Ready!

We're all signed up and we're ready to go! We're heading to the Seeing Eye tomorrow morning for a tour of the facility with Ray K. then a visit in the afternoon with Daddy and Otis! We're so very excitied we miss Daddy so much and we can not wait to see him and meet Otis!

Miss you Daddy! See you soon!

One week down, three to go...

The first week at the guide dog school is winding down. Mike sounds fabulous. Still in love with Otis, he tells me what a good boy Otis is. He's tells me all about their adventures and sometimes, misadventures and there is just so much spark and happiness in his voice. I am thrilled for him!

This weekend, Camille and I are staying home. I plan to take her shopping for the back-to-school items on her list. First grade has a much longer supply list than kindergarten! It's supposed to be a hot weekend, so we might just get the sprinkler out too.

Next weekend, we're going to visit Mike at the Seeing Eye. As luck would have it, they are having a special Saturday tour, so Camille and I will get a chance to see the facility before we visit with Daddy... very exciting!

Matched!

Mike was matched with his Seeing Eye dog on Monday. He is a yellow labrador retriever named "Otis". Mike said he's so blonde, he's almost white! While I don't have a photo of the actual "Otis" to post, we think Mike's new dog might look something like this...

According to Mike, he's having a terrific time and the training is going very well! We love you and we miss you! Good luck Mike and "Otis"!!!

Mike has been at the Seeing Eye since Saturday. Since we've been on vaction, today is my first "real" day as a single parent. It is also "matching day" at the Seeing Eye... Mike will meet his new dog today, sometime after lunch. I probably won't post much information about the dog. (I expect to hear from Mike tomorrow evening with the details.)

Mike has not had an easy time adjusting, and I am worried that he's longing to come home, despite the fact that he's really only just arrived. Yesterday, his mood was a little better, but not much.

So far, Camille and I are doing okay without dad. We arrived home kind of late from the Outer Banks last night. Camille will start summer camp today. I am sure she'll have a great time.

These are the days you were not supposed to have...

When we brought this fragile little home, 5 years ago, she weighed 13 pounds at 11 months of age. She had rickets and MRSA infection that could have killed her...

2005

2010Today she is a happy, healthy kid. She'll be 6 years old next month. She is the light of our lives... we could not be more grateful to God for this gift. Amen.

Catholic Fun with Lego(R)

The Lego(R) Confessional

St. Nicholas Cathedral in Lego(R)

On Being "Normal"

I was talking to a friend the other day who was a bit frazzled. She was going on and on about her husband and 2 kids and her job and about how busy everyone was with school and sports and activities. I laughed and said "Well, that sounds 'normal' to me!" she gave me a horrifed look and began to apologize. "Oh my..." she said. "I am so sorry! You're right... it is normal. And I don't mean to complain to you."

It didn't occur to me until later on in the day where she was going with her statement. She was implying that, with her employed, able-bodied husband and two bright, able-bodied and very busy kids, she had a "normal life" compared to me... blind husband, and 2 kids, one hearing impaired, the other visually impaired. But the truth is, our life is normal too. It's just a different kind of normal. Our normal may not include an over-packed schedule of soccer games, t-ball and swim meets, and it does include checking hearing aids and making sure everyone has his white canes, but to us, that's just "normal".