Friday Family Fun!! Aren't I fortunate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When my kids were little we didn't go out much. With four it was easier to be home. We planned special fun - games - fun meals and rootbeer floats!! Well tonight on the spur of the moment we all gathered for dinner. How fun. We toasted the new parents and the baby we are all waiting for. We want her to wait till she is full grown - hopefully November. But we are excited. Can you tell. Then Greg had sundae fixin's. The kids played games and oh oh oh oh oh oh oh laughter laughter.

I had breakfast with a friend and after school met another friend (she is a teacher). What an awesome day. I get to sleep in tomorrow (and will need to do so). The baby shower is in the afternoon. Yeah another fun day. Sunday I will sleep. Maybe I will need to sleep Sunday and Monday. Hopefully not Tuesday. But you know what- it would be worth it. Some things are worth getting worn out for....

I am burstin with joy. I can be in the delivery room if I want or I can be one to wait in the waiting room occupying be sister Sophie. Isn't that great great great. They promise to call me day or night when they head to the hospital. I hope I am not home with eyes that won't allow me to drive - but if so I will have friends on standby if Greg isn't home.

I will have to think about Emma. That delivery room might be crowded. Wish Judy live on route to the hospital. She is going to Fairview Riverside. All looks healthy. The baby is getting bigger. Sophia saw her mom's belly and was told it is big because a whole baby is in there. Sophia said kiddingly "a teenager?". I got to feel the tummy of mommy and oh that baby is growing. I told her we are waiting but take her time.

I heard Sophia is reading to the baby. Isn't that just darling. They are going to be wonderful parents to the baby like they are to Sophia.

Oh this is suppose to be about Emma. She had a good day. We didn't get much of a nap.
That is okay we both will sleep tomorrow. We might be in bed before the kids are done visiting and I guess they are watching a movie. Aren't I just the luckiest woman in the world. My own kids, Greg, Tia (mike's wife) and Justin (Becky's serious boyfriend of 5 yrs who feels like part of the family) and Emma. What a great great great great day!

Have a good day Saturday. Thinking of me to sleep as much as I can so I can enjoy the shower. I was going to wrap things tonight but I will do that in the morning.

I am the luckiest mom in the world and grandma and wife and dog owner.

Mary

I went to bed for a nap at 7 pm and slept all night. Go Twins I meant to listen to them and was sleeping - yeah they won. Greg took Emma outsiide once and I got up later to take her out again.

The nights are cooler here and I am wondering how I managed with out the fence? She loves to go out. When I slept and woke up at 11 pm she was so excited to go outside. I feel like they just invented the fence ha ha because we continue to be amazed at how great it is to have one for Emma. Out she runs for a little while - and I am still in my jamies ha ha. Last year I went out with her all winter. Imagine. Now she gets more excercise when she is out as well.

Friday we have a busy day so good thing I slept. Breakfast with a friend, pick up my dauther Anna at 1:00, meet another friend at 3:15 to go shopping for a baby item. i can't say here in case my daughter in law checks out the blog. The shower is tomorrow.

Both friends I will see do not have MS. They have busier schedules than my MS friends so I am thrilled they have time to see us. It has been over a month for both. They both are busier during the school year. One is a teacher. I am so blessed to have these great friends.

My kids move out on Tuesday so Emma will really get even more attention from me.
I am worried about the cats. Both get so much attention from the kids and like to sleep downstairs at night. The one rarely comes upstairs ever. There won't be a bed downstairs to cuddle up on or a person to cuddle with. I'll keep you cat lovers posted on what I try to make life easier for my kitties.

Have a good day. Mary

What are the chances of this meeting? I waited in the psychiatrist office after my appointment with Emma. We could watch out the window for Metro Mobility. A woman came in (client) with her own down. I think she said it was a yorky mix. It was very cute. I don't know my breeds so I could be wrong. It was small. Soon we realized her dog was also named Emma.

Her dog got a bit noisey meeting our Emma. Emma stayed calm and attentive to me. What a good behavior - well she is such an awesome dog. The other Emma II calmed right down at the owners direction. They managed fine together. It just was so cute because if either of us said "Emma sit" or just "Emma" both dogs looked over.

Now Metro Mobility is not Emma's favorite but she gets on quickly and behaves well. that is an important thing as at first it took some coaxing to get her up the steps. She knows just what to do and the various drivers have all liked her and commented on her excellent behavior.

I just realized I probably should offer a tip to the drivers. For me most times it is like having a private driver. They help you into the bus and escort you right to your door. Today he even helped me walk up the steps as I was wobbly. Ugh. He was gone before it dawned on me that like a cab driver a tip would be appropriate. I am sure they don't make a lot of money for their work. I have always had good service, polite drivers. I can even say they have always been on time taking me home from my counseling appointment weekly.

Today Emma also surprised me by waking me with her barking. Not to worry. I had not locked my front door. My mother-in-law had walked in (I was not expecting her) dropping off a present for the baby shower. Emma quieted right down when I got up and assured her all was well. I was very startled as she lives out of town. She is a dog lover and as soon as Emma met her knowing I was fine all went well. It was just so startling for both Emma and I. I was actually glad that though she is not suppose to bark that in this case she alerted me. She did not act aggressive but did alert me.

off to bed it is late.

Mary and Emma

It was truly an honor for Emma and I to visit with such a lovely group of ladies today. Our topic was to share a little bit about what it is like to have a service dog. Judy share information about Helping Paws. I had a chance to talk and to answer questions. I think it went well.

I am the type that always thinks I could have done better. I thought of few things I would have added but time slipped by quickly. Emma thoroughly enjoyed visiting Juday and Judy's mom. Both of them were there to warmly greet me (I appreciated that) and to make sure there was a parking spot right by the door for me. Since I didn't have to walk far I could navigate with a cane which was nice.

Following the gathering we shared coffee and fruit. The informal chatting with the women was also very enjoyable. It was a fun way to start the day. Actually it was the main event of the day. We were home in time for lunch and to nap.

Emma showed off her retrieving skills. I explained also how much she helps me if I fall - by getting help, getting the phone, or by bracing herself so I can lean on her. I had a light to show how she can push a light on but forgot to do that. The time slipped by so quickly that I wasn't sure what all to mention.

Judy was sharing how Charlie (4 months old) is developing his skills, including experiences in being comfortable with people. The foster parents get specific homework assignments each week and work with their dog daily. It was interesting to here that one assignment had been to meet people in uniform. The police, the fire department, a mail carrier etc.
I just could listen and listen about all that goes into training those dogs to become such special helpers.

I think next time I need a cheat sheet that lists the exact things I want Emma to do, and perhaps a few more props. Can you imagine in that room full of women I forgot to mention how she helps with laundry? Everyone likes hearing about her taking clothes from the drier and putting them in a basket. Then I share how she likes taking them from the basket and putting them in my lap (one at a time) for me to fold.

I have met such nice people through Emma - thanks Emma. Judy's parent's (special hello to her Dad who reads this blog), various supporters and staff of helping paws. Kind people out in public who just greet us because they are curious about a helper dog. '

We did make one quick stop to a store to get some baby items that were on sale. There were several mom's with strollers and little ones who waved "hi doggy" or a few who could barely even say "puppy". The mom's are excited when it is there first times saying the words for dog and Emma is a wonderful dog for them to view.

In November we are going to do our first visit to a school near my home. We will visit the first grade. An experienced volunteer will be there with her dog so I will learn some tips on how to do a good demonstration. It is close to my home. Even if I can't drive, I am hoping I could arrange a ride. My vision varies and so I can't always drive.

GO TWINS. GO TWINS!!!!!!
YEA MN TWINS will play in the play offs. We are Twins fans so are very excited.

Thanks to Judy and her lovely Mom = Anna Lou (did I get that right?). It was just awesome to spend time with them today. I know Emma loves Judy as her foster mom in a special way that will last forever. She knows her foster Grandma too!!

We had a good time at Book Club. Then we came home for some play time outdoors and a nap. Tonight I was reviewing some commands with Emma and I had some extra good treats. Well my gosh was she excited. I couldn't believe it. She of course practiced things but then kept bringing me things from around the house. Yep, she likes to have fun things to eat.

We took a test drive to a house we are visiting tomorrow. We are going to have fun visiting some of Judy's mom's friends. They met Emma a year ago and invited us to come catch them up on her life with me. We had time and so i drove out that way late afternoon. I am glad I am not familiar with that area. I wanted to go while I was not in a rush.

I am a bit nervous but I know it won't be hard to explain how helpful Emma is in my life. From morning till night she brightens my day. When she goes outside with my husband (he worked all weekend so was home a bit today), she plays just so long and then is back inside looking for me. I sure like that connection that we share.

We are off to bed. I am more stiff and more spasms today. I don't know if it is the weather change and/or MS. Our visit should be fun tomorrow. I will let you know about it tomorrow night.

Our article in the MS magazine connection sure has generated response. Fun! I am glad to spread the word about how great it is to have this special service dog. The MS Society has been such a big help in dealing with my MS. Now Helping Paws helps with the service dog. I am richly blessed.