I’ve seen her EVER, in her whole life!  A volunteer told us yesterday that miracles happen every day at Give Kids the World, that the village is magical.  It certainly proved to be that for her.  (Now I, on the other hand, spent Wednesday at an urgent care center and was diagnosed with bronchitis & pneumonia.  Ay yi yi… I suppose it was bound to happen trying to keep up with Emerson and her intensely demanding schedule.  Eme and I spent that day in the villa while the boys explored Universal.  Some antibiotics, narcotics, and a strong will to salvage the week, though, pulled me back together & we finished the trip in grand Disney style!).

Emerson was treated like a princess at every attraction!  I’m still humming tunes from the Little Mermaid & Beauty and the Beast (my favoritesJ) & Collin and Bradley, while graciously enduring the little kid rides, also got to brave the more exciting ones.  And thanks to some folded up park maps in Bradley’s shoes (he measured just shy of the height requirement for some rides) he was able to experience them all!  Their favorites included Space Mountain, Tower of Terror, Rockin’ Roller Coaster, and The Hulk.

In all the Magic Kingdom was my least favorite – very crowded and overwhelming for both Eme and myself.  Luckily we got that one out of the way on Monday & from there every park we visited was better than the one before!  We thoroughly enjoyed walking through Epcot & Hollywood Studios was a highlight too.  Emerson met many characters & much to my delight loved them all!  We also walked through tons of gift shops, & in true Make-A-Wish style, Emerson chose something special at every one!!  I must say, though, I’m not sure which was Eme’s greater wish come true – a week at Disney World or a week with her big brothers!  She honestly adores and idolizes them both!!  I have never seen so many grins and giggles from one little girl.  She managed the week with no naps & few melt downs.  She woke up happy and ready to go every morning & finished every night with a song.  It was amazing.  It really, really was…

I just uploaded my photos & there are over 1,000!  I’ve posted a few of my early favorites & will add more in the days and weeks to come. 

Words cannot express my deep & sincere gratitude to the Make-A-Wish organization.  Please know that you, together with the many people who have donated to your cause, have given us a gift that cannot be matched.  I do not know what the future holds for our family.  I do know, though, that this week together will be remembered as one of the greatest in my lifetime.  You’ve given us something that can never be replaced and can never be taken away.  Life may come and go, but the memories we made – the smiles etched into our hearts, the laughter ringing in our ears – will stay with us forever.  Thank you, thank you, thank you…