Mothers

We have now officially become a biweekly blog (instead of weekly). I missed a wonderful opportunity to blog eloquently on mother's day so I thought I would take an opportunity to do so today.

Mondays are wonderful for the Holman family. As Harland and I both have the day off, we can spend the entire day with each other and the girls. We just finished bedtime with Annika and Greta. Greta's routine is not so elaborate....centered primarily around milk. Annika's routine was a reminder of how great it is to be a mother. She likes to sing three songs before she goes to bed. Mommy and daddy need to sit in specific spots and rub her back. Tonight she wanted to hold both of our hands as she sang along. It is impossible to describe the way she looks at us with so much love -- we are certainly blessed and grateful to be parents.

What's the latest in the Holman family? Kira has 2 weeks left of full time stay-at-home mommy work before heading off to her other job. Harland is getting busier at the clinic. We have had the opportunity to spend time with our mothers and grandmothers in many ways and are grateful for our proximity. On mother's day, we were able to bring together 2 great-grandmothers, 2 grandmothers and three mothers (Kira, Jennifer and Dawn). 6 mothers altogether -- again a reminder of God's providence.

We're getting used to having a yard and, one of these days, may actually get the lawnmower to work. Kira is on week 5 of training for the mini-triathalon. Annika turns 3 next week. We made a beautiful princess dress so she could attend her first ballet and tea with mommy. There was a moment there when she seemed to be choosing a different outfit. Of course, mommy had to play it cool -- no problem, I thought, you can wear anything you want...no matter that we went to the fabric store, set up the sewing machine and spent good hours fixing the dress from being too tight or loose.....all the while thinking....don't they sell these things at walmart for 5 bucks?? Luckily, she wanted to wear it! Pictures to come. Greta is getting faster and faster. She gives very wet kisses and feeds mommy her cheerios.

Greta Grace

Greta, Gretters, Gretie, Greta Gracie, Grets

8 months old and developing her strong personality. Current hobbies include a limpy, scoot/crawl across the floor which I call her wounded soldier crawl. It is surprisingly effective. She is happy to be with mommy, daddy, Annika and grandparents. Strangers? Let's just say the nursery attendants are glad to see us come to the door and this morning one said she "blows a good gasket" She makes us all laugh with her talking, laughing and faces she makes at the table. Who can make her laugh the most?? Annika!

Annika Joanne

Annika, Anni-Jo, Anni, Annika Joanne, Anni-Capanni

Nearly 3 years old. Currently loves pink/purple, reading books (her favorites are the "alphapets" -- a series of alliterative, morally upstanding, cute animals with names such as Fenton the Fearful Frog) and playing "picnic." She sings, dances and has an imaginary friend named Oliver. Today, daddy was asking a riddle while driving in the car. He asked her "what is all around you but you can't touch it, smell it or see it?" Her answer: "God." Constantly amazing us with her memory and knowledge. Her confidence has blossomed over the past several weeks. Her naturally shy tendencies are being overcome by her desire to play with new friends, meet new people and try new places.

May 2, 2010

The Holman family is entering the blog-o-sphere. We have been challenged to begin the journey known as blogging -- I feel that we are up to the task. This will hopefully become a chronicle of the Holman family as I hope to add an entry once weekly. At the very least, this will keep me on the task of a family chronicle and will keep me taking pictures.

So -- who are we? Currently, we are a family of 4 -- Harland, Kira, Annika and Greta -- living in Spring Lake, MI. Our family was created nearly 10 years ago on July 15, 2000 when Harland and Kira were married. Here's 10+ years in a nutshell.

1. Young Kira meets young Harland at University of Michigan over a large pot of soup and an orchestra playing Star Wars (or some other "pops" song)

2. Young Kira agrees to study with young Harland but becomes suspicious when the ratio of Kira's study materials to Harland's study materials is about 10:1

3. They fall in love

4. They are engaged under the Northern Lights of Lake Superior and are married a year later.

5. The next 7 years: study, study, study, on-call, on-call, on-call. Homes created in Fenton, MI; Whitmore Lake, MI and Cincinnati, OH (Newport, KY). Over what seems now like a blink of an eye but what then seemed like a laboriously long journey, Young Kira becomes Dr. Kira and Young Harland becomes Dr. Harland.

6. May 23, 2007 -- life changes completely with the arrival of Annika Joanne

7. August 21, 2009 -- life changes again with the arrival of Greta Grace

8. March 26th, 2010 -- trusting God, we leave behind life as we knew it in Kentucky and fill one giant U-Haul truck (OK -- one truck and two trailers) and move back to Michigan.

That's where we are now. I have found myself feeling a sense of renewed love for my husband and family during this move and will take the opportunity on the next few entries to brag on them (just a little)