Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Nova. best.dog. EVER.

Nova. She was my friend. Just 2 months after Logan and I had been married, she was brought to our house just for the weekend (since we had a yard), until the humane society would open up again...Jesse couldn't have her since his dog had died of parvo. He said if we wanted her we could have her, other wise he would take her on monday. She army crawled across our house. Nervous and scared and obviously not treated kindly. We fell in love. 5 minutes. That's it. We knew we wanted her and could love her.

She was such a hunny. She would wag her tail if you looked at her; if you smiled at all, not even in her direction. I could whisper to her as she slept and she would start wagging. She loved to kiss and snuggle. Would let us dress her up in ANYTHING, and keep it on. She was so gentle and would practically suck the food off your fingers. She thought she was a person. When we were around other dogs, she would give you a look as if to say "silly dogs. Retarded for balls. I just want to sit in the shade with my people. ugh, such animals...am I right?!" She was timid and a little worried until she became a mama. Then she blossomed. She made amazing babies. She wouldn't bark at the water when we went swimming as if it was eating us up (like she would before). She would just join us for a swim. She was amazing on a leash, and even better off. She would try to speak telepathically, with intense cartoon-y eye pooping looks, and communicated very well, I might add. She would ask then wait. and wait. and wait. and lay down and wait till we were ready. and sometimes breathe heavy for effect.

She LOVED us. Trusted us. Loyal. Compassionate. Gentle. Understanding. Patient. Kind. Calm. Obedient. Sweet. Smart. Intuitive. Silly. Baggy.

She was great with kids. All kids. I remember the first time she was around a baby was my nephew Caedon while he was still in a carrier. Mason and Heather set him down and Nova smelled him and laid next to him the whole night, not even getting up to eat. When Heather came over to pick him up, Nova gave her a look as if to say "Um, I don't know if you are allowed to take him...Is he YOURS?! I'm not so sure about this...okay, ya, he's yours. That's fine. My job is done." And she was awesome with our girls. She became mama's helper. Just like Lady. She would smell them to make sure they were okay. Give us a look as only moms can when we weren't tending to the baby and her cries quick enough. She let them dress her up, tug on her, and snuggle. They learned how to "be gentle" and how to treat a dog and how a dog should act/react because of her.

God was so gracious to us, particularly to Logan, preparing his heart for what was to come.

Vinnie was a good dog, but Nova was THE best dog EVER. None could compare. She was the perfect fit for our family, before and after kids.

I miss her and her squishy face, baggy pants, and bad breath. Well, not so much the bad breath.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Daddy. Here it is.

Daddy.

This is how I would describe you:
You are passionate. Bold. Wise. A leader. Speak truth. Has integrity. You have such great love. You are funny and witty. Comforting and tender. A servant. Generous. Honest and just. Compassionate. Kind. Your eyes twinkle when you smile and laugh. A good judge of character. Discerning. Your hugs melt. Protective. Protector. Provider. A gifted teacher. You have faults that are noticeable. Raw. Gentle. Handsome. You have great taste in food. Hard worker. Never lied to me. Love children. You have a contagious laugh. You love and desire The One True God, Our Creator and Savior.


I am sure there are more ways I would describe you, but I think this will do for now. Looking back at memories I have from growing up, you have been my deciding factor. Jelly donuts. Leader not follower. Steak and potatoes. Smooth not lumpy. Lima beans and liver. I catch myself saying, "I always liked/did it...it was what my dad liked/did."

Four of my favorite memories/things that continue to stand out to me ever since I was a young. 1. Smelling like you all day from the morning hug you gave me right after you tied your boots on sitting at the head chair at the dining table, after you ate your bagel or took it to go. 2. "Be a leader, not a follower." 3. Listening to the sound of your laugh coming from the living room as I fell asleep was like hearing lullabies. and 4. Going to the Father/daughter Sock Hop dance wearing a poodle skirt and you in jeans, a white t-shirt with a block rolled up in the sleeve, and a leather jacket, riding the motorcycle and having the young, most handsome dad that danced the whole night with me (unlike any of the other dads)...=special.

I know I went through a "phase" that seemed as though none of these things we true to me, and thankfully it was a phase and that the Good Lord brought me out of THAT! By His grace, we can see the light. and Thank you for loving me through (in spite of) that.

You (and mom) have always been my spiritual leaders and I am so thankful for that. God has truly blessed me by you. Spoken wisdom through you. Tangibly loved me by you. Physically protected and comforted me with you. Guided and molded me by you. Made me witty by you (ahaahaa!)

We are alike, you know. I only ever heard how much I was like mama growing up and never considered that I would be like you, and well you were a boy...so I kinda got hung up on that. And I am so thankful for the qualities I posses because of you. and thank GOD He continues to purify us in every way, am I right?! ;) To Him be the glory for all of them!

Through you God showed me what I wanted in a husband. You and Mama's prayers for me since I was a baby "to have a man that would love her and love God..." was answered by an amazing man who is now fathering our daughters. I am excited to see the things that impact them to the core as you have to me. You are the best dad I could have been given and I am so thankful for you. For being a wonderful example of Father-God to me. I love you forever. You are priceless.

-jalinski.


my facebook post:
the two greatest men in my life: my husband and my dad. Both= love me unconditionally, show God's love in a tangible way, handsome, strong, passionate, smart, put up with my crap and my attiTUde, witty, always treat me in a way so as I never question my worth or beauty, have raised amazing daughters ;) , and know how to fix my cars and well any problem I have. I love you both so CRazY much. forever and ever.