🌾 Life at HavaLuv

A monthly journal from our home to yours.

Welcome to Life at HavaLuv!

I had a fun idea while we have a little break between litters. Instead of only sharing puppy updates, I thought it would be fun to start a monthly journal where I can bring all of you along through our family's adventures, our dogs, our home build, and everything happening behind the scenes here at HavaLuv.

Whether you've welcomed one of our puppies into your home, are hoping to someday, or simply enjoy following along, I'm so happy you're here.

So... here we go!

The Land we will build our dream home on…

July 2026 – A New Adventure Begins

The past few years have brought many changes to our family—some exciting, some heartbreaking, and many that have reminded us just how precious life truly is.

We've experienced the loss of my husband’s beloved brother, watched my in-laws move far away, and walked alongside my dad through his cancer journey. We've also come to the realization that our current home, while beautiful and full of wonderful memories, is simply more than we can manage in this season of life.

After a lot of thought, prayer, and many family conversations, we made the decision to simplify our lives.

In the middle of June, after our last litter went home to their wonderful families, we closed on our home, packed everything up, and moved to our new property while our house is being built.

We're currently living in the most amazing fifth wheel, and honestly... we're having the time of our lives!

I think I pinned more ideas on Pinterest than even I could keep track of, but little by little they've all come together. We built what I think is the perfect dog yard, added fun outdoor games for the kids (has anyone else seen the life-size Connect 4 or axe throwing game?), and discovered that one simple deck of cards can create hours of laughter. Spoons, Go Fish, Old Maid, Slap Jack—you name it! Every evening has turned into family game night.

We have a shaded picnic table where we eat together, turf that's been a lifesaver with all the construction dust, and the sweetest little setup that truly feels like "glamping."

Aaron has been amazing through all of this. Somehow he's managed to turn all of my Pinterest ideas, dreams, and "What if we tried this?" moments into reality. He's listened to every little detail I hoped for, and together we've created something I already know we'll remember forever.

One of my favorite parts has been watching our kids embrace this new adventure.

Maddie tells me almost every day, "Mom, all my dreams are coming true."

She loves looking for Benny the deer, taking evening walks, and living this slower, simpler life. Hearing her say that reminds me we made the right decision.

Watching our new home go up has been magical.

Aaron and I talked about building a simple white home with black accents in the middle of wheat fields long before we were even married. To wake up every morning on the land we've dreamed about for so many years is something we don't take for granted.

When we designed our home, we designed it around the things that matter most to us.

The kids.

The dogs.

And time together.

I'm especially excited for the dog room and nursery. It's right next to our bedroom because, let's be honest, during puppy season that's practically where I live anyway! Every detail was planned around raising happy, healthy HavaLuv puppies while giving our own dogs the very best life possible.

As many of you know, one thing has never changed—we believe our dogs belong with family. They either live in our home or in one of our amazing guardian homes where they're loved every single day. They aren't kennel dogs, and they never will be.

I truly believe this new home will make our program even better.

One thing that surprised me most has been how much our dogs LOVE trailer life.

That first night we didn't crawl into bed until almost 11:00, and I was convinced they'd look at me like, "Mom... take us home!"

Instead, every single one curled up, I said goodnight, and we didn't hear a peep until morning.

They absolutely love their dog yard. They love wandering around the property. And honestly... I think they love that Mom isn't constantly cleaning a big house anymore. Instead, we're outside playing together, watching sunsets, going for walks, and spending time as a family.

It's been so good for all of us.

One thing I've always taught our dogs and puppies is recall. Even though we don't go many places without leashes, I want my voice to matter more than anything else around them.

Watching them now is one of my greatest joys.

They'll be running across the property, and with one whistle they stop in their tracks and look back at me like, "Yes, Mom?"

Two whistles... and they come racing back to my side.

Even little Peaches has it figured out!

The only challenge has been teaching everyone that construction workers are friends. There are new faces coming and going every day, so we've had to practice our "No Bark" rule a little more than usual. Thankfully, they're catching on quickly and realizing these men are here to help build something pretty special.

This season has reminded me that sometimes slowing down isn't giving up on a dream...

Sometimes it's finally living it.

We're so excited to share our home-building journey, puppy adventures, and little moments with all of you over the months ahead.

Thank you for following along with our HavaLuv family. Enjoy our reel on Facebook.

See you next month!

💜 Love,

Ellisa, Aaron, the kids & the HavaLuv crew 🐾

🐾 This Month at HavaLuv Puppies — August 2026

What a summer it has been!

We've had a busy summer filled with a few adventures, lots of playtime at our new property, and a visit to my family in Idaho. In so many ways, it has been a fun, simple summer—which is exactly what we were hoping for in this season of our lives.

I, however, managed to spend most of July and half of August sick! What started as a sinus infection July 1st turned into multiple urgent care visits, two rounds of antibiotics, and eventually coughing so hard that I injured something in my ribs. Four weeks later, my ribs are STILL reminding me they're there! It has been a real doozy of a sickness, but thankfully I'm finally feeling like myself again... now if these ribs would just get the memo! :)

A Very Different August

August also brought something much bigger than our little family.

The severe fires around Spokane changed the feeling of summer almost overnight. We decided not to leave the area again because when our community is facing something like this, Aaron feels a strong calling to stay close to his department.

Being a firefighter family during fire season is always a little different, but this time it felt incredibly close to home.

We could see the smoke. We could smell it. We knew families directly affected. We worried about our fellow firefighters and their families, and it was heartbreaking watching what these fires were doing to communities we love.

I'll never forget coming home from our trip. We turned onto our highway, and I looked in the mirror to see this HUGE cloud of smoke behind us. It honestly felt like a scene from Independence Day—that moment where you look behind you and realize everything is changing incredibly fast.

Those feelings stay with you.

But in the middle of so much devastation, we also witnessed something absolutely beautiful.

💜 Watching Our Community Come Together

I had to stop by the fairgrounds for other business and happened to see the fire camp that had been set up. Seeing it firsthand was incredible.

People were bringing donations for our firefighters. Shelters were receiving donations from all over the country and taking such amazing care of displaced animals. The horse community even put together donated tack and horse supplies so families who had lost their belongings could come "shop" for their ponies for free.

I don't even really have words for it.

In a month filled with so much sadness, there was also SO much love.

Our community showed up.

People helped complete strangers. They took care of firefighters. They opened their homes and properties. They helped animals. They checked on neighbors.

And so many of our HavaLuv families reached out just to make sure we were okay. That meant more to me than I can say.

August reminded me how incredibly lucky we are to live here.

With all the smoke, the kids, dogs, and I spent a lot more time inside than we normally would during summer. It wasn't exactly how we pictured August going, but somehow I think it's a summer we'll always remember.

🚒 Our Firefighter

It was also really special watching our children experience all of this and understand a little more about what their daddy does.

Normally, Daddy leaves and goes somewhere else to fight the fires. The kids know he's gone and know what he's doing, but they don't see it.

This time they could see the smoke clouds. They could smell the smoke. They knew it was close.

And they understood that Daddy was part of the group of people running toward something everyone else was trying to get away from.

I am so incredibly proud of my husband.

Aaron could have chosen so many paths in life, but he knew from the time he was a child that he wanted to be a firefighter. By 17 years old, he was volunteering at our local fire station—the very department he is still with today.

And this summer, he was promoted to Battalion Chief.

Ironically, the day the big fire broke out was his first official day in his new position. Talk about being thrown right into it!

Someone recently said something to me that really stuck with me: first responders are just wired a little differently.

I truly believe God made Aaron for this job.

It takes a special kind of person to remain calm when everyone around them is panicking. To think clearly when something terrible is happening. To walk toward a fire instead of away from it. To see difficult things, pick themselves back up, and answer the next call because someone else needs them.

That's Aaron.

I can't tell you how many times something has happened and I'm completely freaking out while he remains calm, thinks it through, and figures out exactly what needs to happen next. I don't have that ability the way he does.

He's my rock, my very best friend, and our family's hero.

But more than anything...

God made him a firefighter. ❤️🚒

🐾 This Month at HavaLuv

❤️ Favorite Family Memory:
Watching our kids slow down this summer—playing games, exploring our property, spending time with the dogs, and enjoying the simple things.

🐶 Favorite Dog Moment:
Seeing just how happy our dogs are with this slower life. More time with Mom, more time outside, and plenty of snuggles!

❤️ Something That Touched My Heart:
Every single HavaLuv family and friend who reached out to make sure our family was safe during the fires. We felt so loved.

🚒 Proud Wife Moment:
Watching Aaron step into his new role as Battalion Chief during one of the most challenging times our community has faced.

🏡 House Update:
Our house is coming to life more every day! Watching something we've dreamed about for so many years actually being built right in front of us still doesn't feel real.

✨ Looking Forward To:
Fall, cooler weather, getting closer to moving into our new home... and, of course, getting ready for more HavaLuv babies!

💜 Until Next Month...

This summer wasn't exactly what we expected. There was sickness, smoke, scary moments, and a lot of change—but there was also family, community, love, and so many reminders of what truly matters.

Thank you for continuing to follow our little family through all of it. Whether you have a HavaLuv baby at home, are waiting for one of your own, or just love following our crazy crew, we're so happy you're here.

See you next month!

💜 Love,
Ellisa, Aaron, the kids & the HavaLuv crew 🐾