Happy New Year!

Well here we are, the end of 2008. This year has brought many changes,accomplishments,disappointments,tears,joy,sorrows and laughter. We have made new friends and lost old ones.We have welcomed new family members and said good bye to old ones (Gram) . I don't know what the future holds for 2009, but I know who holds me in the palms of His hand and He knows my future. So,I go into 2009 with excitement in knowing my loving savior has a plan for me and will walk right beside me all the way.
Happy New Year friends and family! Thank you for being a part of this crazy and blessed life!

Karen

Baked French Toast ! Yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup
Prep Time:
20 min
Inactive Prep Time:
8 hr 0 min
Cook Time:
40 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
6 to 8 servings

1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Praline Topping, recipe follows
Maple syrup
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.


Praline Topping:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup chopped pecans 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

Chinese Coleslaw

1 large head of green cabbage shredded (I mix green and purple)
8green onions trimmed and thinly sliced
3/4 cups sliced almonds, toasted
1/2 cups sesame seeds, toasted
2 packages Ramen noodles, uncooked (discard flavor packet)

Chinese Coleslaw


Combine cabbage and green onions in large bowl. In a separate bowl combine toasted sesame seeds , almonds and ramen noodles. Just before serving combine the two bowls and toss with the dressing.

Dressing:
1 cup salad oil (Canola)
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Buffalo wing dip!!!

My sister introduced us to this dip. It's really yummy!


REAL BUFFALO CHICKEN WING DIP
4 chicken breasts (or any kind of boneless chicken meat)
1 bottle blue cheese sauce or ranch
1 package cream cheese
1 small bottle Frank's hot sauce or coat chicken with Texas Pete hot sauce shredded mozzarella cheese
Boil (or simmer) chicken in water (or optionally, chicken broth) for 30 minutes or until cooked.Heat oven to 425°F.
In an oven safe dish, spread cream cheese along the bottom. Shred chicken into a separate bowl. Add blue cheese sauce and Frank's hot sauce (depending on how hot you'd like it).
Spread chicken mixture over the top and sprinkle with mozzarella (too much cheese will make it hard for dipping).
Cook for 20 minutes or until cheeses becomes bubbly.
Serve with tortillas or Triscuits.

We are done!

Can you tell we are exhausted? Countless hours of shopping, hundreds of $(we have 9 kids), 100's of miles on the road going to find gifts, countless nerves fighting the traffic and crowds, today we are finally done shopping !!!!

But the time we spent together to see our kids smile on Christmas morning........ priceless! Making memories for our kids is well worth any exhaustion I may feel. Christmas morning at the Holcombe house will be a blast or totally, let's just say busy..Breakfast is at 10am if your hungry or just brave!

Holcombe Family Christmas 2008

Sunday we went to Kelley's sisters house for the family Christmas party. Thanks Ellery and Faye, we had a wonderful time.My husband is the 8th of 9 kids, so when we get together the house is full. I love being part of this huge family. I am so thankful to my inlaws for raising such a wonderful family. I pray my kids have just as much fun and lots of get togethers when they are older.

Kitchen trees and our dining room table for our family.

Front Door Wreath
Paula Deen Christmas 2008 inspired...

The invisable mom!

About a year ago I received an email from a friend as an encouragement to all the moms in her life. I wish I could take credit for this beautiful writing. It's as though the author knew I needed some sort of encouragement. With that I have passed this on to many other moms and even sent it to The Mother Letter Project.


>I'm invisible.>>It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. >>Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30, please." I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!>>One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this.">>It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.">>In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work. No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.>>A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees.">>I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for Me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.">>At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.>>When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there.">>As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.>>Great Job, MOM

Out of Surgery....

Kelly is out of surgery and on the mend. I was able to spend a few hours with her today. I must say, I pray I never have to experience this kind of surgery. I think I would take child birth over it anytime! Not that child birth is easy,but at least you get to bring something home.
The doctor was able to leave 1 ovary and she should be much better now. Hopefully she won't have to experience anymore of the pain she has had for the past year. Now to keep her still for the next 6 weeks will be a challenge.

My little sister Kelly's surgery!

My little sister Kelly will go into the hospital on Wednesday December 10.The doctor has found a large mass on her ovary and she will be having a hysterectomy. Please pray for peace and a rapid healing. Please pray for her husband and 2 young sons as her recuperation time will be long. I don't know why, even though we are grown and married, I still want to be the big sister and protect her as though we were little. Her surgery is scheduled for 12 noon on Wednesday. Pray for my mom, she will be helping as much as she can with the boys.
This day will not be an easy one in itself. December 10 is our dad's birthday and he passed away 29 years ago in an automobile accident. My sisters and I were very young at the time of the accident, but even after 29 years the pain sometimes can be as though it were yesterday.

Happy Birthday Kathy!

My little sister's Birthday is Friday the 28th. John and Kathy are missionaries in Mexico. Ever since the end of September they have been on the road speaking in various churches. They won't get home until mid December and they are traveling with 4 little ones under the age of 9 too! Please pray for them and for God to supply more support so that they can stay in Mexico. This is a most awesome ministry. Check it out and you will be blessed! Their web address is http://www.theclowcommunicator.typepad.com/ if you would like to hear about their ministry at Isaiah 55 Deaf Ministries or wish her a Happy Birthday!

Blog Frog!!!

Check out this new way to connect to friends from your past and new friends from the blogging world. This is something new ,so I'm learning what all it provides. It's something cool you can add to your blogs sidebar! http://www.theblogfrog.com/

Thankfulness !

Why is it so hard to show thankfulness? I have spent countless hours teaching my little ones to say thank you ,but yet how many times do I say it? Telling some one thank you for the little things they do is so important, not just for that person,but for yourself. As we do go about our daily lives and when we do say thank you to someone,the one we always forget is God. He needs to hear thank you for the little things too! Have you ever made a list of the things your thankful for? Take the time to appreciate the little things in this life and tell those you know, how thankful you are to have them in your life!

My thankful list:
Thank you Jesus for loving me,encouraging me when I'm down,being patient with me when I'm slow to listen and obey, for providing all my needs,for saving my soul! Because of you I will never be the same and for that I will always be thankful.

Thank you Kelley for choosing me to be your wife. Thank you for encouraging me in my walk with the Lord. Thank you for working so hard,so that I can stay home with our children. Thank you for our many children! Thank you for being patient with me and loving me when I'm hard to live with.Thank you for remembering how many days we have been married, I think that is so romantic! Thank you for walking with me through the toughest times in our marriage. Thank you for loving my Jesus! I love you!

Thank you kids for letting me experience motherhood to the fullest! For being patient with me, even during those times when I'm not being patient with you. It's because of you 9 that I am the mom that I am. You have taught me so much about life and I will be eternally thankful. I can't imagine life without you and hope I never do. Seeing you all love Jesus is all that I hope for in you. When I see you share your faith in Him, I am blessed. When I watch you worship Him I am blessed. Thank you Holcombe Kids, I am proud to be your Mom!

Thank you mom for giving me life. It's because of you and your witness that I have a relationship with Jesus. I am so thankful that God chose you to be my mom. Thank you for being there when my babies were born,what a memory! Thank you for always being available when I need you, even when it might be inconvenient. Thank you for teaching me how to sew.Thank you mom, their is none like you!

To my Step Dad.... Thank you for loving my mom and for being the Godly husband she always prayed for. Thank you treating my sisters and I as your very own.Thank you for being a granddaddy to my children.Thank you for giving us 3 brothers and another sister, so I can truly say I come from a large family.Thank you for encouraging us to read God's word. Thank you for being a part of me meeting my husband, I'm glad I listened. Thanks Pop, I love you!

To my 3 sisters..... Thank you for all the laughs,crying ,anger frustration,drama,hormones and all that goes along with sisterhood. Thank you for all my nieces and nephews,I love them just as much as my own. Thank you for all the many minutes phone calls and emails,though we are many miles apart. I love you 3 very much,thank you for being my sisters!

To all my in laws....What can I say! This is the greatest family to have come into. You have excepted me as one of you,thank you. You are by far the funnest people to be around. Many years of laughter, joy and pain. Life that has made me laugh more than cry. Thank you for supporting me in all my many craft endeavors. Being part of this huge family , and I mean huge, is just to hard to describe. But once you have experienced it, you will never be the same. Thank you family, I love you!

To my grandparents... many of you have gone, many live miles away(Granddad and Grandma Cavender)(Grun) .Thank you for my parents. No mater how far away you are,you have always shown me love. Thank you! You have shown me what it is to be a grandparent and I can't wait to have that experience. I love you!

To all my friends....Thank you for your friendships. With out you life wouldn't be the same. Thank you for words of wisdom during times of need. Thank you for encouraging me when I have been unsure. Thank you for giving of yourself when I have needed help.Thank you for countless times of laughter. Thank you for calling on me for help,even though you thought I had my hands full. Thank you for being my friend!

Thank you to all my friends and family, have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Mother letters......

I have just run across a most awesome blog. There is a man who is going to surprise his wife with a book of letters sent to her ,via his blog,from other moms. It all started when they decided to forgo giving each other bought gifts this year and using that money to help friends in a village far away. You can read all about it and even send her your thoughts on being a mom. I hope she knows how blessed she is to have a husband do such a loving, most romantic act of gift giving.
The blog address is http://motherletter.blogspot.com/
All moms need encouragement from time to time. To get that from other moms is probably the only way to really be understood in this club we call MOTHERHOOD.
I am seeing what an impact this gift is having on other moms,just read some of the entries that have been sent.
Through just one families idea to sacrifice and bless others, a gift was born that will go on giving to a world called motherhood.
Karen

mckmama

Several months ago I heard about a blog that a very special family had. The mom was expecting her 4th baby and he wasn't expected to live. Well, God had other plans! Praise God this little blessing survived and has done above and beyond what anyone ever hoped for. We do serve a God of miracles!!!! And this blog and family have been a tool used to share God's goodness to people all over the world. What a story they will have to tell him when he's older. I have a link to the right, check it out. And the mom reminds me of myself many years ago with 4 babies under the age of 4. And she takes the most beautiful pictures too. The blog is http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

Girls X 7 !

Being a mom to seven girls can be quite,let's just say hormonal at times. You never know what kind of mood they may be in. On another side they are very helpful,loving,passionate young ladies. My grandmother came from a family of 8 girls,no boys. I remember how her sisters and her would get together. They would be just like young girls laughing and having a grand old time.

I pray that my girls are just as close when they are older.

Our Sarah will graduate from high school this next May. This will make 4 graduates from JCCHS in our family. 4 down and 5 to go!!! She is our 4th child and I would say my easiest so far. I am so proud of her and her passion for the Lord.I can't wait to see how God uses her as she continues in her next phase of life. She has a real heart for abused kids and hopes to work in some field to mentor them. This year she has done cheering and cross country. I don't know where she gets her passion for running!

Our 5th child Jessica will be 15 in a few months. This past year she was on the JV competition and football cheer squad. I think she even surprised herself, following in her sisters footsteps. She has done wonderful and has worked really hard to do her best for the squad. But what she really does great is sing. God has given her a beautiful voice. She hopes to go into some sort of music career.

Emily and her Boyfriend. Emily is our oldest daughter. She is 20. She's a bright dependable role model for anyone. Emily can light up a room. Her and her boyfriend Eric are getting very serious. God only knows if he's the one, but we have hope:) We are very thankful she has a good relationship with Christ & that God blessed us with her in our life.

(written by Emily's sister Lindsey)

Chilling by the lake is how the Holcombe's
Do it. Jordan is our second oldest son.
He is 21 and very athletic.
He is always on the go with incredible
places to go and things to do.
He is amazing to be around and always a joy
to see him set a great example for his little sisters.

(written by Jordan's sister Lindsey)

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!

This week the younger girls and I traveled to Florida with Kelley. Well, we were hoping to get in some beach time. But, this week has been their coldest week of the year. So much for the sand and sun! We did find a great zoo to hang out at for a few hours. They even rode a water log ride and thought that was the greatest.This was one plus for the cold weather. Over all it was a really nice day for being outside with a bunch of animals (I'm not referring to the kids!)
The resort here is beautiful.We were blessed with a really nice room. The girls even attempted to swim in the huge pool in spite of the cold. I think the hot tub helped! Friday we head back to reality and the rest of our kids. I think we need another trip to make up for having cold weather this week!!!!

More lake fun

My man and his new toy! The kids are enjoying it as much as he is. We are sad to see the summer end.










Our sweet baby. She even loves to ride on the tube pulled behind the boat. Next year we'll have her on a wake board! (just kidding!)

Summer at the lake

This summer we purchased a lot on the lake. I must say what an adventure this summer has been. I hope this is a start to many more memories for our family at the lake. Hopefully we will be able to build a house there soon to have friends and family share in those memories. For now we are using our camper and having a blast in our close knit quarters!

A look inside our crazy but wonderful life!

Happy Birthday Son!

Wow! I can't believe it's been 23 years since I was welcomed into this crazy most wonderfully blessed life of motherhood. This young man has brought me so much joy in the 23 years he has been alive. I can honestly say I am proud to be his mom.

Hopefully next summer we will finally see him get his degree in archeology at the University of Georgia. I can't wait to see him enter into his next phase of life . Justin's love for his Lord will make him an awesome husband and father someday. I can't wait to see what God has in store for him.