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Jeremy and I had talked about this wonderful organization for quite some time, it’s pretty common in the cystic fibrosis community to see our friends’ kids’ wishes granted from Make A Wish Foundation.  We waited until we thought Asher was an age when he could pick something that would be meaningful to him.  We had generically asked Asher, “if you could do anything or go anywhere where would you go?”  He said, “I would go to Hawaii to learn how to surf.  Or, I would go to Antarctica to see real life polar bears.  Or, I would go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower.”

I called the Foundation to inquire about the process, and to ask some questions about the application.  After this sweet lady talked to me for 40 minutes, she said, “ok, we’ll let you know”.  I had no idea I had just completed the application.  As soon as I hung up the phone the emotions were overwhelming:  The painful devastation that Asher even qualifies for a wish to be granted was heartbreaking; The struggle with feeling like it was too soon for him to be hit with this reality; The weight of the conversation we would need to have explaining in more detail what he has and why he qualifies; And, he had already been expressing some real hatred about having to live with cf, I was worried about this starting a tailspin of emotions that would make coping and persevering for him even harder.

A couple of months later, we got the call that Asher’s Wish had been granted, and that two ladies from the Foundation would be coming to our house to interview Asher.  So many tears and anxiety… and excitement for our boy.

Jeremy and I took a week to process how we were going to present all of this to Asher.  A couple of days before the ladies came out, we sat down to talk with Asher.  Jeremy explained the mission behind the Make A Wish Foundation.  He explained how they seek to grant wishes to kids who have extra challenges in their lives, and how they were created to bring encouragement and joy to these special kids.  Jeremy said, “….and, they picked you, Buddy.”  Asher started cheering and crying.  His sweet emotions overwhelmed us.  Then he said, “well, let’s go tell them.  Can we go now?!”  He thought he had been selected by the Foundation to go and tell these special kids that they get to have their wish granted.  It was one of the most tender and heart-wrenching moments that Jeremy and I will never forget.  We love him so much.

We’re so thankful for these two sweet ladies, Bev and Patty, who held our hand through all of the stages, and made each one of them so special.  First they came to our home and brought pizza, gifts for the boys, and interviewed Asher about his wish.  After Bev was finished she said to us, “Well, he definitely wants to go to Hawaii!”

We waited a few months while the Foundation figured out the details of Asher’s trip.  All the while, Asher thought that the Foundation was still deciding whether or not he would get his wish.  So, when Bev and Patty came back out to reveal that his wish was granted, he was overwhelmed with excitement and tears.  It was another memory we will cherish.

A couple of weeks later, before we were leaving for Hawaii, they gifted us with free passes to one of the boys’ favorite museums, hooked Asher up with a sweet snorkel set, and gave us all of our travel information.

The excitement in our home, and the Hawaii talk was on repeat mode.  It was all anyone could talk or think about.

The day finally came, and by the grace of God, it was incredibly early in the morning…because I’m not sure the boys could have handled another day of anticipation :).

At 5:00 am a SUV Limo picked us up at our home to bring us to the airport.  God blessed us with the most beautiful sunrise that morning!

The Foundation organized it so that we could board early and visit the pilot and the cockpit.  The boys thought that was the coolest!

The boys did so great on the 6 hour plane ride!  So thankful for technology and snacks :).

We were greeted at the airport and the hotel with fresh beautiful leis!

Our first lunch in Hawaii, while we waited for our room!

Our first sunset on the beach!

I have to make mention of this, because it was an unexpected blessing for all of us…and one of the greatest components of our trip.  We had full access to the Lanai Club.  We had gourmet breakfasts and dinners and pretty much any food or drink need we had available to us on the 30th floor of our resort.  It. Was. Remarkable.  Our days are so full of treatments and medical needs, that it was the biggest blessing for us to just hop in an elevator and travel up a few floors to eat.  We didn’t need to find or coordinate travel time to restaurants, and work around treatments.  It was the most thoughtful gift to us, and made for Asher’s wish to be all the more relaxing.  On top of the very practical blessing it was to our family, we got to soak in this view several times a day!  Amazing!

So, every night while we had dinner it became tradition that we would sit and play Goldfish with the boys.  Beck was so proud that he could play a card game with us :).

We got to spend the day at the SeaLife Aquarium!  We thought we were going to just enjoy the park, but when we arrived they offered us an incredible deal to be able to swim with the dolphins.  Asher lost his mind.  We had to.

Asher really loved this dolphin.  He was down front for the entire show, and then stayed after to get some alone time :).

They reserved us seats at the Chef’s Luau!  This was such a fun night of games, and great food and entertainment!  We all had so much fun!

Beautiful spot off the side of the road.

They let us go to see the beautiful Kualoa Ranch!  We got to go on a tour of the Ranch and see where parts of Jurassic Park, LOST, and several other movies were filmed.

We barely made it out!!! 🙂

Couple of trips to the beach!

Asher’s wish comes true!  Learning to surf in Hawaii!!!  Two added blessings: They gave surfing lessons for Jeremy too, so he was able to share in the experience with Asher; and, they hired a surfer photographer with a GoPro to capture everything for us!  Unbelievable!

Asher was really proud of this moment, and so was his instructor and photographer! He was riding a wave and noticed that another surfer was approaching, so he stirred to miss her, then stood up and rode out his wave.  He was a total natural!

We walked 3 miles to Hidden Beach.  It was the biggest adventure we made the whole week.  We were all so tired and hungry, and so happy we did it :).

LOL.

Random awesome memories…

We’re so thankful for the Make A Wish Foundation, and everyone who donated to making Asher’s wish come true!!!!

We love you so much, Asher!