News, Puppies, Etc. . .

It's time for another update from me. . .I have news to share and news that I can't share yet. . .

The BIG news around here is that our oldest son, Jason, is engaged! He proposed to his new girlfriend, Jessica, last night! Apparently he got it all on video, which we hope to see soon. The wedding date has been set for November 3rd. Steve and I will be traveling to Houston, Texas soon to meet our new "daughter-in-law to be" and to see Jason, too, whom we haven't seen since Christmas. Wow. Life never seems to slow down these days!

The puppies are six weeks old now and getting so big. One has already left for his new home and we have three spoken for. The other four are waiting for new homes and we've gotten one call so far. I took them to the vet last week for their puppy shots and that was a trip! Two of Marissa's friends helped me carry them in the clinic. The biggest puppy weighed 11.2 pounds and the smallest one weighed 8.5 pounds (which is the one we are keeping for Brad - he needs a friend at Virginia Tech). That meant we carried at least 80 pounds worth of puppies in three laundry baskets! See the pictures below:

"WHEE! Going to the VET!"

"I'm not sure I like this. . ."

"I'm tired. Can we go home now?"

"Who has been touching my babies????"

I'm still enjoying my world of sound with two ears. Everything seems so natural and normal these days. I still haven't made an appointment for testing or therapy - just don't have time. But, I am using the phone more and more and understanding phrases and whole sentences on the radio, in stores, etc. I love to sit outside on the porch and hear the sounds of nature. The wind rustling in the trees is so soothing and calm. Listening to the puppies play, growl, whine, and bark with their little puppy voices brings a smile to my face. When you pick them up, they make these little content grunting sounds - so cute! Yesterday I put my CI's on the wrong ears and thought things sounded funny. I quickly changed them to the proper ears! So, that is proof that each CI is programmed differently for each ear.

I have also found several new blogs written by new CI patients or their parents. Go visit Kauan, Yana, and Billy and check them out. I've been exchanging some wonderful emails with Kauan's mom and she has been a blessing to me! We both feel that our paths have crossed for a reason. Now that I can hear with two CI's, I truly believe that any word of encouragement and help that I can give to someone struggling with deafness is my new mission in life. Also, Sam in New York received his CI last year and is taking the steps to go bilateral. . .I wish him the best! I thank God every day for this gift of sound in my life and other people's lives. I also ache for those who struggle with their CI's and pray for them, too.

As for the news I cannot share yet. . .I've known about this since April but I have to wait for the Governor of Tennessee to make the press announcement first. . . :-) (Shelley, I've given Dawn permission to tell you what this is!)