Today Kristin turns 30.  I think we met when she was 15 so that means I’ve know her now, half of her life.  We’ve been married 10 of that.  One thing I’ve learned, is that she just keeps getting better.  She’s an amazing mom, amazing wife, amazing friend and I can’t imagine life without her.  Happy Birthday to my bride.  Here’s to 30 more.

Wish Kristin Happy Birthday here.

Happy Birthday Kristin is a post from: Brody Harper

For the next week we will be right here.  If you need me…. try the following week.

Gettin Our Beach On is a post from: Brody Harper

Today we took the morning and went to the Nashville Zoo.  I’ve been gone every weekend since January and I’m about to be gone for another pretty good stretch so we wanted to make sure that we took today and made it awesome.

The Zoo, Ice Cream and now a Kings game on TV.  Talk about a decent Sunday.  What’d you do today?

Gettin Our Zoo On is a post from: Brody Harper

This amazing human turns six today.  Aiden is one of those kids that you look at and can’t help but think, ‘What’s he going to do with his life?’.  He’s unbelievably creative, sensitive, thoughtful, quiet and…. moody.  When he was a baby we said he was “calm like a bomb” because he was so mellow until you hit that intense button on him.  I can’t wait to see what life has in store for him.

Today we brought him cupcakes to school and had lunch with him and tonight we’re braving Chuck E. Cheese’s.  Cardboard pizza and ski ball.  We must love this kid.

Anyway, a huge ‘Happy Birthday’ to our middle.

Six is a post from: Brody Harper

It has been a painfully busy time in our lives.  I literally have no idea how we manage to make it through each day getting the things done that we do.  Because of that we’ve really tried to make it a focus to do things with the family or as a family as much as we can in the down time.  It’s tough but we’ve been really trying to make that work.

Blue has been really getting into football these past few weeks.  Wanting the cards, studying the stats, tackling his brothers… all that.  On Sundays he’s reminding me to make sure my Fantasy Team is all set and asking me who I’m playing and if I’m winning.  Yep.  He’s a real live eight year old boy.  So a week or so ago, I thought it would be awesome to take him to a game so he could actually see how big something like that really is, but with only a couple games left and prices through the roof, I didn’t really see that happening.  Anyway, it’s funny how things happen because late Wednesday night I got a text from a friend of mine asking if I wanted two tickets to the game.  Me being the amazing sports person I am, had no idea what game he was talking about, but said sure.

So last night we bundled up and Blue was able to experience his first real live NFL game.  It was only my second so that was pretty cool too.  I think my feet are still frozen, but it was worth it for sure.  Blue kept saying that he felt like he was in a video game because he’s only ever seen those players on video games or TV.  Family memories are cool.  Thanks Scott.

Titans Game is a post from: Brody Harper

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  It’s an awesome time of year to grab ahold of what we are thankful for.  I’m continually blown away for my family.  I couldn’t be more thankful for Kristin and the boys.  Today I’m spending the day soaking in time with them and relaxing.  What are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving is a post from: Brody Harper

So this is Penny. We planned on waiting a little while to get a new puppy, but we starting looking online for them and noticed this cool breed. We knew we wanted a Shepherd mix, but nothing was jumping out at us. Until yesterday when Kristin found an ad for four Shepherd mix puppies found in a barn and now currently at a “foster home” about 30 minutes away.

I called the number on the ad and the lady told me that the mom of these puppies was an English Bulldog and the dad was a German Shepherd. Immediately I thought those would be super funny looking adults and we probably should get one.

They said they had two boys and two girls. Three of them looked the exact same and there was one that looked more German Shepherd. Kristin has been needing some female companionship in the house for a while so we decided to go for a girl. Penny was the one that looked different than all the others, and looked like she’d be a good fit in the family. A couple hours later and all the sudden there’s a new member of the family.

I’ve never been super picky about breeds or anything like that, but since Luther was such an amazing dog and a Shepherd mix, how could we go wrong? And when it comes to Penny, with a face like this, how could we say no? So let’s hear it. What’s your favorite breed of dog out there?  We’ve got ours.

Introducing Penny is a post from: Brody Harper

Eleven years ago when I saw a fat tiny puppy being given away in front of a grocery store, I never would have thought…

I remember when I got Luther thinking how weird it was to think that he’d probably be the dog that played with my kids. Kristin and I weren’t even dating yet, and kids weren’t even close to being on the radar.

I remember teaching him to understand what I was saying instead of ‘normal’ commands. Things like ‘get in the car’ and ‘go to bed’. He didn’t listen to anyone else, but he knew what I was saying.

I remember the open bag of dog food I left in the back of my car because we were always going some place and he needed snacks.

I remember taking him on a six mile backpacking trip and to the top of a mountain (in the rotating pictures above) where his feet got all cut up and I ended up carrying him six miles out of the woods.

Once Kristin and I were married, I remember him embracing his role of protector and literally grabbing Kristin’s pant leg with his teeth and pulling her from getting too close to the ocean in Northern California.

I remember taking him to the river and teaching him to jump off the fifteen-foot rocks into the water like we would do.

I remember his attitude change when we first brought Blue home from the hospital. Then I remember him coming around and rolling on the ground, licking Blue’s face. Then I remember bringing home another little boy for him to play with and run away from. And another.

I remember being out on a walk with him and watching him get hit by a car, flung into a yard only to get up and shake it off with no effects except a black tire mark all the way down his back.

I remember loading him up and driving across the country to live in a 700 square foot apartment with (then) four people and a cat. Then I remember moving again. I remember his favorite spot in all six houses he lived in.

I remember the days I was out on the road he’d sleep at the top of the stairs making sure he was the first line of defense for the family.  And days I was home, he’d sleep on the floor next to my side of the bed and take the night off.

Yesterday we said goodbye to Luther.  Quite literally the World’s best dog.  Sure, he occasionally crapped on the floor.  Sure he had days when his attitude was lousy.  But there was no better, more loyal animal alive.  When I got him, I had several dog experts tell me that because of his breed (German Shepherd / Akita) he could be a little mean.  They also said that it was one of the most loyal, protective dogs that I could get.  And that’s exactly what he was.

Now, I know some of you aren’t dog people and this isn’t that big of a deal, but when you share this many experiences with someone there is no doubt in my mind they are part of the family.  And these memories are just a few.  I couldn’t have asked for a better dog to have around my wife and kids. He will be missed for sure.

Kristin has some great pictures on her Facebook also.

The Best Dog is a post from: Brody Harper

Today is the first day Kristin and I are realistically looking at taking our dog of 11 years in to be put down.  He’s at a point where he hasn’t eaten in three days, can barely walk and doesn’t even lay comfortably.  I’ve talked to the vet, they recommend bringing him in when we are ‘ready’.  I’m not sure we’ll ever be ‘ready’, but there’s a sadness in choosing when to end his life.  Sadness.

A friend I went to High School with is burying her dad today.  He had a long bout with cancer and it finally got the best of him and he passed last week.  This same friend has a sister 2000 miles away, unable to travel to the funeral because she’s having a baby.  Today.  The very day of her own dad’s funeral.  Words can’t even describe the emotional conflict going on in that house.  The mom unable to be there for the daughter as she’s giving birth.  The daughter unable to be there with the rest of her family as they lay her dad to rest.  The joy of new life, and the ache of saying goodbye.  Sadness.

Seems like this life is full of it.  And there’s no way around it.  I wish I had some inspirational thing to write on here, but I don’t.  If you’re a praying person, offer one up for our friends in California.  I’m sure they could use it.

Sadness is a post from: Brody Harper

Blue is eight today. I can’t believe I’m old enough to have a real kid. Like a full on kid. Not a baby. Not a toddler. But a real live, drive you crazy, starting his own life kid. It kind of freaks me out a little.

In about an hour we’ll have a handful of 2nd graders in our house running around like maniacs and devouring enough sugar to get them close to a comatose state just before we send them home.

Happy Birthday Blue.  You’re a real live kid and we love every minute of it.

Eight is a post from: Brody Harper