After years of hard work, thousands of hours at his computer, completing his first manuscript, hiring an editor, submitting queries to a multitude of publishers, waiting, praying, working some more, our fourth son- Michael Dane Holladay- finally heard from an interested publisher: John McClure of Signalman Publishing.
Michael, Doc, and I visited with John by phone this evening and he was so helpful and encouraging, answering all of our questions. Feeling that this was the right decison, Mike prepared to sign the contract.
Before doing so, we held hands and prayed with him, thanking God for how He's created and gifted Michael, and asking that no matter what the outcome, His Name be glorified.
While this is more Michael's story to tell, I just wanted to share how proud we are of our amazing and unique son.
The Dark Legion, the first novel in Michael's "The Keiratha Trilogy" will be available for purchase in a couple of months. In the meantime, his second book awaits first stage professional editing, and Michael is currently working on the third book in this series.
It's been our honor and privilege to raise this extraordinary young man, and we can't wait to see what God continues to do in his life.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
New Pics of the Family
Lots of time visiting these past few months, and so we have some new pictures to share.
Our sweet grandson, Kade, is nearly 6 months old, and the shots of him show so many changes. He's SO MUCH fun for all of us, and we look forward to lots of time spent together watching him grow and learn.
Life is far more blessed than any of us deserve, and we are so thankful for our healthy, happy Holladay homes.
Our sweet grandson, Kade, is nearly 6 months old, and the shots of him show so many changes. He's SO MUCH fun for all of us, and we look forward to lots of time spent together watching him grow and learn.
Life is far more blessed than any of us deserve, and we are so thankful for our healthy, happy Holladay homes.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Check Out Our Easter Blessing
In all of his Easter finery, Kade David looks as sweet as any Easter treat. What a joy he is and will be. And what a charge to us to be godly examples, and to teach him about the love of Christ and the ways of God.
We are blessed more than we deserve with all that this holiday means, and with the love we have for one another in this amazing family.
We are blessed more than we deserve with all that this holiday means, and with the love we have for one another in this amazing family.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Old Pics, New Pics, Memories In The Making
Looking through facebook makes it nice as I find pictures my kids post that I can save and add to our blog site. You'll find some new ones, and some old ones- they just remind me how quickly time flies and how wonderful to have still shots of memories.
All is good in the Holladay household as we work hard and have great times together.
Milestones are happening as our sons continue to grow and mature. Today, Daniel is making his first long trip by himself to work in Texarkana. Doc and I prayed with him before he left (school work, guitar, cds, and clothing packed for a 3 day stay), and reminded him of trustworthiness, safety, and following God's ways. But in the end, as Doc reminded 'me', he's in God's hands and God is ultimately in control, loving Dan far more than we ever could.
Michael continues to work on his third novel while seeking either an agent or a publisher for his first. He has embraced and used the talents that God has given to him, and I'm so proud. I eagerly look forward to seeing how God uses this uniquely gifted son of mine.
And Benjamin tries to stretch and grow up way too quickly while his daddy and I try to keep him our little boy just a bit longer. He'll be 13 this next month, an age many cultures consider to be at manhood. I pray for wisdom to hold on and then to let go, little by little, as he learns the lessons we strive to teach him.
I had time with Deanna and Kade yesterday. Our sweet guy is getting chubby and was so sweet as he smiled at me with heavy lidded eyes, and then fell asleep in his mommy's arms. And as you'll see, I posted a picture of Kade w/his daddy. I love the smile on Kevin's face as he holds and talks to his son. Brings back great memories of Doc doing the same w/each of our boys.
A few days ago, Chelsey gave me a call and we chatted for quite a while about all that's going on with her and Jon, as Jon waits for 'the call' to head out into the field of his chosen career as a diver. Thankfully, he also recently received a call to work for someone else in the meantime, welding and getting a paycheck to help until his 'real' job begins. Chelsey is enjoying her time as a full time housewife, taking care of their little place and also helping her parents however needed.
Tim and Mallory are both working hard, Tim building cabinets, coaching, playing softball, and helping with music at church and Mallory at the radio station as an ad agent and taking care of their home.
Life is far more blessed than we deserve, and I pray I never take our blessings for granted and at the same time enjoy them to the fullest.
All is good in the Holladay household as we work hard and have great times together.
Milestones are happening as our sons continue to grow and mature. Today, Daniel is making his first long trip by himself to work in Texarkana. Doc and I prayed with him before he left (school work, guitar, cds, and clothing packed for a 3 day stay), and reminded him of trustworthiness, safety, and following God's ways. But in the end, as Doc reminded 'me', he's in God's hands and God is ultimately in control, loving Dan far more than we ever could.
Michael continues to work on his third novel while seeking either an agent or a publisher for his first. He has embraced and used the talents that God has given to him, and I'm so proud. I eagerly look forward to seeing how God uses this uniquely gifted son of mine.
And Benjamin tries to stretch and grow up way too quickly while his daddy and I try to keep him our little boy just a bit longer. He'll be 13 this next month, an age many cultures consider to be at manhood. I pray for wisdom to hold on and then to let go, little by little, as he learns the lessons we strive to teach him.
I had time with Deanna and Kade yesterday. Our sweet guy is getting chubby and was so sweet as he smiled at me with heavy lidded eyes, and then fell asleep in his mommy's arms. And as you'll see, I posted a picture of Kade w/his daddy. I love the smile on Kevin's face as he holds and talks to his son. Brings back great memories of Doc doing the same w/each of our boys.
A few days ago, Chelsey gave me a call and we chatted for quite a while about all that's going on with her and Jon, as Jon waits for 'the call' to head out into the field of his chosen career as a diver. Thankfully, he also recently received a call to work for someone else in the meantime, welding and getting a paycheck to help until his 'real' job begins. Chelsey is enjoying her time as a full time housewife, taking care of their little place and also helping her parents however needed.
Tim and Mallory are both working hard, Tim building cabinets, coaching, playing softball, and helping with music at church and Mallory at the radio station as an ad agent and taking care of their home.
Life is far more blessed than we deserve, and I pray I never take our blessings for granted and at the same time enjoy them to the fullest.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
It's Been A Busy Day....
But my mind keeps wandering back over the years of training our children.
We started out basically two kids ourselves, Doc and I, having children in our early twenties.
What the heck did we know about raising kids? What we 'thought' we knew could have filled volumes. What we 'actually' knew would have filled a thimble. What we've learned and are still learning is vastly more than we ever thought possible.
Like most parents will say, we did the best we could. I think most of us look back on each day, weighing our words, actions, reactions- and we either feel really good (if we were really nice) or we feel the heavy weight of guilt because we allowed ourselves to let irritations, impatience, selfishness....whatever, get the best of us.
Our intentions were/are good, but our actions were/are not always the very best.
In this life, we get one shot. I know how terribly I've messed up at various times when all I've ever really wanted, most of all, was to be a loving, patient, supportive, godly wife and mother.
And I know it's only by the mercy, grace, forgiveness and love of a heavenly Father that I'm blessed beyond measure to be given second (and third and a million more) chances and am in the place where I am today. I have the love of my family, the joy of being at home with them or times of visiting with our older sons and their wives, and now, our precious grandson, and the chance to continue making memories- hopefully good memories- with each of them.
Yes, it has been an incredibly busy day. But it's been a day of working beside my three sons who are still at home. It's been a day of reflecting, and being so thankful that we raised them to know how to work, to help out, to be independent and yet able to see the needs of others.
It's been an evening of welcoming my hardworking husband home, having a healthy meal ready for him, sitting at our dinner table and listening to my sons' father read to them from the Psalms and then talking about the importance of following His statutes and principles in order to reap a life of peace and joy.
It's been a time of blessing after blessing. And as this day closes, I'm going to head back to each of them: Doc, Mike, Dan, and Ben- and wrap my arms around them and tell them how much I love and appreciate them for the blessings they are to me.
I pray that you're feeling the same measure of love, peace and joy in your own lives.
We started out basically two kids ourselves, Doc and I, having children in our early twenties.
What the heck did we know about raising kids? What we 'thought' we knew could have filled volumes. What we 'actually' knew would have filled a thimble. What we've learned and are still learning is vastly more than we ever thought possible.
Like most parents will say, we did the best we could. I think most of us look back on each day, weighing our words, actions, reactions- and we either feel really good (if we were really nice) or we feel the heavy weight of guilt because we allowed ourselves to let irritations, impatience, selfishness....whatever, get the best of us.
Our intentions were/are good, but our actions were/are not always the very best.
In this life, we get one shot. I know how terribly I've messed up at various times when all I've ever really wanted, most of all, was to be a loving, patient, supportive, godly wife and mother.
And I know it's only by the mercy, grace, forgiveness and love of a heavenly Father that I'm blessed beyond measure to be given second (and third and a million more) chances and am in the place where I am today. I have the love of my family, the joy of being at home with them or times of visiting with our older sons and their wives, and now, our precious grandson, and the chance to continue making memories- hopefully good memories- with each of them.
Yes, it has been an incredibly busy day. But it's been a day of working beside my three sons who are still at home. It's been a day of reflecting, and being so thankful that we raised them to know how to work, to help out, to be independent and yet able to see the needs of others.
It's been an evening of welcoming my hardworking husband home, having a healthy meal ready for him, sitting at our dinner table and listening to my sons' father read to them from the Psalms and then talking about the importance of following His statutes and principles in order to reap a life of peace and joy.
It's been a time of blessing after blessing. And as this day closes, I'm going to head back to each of them: Doc, Mike, Dan, and Ben- and wrap my arms around them and tell them how much I love and appreciate them for the blessings they are to me.
I pray that you're feeling the same measure of love, peace and joy in your own lives.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Our Greatest Blessings
Our greatest blessings aren't possessions. They aren't where we go and what we do.
They are who we're designed and destined to be with from day one: Family.
Friends come and go, addresses change, finances swing up and down- so many things are temporary.
But family is forever, and this blog is dedicated to mine.
Each person in this Holladay clan is so precious to me, so unique in our Father's creation, so worthy and needful of my grace, mercy, understanding, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, patience, encouragement, and most of all- love, which binds all of these attributes together.
The older I get the more I appreciate, pray for, want time with, and am thankful beyond belief for each one: my best friend and husband of almost 30 years-Doc, my firstborn-Kevin, his amazing wife of nearly 8 years-Deanna, their sweet new baby and my grandson-Kade, my treasure-Timothy, his darling wife of 5 years-Mallory, my heart-Jonathan, his beautiful wife-Chelsey, my genius and hero-Michael, my kindred spirit-Daniel, and my baby-Benjamin, who at nearly 13 isn't a baby anymore.
Each one is a gift from God, and each moment spent with them an even greater gift. I've learned with them to love no matter what- beauty and warts, good and bad- just like God loves us. And if we truly learn that, then we've learned the greatest lesson of all.
They are who we're designed and destined to be with from day one: Family.
Friends come and go, addresses change, finances swing up and down- so many things are temporary.
But family is forever, and this blog is dedicated to mine.
Each person in this Holladay clan is so precious to me, so unique in our Father's creation, so worthy and needful of my grace, mercy, understanding, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, patience, encouragement, and most of all- love, which binds all of these attributes together.
The older I get the more I appreciate, pray for, want time with, and am thankful beyond belief for each one: my best friend and husband of almost 30 years-Doc, my firstborn-Kevin, his amazing wife of nearly 8 years-Deanna, their sweet new baby and my grandson-Kade, my treasure-Timothy, his darling wife of 5 years-Mallory, my heart-Jonathan, his beautiful wife-Chelsey, my genius and hero-Michael, my kindred spirit-Daniel, and my baby-Benjamin, who at nearly 13 isn't a baby anymore.
Each one is a gift from God, and each moment spent with them an even greater gift. I've learned with them to love no matter what- beauty and warts, good and bad- just like God loves us. And if we truly learn that, then we've learned the greatest lesson of all.
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