Make-A-Wish - Disney World

Last month, Isaiah was granted his Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World in Florida.  We feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to create such a special memory with the kids.  Before we left, some very special volunteers from Make-A-Wish visited our home to present Isaiah with his Make-A-Wish box.  Inside was an all expense paid vacation to Disney World....AMAZING!

Flights were provided by West-Jet.  We were given such special treatment.  The pilots took the boys to the front of the plane and let them explore the cockpit.  They even announced us over the intercom.  It was pretty cool.  

Flying with four kids went better than expected.  The kids did very well and survived our crazy travel day that started at 2am leaving for the airport and ending around 10pm Vancouver time when we finally arrived at Give Kids the World.  

Our villa at Give Kids the World

Give Kids the World is a non-profit resort that provides cost-free vacations to families who have children with life-threatening illnesses.  It is mostly volunteer run and everything we needed was on site.  The resort was amazing.  Every night there was a party.  All the parties had a theme.  One of our favourites was the Christmas party.

There was also an ice cream shop on site that had unlimited ice cream any time of day.  Adam had a banana split after breakfast one morning.  

The first part of our trip was a bit of a bummer.  Adam had a bad fever.  Because we only had five days to spend in Florida, we were really trying to maximize our time so we decided to try visiting the theme parks anyways.  When Adam started begging to leave Universal Studios, we knew he must have felt very ill.  

That night, we decided to take him to the hospital.  Turned out he had an ear infection and bronchitis. 

So the first two days were a write-off but after spending a day at the resort swimming, resting and letting the antibiotics kick in, we were able to enjoy the rest of our time.  

Hello Disney World!

Disney World was amazing, but I say that now in the quiet of my home while my children sleep.  Crazy crowded Disney World with four kids, in the heat of Florida???!!!   Exhausting?  Yes.  I felt like a sheepherder, keeping everyone in site and tending to the constant needs of a baby and toddler.  David and I did a lot of tag-teaming and it went as best as it could have gone.  It did help that we were give a Genie pass so we didn't have to wait in any lines.  Some of the lines were 2 hours long!!!!  I would have never survived.  The Genie pass was really what made the trip.  Even the Disney characters would come up to us because one of the kids was wearing the pass.

The boys were our little thrill seekers.  Adam and Isaiah loved the roller coasters.  Isaiah's favourite ride was a roller coaster that took him upside down and Adam loved the Tower of Terror....of course.  I love Adam's wild side.  He's so fearless.  

And Victoria, since visiting Magic Kingdom has a new obsession with princesses....which I love!!!  I grew up with three brothers and have three boys so I am so excited that my little girl is such a girly girl.  Since coming home, she wears her Disney princess dress through the house every day.  

   

First day of school

School is back!  Isaiah is in grade two this year and Adam started kindergarten!  Adam absolutely loved preschool and has been anticipating his kindergarten year with excitement.  Adam has amazed me these last few months.  He has such a sharp mind and is so efficient.  Every morning so far, he makes sure his water bottle is in his back pack.  Upon arrival to school, he is quick to put his backpack on the hook and change into his inside shoes before sitting on the carpet.  He comes home singing the French songs he learned that day.  He tells me he LOVES school.  He said "Mom, the teacher even took us to the bookstore and paid for all of the books!"  Haha I love him.  I feel really happy that Adam is so enthusiastic about school because Isaiah's kindergarten year was really tough.  Maybe it was partly because Isaiah was sick but I also think that every child is so different in personality and maybe Isaiah wasn't quite ready for school.  This year however, Isaiah is very happy to be back.  He was especially excited to go to school this morning because he said some of the kids would be trading Pokemon cards at recess time.  Haha, oh the fads!  I wonder what he'll be into next year, or next month?
 It already feels strange with only two around the home after having all summer with all of them.  I'm really enjoying my time with Victoria and Levi.  It's especially nice to have more time with Victoria one-on-one.

She is growing up so quickly.  She is really into playdoh at the moment.  She rarely wants to play alone but playdoh seems to be a hit.  I took her to Strong Start on Monday and she is really coming out of her shell.  She loved singing songs and dancing with the other children.  I'm so excited to create special memories with her this year.

Levi just popped out his first tooth and is army crawling all over the place.  He is very fast.  I'm sure he'll be crawling on all fours in no time.  He is full of smiles all the time and has been a dream baby.

Loving my time as a stay at home mom!  Although I am incredibly exhausted at the end of the day, I try to remind myself how quickly time passes and I know one day I will long for the time my little ones were all around me.  I am so thankful God has blessed me with these special gifts.

Welcome Baby Levi

On February 18th, we welcomed our newest baby Burke.

He is beautiful and we are so thankful for him.

Baby's birthday

Levi Samuel 
8 lbs 12 oz

The proud siblings

Cousins

Home again

Things have been very busy around the Burke household which is why I haven't posted on my blog since October.  I finished my last day of work on Wednesday and it feels so good to finally be home again with the kids.  I have missed them so much.  Adam had a little countdown going as I approached my last day of work and has been cuddling me and the "babe" constantly.

He is very excited to welcome another baby into the home.  He will often draw pictures for the baby and talks to the baby daily.  It's very sweet.

Below are some recent photos.

Happy Halloween!

VAD is out!

A few weeks ago, Isaiah had his VAD removed.  What a great day!  Now that surgery is done, it really feels like this battle is finally over...and won.  Thinking back over three years ago with so many unknowns and fears, we are so grateful to have Isaiah here with us today, healthy and happy.

Before surgery

After surgery

Isaiah's VAD or as he liked to call it, his "rock" or "button".  

Exciting news!

Before I share some exciting news at the end of my post, I wanted to share some recent pictures of the kids.  We've had a great summer and I can't believe it's almost over!

Look at that smile!

Feeding the ducks at Deer Lake

Playing "army"

Hugs!

Adam learned how to ride a bike this summer and how to swim.

Harvesting our carrots

...................and for the exciting news for those who don't know yet...

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I'm pregnant!

We're expecting baby Burke #4 on February 23rd.  We're very excited and so are the kids.  Adam and Isaiah often talk to my tummy.  They are constantly asking when the baby is coming.  When I ask Victoria where the baby is, she pats her tummy.  It's so cute!