Emily and Her Guide Dog in Training (AKA, "The Guide Dog Blog")

Tarzan at the Pool

As we all know, most thirteen year olds are busy with schoolwork, friends, hanging out at the mall, and cell phones. Emily is not a typical thirteen year old. Her love for animals and the sight-impaired have been coupled together to lead her to raise a guide-dog puppy through Guide Dogs for the Blind. This puppy is going to give guidance and help to someone who needs it.

It all started with a scrapbook. Emily was looking at their dog, Spritz’, scrapbook from his puppy days. Spritz is a guide dog that had a “career change” and moved in with her family as a pet. She thought all of those pictures of her being trained were so inspiring. After seeing that scrapbook, she couldn’t stop thinking that she had to raise a guide dog. She knew that she could raise a puppy and change a life.

Emily and Tarzan in Training

Initially, Emily told her mother what her dreams were. Her mother said, “Oh, sure Honey, we will look into it.” Emily came back again and again saying, “Well, 'yes' or 'no'?” Her parents were hoping that she would forget.

Finally her parents gave in to her pleas and they joined a guide dog club.

Emily's Parents at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Headquarters

It was there that she learned even more about the difference a dog can make. She learned that a blind person is not naturally connected to the surroundings. They are given a second chance at life when they get a dog, because they are able to function in our sight-rich world. Guide dogs are taught "intelligent disobedience." (As opposed to teenagers who often pick up "unintelligent disobedience.") They learn to stop at curbs, turn directions, change speed, and see danger. This is key to survival.

The first four months are the most important months in a dog’s life. Emily got to work right away trying to get her dog, Tarzan, to sit, a basic dog command. 

Good luck right? 

Always Together

Tarzan just wouldn’t sit. Emily was really frustrated. One day the family was getting shoes at Famous Footwear. The shoppers there were commenting on how nice Tarzan was. Emily said, “sit” to Tarzan, and he proudly sat down right away. His fans were thrilled and Emily was flabbergasted! She felt like Tarzan had just won "best in show" at the Westminster Dog Show. "Awe, how cute," they said.  Emily learned that some dogs need a crowd to perform in front of. :) Now Tarzan is a star and proudly sits regularly. All of the commands that Emily teaches Tarzan are relevant to his future life and work.

My Uncle Allan was blinded thirty years ago in a car accident. Soon after he lost his sight he had a trained dog by his side. This dog helped him get around and navigate this fast paced world. Clearly, these dogs are not born like this. It takes trainers like Emily! 

The Guide Dogs for the Blind is an organization that raises and trains sweet puppies to be career guide dogs. I am especially proud of my niece who is making a difference in our world through her guide dog puppy, Tarzan.

A Day in the Life of a Camper

Summer has arrived!!!!!! 

High ho, high ho, it's off to camp we go... 

I recently got to experience Island Lake camp for a couple of days with my family. What a great way to start summer. Life can’t be better when it is structured by meals cooked by someone else, fun-loving energetic college students playing with the kids, and amazing free-time activities like waterslides and skate parks. Now, that is a taste of pure happiness. At camp kids are able to completely enter a new world. Cell phones are left home. Video games are off. (And much to the kids’ surprise, they still live!) Relationships are put on “pause.” Kids explore the great outdoors and try new things and make new friends.

At camp, kids wake up to a hot breakfast with bacon, eggs, sausage, and pancakes waiting for them in the dining hall. They are raring to go! After breakfast, they go outside with their cabins and play games. These are not your normal playground games. Rather, they are goof-off, be silly, and get wet in gross, slippery, fun games. They are games that get them running through fields and over bridges. The kids play team games that build up their cabins and create instant camaraderie.

After game times, the campers hear an inspirational message and sing “the-bear-in-tennis-shoes-song.” Then back to the dining hall where they get another hot yummy meal. (Have I mentioned that I loved the meals!) It is good for kids to eat away from home around a big circle table with their counselors. Their conversation consists of what they just did or are doing and small talk (no long-range planning here). It’s great relationship building, and conversational skill building, too.

After lunch, the cabins have adventure time! 

#Cowabunga! 

In case you are interested, the campers stretch their abilities and learn some new stuff on ropes courses, motorcycles, rock climbing, skate boarding, and the infamous camp skill - "archery" - very very useful life skill:) 

The kids get challenged, stretched, and learn to push their boundaries – all in a safe environment as the camp staff support and teach the kids skills. (They really picked the kids up when they fell and cheered them on to victory.) 

Riding motorcycles at camp will likely be one of the biggest highlights of my summer. 

Adventure time leads to free-time where kids will go bouldering, swimming, get blobbed (see above water picture) or paddling in a canoe. Then the dinner bell rings and they walk to the dining hall for another delicious meal prepared for them by someone other than their parents. You might not want every detail - but I thought that it might be fun for you to get the over-all layout.

On a side note, I find it hard to believe that all of this activity takes place without getting in the car, without mom’s arranging play dates, gear, calendars, and snacks. The campers have a perfect kid-filled day on auto-pilot, thanks to the camp staff. 

After dinner the kids play more group games and sit down for another positive message. Chatting about the message afterwards in their cabins is fun. You would think that that would be the end, right. Time for bed? Not today. The campers return to the mess hall for ice cream and a goofy dance time. Now, finally, everyone is off to bed.

Maybe that is too many details but the truth of the matter is: The life of a camper is so good. A perfect combination of nature, inspiration, laughter, friendship, and adventure brings out the kid and builds confidence. Sure, campers miss mom, dad, and their Xbox but not all that much, because life at camp is great!

The Day I had a Turtle in My Car

I was driving down a four-lane city road the other day. I was stunned at what I saw in front of me. A turtle was trying to cross the busy 4 lane road, one slow and quiet step at a time. 

I have been a huge fan of the turtles in this area for some time and did not want to see this one get squished!

In a panic, I knew I had to do something.

I put my emergency blinkers on and got out of my car and stopped traffic. I picked up the turtle with two hands and put it in my car on the passenger seat. Immediately, the little head, legs, and tail of the turtle went inside its shell.

I drove the turtle to the nearby turtle habitat and let it go into the fresh water lake. Initially, it went into the water and flipped upside down. So we lifted it out of the water and tried again, making sure it didn't flip over. The second time worked, and out popped the head, tail and legs! With heart-felt intensity the turtle swam away. An onlooker there was a naturalist and she joined the cause. Her friends took pictures (they texted me the above picture). 

Clearly, we never know when nature is going to collide with our daily lives. I can now say that truly my passenger seat is ready for the next turtle that wants a ride.

For the #loveofturtles.

The Mother's Day Blog

I had every intention to write a deeply meaningful blog about motherhood this week. It was going to be about all of the sacrifice, love, and special moments of just being mom. I would have written about the lifestyle, devotion, commitment, and insanity of it all. Motherhood really is one of the greatest joys of my life. From making hair bows and setting them in freshly braided hair, to kids moving from hitting off the “T” in baseball to coach pitch, to the monotony of making yet another pizza dinner; I would have reminisced.

Me and My Mom

I would have reflected on the grace of my own mother and my immeasurable gratitude for her. She is such a dear friend, confidant, amazing cook, pursuer of God’s best, and sincerely devoted Grandma. I am so grateful for my mom. She would have been a central figure in my blog. I love her!

But, alas, I am so busy this week being a mom that I don’t have time to write my inspiring mom blog: Too much driving, cheering the kids on, attending a dance parent/student conference, cooking, cleaning the kitchen, working my jobs, helping with homework, washing that softball uniform, piano and drum lessons, sports, crafts, backyard play, staying connected to my spouse, paying bills, almost running out of gas, reading to the littles, managing my kids’ internet use and video games, and so forth. As a result, I regret my inability to blog about motherhood. I guess I will just put it off till next year. I am sure life as a working mom and wife will be simpler then! – right?

Once I get around to writing that blog I will close it with a hug to all moms out there. Moms are shaping the world day-by-day, moment-by-moment, and heart-by-heart, and I hope they are celebrated and loved this Mother’s Day.