Camping Update

Around 8:00 the morning following the campout, I could hear our campers making their way back to the house -- Anya chatting a blue streak, as usual. She had slept very well and Clayton had been bothered by all the noises and was unable to get good rest. Apparently they read some stories and did the usual bedtime stuff, played Barbies for a little while, and then got in their sleeping bags and chatted about the trip. After a couple of minutes, Anya said, "Ok, Dad. Let's just close our eyes now." And that was that! Two minutes later, though it was still not dark outside, Clayton could hear her sucking on her fingers. She was gone and didn't stir until morning, when she woke him pointing to and chatting about the sky. What a girl!

A Big Night

It is 10:15 p.m. and Anya is still outside "camping" in Grandpa David's backyard with her dad in a tent which she helped to set up. The "campout" began with a dutch oven dinner, followed by campfire, marshmallows, and smores. She then helped her dad set up the tent and ran in to get her barbies to sleep with her. She was so excited and it was so cute to see. I didn't actually expect it to last this late, so we'll see if they make it to the morning.

Because she was outside, I was able to spend a quiet bedtime routine with Ian. I read 3 books and he looked from my face to the book each time. Then I was able to sing several primary songs and hymns as he listened intently, watching my eyes and mouth alternately. I truly felt we were communicating spirit to spirit. When he was first diagnosed, I began thinking about all the things I hoped he knew and learned in this life -- what was truly important. Though I think he understands many things far better than I do, I am thankful for these moments when I am able to share my testimony with him and really feel that he is understanding. The song of the righteous truly is answered with blessings.

Zoe

(Because this is the equivalent of my journal these days, please excuse the variation from our family's happenings as I take note of an event that has touched my life deeply.)

This past Sunday, our friend Marilyn lost her daughter, Zoe. We met Marilyn and Zoe while we were living in Taiwan and Marilyn's selflessness, strength, optimism, and testimony have been a strength and inspiration to me as we've come to terms with Ian's diagnosis. Zoe's life was much longer, fuller, and richer than anyone predicted when she was born -- largely due to her sweet spirit and Marilyn's determination and limitless love. Zoe was a truly special, sweet little girl and I am happy to think of her free from the pain and restrictions of this life, but I know that Marilyn will feel the loneliness of Zoe's absence. So much of her life was dedicated to caring for Zoe and making sure that she experienced life to the fullest. She motivated and encouraged me in my attempts to know how best to help Ian navigate this life. She is one of many whose example helped me to remember that every moment is precious -- especially those simple, beautiful, every day moments. I am thankful we got to know Zoe for this brief period and am eternally grateful for our understanding of a loving Heavenly Father's plan for us. Thank you for your peaceful grace and beauty, Zoe, and Marilyn for sharing her life and yours with us. Our prayers are with you.

Primary in Taiwan was where we first met Zoe and Marilyn. Zoe is being held near the back. She was loved by the primary.

We met Zoe and Marilyn at The Dairy (is that what it's called?) on USU campus for ice cream just before Ian turned 5 and Anya turned 2.

This was taken last year at the kids' birthday party (Ian 7 and Anya 4) at Central Park in Logan. This was the last time we saw Zoe. She looked so pretty -- frilly flowered dress, fingernails polished, and beautiful beaded bracelet that Marilyn had lovingly helped her to make. I am thankful for this last, happy memory with her.

The Trip Home

On Saturday we got up a little later than we should have, packed everything up, and when I went to check out I had $848 charged to my credit card. It turns out that there had been a mixup with the Make A Wish credit card and we were being charged, but it was taken care of without incident. We then headed to get our car from the parking lot (a pain) and depart, but had a difficult time finding Avis, then realized we needed to fill the car before returning it, so we drove down the highway to fill up, returned to the Avis rental place, caught the shuttle, but arrived too late to use the automatic check in machine so we had to wait in line, got our tickets, rushed through security (as much as that’s possible with Ian and Anya) and made it in time to catch our plane. Anya was climbing the bags and crashed and cried, and when getting on the plane some guy stopped Erin to tell her he had seen her on the news (from Morgan’s Wonderland).

Anya was actually pretty good on the plane, she sat right down, put Sparkly on her lap, and pulled the buckle over the both of them. This flight the windows were low enough that she could see out, and was exhilarated to watch the ground give way as we took off. She and Ian both enjoyed looking out their windows as we flew home. She was coloring pictures and eventually fell asleep on my arm just as we were landing, while Ian was excitedly flailing and screaming.

I should explain that this week has been very taxing on all of us, but visibly on Ian—by the last day he was practically shuffling through Six Flags. Upon arrival in Memphis I had to help Ian down the stairs to the tarmac, and when we reached the ascending stairs into the gate there was to the side a handicap elevator where an old man had just gone in. When I asked if we could ride with them, the airport attendant waved me off and told me to take the stairs—I guess Ian doesn’t look disabled. So I had to steady him as we ascended the stairs. I then helped him to the closest bathroom for a change, but it was quite a walk.

After getting our bags we headed out to get our car, but neither of us could remember exactly where we had parked, so we wandered for (quite) a while before finally finding it. It was afternoon by then so we stopped at Fridays on the way home for a late lunch, but Anya was being such a pill (disobedient and cheeky) that I had to take her out to the car once and Erin had to take her out once. My food didn’t taste good and we decided that after a week of eating out we were ready to eat our own food. When we arrived home the kids were both happy to be here, in fact Ian went running through the house screaming. It was a great trip, all the better because it was all expenses paid (and given with such generosity and kindness), but we were happy to be home.

Six Flags

(No pictures -- too hard to take them when we were all riding...)

The last day, Friday the 28th, was Six Flags, and because they have an enormous water park I was pumped to do half a day of water play. We got all lathered up in sun block, packed our suits, and upon arrival realized it was only open on weekends. So instead we spent the day wandering around in the sun, watching others go on huge roller coaster rides.

We eventually made it to Wiggle World (where apparently Anya thinks the Wiggles are from) and rode a few kiddie rides, but Anya was pretty wary even of those. We all rode the airplane ride, which spins and when you push a button it rises into the air. Ian and I went all the way up, but Anya and Erin never did. Erin explained that Anya forbade her from pushing the button, so they just spun around on the ground. She did enjoy watching the bumper cars crashing into one another, which made her cackle hysterically, but she cried when she found out she was an inch too short to ride it. We persuaded her to ride the Wiggles roller coaster, which was actually much more fun than the Shamu equivalent, but she didn’t enjoy it (although Ian did).

We then went to get ice cream (we had told Anya that she could have ice cream if she went on the log ride with us, but she had been a good sport about other rides so we went to get shakes and ice cream which we ate indoors in front of the giant screening of Bugs Bunny cartoons). I took Ian to the bathroom for a change and discovered that the handicap stall wouldn’t latch or stay shut, and the floor had just been mopped so it was wet. I still laid him on the floor and changed him, but as soon as we were outside again Erin discovered he needed another change, so back in we went to do the same thing.

Afterward we rode the tandem cars and a few other rides, and although I couldn’t persuade her (Anya) to go on the log ride, she did eventually concede (twice, though we only went once) to do the Gully Washer, which consists of a fake canyon with rapids and waterfalls that you ride down seated on a giant inner tube. We waited in line for 25 minutes in a line that was going nowhere...it was really not moving at all and the tubes were passing empty...so we gave up. We returned later in the afternoon and, after 40 minutes in a line that was inching along, we finally succeeded in climbing aboard. She was a little shocked from the first splash she received from the rapids, but then laughed and the rest of the ride was a blast—she cackled the whole way down, even when we were squirted by kids from above and ran under fountains and the waterfall. We were all soaked when it ended, and Ian didn’t really like getting wet, but Anya loved the ride (and Erin and I as well).

Before leaving the park I wanted to ride one of the thrill rides, and the Scream had a short line, so I tried it. For this ride one sits on a platform with one’s legs dangling, with shoulders strapped to the back. It then suddenly launches you twenty vertical stories (which is accomplished in about five seconds), leaves you weightless, then descends just as quickly. Then it rises to the top, leaves you suspended for half a minute, then plummets back to the ground. It was not gentle, and I got a bit of whiplash not to mention nausea. But it was fun.

Upon arriving back at the hotel Anya wanted to go back to the pool and was heartbroken when she was told it was too late, so I told her I’d take her up for a short swim, which was fun for both of us and she was very big about leaving when it was time (after looking in vain for Cassie). For dinner the kids got pizza and after they were asleep Erin and I did Chinese delivery and watched the final episode of Lost.

Morgan's Wonderland

Thursday was Morgan’s Wonderland, a theme park dedicated to special needs children. It is only open from 10 am to 2 pm, so we were urged to be on time. Of course, we got a late start, and received a phone call from the local Make a Wish representative letting us know (belatedly) that Ian is the first Make A Wish child to Morgan’s Wonderland, that the founder and director would be meeting us there, as well as the media. Of course we had worn our Make a Wish T-shirts the day before at Sea World, where they got really dirty (Ian’s especially), so we weren’t in our T-shirts. Sure enough, upon arrival, we were greeted by six camera crews wanting interviews (including Univision). Erin did it for most of them, although in getting our wrist bands Anya’s had been inadvertently stuck to her arm hairs and she was hysterical. So Erin gave the interviews with Anya crying on her shoulder. I gave one interview to a guy who showed up late, and then we rode our first ride—the carousel. Ian was pretty indifferent, which was too bad as the crews were filming us and probably wanted some emotion from him. We played in the gym, rode the offroad cars, played at the accessible playground, rode the train around the park, ate lunch, and played briefly in the sensory village and by then it was closing.

Ian did enjoy much of the experience. There were big swings, a gym where he could run around and kick and chase a ball and he liked the bumper car ride, despite his appearance in the picture. It was, of course, quite warm and they had fans which blew mist down on us. Anya delighted in getting drenched (while running and squealing, of course) and then giving us enthusiastic bear hugs.

The following excerpt from a note thanking them helps sum up how I felt about the park:
Raising Ian is raising a child with differences. These differences are not bad, they are just different. They do, however, make it difficult for him and for us as a family to fully participate in many family activities and experiences. Our visit to your park was a truly amazing experience! To visit a place where Ian was like everyone else was such a breath of fresh air. The way so much of the world is set up accentuates disabilities, while Morgan’s Wonderland builds on abilities and commonalities. Hurdles that most people don’t realize exist had been carefully and thoughtfully planned around in the creation of your wonderful gift. The freedom of playing and running and enjoying rides without worrying about his safety or of him being in the way of others, unaware of his disabilities, was remarkable. To know that we were in a place where everyone understood, appreciated, and accepted what it is like to be a family of a special needs child – a place where all children are welcome and comfortable – was truly touching. We love Morgan’s Wonderland, the inspiration behind it, the love in creating it, and the fun that is accessible to all!

Then we headed back to the hotel for a quick nap and then I insisted that we all go up to the rooftop pool. That was also a highlight of the trip—both kids loved swimming in the pool. It was very pleasant and offered a great view of San Antonio. Anya made a friend of a girl named Cassie (and subsequently looked for her when we returned to the pool days later) and I filmed a bit. We then showered off and did a riverboat tour, which was a blast—again, both kids really enjoyed it and Anya actually listened to the tour guide telling about the history of the river and of San Antonio (she also caught the guide talking about water moccasins and was a bit freaked out). We then had dinner at The County Line BBQ, which sounded good but tasted terrible—the most expensive and awful meal we had. I got ribs, which were tough and fatty and I disliked the BBQ sauce. Erin was not feeling well and got vegetable kabobs that she didn’t like, and the kids got chicken that they refused to eat. I cannot emphasize enough how awful the meal was! UGH! And again it was very late by the time we got the kids to bed.