While too busy for getting out cards this year, we made plenty of time for our greatest blessings: family and friends.
We've already had our own family gathering, due to our daughters-in-law's much needed time w/their families on Christmas Eve and Day.
And what fun it was as we chose to do our Holladay traditions this past weekend, including all of the kids coming in to spend the night, staying up late playing games, watching movies, eating good food (creamy tomato basil soup, muffalettas, Kev and Dee's amazing spicy pretzels, Tim's best batch of beef jerky, and lots of cookies baked by myself and Ben the day before: spiced oatmeal, lemon/lime bars, raspberry filled Irish butter, cream cheese/peppermint, and blueberry white chocolate).
Then came the opening of gifts early on (faux)Christmas morning, the 18th.
Lots of gift wrapping and bags went flying as each checked out the presents Doc and I had so much fun selecting.
Kev's main gifts were easy w/his love for hunting as Deanna helped me select arrows for his bow, and insulated boots for when he's trudging the cold ground in search for that elusive big buck.
One of my favorite moments was watching Deanna read our main gift to her: a trip for the time of her choice to take Kade and go back later in the year to visit with her folks (and our dear friends) in Alliance, Nebraska. Having all my chicks so close by makes me more sensitive to Art and Becky being so far away. And it gave me much joy to see Dee's happiness at knowing that she's only a plane ride and a few hours' drive away from her amazing parents.
Kade was especially fun to buy for as it's been a long time since I've picked out baby toys. But as always, this little one was more enamored with the boxes, bows, and gift bags than the actual gifts themselves. And simply because I'm ornery, I looked til I found the 'back in the day' corn popper push toy for him to create even more noise than he already does. :o)
Doc and I will certainly love going with Tim and Mal next month to enjoy the Maverick tickets, hotel stay and dinner out with them that we knew they would love.
With Jon and Chee's move into their country home, we knew that appliances were their greatest needs, so washer/dryer and chest freezer were part of our presents to them.
Our unborn granddaughter will have special books waiting for her when she arrives. "Guess How Much I Love You" and "Wherever You Go, My Love Will Find You" express how each of our hearts feel about this, and all of our little ones.
It's so much fun shopping for my girls as I search through the household/kitchen items in stores like Homegoods and Ross. And Doc pitches in when help w/each of the boys is needed.
Editing for Michael's second novel, tires for Daniel's truck, and clothes/shoes for my evergrowing Benjamin (13 yrs old, 6 feet tall, and size 12- for now- shoes!) rounded out their big gifts.
Throughout their lives, our boys have always been taught and expected to work and pay for whatever they wanted. Because of this, we unashamedly spoil them at Christmas, and this year was no exception.
But nothing can compare to the greatest Gift ever given: the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In 1 John we see: How great is the love of our Father that He LAVISHES on us, that we should be called the children of God.
My prayer and goal is to lavish love on my own children and grandchildren in as many ways as possible. Time together, listening, teaching/training, being there when help is needed, giving above and beyond in the most important areas, and creating lasting memories upon which they can reflect with joy are just as much gifts to myself as to them.
It is my heartfelt prayer and hope that, through us, they will always know the merciful, gracious, unconditional, neverending, above and beyond love of our Heavenly Father.
And from our Holladay family to yours during this greatest of holidays, our prayer is the same for you.
We wish each of you a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.
Doc and Polly
Kevin, Deanna, and Kade
Timothy and Mallory
Jonathan, Chelsey, and (soon to be born) Leila Michelle
Michael, Daniel, and Benjamin
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Another Grandbaby- And This Time It's A Girl!
Now that Jon and Chelsey have told those closest to them, we are free to share the news with everyone.
How sweet it was to see Chelsey's sonogram and have the doctor announce that they were having a baby girl.
With six sons and a grandson in this Holladay clan, this will be a whole different experience for us and we couldn't be happier.
We look forward to many more additions to our already growing family.
The way Doc and I look at it: The More The Merrier!
How sweet it was to see Chelsey's sonogram and have the doctor announce that they were having a baby girl.
With six sons and a grandson in this Holladay clan, this will be a whole different experience for us and we couldn't be happier.
We look forward to many more additions to our already growing family.
The way Doc and I look at it: The More The Merrier!
Monday, December 5, 2011
A Job, A House, and A Baby Boy OR Girl???
It's been a tale of miracles for our son Jonathan, and his wife, Chelsey.
In less than a week's time, they've found an amazing job, the perfect house, and discovered the sex of their first child.
Two things I 'CAN' tell you pertain to the house and the job. The baby's sex is their news to tell... and all in due time. (pun intended)
After going to and graduating from diving school last February, not finding a job in his chosen field, and periodically helping an area master mason, Jonathan has finally been blessed w/a good job in Campbell, TX. He began work this morning at seven o'clock sharp.
After living for nearly a year in a small dwelling at the back of her parent's home, they have been blessed with a four bedroom, two bath country home in Sulphur Springs. It's a great starter, and spacious enough to live in for years to come.
And today, I was blessed to accompany Chelsey, her mother, Cathy, and her sister-in-law, Tiffany, to the doctor for her 'announcement' sonogram. And very clearly, we saw the little one and now know what they'll be having come late April.
Because I'm short on time (decorated tree and house this morning, left for Sulphur Springs by ten o'clock, heading out in a few minutes to see my grandson, Kade, and then off to coach a basketball game in McKinney) I've just posted a few pictures.
We've been blessed far beyond what we could have dreamed. But again, we have a God Whose power is far beyond our wildest expectations and blesses more than we can ask or imagine.
To God be the glory, great things HE has done!
In less than a week's time, they've found an amazing job, the perfect house, and discovered the sex of their first child.
Two things I 'CAN' tell you pertain to the house and the job. The baby's sex is their news to tell... and all in due time. (pun intended)
After going to and graduating from diving school last February, not finding a job in his chosen field, and periodically helping an area master mason, Jonathan has finally been blessed w/a good job in Campbell, TX. He began work this morning at seven o'clock sharp.
After living for nearly a year in a small dwelling at the back of her parent's home, they have been blessed with a four bedroom, two bath country home in Sulphur Springs. It's a great starter, and spacious enough to live in for years to come.
And today, I was blessed to accompany Chelsey, her mother, Cathy, and her sister-in-law, Tiffany, to the doctor for her 'announcement' sonogram. And very clearly, we saw the little one and now know what they'll be having come late April.
Because I'm short on time (decorated tree and house this morning, left for Sulphur Springs by ten o'clock, heading out in a few minutes to see my grandson, Kade, and then off to coach a basketball game in McKinney) I've just posted a few pictures.
We've been blessed far beyond what we could have dreamed. But again, we have a God Whose power is far beyond our wildest expectations and blesses more than we can ask or imagine.
To God be the glory, great things HE has done!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
A Holladay Thanksgiving
Not much time to blog, but here are some new Holladay pics of Thanksgiving to share. You can see them to the left, right, and at the bottom.
We had an AMAZING time w/all of our boys, their wives, our grandson, Kade, and Deanna's sister, Erica, and her husband, Rob.
Later that evening, Doc's folks, Bob and Joan Holladay, his sister (Swirlz owner) Becky Holladay and son, Elijah, Doc's brother, Kenny and his wife, Laurie, and California cousin, Kimberly Wickstrom and two of her daughters, Lucy and Daisy all came to share dessert, laughter, games, and lighting and releasing beautiful Chinese paper lanterns.
What a blessed day with our sweet family!
We had an AMAZING time w/all of our boys, their wives, our grandson, Kade, and Deanna's sister, Erica, and her husband, Rob.
Later that evening, Doc's folks, Bob and Joan Holladay, his sister (Swirlz owner) Becky Holladay and son, Elijah, Doc's brother, Kenny and his wife, Laurie, and California cousin, Kimberly Wickstrom and two of her daughters, Lucy and Daisy all came to share dessert, laughter, games, and lighting and releasing beautiful Chinese paper lanterns.
What a blessed day with our sweet family!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Oh What A Night: Celebrating Michael's Success
November 4, 2011 was a night to remember as we held a graduation, publishing, and book signing event for our fourth son, Michael Dane Holladay.
Michael is a unique and amazing creation of God. We all are! But for this evening, we celebrated what God has done, and continues to do, in the life of this precious son of ours.
Using his God-given talents, Michael began writing his first novel, "The Dark Legion" at age fourteen. Through countless hours of hard work, revisions, more revisions, seeking out and hiring a professional editor (thank you to the amazing John David Kudrick), learning the ropes of the publishing world, submitting his book to many, being rejected many times over but never giving up, Michael’s work was ultimately accepted and he signed on with John McClure at Signalman Publishing.
While other young men and women his age were honored with graduation services last spring, we held out for the time when Michael's work was finally in print and available for purchase.
Celebrating with him this outstanding accomplishment was a joy to both Doc and me as we've watched Michael grow through the years and work so hard on his craft.
For this big night, we created a theme with both decor and menu to fit his medieval Christian fantasy. The combined efforts and generosity of dear friends resulted in tea stained muslin and burlap cloths that covered food service and dining tables. Crosses, candles, swords, and medieval books served as centerpieces.
A memory table was set up with pictures of family and friends, Mike's accomplishments, and works he's studied and read throughout his homeschooling experience.
Knowing a taxidermist came in handy for our friends, Syd and Kathleen Newman, as they were able to borrow a huge wild hog’s head to use as one of the main exhibits on the food table. Jeff and Jeremiah Frankland contributed by setting traps and catching a wild hog to butcher, and Vicki roasted the head, complete with an apple in its mouth, which was also featured as the finishing touch as it sat high on top of a pedestal alongside the stuffed head.
A feast of smoked wild hog, pulled pork, smoked chicken legs, roasted hens, freshly baked artisan breads, roasted rosemary potato wedges served with a creamy horseradish sauce, and whipped yams w/honey cinnamon butter was set out for the nearly one hundred guests to enjoy. Huge dough troughs and heavy pottery were used to hold the various culinary creations.
As guests seated themselves, other servers walked through w/wooden platters of select cheeses, grapes, brown sugar/butter/walnut stuffed baked apples, and spiced oatmeal cookies.
Doc and I welcomed the arrivals, gave thanks for the meal and the fun began.
Once plates were filled and folks were settled in, special guest speakers took to the podium and gave Michael charges to consider as he moves into another season of life.
Close family friends, Jeff and Vicki Frankland, spoke about Michael's attributes, encouraging him to continue to pursue his service to God. And they presented him with a beautiful sword as a reminder to hold fast to the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
His editor, John David, talked about how we met and the bond of friendship that's taken place between him and our family. He spoke to Michael from Scripture, and encouraged him to keep on the path that God has for him.
Then a slide presentation was shown, complete with music Mike had selected and featuring pictures from birth to the present. Michael then welcomed his guests, thanking them and paying special tribute to those who have played an important part in shaping the man he’s become.
Then Doc and I spoke to our son, relaying particular memories of his childhood and citing Scripture as his path to follow.
And last, Michael returned to the stage and was joined by godly men who have made an impression and/or set the highest of examples to him over the years: Doc, Kevin (our oldest son), Daniel (our fifth son), his papa: Bob Holladay, our pastor: Brad Aldridge, family friends: Jeff Frankland and Bill Ragsdale, and John David. What a fitting end to the program as each man prayed over our son and asked for God's continued blessing and leading in his life.
The evening closed with guests able to visit with Michael and given the opportunity to purchase and have him sign his novel.
With emphasis on denying self and submitting to the Father's will being heavy in his first work, Michael is hoping to touch the lives of his readers in a way that inspires them to follow God's leading.
Becoming a man of God is a high calling, and as Michael seeks to use his gifts to bring others to the Lord, we pray blessing upon blessing for this amazing son with whom we've been given the honor of raising, directing, teaching and ultimately giving back to our Heavenly Father for His glory and continued work in Michael's life.
As you look at the pictures to the left, right, and at the bottom, I hope you are as blessed as we've been in this incredible journey of life.
Michael is a unique and amazing creation of God. We all are! But for this evening, we celebrated what God has done, and continues to do, in the life of this precious son of ours.
Using his God-given talents, Michael began writing his first novel, "The Dark Legion" at age fourteen. Through countless hours of hard work, revisions, more revisions, seeking out and hiring a professional editor (thank you to the amazing John David Kudrick), learning the ropes of the publishing world, submitting his book to many, being rejected many times over but never giving up, Michael’s work was ultimately accepted and he signed on with John McClure at Signalman Publishing.
While other young men and women his age were honored with graduation services last spring, we held out for the time when Michael's work was finally in print and available for purchase.
Celebrating with him this outstanding accomplishment was a joy to both Doc and me as we've watched Michael grow through the years and work so hard on his craft.
For this big night, we created a theme with both decor and menu to fit his medieval Christian fantasy. The combined efforts and generosity of dear friends resulted in tea stained muslin and burlap cloths that covered food service and dining tables. Crosses, candles, swords, and medieval books served as centerpieces.
A memory table was set up with pictures of family and friends, Mike's accomplishments, and works he's studied and read throughout his homeschooling experience.
Knowing a taxidermist came in handy for our friends, Syd and Kathleen Newman, as they were able to borrow a huge wild hog’s head to use as one of the main exhibits on the food table. Jeff and Jeremiah Frankland contributed by setting traps and catching a wild hog to butcher, and Vicki roasted the head, complete with an apple in its mouth, which was also featured as the finishing touch as it sat high on top of a pedestal alongside the stuffed head.
A feast of smoked wild hog, pulled pork, smoked chicken legs, roasted hens, freshly baked artisan breads, roasted rosemary potato wedges served with a creamy horseradish sauce, and whipped yams w/honey cinnamon butter was set out for the nearly one hundred guests to enjoy. Huge dough troughs and heavy pottery were used to hold the various culinary creations.
As guests seated themselves, other servers walked through w/wooden platters of select cheeses, grapes, brown sugar/butter/walnut stuffed baked apples, and spiced oatmeal cookies.
Doc and I welcomed the arrivals, gave thanks for the meal and the fun began.
Once plates were filled and folks were settled in, special guest speakers took to the podium and gave Michael charges to consider as he moves into another season of life.
Close family friends, Jeff and Vicki Frankland, spoke about Michael's attributes, encouraging him to continue to pursue his service to God. And they presented him with a beautiful sword as a reminder to hold fast to the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
His editor, John David, talked about how we met and the bond of friendship that's taken place between him and our family. He spoke to Michael from Scripture, and encouraged him to keep on the path that God has for him.
Then a slide presentation was shown, complete with music Mike had selected and featuring pictures from birth to the present. Michael then welcomed his guests, thanking them and paying special tribute to those who have played an important part in shaping the man he’s become.
Then Doc and I spoke to our son, relaying particular memories of his childhood and citing Scripture as his path to follow.
And last, Michael returned to the stage and was joined by godly men who have made an impression and/or set the highest of examples to him over the years: Doc, Kevin (our oldest son), Daniel (our fifth son), his papa: Bob Holladay, our pastor: Brad Aldridge, family friends: Jeff Frankland and Bill Ragsdale, and John David. What a fitting end to the program as each man prayed over our son and asked for God's continued blessing and leading in his life.
The evening closed with guests able to visit with Michael and given the opportunity to purchase and have him sign his novel.
With emphasis on denying self and submitting to the Father's will being heavy in his first work, Michael is hoping to touch the lives of his readers in a way that inspires them to follow God's leading.
Becoming a man of God is a high calling, and as Michael seeks to use his gifts to bring others to the Lord, we pray blessing upon blessing for this amazing son with whom we've been given the honor of raising, directing, teaching and ultimately giving back to our Heavenly Father for His glory and continued work in Michael's life.
As you look at the pictures to the left, right, and at the bottom, I hope you are as blessed as we've been in this incredible journey of life.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
TODAY! Michael At Living Waters Bookstore Signing His Debut Novel: "The Dark Legion"
Our son, Michael, will be at Living Waters Bookstore today from 1:00-3:00 to sign his debut novel, "The Dark Legion", book one in The Keiratha Trilogy. Stop by to visit with him and get your signed copy for $16. And thank you, David Norwood, for graciously allowing him a spot in your store and carrying his novel on your shelves.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Celebrating Another Holladay: Jon and Chelsey Style!!
Last month, we found out that we have another grandchild on the way. Jon and Chelsey announced to our family that they are expecting their first baby, due in April.
While I've loved and still love raising our sons, these grandbabies are going to be even more fun because this time we get to do less work and more PLAY! And play we will, as Doc and I grow older and get to experience the joys of grandparenthood.
Please pray with us over this little one, that he or she will grow strong and healthy within, as we also pray for our children as they prepare to raise their children to love, honor and live for our Lord.
While I've loved and still love raising our sons, these grandbabies are going to be even more fun because this time we get to do less work and more PLAY! And play we will, as Doc and I grow older and get to experience the joys of grandparenthood.
Please pray with us over this little one, that he or she will grow strong and healthy within, as we also pray for our children as they prepare to raise their children to love, honor and live for our Lord.
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