Day 469 - Sep 10, 2009

I really think it's great that everyone has discussed the dog as a companion (I had even gotten an email from Rene - the person that invited me to DC - discussing this very thing earlier), but that is the ONE AND ONLY THING that I will not do for my kids.

I hate dogs. Sorry. But there it is. I know I'm strange, but that's just the way I am.

I can't even begin to tell you that when I see a dog on tv and a person is kissing it, I just about throw up - literally.

To be honest, I am not much of an animal person all around, but I have agreed to a cat. We were trying to wait until after Project Victory as we won't be here much, but instead I decided to use it as part of the 'make up for it plan' if the surgery doesn't happen as intended - meaning that if we don't go to Texas next week to have his head repaired, we will go get a cat then.

Truthfully, I can't even believe I am doing the cat thing as I am already overtaxed as it is, but I know it will be best for the kids. BUT - they are going to have to take care of it. I have more than enough on my plate taking care of Kevin.

So anyway, thanks again for all of the dog comments and I know that everyone means well (and I also know that there is no possible way anyone could know about my loathing of dogs), but that is SOOOOOO not gonna happen.

And changing the subject - oddly enough Maxim called me today to see how the aide was doing with Kevin. I was honest and they did tell me that they just don't have anyone that fits the bill yet, but they are trying really hard. They are going to start to phase out the current one though and wouldn't you know that Kevin had a blast with her today? They went for a walk together and he was joking with her all day. I swear he does this stuff just so I don't know if I'm coming or going, lol.

And I do agree with you Miss Em about the possible trust issues. It can't be easy being partly at the mercy of someone else and with everything that has happened to him it would be hard to trust anyone.

And Bonnie - we actually do leave Kevin with her more and more often. He just refuses to come out of his room when we aren't here. I thought it would get better over time, but it hasn't.

Amy Grace - I am very sorry to hear about your Mom. I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you, but I am glad that you at least could work out some sort of system that enabled you to get some rest. So far, we just haven't found what works. Kevin had me up until 7am just this morning and I had to get back up at 10:30 because he wouldn't go to therapy with Breezy. This is normal for me as some nights I just don't get any sleep at all and most are under 3 hours (if it's not Kevin it's my phone ringing).

At this point, I don't think he does realize that I have basic needs too and I sincerely hope that this part of him comes back to us. We have been trying to 'teach' him that things don't always have to be about him, but he's just not catching on yet.

And Kevin did get into the pool for over an hour this evening. Usually he gets tired really fast, but not today. He is just such a strong swimmer and I discussed the Special Olympics with him today. He wasn't all that receptive, but he didn't slam the idea out of the water (pun intended, lol) either. Now I just need to remember where I heard about that...