The Happiest Place on Earth

Disney World is known as the happiest place on earth. I wouldn't go as far as that, but it is pretty amazing! After a long day of traveling and delays we all made it to Orlando late Saturday night. Erin and I met for the first time and it was so good to finally be able to give her a hug! By the time we got to the hotel, settled in and to bed it was after 1:00am. Mom, Erin and I slept as late as we wanted and then treated ourselves to the most amazing massages at the fancy spa in our hotel. (Yes, we are spoiled rotten!) That night dad had a fancy supper/Super Bowl party in Epcot and we all got to go along. In the evenings at Epcot there is a fabulous fireworks display. We went outside for dessert and to watch the fireworks. We only missed one play while we were watching the fireworks due to the power outage at the Super Bowl! 


Erin, mom and I spent the day in Magic Kingdom on Monday. We had fun trying on funny hats, going on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, shopping and eating ice cream while watching the parade. We went back to the room and traded mom for dad, returning to Magic Kingdom for the night parade and fireworks. This time I left my camera at home and just enjoyed. I couldn't help but think of my friend Brenda and her love for fireworks as I watched this magical display. We got mooned by Tinkerbell...but that's another story. I still think she has the best job at Disney because she got to ride a zip line from the top of the castle to the front of the park. How fun would that be?!

Needless to say, the next day we were exhausted and in a lot of pain so we had a day of rest. We slept late, got facials at the fancy spa, walked around the grounds of our hotel (the Dolphin), rested in hammocks (tell me, how do you pronounce hammock?!) and took some pictures. We got all cleaned up and dressed up and took some pictures of Erin and I for Broken but Priceless Ministries. We then went to a supper we were invited to and ate delicious food!

Our last full day at Disney we got up early (and by early I mean we were out of the room around 10...ish) and went to Animal Kingdom. We were surprised by the lack of animals in the half of the park that we saw. We got mom to go on the Expedition Everest roller coaster with us and that was a blast! We also saw a short 3D interactive movie about A Bug's Life. It was great! (Can I just say that 3D technology has come a long way since I was a kid? Wow!)

We went back to the hotel to meet dad who was done with meetings. The four of us spent the afternoon and evening at Epcot. It was a great choice. It's a little more adult oriented and it's a pretty big place which made for a relaxing afternoon and evening (for me anyway, I was riding in the wheelchair; dad may have a different opinion on that one)! Mom, Erin and I went on this cool ride called Soaring. It was as if we were really flying through and over rivers and mountains and all sorts of things. There was even one point where we were flying over an orchard of orange trees and we could smell them! 

After walking around the World Showcase we ended up in Morocco. Can I tell you how amazing that was? It was amazing! The buildings, the sights, the sounds, the smells. It transported me back in time to a culture and place I never thought I would experience again. We ate at Restaurant Marrakesh and it was very authentic. I was able to eat my favorite Moroccan meal - beef and prunes over couscous. I had more glasses of Mint Tea than I care to admit and had a baklava sampler for dessert. Maybe Disney World really is the happiest place on earth! 

Thursday morning we packed up and headed home. Today is the first day I have left my apartment since getting home and it was to go to the doctor. The whole trip my right heel hurt. At first I thought I was getting a blister, but it never appeared. Long story short, I have achilles tendon bursitis. (Bursitis is something old people get, right? What's the deal?!) Basically the bursa sac between the achilles tendon and heel bone is inflamed, causing pain if there is pressure on it. This would be fine in the summer, but winter in Wisconsin calls for shoes. Shoes hurt! My doctor gave me naproxen (jacked up ibuprofen) that I will take for 10 days to bring the inflammation down. If that doesn't work I will see a podiatrist. 

On a good note, I can resume my methotrexate shot tomorrow! It has been two months since I've taken it and boy oh boy am I looking forward to some relief! Please pray that my foot will heal quickly and that in 10 days (or less) it will be fine. I would also appreciate prayers as I start back on the methotrexate. Naproxen and methotrexate don't always play nice together; pray that I would be spared the nasty side effects. 

God blessed me more than I ever could imagine on this trip. It reminds me that even when I am in pain and going through something difficult in life, God can surprise me with good things and I praise Him for it! I will wrap up this much too long post with some photographs from our trip...enjoy!

Spectacular!

Swiss Family Robinson's Treehouse!

Where's the Rum?!

Right outside our hotel

Those screams are mixed with laughter, I promise!

 

Our last night, in the Moroccan courtyard

I encourage you to read this blog post on Broken but Priceless Ministries' website. You'll see a few more photos from our trip and read about some of the planning Erin and I were able to do while we were together. God has some cool things in store for Erin and I and Broken but Priceless. We invite you to join us on the ride!