Only for a dog

Mike and I each grew up dog lovers. Our families almost always had dogs in the home and since we've been together nearly 12 years, we've gone a total of less than 4 months without a dog in our home.  Our parents still have dogs and our siblings do, too, so no matter where we visit, there's usually a furry friend to greet us or to pile up on the couch with.  No outfit is complete without dog hair.

Before I came into his life, Mike had a dog, Simba.  He really took to Ruby so his parents more or less inherited him.  He loved Ruby but I'm not sure if he loved anyone else because all I ever knew of Simba was a scared dog who really didn't care for anyone, especially if they were in his space.  I saw way more of his growling gums than I ever felt comfortable with but I was there when everyone said their goodbyes and when he crossed over into the Rainbow Bridge.  I most certainly wouldn't have hung out with a human that reacted to me the way Simba did but I felt sorry for the poor guy and tried to love him anyway.  Only for a dog. 

Mike and I had only been dating a couple of months when I told him my plan to fly to Oregon and drive back with a dog. My favorite dog in the whole world, Brock, needed me in a big way and I had to go get him.  Mike volunteered to give up his Thanksgiving break to travel with me.  Over 2,100 miles from Portland and two and a half full days of driving, Brock was back home.  Only for a dog.

 

We had 2+ amazing years with Brock before the ugly cancer got him.  We hadn't had kids yet and his passing was unexpected and heart shattering.  Not until we met Eileen did our hearts feel full again.  She was a three-legged, obese, hot mess who loved to eat paper.  She got bored one night while we were sleeping and decided to get into the fire starter logs, yep, the flammable ones.  So at 8 months pregnant, I shook Mike awake in the middle of the night and we spent part of our Valentine's Day in the emergency vet to save our baby from her toxic snack.  Only for a dog.

In 2011, we welcomed Kiki into our family.  She was our third Boxer, but very different from the other two.  She was super chill, had an awesome underbite, deaf as a door post and was typically content just being near someone, anyone that would pet her.  She tolerated Henry as a toddler and loved hopping into the car to go for a ride.  As Kiki got a little older, her health declined a bit and unfortunately she ended up having to have one of her eyes removed because the retina detached.  This bought her a couple more really great years of life but it's certainly not something I ever imagined having to deal with.  Only for a dog. 

Lucy came along in 2012 and it was our first time to have two dogs at a time.  Shortly after she joined our family, I began having a pretty major health issue and she was right by my side, literally, for the entire ordeal.  Every night she was my faithful companion, my lap buddy and even though she can't talk back, I know she's always been my best little friend.  One night though, she and Kiki thought it would be fun to go gangbusters on a foil pan that was sitting on the kitchen counter.  It previously had green beans with bacon in it, Mike rinsed it and tossed it up on the counter to take out to the trash the next morning.  Well at 3am, Lucy and Kiki made so much noise it startled me awake. I went in to find both of them with miserable looking faces and a half-eaten foil pan.  I panicked, loaded them up in the car and drove to the ER vet (this time leaving Mike to sleep) only to shuck out over $300 to be told that they were probably going to be fine.  I also learned that aluminum won't show up on an x-ray the same way most metals will so the whole thing was a waste of time.  The good news is that my girls were going to be okay.  Only for two dogs. 

September 6, 2015, Mike brought Lily home from the dirt track, just two nights after we said goodbye to Kiki who passed away.  We were new foster parents to a newborn who had been placed with us just 9 days prior and I was exhausted to the core, beat down, tired. Needless to say, I didn't welcome Lily that first night, even made Mike sleep on the couch with his new "flea bag" because I didn't want her dirty dog self in our bed.  It was Clean Sheet Sunday, after all. The next day, I warmed up to the idea of her staying, she and Lucy worked out their differences and are still the very best of friends.  Yep, I agreed to let her stay because Lucy loved her, Mike was proud of her and because I felt sorry for her.  Only for a dog. 

Dutch came along last summer because we thought that having three dogs would be easier than having three kids. Ha, how wrong we've been.  Dutch, aside from being a raging, overprotective lunatic when new people come over, has cost us at least 3 loaves of bread, Henry's lunch (TWICE!) a practically brand new tub of arthritis chewables (thank God they were for dogs and not people!), a brand new crock pot and nearly $900 in emergency surgery expenses.  Only for a dog.  


Last summer, we were dog sitters for our friends when they took a family vacation.  Their dog was amazing all week, seriously no trouble at all until a handful of hours before her people got home.  We got home from church and couldn't find her anywhere. Mike and I were in a serious panic trying to find her, tearing through the closets, looking under beds, driving around the neighborhood, posting on Nextdoor, everything we could think of to find our friends' dog, their baby.  Not until we got on FB to post on the neighborhood group did we finally find her.  An amazing couple saw her running down the street hours earlier and scooped her up, worked for a couple of hours to try to find her family.  I don't remember how hot it was that day, but I know we were all sweaty and nearly in tears (well I had been bawling all afternoon....) when she was returned to our house.  I called my friend to tell her what happened and that I knew I needed to be fired, but that I would resign gracefully instead from my dog sitting duties. Only for a dog. 

It's funny to me that people are usually "cat people" or "dog people." Our family falls into the latter category for a number of reasons from I have a moderate allergy to cats and because dogs can go more places than cats can.  Dogs typically have a little more personality and are friendlier than cats, at least in my experiences.  Not knocking cats by any means but we've had such amazing dogs in our lives that we just can't imagine anything being better.  Not much beats piling up on the couch with two little dogs on my lap and a big tub of Boxer love piled up next to me.  There's no one else I'd rather share my snacks with or roll the window down for. There's no one else aside from Mike that's allowed to sleep in my bed, let alone snore in it and stretch out all four legs and crowd me up to the edge.  There's no one else I'd rather get up with in the middle of the night to let outside or to tell to stop barking.  Dogs are special in their own little ways and I'm incredibly thankful for all the days I've had with my fur babies and for that special place reserved in my heart - only for a dog.

Shaking things up a bit

Big changes for the Holland family coming up this week!

First on the docket - Ruby is going to start an early preschool program.  It's the same preschool that Henry attended when he was her age.  We are very excited to go back there, lots of awesome people and a great curriculum, too.  While it will be a big transition from being at home with mom to full-time preschool, we think it will be great for Ruby to make new friends, learn from new teachers and expand her horizons.  She's a bright little girl who loves to learn and she's very social so this should be an exciting time for her.  I will definitely miss being at home with her but we really feel like it's time for her to make this step.

So, what does that mean for me during the day?

Well, Mama is headed back to the workforce this week.  I've accepted a part-time position for a company I've worked for in the past.  I am looking forward to learning a new role, taking on new responsibilities outside the home and making a little extra for our family as well.  The company is amazing, very team-oriented and I had lots of fun working there in the past while learning and growing. We are hoping it's a good balance for the kids as well, giving them a chance for new opportunities but also having me home a little more than if I were working full-time/overtime each week.  Admittedly, I'm a little anxious to change up our entire routine, but I think it will be good for all of us in the long run.

I've also started working with Board At Home parties during my "free time."  Check us out on Facebook - I would be honored to work with you!  I have really enjoyed meeting new people and of course painting has been an awesome creative outlet, too.

And of course I'm back at the Coppell Farmer's Market with Magnolia Seafood after a brief hiatus for shoulder surgery and recovery.  I'm not a big fan of dragging my behind out of bed early on a Saturday morning but I truly do love being at the market.  We have amazing customers, working with Julie, one of my favorite people is even more fun and Captain George takes great care of us, too.  If you're looking for fresh Gulf shrimp and fish, come check us out!

And now everyone knows I don't sit down and chill very often.  You know what they say about idle hands....

As for Henry, he is finishing up summer camp and has had a great time this year.  He's been swimming no less than a hundred times, went to Mini Camp with the kids at church and even got to go on a boys' trip to Nebraska to watch the USMTS with his Daddy and Granddad.  Next week, he's going to hang out with Aunt Nikki and his favorite cousins during the day until school starts later in the month.  Crazy to think that in just over two weeks, he will officially be a third grader.  As much fun as he's had this summer, I know he's looking forward to seeing his school friends.  And as much as he won't admit it, I think he kinda likes school and definitely does better with a routine during the week.   Taekwondo has also kept him in great shape this summer and he will continue working towards rank advancement. 

No big changes for Mike, but after a roller coaster ride a couple of summers ago, we are totally fine with his routine NOT changing. :)  His job is going great and he enjoys his work.  He works hard for our family and we are very proud of him.  We are still loving having him home in the evenings and weekends, too. He's got a work trip planned in September and some other races on the calendar.

So I guess that's it for us for now.  Lots going on, but we've been blessed with new opportunities and excited about the direction we're headed.

Poolside

Nana and Papa put a pool in 3 years ago and every summer we enjoy it just as much, if not more than the summer before.  We can't say thank you enough and we cherish the times we are together making memories.

Here's a typical outing with the kids - 

Kids squeal out the backdoor in swimsuits, running full speed towards the water.  One of them is a competent swimmer, but still has to be watched like a hawk. He's no Michael Phelps. The other is a mostly fearless, hot mess who has shaved at least a decade of years off my life this summer already. We are learning water safety but her adventurous side is trying to reign victorious. 

Me: Hold on, let’s put sunscreen on before you get in.
Smothers both children with sunscreen and hopes for the best.
Wait, Ruby, where’s your floatie?
Rummages through one of our multiples bags of crap. 
Did we leave your swim shoes at home again?

Henry from across the pool, standing boldly on the rock: Mom! Watch this!

Me: Awesome, cannonball!
Now what was I looking for....

Head count. One kid. Two kids. Nikki's kids.


RJ: Mommy!  Shoes!
Prances around impatiently waiting for me to get it together so she can enjoy the 24 thousand gallons of fun.  

One of many adults to a squealing child: Just because we are outside doesn’t mean you have to scream.


Kids gang up in collective roar. 

Another Adult: Pretty sure the whole neighborhood can hear you. Shhh!

After 2 more trips inside the house, I finally find my sunglasses that were missing, kick off my flip flops and put my hair in a pony tail. Next, I find a pool noodle to float on and I work up the courage to step in the almost-always-chilly-at-first water. I'm a baby and their pool is mostly shaded.

Head count. One kid. Two kids. Nikki's kids.

Gets into pool. Sigh of success. Kids are happily swimming and all my body weight is happily floating.


Me and/or Nikki to at least one if not all of our precious children: get my hair wet and I’ll drown you. Laughs devilishly, but seriously.

Kids chasing each other.
Multiple adults yelling "no running around the pool!"
Kids cannonball into the pool.
Series of waves and a mild tsunami disrupt once previous peaceful floating.

Kids splashing and yelling but happy.

Loving Empty Nest Adult: Seriously, why are you hollering? We are all right here.


Head count. One kid. Two kids. Nikki's kids. 

Another Loving Empty Nest Adult: I bet your kids will sleep good tonight.  
Secretly thanking God they get to go home to a quiet house sans our rowdy kids.

10 minutes after getting into the pool
Henry: I'm hungry. Can we have a snack?
RJ: I wan ‘nacky!

Out we get for towels, snacks, drinks and coordinated chaos.  Wash, rinse, repeat until toddler wears out or the mosquitoes get too aggressive and we have to retreat.


Here's a typical outing without the kids - 


Just kidding.
I have NO IDEA what that second scenario looks like. That’s just a long-term goal that might come true in 15+ years. In the meantime, I’ll be poolside enjoying my crazies and the fun times together. Cheers and much sunscreen. But quit hollering!

Happy Adoption Day!

Ruby,

A year ago today, we were anxiously awaiting our turn in front of the judge, asking for her blessing that we welcome you into our family officially. Our family was there, all 4 of your grandparents, your great-grandparents, Aunt Nikki and Kevin, and of course Lolli and Pop, too.  There were countless others that were praying from afar that morning, asking for God’s provision and peace for the day. We were so excited to know that once the judge signed that final piece of paper, you would forever be OUR daughter. Your brother was over the moon happy and kept telling everyone that no one would ever be able to take you away. Honey, you have no idea what a blessing that relief is. You are the piece that completes our family and makes us whole. You were wanted and loved before we ever laid eyes on you. You were a gift to our family, one sent from God.  

Your birth family is equally precious to us and we will forever be grateful for their selfless gift for your life. We are thankful to have had the opportunity to help bridge the gap a bit by building a relationship with your grandmother via text message and an IG account where we share pictures and updates about your life. She's also shared so many pictures from your birth as well as ones from your dad growing up, stories too. They chose this path for you and I know they love you more than we could ever quantify. You are a beautiful, cherished blessing to your entire family, genetic relation or not. You are loved.

Daddy and I are so thankful that all of the uncertainty and frustration to make it official is all a distant memory now. You were worth every anxious moment of waiting, every paper cut, every meeting, every tear, happy and sad. Ruby Joy Holland, we are so blessed and thankful that you are our daughter. We love you to Heaven and back! 

Love, 
Mama and Daddy

A letter to Henry on his 8th birthday

Another trip around the sun! Every year I say it, but I really don't know where the time has gone.  You're a big kid now and man, you are SO much fun to hang out with now.  Not that you weren't fun  before, but you've matured enough that we are getting to experience lots of new things together.  As I'm writing this (the night before your birthday), you're at the races with your Daddy, Granddad and Uncle Steve.  You've looked forward to this time for many years and I know your Daddy is extra pumped to have you with him too.

 Mama can't believe you're EIGHT! 

 

 First day of 2nd grade - August 28, 2017

 We love your snaggle-tooth smile that lights up the room.

You definitely have racing in your blood - you're obsessed!  You love drag racing, dirt track racing, NASCAR, and you even enjoy watching dirt bikes and monster trucks too.  We are definitely race fans so you'll always be in good company.  Maybe some day we can get you into a jr. dragster or a door car in your teenage years.  Whatever you choose, just remember that Mama can't bear to see you in a car that goes in circles.

At the drag strip with Daddy, watching Papa race

You're a second grader this year and the school year has been a fun time.  You really enjoy math and science especially and you have straight As in those subjects.  Reading and writing are still a challenge for you but you're pushing through it.  You definitely enjoy reading books that teach you something versus a fictional story - who can blame you? Fantasy isn't for everyone and learning cool stuff is awesome. You have lots of friends and always have a story or two about what y'all were up to that day.  You enjoy going to Lego Club on Tuesdays after school as well.  Your teacher told me that you're a delight and that if all her kids were like you, her job would be easy and even more enjoyable.  Daddy and I are very proud of your school achievements and eagerness to learn.

 

You received a Math Facts award in February 2018 and you were very proud of your accomplishment!

 

Showing off Lego creations at Open House that you and a friend worked on 

Last summer, you started Taekwondo and you've really surprised us with how much you've learned.  You enjoy learning new moves and forms.  You also broke a "birthday board" on Thursday.  It was great seeing your excitement to do it and your pride after it was broken.  You have done well in all of your belt tests so far and we look forward to your progression.  Maybe this year you will be able to start the Black Belt Club, if you're willing to put in the effort and hard work.

After your first belt test in August 2017, you earned your yellow belt.

You're also doing well at church and enjoy learning about Jesus.  On January 31, 2018, you asked Jesus into your heart and you were saved.  It was an extremely precious moment in your life, the best decision you can ever make for yourself.  You were baptized in front of not only our family, but our church family as well on February 18th.  You were so excited that day and you've told others about what it means to be saved and baptized.  It's really inspiring to see your love for the Lord and we are thrilled to see you walking with Him.

 With your Grand-pastor, Kenneth Wells, as he led you to Christ.  We all prayed the sinner's prayer together and you asked Jesus into your heart.  

 

You were looking snazzy at church on Christmas Eve 2017. For a kid who doesn't care to dress in anything but t-shirts and "comfy" shorts, you do enjoy wearing a suit and looking right!  

You're still the very best big brother to Ruby, even if y'all are already getting into trouble together.  Happy noise is joyful noise, but mercy, y'all are LOUD!  She adores you and is always so excited to pick you up from school each day.  Your smile puts a big one on her face too.  Thank you for loving her, teaching her, entertaining her, encouraging her and keeping her safe.  You're the best big brother!

 All my heart - Valentine's Day 2018

Daddy and I look forward to another year with our most favorite son.  You're such a blessing in our lives, you light up our world.  Thank you for being you. Thank you for every little laugh, smile, joke, toot noises, silly dances and even the stubborn arguments.  All of those wrapped into one makes you OUR son!  Happy 8th birthday, Henry!  We love you!

A letter to Ruby on her 2nd birthday

Ruby, you are the light of our lives and we are so excited to celebrate you on your special day, your SECOND birthday!  Your laughter is contagious and you have some of the best belly laughs around. You squeal with excitement and run towards your favorite people with your pearly white teeth peaking through a giant grin.  You love silly faces and crazy noises, especially when it detracts you from getting into trouble.  You're learning about soft hands and inside voices; I think you just love being the center of attention.  Your energy and spunk are both enough to power a crowded room, that's for sure.

December 2017 - a quick shot of you running away, vehemently protesting your participation in family photos. When your mind is made up, there's no changing it.  You might be a legit Ament after all!

 You had recently mastered running and you quickly found out that it was way more fun for you than your out of shape parents.

 Mom dreamt of snapping a pretty pic or two at the arboretum in the spring. You were so amused by the flowers that you wouldn't look at the camera.  And look at those arms!

You love all things food, especially fruits and carbs. You’re a girl after my own heart. The joke around the house is that we can’t eat anything unless we intend to share with you. It’s been a good diet plan for your Mama. You’ve stopped drinking milk all day, preferring ice water in between your morning and after-nap milk cups. You love pulling ice from the ice box and putting it in the dogs’ water bowl.  You love sharing with them especially.

Get it, girl! 

You’ve been a decent sleeper for a while but over the past handful of weeks, you’ve been on a sleep protest. You fight sleep and play or talk yourself to sleep most nights which makes us laugh, hearing you banging around in there, in the dark all by your lonesome. You’re usually up by 8am, if not much earlier. You nap for about 2ish hours in the afternoons, but sometimes you go down for 3 hours which makes your evenings a lot more fun.


You LOVE bath time and if someone even says “bath” or “bathroom” in your presence, you are obsessed. You don’t care for having your hair washed but you’ve recently stopped screaming like a maniac when it’s done. You love the bath toys you got for Christmas and you love splashing, too. I think pool time this summer is going to be amazingly awesome.




You have a lot of words including: Mommy, Daddy, Bubba (Henry), doggie, puppy, night night, baby, cuppy (cup), ball, mine and hi. You know names of lots of family, friends and your Sunday School teachers, too.   You also have your own little language that’s incredibly cute. A few of our favorites:

• ‘Nacky - which means snack and you say this word at least a hundred times a day; no lie or exaggerating. As much as it beats me down by the end of each day, it’s incredibly cute and I love it.  Daddy and I often ask each other if we want a 'nacky and squeal with excitement just like you do.  We're Hollands, we love to eat!
• "R Gay" - RJ
• “Whoa” - water
• “Mo” - more
• “Awl” - elephant
• “I dit down” - I sit down
•  "ditty dat" - kitty cat
• “Got you” - you want us to pick you up
• “Uppy” - you want up in our lap
• “Boo” - boot
• “Sue” - shoe
• Side - outside
• “Eh bite” - you want a bite of something
• “Where eh go?” - where did it/they go?
• "I poop" - you're either working on one or I have a diaper to change!
  

We are *this* close to starting potty training and we think, at least we hope, you will do great. You’re a smart cookie who is very determined but also highly motivated with a little candy.  You like sitting on the potty and playing with the toilet paper so that's definitely one for the win column.  I'm going to be modest for your sake and not post pics of you on the toilet, but girl, your thighs....

You adore Henry and look for him just as soon as you get up each morning. You love when he plays on the floor with you, especially when he makes silly faces or plays peekaboo. You also know how to push his buttons by messing with his glasses or taking his toys or the iPad. He is usually very generous with you until he’s had enough of your shenanigans.  He's still very proud of you, loves that you're his sister and enjoys dropping you off and picking you up at church.

This wasn't posed but didn't last much longer than my chance to snap a picture.

 
You're crazy about your Lolli and Pop and love to get on the phone and FaceTime with them.  It's crazy to see your obsession and their dedication to you, and to the rest of us, makes my heart swell and my eyes sweat.  You point to their picture in your room no less than 5 times a day and talk about Lolli, Pop and Baby.  I can't wait until you're old enough and we get to tell you all the wonderful things they did for you before you moved here.  They adore you and you're incredibly special to them.  Baby, you are loved forever and always. 

You love to play pretend with your baby dolls and your play phone. You like to play dress up and having your hair “pity” (pretty). You are definitely more of a tomboy though, the louder and rowdier you are, the happier you are. Rough and tumble, that’s you to a tee.

 

"Where it go?" is one of the cutest things you say.

You're VERY curious about the world around you.  Lolli says you're nosy and we have to agree! 

You have loads of fun at Kids Klub at the gym and at church too. You act peeved about being dropped off but I’ve been told it’s all for show and that you’re having fun just as soon as I’m out of eyesight. Fine by me, I want you to have fun and burn off some of that energy. 

You are our resident door slammer (every door, every time), mess maker, the loudest and angriest car rider and a challenging baby proof tester. You push every boundary that is set for you and you will not take “no” for an answer, at least not the first or tenth time. You’ve recently started slapping whatever is closest to you when you don’t get your way which makes me laugh and sets my blood on fire all at once. You will stare me down and scream at me. You act so crazy it makes me crazy but I’ve also learned how to break your focus on that and make sure you laugh just by straight-facing you and telling you “don’t you laugh!” Papa did that to me as a kid and as crazy as it drove me then, I always cracked. So do you! You exhaust me, but mercy, your love and charm make up for it tenfold.

We've had 6 babies in our home and you being the last had to be the only climber.

We are so excited to see you growing and learning. Your personality is bigger than life and we can’t wait to see who you grow up to be and what you will accomplish in the days ahead. You are a bright spot in our lives and we love sharing this crazy life with you. We thank God for you and for the JOY that you bring.  Happy 2nd birthday, Ruby Joy Holland!  We love you!