Happy Father's Day Dad of 9 !!!!!!!!!

Twenty five years ago who would have thought we would have 9 kids? Kelley didn't become a dad for the first time until he was 28 and had his last one at 50. When most men are meeting their grand kids at 50... my man was enjoying the miracle of becoming a daddy. I have seen him go from building houses to moving to the job of Deputy Regional Commissioner for GSA. If it weren't for having so many kids...I don't think he would have succeeded in all his achievements. Four years ago he was finally able to begin his dream of getting his masters degree. After two long years of nonstop classes...all the while working a FULL time job,raising a family and participating in a Senior fellow program...Oh! we had our last baby January 2007 and He graduated November 2007 with a Master of Science Degree. What an achievement! I am so proud to be married to a man that truly loves his family and is proud to let everyone know that he has 9 kids! In the past 25 years we have had many adventures,trials and achievements. I can't imagine ever walking this road with anyone other than Kelley Holcombe. He has been my encourager,confidant,fellow partner in crime of baby making,prayer warrior,husband and friend...he keeps me sane. The one thing that gives me peace about our marriage...no matter how tough the road is...is Kelley's walk with Jesus. My prayer is that our children will find that same peace in their future spouses. Nothing can describe how it feels to know that the one that loves you KNOWS the ONE THAT LOVES YOU!

I love you Kelley Holcombe! I am so blessed to have you as a husband and father to our children. Happy Father's Day!!!

Oh! And for this Father's Day weekend...OUR LAKE HOUSE IS FINISHED !

One more weeeeeek!

ADDED June 15...I added a few more picks with the carpet and faucets.The appliances and final cleaning are being done this week.It's so nice to have AC and full bathroom facilities.


Paint is done...counter tops are installed...heating and air are complete. One more week and our little bungalow will be finished. Hopefully we can get a closing date for the end of June.

2 weeks and we are done!!!!!!!

I think God is having mercy on me!!!



I can't believe I am saying this but... 2 more weeks and our little lake retreat will be finished! Didn't we just break ground the middle of April? Ty Pennington would be proud of Darrel and the fabulous job Trinity Homes has done. We thought if they were done by August that would be wonderful...but mid June is just plain awesome! I would highly recommend them if you are looking for a builder. They have built a quality energy efficient home at a cost that we couldn't find anywhere.

Last weekend we celebrated Jordan's 22nd Birthday. Would you believe we had 12 college and carrier kids plus all but two of our kids. I must be crazy! They had a wonderful time and didn't even mind that we had a porta toilet and no showers. Only three boys stayed the night...We camped inside the house...sheet rock dust and all! Feeding this crew with no kitchen and fridge was a challenge...but we survived! All in all I am proud of the group of friends Jordan chooses to hang with.

It will be so nice to have a real bathroom...kitchen...laundry...AIR CONDITIONING! I love my camper...but camping with all these girls and occasionally the boys...let's just say gets a little cramped and insane! I can't wait to test out our kitchen and the screen porch. My hubby has worked so hard to do this for us and our kids. I hope he knows how much we appreciate and love him!

I love my porch!!!!!!!!

This next week siding and sheet rock...Woo!!! Hooo!!! I must say this deck is awesome... the pictures do not do it justice! Our builder has done a marvelous job and has been so easy to work with. Trinity Homes is a great company to use if your looking for a builder. I guess the count down begins...I pray we stay at the same pace. If so we'll be ready for move in before July 4th.

More pictures next week!

We are headed to the lake tomorrow....I wonder what we'll find?

Moving right along.....

Well, here it is Mothers Day weekend... and a busy one it was! Friday night date with the man that I love...Movie to see Star Trek...Kohls to shop for new clothes for me...and a nice dinner.
Saturday up early...well not too early! Kelley loaded up the boat...per Kenzie's request... and we headed to the lake for a day of fun. The house is coming along quite nicely. The roofer, plumber, heating and air men have been very busy. It's finally beginning to look like a real home. Next week the electrician will be able to get the electrical done and hopefully the siding guys will give our little house a much needed beauty lift. We are really anxious to see how the porch turns out. We have doubled the porch width and plan on screening it in for those lazy days of relaxing when we are not in the water. I am now on the hunt for rockers and swings ... maybe even a hanging day bed for afternoon naps! While there, our son...the soon to be archaeologist... found a spear head. This was such an exciting find for him. This find sent us all looking through the dirt, to see what other treasures might be waiting us. After a few trips around the lake, we loaded up to head home. We are all counting down the days where we can just stay overnight at our little retreat. It's exciting to think of all the years ahead spending time with our family making memories!
Sunday was a nice day going to church and coming home to a nice meal my hubby and kiddos prepared for me. I must say they did a fabulous job too! We all then relaxed and watched Chonda Pierce DVD's. She's a singer and comedian who can minister to the heart of any woman.
Thank you Kelley for making this weekend special for me. Thank you kids for helping me to be part of this club we call motherhood! I can't imagine life without the 10 of you in it. You are the reason I strive to be a better wife, mother and child of God!

" Mom."...I wouldn't be one without you!

Dear Holcombe kids.... I sit in amazement that you are all part of me. I sometimes wonder what God was thinking when He chose to place you in my life. You have taught me more about life...than life itself. I would have never been where I am at this very moment had it not been for you 9 precious blessings. You have changed me forever...for the better. You have shown me what the important things in life are all about. You have given me more joy in 24 years than I have known in my 43 of being alive. I can't wait to see what God has planned for you and for our family in the next 24 years. My prayer is that you would choose to follow Him with all that you are and all that you ever hope to be. Watching you serve Jesus brings more joy to my soul than I could ever explain. I love how you share with me about moments of sharing Jesus with others. I never tire of hearing about those times that will forever change eternity.
Holcombe kids I love you more than I will ever be able to show or tell you! Have we had hard times? You betcha! It's those hard times that mold us all into the servant that God wants us to be. Our grass is definitely not greener... but keeping our eyes on Jesus gives us the grass that you just want to run barefoot in on any given day. I often hear kids don't come with a manual...God gave us His word and that's the very best manual I would ever want to read. I know I don't always parent the way I should and I'm positive I will make many more mistakes. Maybe by the time we have grandchildren we will have it all figured out!
I hope that the legacy your Dad and I leave will last throughout many generations long after we are gone. My prayer is that you will choose to follow Christ all the days of your life and leave a legacy of God's merciful love to the generations that follow you.
I love you Holcombe kids! You are exactly what God said... a blessing! You have been worth every prayer...sacrifice...ounce of energy...tear...dollar...patience...time...and all my sanity!


Mom