So, I thought yesterday was WOW, but TODAY....WOW!

Today has been a TRIP! All you 80's people know what that means! The morning went well. Hannah got up and wanted to go to Koolio school so we loaded us all up and went even though she wasn't needed for training this morning. Jeremy went around the room letting us take turns telling about our first night and any problems we encountered. We worked on sit and then learned the down comand. Hannah started having a meltdown in the middle of the training floor and Koolio jumped and went to her immediately. It caught me offguard and I went to pull him back before I realized, "uh, he's supposed to go to her". When she is around he watches her and is quite aware she's there. It's quite amazing.

So, we decide to take the dogs out to the bathroom and well, Koolio pooed(he poos BIG) and David was trying to get the shovel to scoop it up when one of the other dogs got loose from their handler and another started chasing her and Koolio got away from me and started chasing that dog. Here were these three dogs running lickety split around the yard. The funniest part however is that I had bought one of those fancy poo bag holders that clips on the leash and as Koolio was running the bags started unraveling and not only did we have three dogs running but the third one looked like he had a scarf flying behind him. It was quite comical although a little unnerving. About the time I got ahold of Koolio with the help of other parents Hannah was trying to come down a laddar on the playground and missed the last step and fell backwards hitting the back of her head on the slide. Koolio ran immediately to her. I was very impressed that he had just been running wild but when she was in distress he was there. Cool!

We get back in and practice heeling which Koolio is awesome at. He had no problem with it whatsoever. We then broke for lunch and came back to work on tricks. Shake, Five, and High Five.

There are three seizure dogs in this class and today we were introduced to that part of training. Koolio was first. He played the seizure game and everytime he came across Hannah's seizure scent he pawed the trainer. So, he is trained to come paw me if he senses Hannah is going to have a seizure. I thought David and I both were going to cry when he did it the first time. We were so amazed. I still have tons of questions. Like why the other dogs bark and Koolio paws. Not that it matters but I know someone is going to ask me and I want to have answers. Also, how to train the school staff. Still, it was the most amazing and incredible thing to watch!

Hannah has warmed up to Koolio much more today than she was yesterday. She says his name and tries to boss him around already. The cutest thing is her telling him, "Koo Yoo, good boy" or "Koo Yoo, go potty!" We have not allowed ourselves to play ball with him today. She is the only one that gets to play ball with him and I have taken tons of treats and put them in her lap while she throws them and he gets them. She loves to throw and he loves to retrieve.

Tomorrow we start tracking. That should be fun. It is COLD here. Yesterday it was in the 70's and today the high was 42. We're exhausted and our brains are already on overload but it's still a really good feeling to finally be here and to finally have him. He's beautiful and fitting perfectly in our family. Until tomorrow....

I know you love pictures...

I forgot my camera so there are no pictures of training today but I do have some from this evening. I'm going to give Hannah's meds and be back to post about the day. We got to see the seizure alerting today and it was AWESOME! Koolio did great!

The King and His prince hanging out!

Hannah hanging with Koolio!

Hannah and Koolio hanging out! He loves to play ball with her.

Koolio. Isn't he gorgeous! Ooops! I mean handsome! LOL!

Koolio. Man, he's just so CUTE!

I think this down is hilarious! He's really chilling in this picture.

Worth the Wait!

Koolio waiting patiently to meet his family

O.K. Would you let me go to them already????


Meeting Koolio!

This is my "Koo Yoo"!!!!

They brought me a squeaky ball!

Wow! Wow! Wow!

All I can say is WOW! Can you tell? I am in love with this dog! He is playful but obedient. We just came in from outside where I was showing David what the trainer taught us today and Koolio did great! I was really nervous about having a dog. I still am apprehensive but I think we'll be o.k. and I'll do fine.

Hannah was very overwhelmed when we walked in 4paws. The place smells like dogs! Imagine that. LOL! Koolio was politely sitting in his kennel. David and the boys commented on how he looked beat down, but when they brought him out to us, he was great. Hannah was really happy. That was until he took a treat from her hand and slobbered all over her! It was a little more than her sensory system could handle. LOL! David took her back to the hotel because they didn't need both parents and the kid this afternoon. We've been back at the hotel a couple of hours and we've caught her touching him and playing with his tail, etc. Koolio loves Kyle and Zachary and they seem to really be enjoying him. I think he'll fit into our family quite well.

Jeremy said we'd do some seizure work tomorrow. There are only 3 seizure dogs in this class. He mentioned that the other two dogs barked and that Koolio pawed. That made me a little nervous but I'll find more about it tomorrow surely.

We're happy, exhausted, and ready to settle down for the night. I'll post some pictures. Thank you to everyone that has had a part in this happening for us. I think I was the only one in tears when Koolio came to us. I couldn't help but think about the past 8 months and all we've been through. This is not one of those BAD things. This is an GOOD thing and we sure needed it! Thank you!

Met some of the other 4paws families

Tonight 4 of the families that are staying at Homewood met up in the dining area of the hotel and had dinner and just sat around and talked. Hannah did prettty good. It took her a few minutes but she warmed up to the other kids and was crying when we went back to the room. She wasn't through playing. David and I took her to Wal-mart to buy some juice and that made her happy. It was alot of fun meeting the other parents and their kids. Dale is so polite and Kira and aley were sweethearts. I didn't get to spend much time with Aley but Kira played with Hannah quite a bit with Dale. I'm sure they'll all have so much fun together tomorrow. I am excited about all that I'm bound to learn this week from the others. All of us have kids with special needs of some kind and it was rather relaxing to just be around people that "got it". Can't wait to meet the other seven families in the morning.

Hannah is still coughing something awful. She hasn't run any fever and isn't completely cranky but she isn't 100% which has me bummed. Don't get me wrong. I'm thankful things aren't worse than they are but I'd rather her feel good and not be feeling yucky. :<(

Tomorrow around 10 we'll all be sitting awaiting the introduction to our dogs. I can't wait to see all the kids faces and I am really anticipating Hannah's reaction. I don't think she's fully grasped the idea that this doggie will be hers and it will be with her all the time.

I'll post tomorrow evening before we go to bed.

Some photos.

Here are a few photos of the kiddos on the way up...

This is Zach. Neither of the guys were very cooperative. LOL! Zach never takes a "serious" picture though.

This is Kyle. He covered his head up when I was trying to take a shot so I told him I was posting any photo I got of him on Hannah's blog. He already hates me so I have nothing to lose! :<)

Hannah enjoyed having a dvd player on the back of the seat in front of her. We even got her to wear the headphones so she could hear what she was watching. What you don't see besides the play keys in her mouth are two bracelets, a teething ring in each hand, and her baby doll in her lap.

Hannh's sick

Hannah kept us up until nearly 3 a.m. coughing and throwing up. Please pray it's just something that she'll get over quickly. She gets Koolio tomorrow.

We made it...

We're at our hotel in Fairborn. Drive was uneventful until we got to Cincinati where we hit a down pour and it lasted the whole way to Fairborn. We made it though and everyone is sitting around chilling.

I actually got a call from Connie this morning and they did make it to Brownsville last night so we went by their hotel and met them. Dale is such a cutie and so polite. They beat us to Homewood. I just talked to Connie and they are enjoying a gorgeous rainbow and eating TGIF's! I haven't heard anymore from Paige so I'm not sure how their trip went. The last time I talked to her they were a couple hours ahead of us.

The hotel is VERY nice. It will work out great because it has everything we could possibly need and we can even cook if we need to.

I had a emotional moment a couple of times. Once yesterday when we passed over the Mississippi because Billie would always cry when we went over it. She was so patriotic. Then today someone gave us a $50 gas card and the urge to call and tell her where we were and what all had happened was so strong. I really don't know how we'll get through this. We miss her so bad.

Well, I better stop. I'm already tearing up again just typing this! Ugggh!

Brownville TN

We made it to Brownville last night. Stopped around 7 and was all asleep before 10 including the boys. The drive went well yesterday. Hannah had a few moments but we all did. LOL! Anytime you coop up a van full of people with adhd you're bound to have "moments". I talked to Connie Wooley last night and they are a few hours behind us. I had no idea they were coming up the exact way we were or we could have hooked up with them to make the ride as a caravan. We should actually make it to Xenia tonight. That will give us a couple of nights to settle in before getting Koolio on Tuesday.

Everyone is up and getting ready to head out for the day. Thanks for all the prayers and support.

Heading out and Makeover

How do you like the new look? We LOVE it! So classy! Even Mr. everything Hannah related should be pink likes it. Check out butterfly sparks designs for your own blog makeovers. A friend of mine's dil had this really classy looking blog so I checked it out and inquired and waaalaaa, now we got some class! LOL! Vanessa does an awesome job!

We're about to head out to get goign on our trip. Hannah's awake but really whiney and lathargic. I'm so hoping she's just tired and nothing is brewing. Please keep us in your prayers! We will need them. I'll update again asap. I'm so excited! Can you tell? We've waited on this dog longer than we waited on any of our babies! LOL! 11 months! Wow! It's happening.

van, dog stuff, and only one more day till we leave...

OMG! The van....we picked it up last night and I was not prepared to have something so perfect for us to take to Ohio to get Koolio. It is PERFECT. Has dvd players and wireless headphones, and all kinds of gadgets to make the trip so much more pleasant. A friend is loaning us a portable dvd player to use while at training so Hannah can have her videos. LOL! But in the van...WOW! That's about all there is to say to describe it. We had no idea there was like all kinds of Vandergriff dealships. Vandergriff chevrolet, Vandergriff Hyundai, Vandergriff Honda. Thought we'd never find the right one. LOL! Vandergriff Honda is the one that made this loan to us. Mr. Evans was fabulous and so interested in Hannah and her dog! Definately check them out if you are looking at Hondas. I can't speak for the other branches but that one....WOW!

I finished up dog shopping today. Thanks to everyone that contributed to Koolio and things to take care of him. I bought plenty of treats, toys, dog dishes, potty bags and holder, grooming supplies, and they ordered a giant crate for us that will be waiting on us on our return. I'm sure I forgot something but I still have money to cover anything we'll need that I didn't get. I think he'll be one happy dog too! I hope he likes to share because Hannah likes his toys too. LOL!

I verified hotel reservations today and we've got people to watch the house and our mail while we're away. Finally I am relaxing enough to enjoy things. It's about time, huh? I really look forward to being around the other family's. Not having to worry about someone looking at us strangely when they realize Hannah isn't neurotypical. I hope to learn alot and just share in our experiences. We're all parents, relatives, siblings to "oval" children. Plus there are several DRAVET familie's that will be there and I can't wait to meet up with them and learn what steps we need to take next to get Hannah the care she needs and deserves. Both my boys are going with us. I'm so thankful that they'll get to be there with us. We have not done anything as a family in so long. Hopefully there'll be a little time for some fun either on the way up or on the way back. Plus, they needed to be there to learn how to work with the dog.

Please pray for Hannah and that she'd continue in good health. I took her to the doctor today and she checked out fine. Oh, and pray Ohio has a nice warmer March. LOL! Seriously, I do not look forward to freezing my toosh off!

Thanks everyone for everything. I'll keep this blog updated as often as possible with pictures and the works.

Coming together....

Things are starting to come together. LOL! God's timing is so not my timing! Still it's perfect.

We have a van to take to Ohio. A friend had a friend who managed a dealership and they plead our case and was able to get one for us to use. I cannot tell you what a relief this is! We really appreciate all the help that has been sent our way to help make this a reality. This would not be happening if people didn't care and help. I've met some people through this process that I feel will be lifelong friends. I've watched as people contacted people who contacted people and the right amount of help at the right time came. Thank God for people who care! Thanks to all of you who had a part in making this happen for us!

I will be honest and say that this entire process has been a struggle for me. I've had to reject the idea that people do not care and embrace the idea that people do care and are willing to help. My pride has taken a huge hit(which it needed to take) as I'm a very independent person and this was a very dependent process. It was not going to happen without the help of others. From the beginning of this endeavor I tried to do my part. I tried to MAKE it happen. I'm not kidding when I say that every single thing I attempted to do was a complete flop! I spent alot of time despairing over the fact that OTHERS were doing this for Hannah, and not me. I wanted to provide this help for my daughter who is an amazing fighter and lover of life. I've finally came to the conclusion that this was one endeavor God wanted my paws off of. He was using this to SHOW me something. I've been horribly impatient but I think some of you would have been just as impatient in my shoes. I mean...come on....we get transportation settled THREE days before we're to leave! Talk about stressing! LOL! I've felt completely out of control of our lives since July. It's hard for me to feel like I have no control. And that's even with knowing that I pray every single night that God would order our steps. It's kind of crazy to pray that prayer and expect to still control your life, huh? I'm learning though. It's certainly a process.

In hindsight I can see that God's timing is perfect. Originally I so wanted Hannah to get Koolio in December. What a perfect Christmas gift to get her service dog at Christmas time! I was so disappointed when they put us in the March class but I accepted it. Now, I'm so thankful that we didn't go to Ohio in December! We had our last Christmas with Billie in 2008! We had a very relaxed, laid back and uneventful holiday and we were all together. I was here to order her gifts for everyone and wrap them for her. We were able to enjoy the holiday's! I'll never forget her face when she held up her stocking full of goodies and opened her watch that she had wanted so badly. Another thing I did not understand at the time was that we were supposed to move and it fell through. We had more time because we didn't make that move than we would have had. And finally we go get Koolio a couple weeks after we bury Billie. It's the perfect time for Hannah to get her new companion. It certainly won't take Billie's place but it will bring some comfort to hurting hearts. I only wish she was here to see him because she was so excited about him and amazed at what he could and would do.

I'm rambling again! Sorry! I'm not sure any of this makes any sense but maybe a little of it does. Thank everyone so much and please keep praying for us! We love y'all! Only three more days until we head to get Koolio (Koo Yoo)!!!!!

Sad evening, getting ready, and all that stuff...

Yesterday I ran to Hurst to see Vicki and she gave me a few things we'll need at training. She gave me a treat bag, a tote bag, a mutt mat and some coupons for a free 8x10 at the mall we'll do some of our training at. It made everything seem more real somehow. I can't believe we have to leave here in just 4 days! I'm no where near ready! The house is looking pretty good. We've been cleaning and rearranging.

Yesterday evening was a rough one. David's cousin had taken some pictures of Billie in her casket at the funeral home and Hannah found them. It was the most pitiful sight. She sat in the floor and looked at everyone one of them and said, "awwwwww, nanna sleeping. Time to wake up. kisses!" I tried to explain that nanna was with Jesus and she said, "awwwww. She talk to Jesus! Kisses!" and she placed one of the photos to her forehead. I tried several times to put the photo away and she would come looking for it and beg for it. I lost it when I went to check on Hannah and she had pulled back the covers on her bed and put "nanna" to bed. She laid the picture in the bed and she wanted nanna to have her oxygen. My heart broke for her. I know how bad she is going to miss her nanna and she can't possibly understand. I think we're getting Koolio at the perfect time.

Originally this past weekend would have been when I took Billie to Sissy's and I'd be picking her up the last weekend in March after we brought Koolio home. She was going to stay a month. That was before the whole rehab thing came into the picture. I just so wanted her to get stronger. I keep thinking that maybe we should have just brought her back home, but then I think about her dying here and I just don't think I could have taken it and I know the kids couldn't have. I just wish we had one more day with her.

This stuff is tough. I'm sorry I'm such a downer. This should be one of the happiest and most exciting times and I'm so sad that it's hard to be that way. It almost feels wrong to be any other way.

Sorry.