A Busy Summer

Hello everyone,

My summer has gone well. I have managed to fill most of my time so I have felt busy even though in reality looking back I really don't think I have done much.

:) I still go to Wichita two times a week for appointments a

nd have been taking online sociology simply to give me something to do. I have discovered I do not care much for online classes. Thank goodness this week is the final. I have also been spending time with Adelynn and Cassi and I have enjoyed the girl talk and baby time although now I guess I should say toddler time. I also love seeing Miss Olivia and Sarah when they are in town. She never fails to make me laugh.

I have spent a lot of time training Shona. We finished our second basic obedience class and have now started a rally course. Rally is an interesting offshoot of obedience. Instead of a judge telling you what to do cones strategically placed give you instructions about how to do the course. Here is a link if you want to know more.

Working with Shona is probably my most important news. Since I have been home I have been exploring the ideas of getting Shona certified to become my psychiatric service dog. Kansas (and the nation in general) make certifying a service dog relatively easy (not counting the training - that's hard) and it looks as if there is a strong possibility that in the next six months to a year Shona will be my official service dog. The benifts of having Shona certified to go everywhere with me are numerous. I still become very, very anxious in social situations. Shona provides grounding and distraction. In addition, sometimes my memories are intense and Shona can sense this and often will jump onto my lap to give me comfort. Perhaps most imporantly though is that Shona will be able to go on campus with me. I need some sort of support to sit through classes, be around young men and simply be in a college environment. Shona will provide me the support that I will need in order to accomplish this.

Last night we met with our new trainer for the first time but since this blog is getting long I'll simply give you the link to my own blog where I plan to have an account of how it went up in the next 24 hours or so. That reminds me. If you didn't know I do have two blogs. One (fighting my way back) is simply an

account of my recovery and life. The other (My gracious gift of God) chronicles Shona and my journey to becoming licensed. Look on either spot they should both have accounts (the second one shorter - the first one more detailed). I love my blogs because they give me a chance to write and also provide a wonderful opportunity for me to look back on my life and see how much I've grown.

One last thing - the end of this month is my six month anniversary of being in recovery and home from CFC. It's been the hardest thing I've ever done but oh so worth it. I have been behavior free for a very long time. I still get very depressed, anxious and scared but with support and coping skills I can move on. Your letters, prayers, thoughts, conversastions and other means of support has been my lifeline and continues to help me move forward. Knowing I have this family behind me gives me strength and motivation on those days I couldn't move forward on my own.

We are the strongest group of people I have ever met and that is the biggest weapon I have against my illness.

Anyways, here are a few pictures of my summer....

First it's been hot...

very, very hot

Second we celebrated Papa's Birthday in Style

Third, Shona enjoys parades (except the part with horses)

Finally, we had to say goodbye to Amelia Bedelia (age 16) and Connor (age 10). Connor had cancer and Amelia (the old bird) had finally grown old and was ready for a rest. We miss them but know they are in doggy heaven.

Love to all of you!

-Kate