I have forever been changed by this unforgettable week.
Day 1 - Travel to DC
Upon our arrival at the airport in Orlando we were immediately welcomed by Gary and Carrie from Delta. We were treated like VIPs being escorted around the airport which was so cool. Delta treated Emma and Brandon with 'Team Delta' backpacks and a special surprise once we boarded the plane. The kids got to sit in the pilot seat and wore official hats. I was a little nervous having Brandon sit in the seat that controls everything, literally everything but was assured that all was fine. During our flight the crew made multiple announcements about Emma being on board which was a bit overwhelming having all of the passengers cheering for our girl.
We had a short layover in Atlanta with the Delta VIP treatment once again. We had 3 other Miracle Champions on our flight from Atlanta to DC and it was nice putting faces to the names we had already heard about. When we arrived in DC what an amazing welcome. The Delta staff was hooting and hollering like we were some sort of rock stars. Cameras everywhere and I must admit, I did start to tear up a bit at the amazing response to our arrival. We then boarded a bus with other Champions for the ride to the JW Marriott. Shortly after our arrival we had a brief welcoming reception and started meeting some of the other Miracle Champions - we were like big happy family just sitting around chatting about everything under the sun.
Once we finished with our reception we made our way to the pool for a little fun time. Brandon made friends with another Miracle Champion, BJ from Indiana. It truly warmed my heart seeing Brandon and BJ together. I truly hope we are able to stay friends for many many years to come.
Day 2 - Capitol Hill and Sightseeing
We started the morning with a breakfast welcome for all of the Miracle Champions. To top off the breakfast Mark Wills sang his song 'Don't Laugh at Me'. Talk about a waterfall of tears during that song. To be sitting in a room full of beautiful Miracles and hearing that song was amazing. I don't think you could find a dry eye in the house. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UeFVCcb2HQ
After the monuments we went back to the hotel for a little break and then attended a closed event at the National Air and Space Museum. What a treat to have the museum all to ourselves. It was so fun to see all the Champions running every which way to see one exhibit or another.
Day 3 - DC Free Day
DC free day - woohoo. We took the kids to the Natural Science Museum and had a blast. We saw all sorts of structured dinosaur bones of every shape and kind. Jewels and gems dating back hundreds of years, including the Hope Diamond which Brandon is going to buy for me one day.
Day 4 - White House and Travel to Orlando
This was the day the kids had been looking forward to all week. A visit to the White House and it was better than I ever expected. We had pretty much full reign of the House. Kids were taking photos in every nook and cranny they could find. To see these amazing and beautiful rooms that are only see in photos was breathtaking.
The last stop of our WH tour brought us to the East Room where we patiently waited for our meet and greet with the President. But first, we had a visit from a 4-legged resident, Bo the Obama family dog. The kids went crazy when Bo came in to the room for photos with the Champions. After Bo's exit in came President Obama himself. Before his entrance the kids were so quiet just staring at the door waiting for it to be opened and as soon as the President entered everyone was cheering a clapping for our country's leader. President Obama made sure to high five each and every child in the room. Brandon even made his way in for a sneak hug - guess he can get away with it since he is a little guy.
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| Emma with her friend Jayla, the Missouri Champion |
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| Emma and Brandon with Seth, the South Carolina Champion |
When we landed in Orlando we had another water cannon salute and a roaring welcome from the Delta crew. We then boarded buses to Disney for the final few days of our trip.
Upon arrival to Disney we again had an incredible welcoming by staff and guest. Rebekah from the Greater Orlando CMNH was there to welcome us home along with a special friend and former GOCMNH'er, Amy. I was so surprised to see Amy and was of course in tear watching Emma run and jump into her arms.
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| The kids with Rebekah and Amy |
Day 5 - Disney Free Day
Who loves visiting the happy place on earth - WE DO!!!! We started our day by having breakfast with our GOCMNH girls, Layne, Brittany and Rebekah. It was so nice seeing our team.  |
| Layne, Brittany and Rebekah with Emma |
What a fun day being at Disney with all of the Champions. Even though we are frequent visitors to Disney it was awesome to see the children who were first timers to the park.
During our day there were 2 parades in which the Champions were able to participate in the fun. The Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! parade was our favorite Brandon and BJ were playing pirates with their new swords and then everyone was dancing in the street. Emma had a blast shaking it in her tutu and didn't want the fun to end. She pretty much danced her way around the park the rest of the day.
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| Brandon and BJ playing pirates |
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| Emma with Champions Olivia from Connecticut and Emilie from Wyoming |
Day 6 - Pin Exchange and Medal Ceremony
We almost wanted to stay in bed to make sure we weren't dreaming about the amazing week we had. So sad to think that it was coming to an end in just a few hours. We mustered up the nerve to get out of bed and head to breakfast with all of the Champions and prepare for the Pin Exchange with the CMNH sponsors and supporters.
The Pin Exchange was insane - we were paraded into the room with Emma carrying a sign that had her name and state. When I saw the room was busting at the seams with people I'm serious. The roaring of the crowd of sponsors and supporters was unreal. Walking by all of these people screaming and cheering for our Miracles was incredible.
Each Champion had their signature on a stamp and tables in which the sponsors would come by and exchange a pin for a signature. Emma was loving all the pins and meeting so many people who support CMNH. Brandon even got in on the fun by signing books as well. We started calling him Emma's manager. We met so many wonderful supporters from Wal-Mart, Ace Hardware, Dairy Queen, Chico's FAS, etc. We also met John Bozard, President and CEO of Arnold Palmer Hospital as well as the MIX 105.1 crew which will be the new station covering Radio-thon, woot woot.
After the Pin Exchange we settled for a little down time at the pool before the big closing event for the week.
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| The family with John Bozard of APH |
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| Rebekah and Layne with Emma |
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| Champions with John Schneider and Steve Young |
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| Emma with the MIX 105.1 crew |
On to our final Champions dinner and the Medal Ceremony. Everyone was so excited and a little bit sad that our week of travel and fun was coming to an end but the party was just about to get started. We had special guest visitors, the Disney characters who came to take pictures with the kids. We also had a brief moment to meet the event host, Nick Cannon and singer Jordin Sparks. After dinner we were pulled away for a group photo with Nick Cannon and his newly formed dance crew called 4Count. The dancers were so great with the kids. Emma gave them all one of her coins and they thought it was the neatest thing ever - she's an official Twitter post on their page now too ;o)
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| Emma and Nick Cannon |
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| Emma and Jordin Sparks - go figure one photo shot and she has her eyes closed ;o) |
After photos and chatting with the stars it was time for our walk to the Medal Ceremony and oh my gosh the cheering and screams were out of this world. I was so proud to see Emma and all of the kids walk across the stage to receive their Champion medals. So many of the Champions have no idea what impact they have had not only on their families but on complete strangers as well.
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| Emma with the CMNH staff covering Florida |
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| Emma with John Lauck of CMNH |
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| Brandon and his buddy BJ |
Day 7 - We were a little sad waking up on Saturday knowing that our amazing adventure was officially over. To make so many amazing new friends that will last a lifetime was a true blessing and I am forever grateful for this experience.
To top off the end of our week we treated Brandon to a day at Disney doing all things he wanted to do.
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| My little pirate - arrrgggg |
Now, it's back to reality.
Until we meet again CMNH Champions 2012 - We love you!!!!
Heart Hugs
Shannon (Emma's Mom)
