Jennifer Watson said she and her husband, Eric, could spend the rest of eternity saying "thank you" without stopping, yet they still wouldn't be anywhere near expressing their gratitude.

Watson's son, Hunter, was one of the 12 children selected by Bert's Big Adventures to go on an "adventure of a lifetime" to Walt Disney World in Orlando.

Bert's Big Adventures is a nonprofit organization that allows children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families to be treated like VIPs and experience the magic of Disney World for five days.

Hunter is 12 years old and is in the third grade at Silver City Elementary School in Cumming. He has cerebral palsy and Dandy Walker malformation, a congenital condition that affects the formation of the brain.

Watson said she was pregnant with twins when she got sick. The boys were born prematurely; their combined weight was less than 3 pounds.

"They didn't give them any chance to live," Watson said.
Hunter's brother lived only three days. Hunter spent the next year in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit. Watson said every day was "touch and go."

"God just blessed us with another minute, another hour, another breath," Watson said.

Watson calls Hunter a miracle who has blessed their family's lives, saying he made her realize that life is precious and there isn't a moment that passes that shouldn't be appreciated.

"He is so bright and so emotionally there. He is so amazing," Watson said.

Watson said the trip to Disney World gave her family the first moment of freedom in 13 years.

The news they were accepted to go on the trip came just days after a "family catastrophe."

Watson said she felt like Humpty Dumpty after falling off the wall. But being able to spend time and have fun with her children and husband has given her so much to be thankful for, she said tearfully.

"They were able not only to put us back together and put us back on our feet and not just get us walking but running and dreaming," Watson said.

The vacation has given her family memories that they needed to have, she said. But her favorite part was seeing the smiles on the faces of her children.

"Just to see them smile, to know that the weight of the world is truly on their shoulders and they turn around and those beautiful smiles and with those bright eyes, they look up and that is a vision that is burned in my mind forever," Watson said, her voice cracking.

Hunter is nonverbal, but Watson said he let everyone know how much fun he had at Disney World.

She said the most magical moment was when Hunter grabbed Mickey and Minnie Mouse's hands, something he doesn't even do to his parents.

"I felt like a volcano erupting with joy, because I got to see that side I've always dreamed of," Watson said.

Her other two children, 9-year-old Zeke and 4-year-old Mary Beth, also had a great time. Zeke said he most enjoyed riding the Space Mountain roller coaster because he liked going upside-down.

Mary Beth said her favorite part was the water ride and dressing up like a mermaid at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

"I wanted to stay there," Mary Beth said.

Watson said she wanted to express her gratitude to everyone who made her happy memories possible, from Bert and Stacy Weiss, the organization's leaders, down to the people who cleaned the hotel room where they stayed.

"It was just so much to see them smile. Knowing that in that moment that all is right in their world. There wasn't one worry, just blissful joy and peace."