We're HOME!!!!

The boys were in bed by the time we landed in Colorado Springs. So we had no intention of waking them up to meet Hazel. We would introduce them in the morning. I had been asked by Kati and other puppy raisers to please videotape the introductions because they never get to see the dogs meeting their kids.

I started the day early. This was in general bad timing on our part because I landed the day before daylight savings time began. So, not only was I moving ahead an hour just from the time change from Oregon, I now was moving ahead another hour due to daylight savings. Ugh.

Long walk with Hazel (and yes, she finally went to the bathroom!) and then we took her into JJ and Elliott's room to meet the boys.

Forgive the last section of the video, for some reason it won't allow me to upload the single file alone. It has to upload both that were on the disc.

To say JJ was a little underwhelmed by the entire thing is an understatement but more than anything, we appreciated his "lack of enthusiasm" if you will, because he acted like Hazel had been here all along. He wasn't climbing all over her, yet he acknowledged that she was now here. It was the smoothest transition we could hope for.

We rested a bit in the morning and then got ready for church.

Our church family is incredibly important to us. Our pastor has been so excited for Hazel's arrival for months! But more than that, Hazel wouldn't be here if it weren't for our church family. Back in 2011 when we were fundraising for JJs service dog, we also were part of  a Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University (FPU) course that was happening at our church. We were asked to share our testimony about our progress with FPU and our Pastor focused the questions on how we were able to save more money for JJs service dog because of the budget. Budgeting really does feel like getting a raise, because you know where all your money is going. When you tell your money what to do, it listens!

The weekend after we shared our testimony, we found out that a family in the church had heard our story the previous weekend, and wanted to anonymously donate 2000.00 to JJs service dog fund. This money, coupled with a grant from ACT Today for military families, completed our fundraising. So, as you can see. Our church family is very important to us and has made a huge difference in our lives! We were very excited to introduce Hazel to our church.

I had a teary moment on our way into church. JJ was so excited to be able to hold on to the handle on Hazel's pack that he walked, for the first time ever, independently into the church. He simply held the handle and followed where Hazel went. It was the first time that we weren't holding his hands or holding onto the leash on his backpack! It was amazing! My friend Jen was snapping some pictures of us on the way into church :)

JJ walking with mommy into church, completely independent holding on to Hazel.

Hazel did great. She was a little put off by the loud music at first but eventually settled in and rested on my feet for the entire service.

Laying on mommy's feet in church.

Our church is also pretty amazing in that during the previous weekend services, while I was in Oregon, our pastor announced to the church that Hazel would be arriving the next weekend and asked that the congregation give her and JJ space (since he doesn't handle crowds that well) and reminded them that as a service dog they shouldn't pet her or give her too much attention while she is working. I cannot tell you what a load that lifted for me. To know that our church supported JJ and Hazel in this way was such an incredible blessing for me.We introduced Hazel to many of our friends that attend the same service we do, but we were not mobbed.

The rest of the day we relaxed at home as it was daylight savings and all of us were tired.