eSpecially Ben

As if the Disney World vacation was not enough, the Kyle Busch Foundation gave Charlotte area Grin Kids' families tickets to the Dollar General 300 Race . Although Ryan had been twice to a race, the rest of our family were newbies. Ben loved the excitement and the noise, but eventually he was too excited to even sit. Ryan took him for a bite to eat and a stroll around the speedway while I stayed with the other boys who were mesmerized by the ecperience. When we caught up with eachother - I noticed Ryan taking money out of Ben's pockets. To my amazement, Ryan told me that two different and random people gave Ben money - totalling $25. Although we laughed, I am not sure how either one of us felt about it. A discussion for another day. We had a great time - it was truly an experience and I was glad to see what it was like. The noise was overwhelming, even with ear plugs. Unlike other sporting events, there's little cheering or yelling since nothing can be heard above

Photo credit goes to Angus Lamond , the photographer on the Ace & TJ's Grin Kids Trip 2011 .

Ben was accepted by the Ace & TJ's Grin Kids program this year to visit Disney World. Ben has graciously asked the rest of his family to chaperon him. Woohoo! We are going to see Mickey! If you just started reading eSpecially Ben, please go back and read about our history with Ace & TJ. July 2010 Ocotber 2010 March 2011 We will keep you updated on our Disney plans. So far the kids have watched the Disney Vacation DVD no less that 15 times. To say they are excited would be an understatement. Ryan has plans to have us at the gates at 7am each morning with itinerary ready (I am not making this up). For Ben, he is not going to know what hit him! Check out the Grin Kids Website - your family may qualify to participate in the program. And if you just want to support the organization, Grin Kids fund raises throughout the year for this program. If you are interested in seeing how you can donate or volunteer , there are resources here .

Nine months ago, Ben had a brush with fame and we had nothing but our story to prove it. Now the photo has surfaced. Here's Ben with Ace & TJ from the Ace & TJ Radio Show . Their work with Grin Kids is admirable - check it out when you have a moment.

During the summer I wrote about applying to a special program called Grin Kids , an organization that raises money to send chronically disabled and terminally ill children and their families to Disney World . I have been waiting for a photo to go with this post, but seems like the photo is lost so here it is sans photo. On July 30, Ben's 7th Birthday, we were on our family vacation at Atlantic Beach, NC. Ryan had heard in Charlotte that Ace & TJ , the radio talk show hosts, who started Grin Kids, would be in Atlantic Beach sometime this summer. Ryan thought we had missed the weekend, but in listening to the local station I realized that we were exactly on time. Let me digress for a moment about my star struck husband. Ryan recently came home so excited about meeting Muggsy Bogues at the gas station. Muggsy was a well known NBA player for the Charlotte Hornets during their hay day in the late 1980's and early 1990's. He was most known for his height - 5'3"

Last October, I applied for Ben to be accepted to the Grin Kids Disney World trip, sponsored by Grin Kids, a non-profit organization, coordinated through Ace & TJ , a morning radio show in Charlotte. The organization’s name comes from the hosts’ favorite saying, “You Grin, You’re In.” Since 2000, Grin Kids has raised money each year to fund the children and their families who are accepted to go to Disney World. Their fund raising events include a "2nd Chance Prom", golf tournament, raffles and other events throughout the year. Ace is a member of the band, Charity Case, and all their profits go to the Grin Kids organization. The children who are selected are terminally ill or are chronically handicapped and are between the ages of 5 and 12 years old. If you have the time, take a look at the websites for Grin Kids and the band, Charity Case. Both sites tell stories about amazing human beings who have taken on this mission in life to help children and families take a