BLISS

Claudia and I had an amazing two weeks in Georgia.  

I can say it was worth the wait.  

We turned her application in to Canine Assistants during the Spring of 2010.

Shortly after the PBS special "Through a Dog's Eyes" aired.  

We expected to work hard and experience some ups and downs along the way but I can really say the whole experience was fantastic.  

Apart from the super dog that we were blessed to bring home, I enjoyed my time reconnecting with my sweet eleven year old.  She was beyond excited and really was a pleasure to be with during the camp.  

The camp started out, Sunday night with a meet and greet at the hotel.  A wonderful woman, Theresa, picked us up at the airport and stayed with us through supper.  She even brought along a mascot dog for us to love on.  Theresa would be our chauffeur, guide, supporter, source of humor, and story teller for the next two weeks.  

At the meet and greet there were about six other recipients (another family from Arizona, one from Florida, one from Pennsylvania, one from Michigan, and two local families).  We were all a little shy and reserved at first but by the end of the first day we were becoming fast friends.  No two recipients were exactly alike and each had a unique need for a dog.

Monday at camp was super exciting.  All eight of the recipients were there in addition to three facility placement teams.  The room was abuzz.  Along the back wall were fourteen dogs.  There were black, red, yellow, and white dogs with short, long, and curly fur.  Some of the dogs were barking, and some were sleeping.  That first morning we had a little introduction, lunch and shortly after started the matching process.  

In order to make the match, we completed personality questionnaires and discussed what we would like to have in the partnership with our dogs.  Claudia was quick to say that she wanted a dog to pick-up things, open doors and switch the lights.  I added that I was a little worried about the allergies and that we lived in Arizona where it is very hot in the summer.

Claudia was the second person to be called into the matching room.  My stomach was all in knots and I know Claudia was super excited because her muscle tone was higher than usual.  Shortly after we say down in the room comes bounding in "Bliss".

Bliss was happy from the moment we met her.  She was wagging her tail and went straight for Claudia.  

 All of the above photos are from that FIRST meeting.  Courtesy of David Scott.

The one time you are not going to have TWINS!

In a few very short days Claudia and I will be traveling to Georgia to train with a service dog for two weeks.  If all goes well we will be coming home with a new member to our family.
Yes, I said "A" member not two, not twins, just one dog.
We are excited beyond measure for this adventure and chance to help Claudia try a new platform of independence.  She has been counting down the days since (hmmm) day 347.
I don't mention this all without the thought of her dear sister Eloise.  She herself loves dogs and even attended a summer camp about training service dogs.  I dare say she may have found a calling.
And this is always my conundrum with twins.  When there is a super happy moment for one often times that means that another twin is feeling a little left out or sad.
So Matt and I often have to be creative with our response or at the very least inclusive in our celebrations.  With that in mind we elected to have Eloise fly out to Georgia to be a part of this process.

Happy Halloween 2015

Puppy sitting

A local organization called Power Paws had their A/C break over the long Labor Day weekend.  We were going to be around and didn't have much to do so we volunteered to keep a dog or two.  Little did we know we would be lucky enough to host Nora the mother of two sweet pups.  It was a wonderful experience for (I think) all!  

Back-to-School

 Ms. Dracup and Julianne

 Ms. Monaco with Claudia

 Ms. Ackerman with Eloise

Ms. Weitz with Vincent

Year of the Pontoon Boat

Some highlights from our summer trip to Wisconsin.  Having almost completed four summers here in the desert, we really appreciate the chance to get out of the heat and into the lush green landscape of Wisconsin.

This year we were able to spend every day on the water in Grandpa John's pontoon boat.  The kids had a blast catching fish, swimming, tubing, playing games, and doing art.  

Both of Matt's brothers were there too, so the kids had some great cousin time too.  

Nebraska 2015

Time catches up to me when I go back "home".  This year that I have been away from Nebraska as long as it was my home.  The little town of Columbus has grown so much.  The structures are different, the trees have all grown and new people call it home.

Well, some things have not changed.  My parents live in the same neighborhood.  They still sell the best sweet corn in the world.  The cottonwood trees make it snow in summer and the mulberries are ripe for turning your fingers purple.

Best of all, my family lives there and were able to be together in one place!  

The Davidson/Rank/Klamklay Family

Staying and playing with the Hazzard/Lehr Family.  It has become a wonderful tradition!!  I promise to share my crayons with you, Bemis.. I mean Randa.

Mulberries...

"I rode a pony at Mahoney"

Enjoying the water park at Mahoney State Park.

Gracie girl and Claudia

Visiting with the Visty/Hilson Family.  Erin had to put up with Matt and I when we were first dating!  She was a great college roommate and we still have a great time together.

Happy Fourth of July!

Summer camps

Eloise was the first to go to Y camp this summer with a friend Erica.  Eloise has been singing since camp... "My name is Joe, and I work in a button factory"  We'll try not to mention the photo that we were able to view of Eloise holding some boy's hand.. "it was just a game, Mom".

Here we are dropping Claudia off at Lions Camp in Pinetop.  She made some good friends and pulled some very silly pranks!! 

Of course it is good to have your big sister home again!  

Daddies

 Daddy, thanks for letting me play doctor and fix your hurts.

Dad, thank you for taking us on new adventures.

Thank you for learning from the best.  We love our Papa John..

and Grandpa John.

Thank you Daddy for teaching me to take life lightly with lots of laughs.

Thank you for loving me unconditionally.

The sacrifices that you make for us do not go unnoticed.

Nothing better than having fun together with you!

At the end of the day we know your arms will be there for us!  We love you King Daddo. 

California Road Trip

We set out over Memorial Day weekend/week to conquer a good portion of California.  Here are some highlights:

A day at Disneyland

Some time in Yosemite

Brian and Matt in San Francisco

Lots of scenic driving

A little beach time

Some time with Brett and family

Being Authentic

Assignment:

 to study and write about a famous person.  

It could be anyone from Annie Oakley to Coco Chanel to Barack Obama, or even a famous foreign character like Marie Antoinette or Michelangelo.  All were fair game.

I encouraged the girls to pick an artist or more recent athlete.  

They each had their own plan and idea about who they wanted to be... so allow me to introduce you 

to Coretta Scott King...

and Harriet Tubman..

Both very brave and courageous in frightening and unjust circumstances!  Good choices for both of them.  One of the best lessons from fifth grade, be authentic and pursue what you believe! 

Happy Birthday to my dear Vinny and Julie!

Vincent, you have brought joy into this world from day one!  We use the term "intense" to describe you.  You play hard and love dearly.  You know long division but still enjoy your Hot Wheel cars.  This year you did your first science fair project and studied ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. You are a veracious reader and enjoy school.  This year we have witnessed you become a better friend and learn how to manage life's frustrations with more ease.  You are awesome!

Julianne, you my spunky dear, bring so much happiness into our lives.  You have shown us how much you are capable of in school this year.  You are generous, kind and very loving.  Always the first to bed and the first one out of bed, you do not miss much.  You tend to be cautious but are willing to try new adventures.  For example, you gave yourself two haircuts this year.  Also this year you hiked up Tom's Thumb and lead the whole way down without a break.    You are amazing!

Twin Beds

We have the sweetest neighbors living across the street.  They are two young ladies who have lived through a set of husbands, several jobs, multiple pets and several states.  Recently we were visiting their house and peeked into the bedroom.  I saw the sweetest twin beds covered in sunny yellow bedspreads.  These two ladies happen to be twin sisters and in their older years have found the comfort in living once again together.  It warms my heart to see these two living in such harmony!  

Who knows if my kids will ever choose to live together but I do hope that they can find comfort in each other for many years to come.