My New Dog

I had been thinking about getting a dog. My husband and kids have slowly been trying to convince Mommy to get a dog. So we finally got a dog. She is a 8 1/2 month old mutt puppy. She is medium sized, but has a big bark. I feel a lot safer at night having her here. She has taken to our family very quickly. She has gotten used to the kids, and has mastered the "Please feed me table scraps" look. She doesn't act like a puppy. She is very mellow and quiet. She is the perfect dog for us, and I feel so much better having a dog to help protect our home.
Today I had class for the Vocational Rehabilitation Department. They are helping me get job training as a CNA. Before I can start my CNA training I have to take the Work Keys test. It is a test used in 40 states to determine your math skills and reading comprehension abilities. So for two weeks I have class Mon-Thur. The final Thursday I take the test. So today I had to go sit in a classroom full of people I don't know for 4 hours! And I handled it just fine! I was nervous when I first found out about it, that I would have a difficult time. I had a panic attack when I first got the information. Just the thought of a new environment scared me, but I was ok today.
After coming home I rested some while my son napped, and then I took my kids shopping. Another success! Shopping is always difficult with my kids. And if it is a store with small shopping carts it is extra difficult because then I can't put my daughter in the cart. So while she played in the clothes racks I shopped. I kept reminding her to stay close, I had to threaten her with timeout when we got home, but she stayed close and I was ok. Again huge steps towards being able to do normal things again. My next goal is taking them to the park. For some reason that is very difficult for me, and I have no desire to take them to the park. Ever. But wanting to avoid my kids in 20 years telling a therapist how awful it was growing up because Mom was such a control freak and couldn't handle leaving the house even to go play at the park. I know I need to take them. So one day soon I'll have the courage, and take my Klonopin and we will go to the park. That's my goal for the next two weeks. One afternoon in the next two weeks I will take them to the park again.