What is it really like to have just two kids?

Early this morning my hubby and I... along with two of our nine kiddos... hit the road for Savannah Georgia! Don't get two excited for me...we'll be back home tomorrow night! Our daughter plays for a traveling  soccer team and had originally had two games scheduled. However our Saturday game had to be cancelled ...leaving Sunday's game outside of Savannah. So...Saturday was free for Lady and Sons and the beach! Lady and Sons had no seating available until 10 pm tonight...I'll have to catch you later Paula Deen! Maybe next trip we can sit and chat!

Arriving early today we took a little trip to Tybee Island for some beach time. I really hate that we had to leave the other girls home. I just couldn't figure out a way to get four more into the Honda Civic. Our van...the one that the deer ate...is just not up to a six hour trip and back . Although I enjoyed our beach time with the two girls...I felt extremely guilty that the others weren't there to enjoy the sun and sand with us.

Traveling with just two kids ...let's just say is so different! Not a whole lot of competing going on with a 3 year old and a 14 year old!  It was kind of nice to not get all those weird looks we get when I bring the whole clan out in public. I guess seven blonde haired  girls getting out of one vehicle could be considered a circus attraction  reason to stare!

Tomorrow is game day and the end of  my two day trip with just two kids! I think I'll keep my Nine..two is just not enough for this mom!

Teen Statistics In 2 Hours

Religious complacency...wake up churches!

A few weeks ago I came across this website...CPYU  In my searching to see what others were saying about our youth who are abandoning their faith... This is the article I found  http://www.cpyu.org/Page.aspx?id=361896  The founder of CPYU ...Walt Mueller also has a blog and posted this video ...Teen statistics in 2 hours... you should watch it! If you don't know how to pray for our youth or those who minister to them ...watch the video!

We are loosing our kids....it's time for us to wake up. The youth of today are our next generation's leaders...what investments are we making in tomorrow's leaders?

#5 hits the road !!!

My days as chauffeur are gradually becoming less. Our fifth child is now gracing the roads with her driving skills! Yes...Georgia residents...the Holcombe's have another driver and another Honda in our driveway. Thank you Phil Hughs Honda in Athens...and Jimmy Griffeth (aka... The very best car salesman we know!)This is our fourth car we have bought from them...they are in Athens if you are on the hunt for a good car! Tell him we sent you!

With each new driver in our family I go through a period of nervousness. It's not easy to think of my little girl or boy out on the road all by themselves...or with a sibling! Let's face it...Teen drivers can scare you to death! I try not to think about it too much...but praying a WHOLE lot helps! Especially the very first time they pull out of the driveway alone.

  It's so hard to watch them fly!( Not in the car! ) As with anything in life...our job as parents is to teach our children to become adults. Helping them make wise choices! With age comes responsibility and learning a new skill takes time,energy and encouragement...from the smallest to the largest of new adventures. With our kids we gradually let the leash apron strings loose. Yes, they are growing up...only four more to teach how to drive! I sure hope Jimmy stays at least 12 more years! It will take that long to squeeze out what little nerves I have left!

So...if you drive by my house...seeing all the cars and wonder if we are having a party? We're not...well maybe! It's a party anytime we are all home at the same time! Just know another one of my kiddo's are driving...so give them plenty of room!

Happy Birthday to my first born...

Twenty Five years ago I became a mother. Twenty Five years ago a blonde hair blue eyed boy rocked my world. There are days when I think back and really miss my little man and all the mischief  he, his brother and his childhood friends use to get into...and they still do every now and then!Yes boys...even things like catching the field on fire! Or climbing on top of the garage roof...telling me you could see the whole world! You were only 5 then and my heart didn't find it to funny! I remember watching you as a young boy sharing your faith ...just think of all those seeds that you have planted! So many memories...it all passed too quickly!

 Justin has grown up to be a man trying to live a life of faith. This rec department counselor... soon to be Archaeologist...we hope...makes this mom's heart jump with pride when I see his love for the Lord. We're still praying for a great job offer...anyone need an Archaeologist? An Internship would work! This graduating class has had a tough time finding jobs. It can be very discouraging to invest years and all that money into a degree... graduating with no job possibilities. I keep telling him God has him at the rec department for a reason. He is very good with kids and they love him! He has been working with kids since the age of 2 17...he's ready for a change.   However..the rec department doesn't pay the bills! All in God's timing!

Justin...Happy Birthday! I so wished I hadn't blinked so quickly! Here you are...25 and I'm getting old!  Although you may not have the job you would like...God has a plan!  He is molding you into a man after His own heart. He's taking you down a road of faith that will only make you stronger. A road that will  lead you to the prize of eternal life! As I watch you with all those kids that you lead...I see a man who will make a great dad someday! I know you get discouraged about this lack of work...but keep the Faith...God's not finished!

Childhood friends...(aka..pyromaniacs)

I love his smile!

I love you Justin...you are a blessing!

7 daughters…What was God thinking?!

A daughter…something most women long to have. Me…I have seven! Seven sisters range in age from 22 to 3 ½. The oldest just married this past May. The youngest is just trying to figure out where she fits in the mix. Usually right in the middle of it all! God has such a good sense of humor!

Where do I start…

There’s clothes, makeup, boys, hair, and the ever dreaded hormones x 7! Make that 8...my own! Me…I wear the hats of many professions. I often look in the mirror to see which hat I have on at the moment . I would hate to be in comedian mode when our girls are upset and need a counselor. Our poor boys…my poor husband! They just shake their heads and run when all the hormones start flying. We are blessed to have three great men in our lives. They have learned to live with all eight of us and rarely complain…that is an accomplishment! Our sons will make great husbands one day. I just pray for the women that they bring into the mix…that’s a lot of sisters to win over in order to marry the man of their dreams!

I grew up in a house with two younger sisters. I thought I knew a thing or two about raising girls. After all…I was one! I have come to realize in today’s society… raising our children the way we were raised is near impossible! Teaching our daughters to become wives and mothers has become a lost art. A very difficult thing to teach during the teen years.

One thing that helps me a lot is looking at the teen years as an illness…and it is! Just think…they have so many changes going on inside. They don’t even know how to understand…much less control the craziness. Sometimes they just need a listening ear…but not all of them at the same time! Those times are when I want to run for the hills…or pull the covers over my head!

Our children have so many more things to contend with these days.
There’s the media…music, movies and TV. There’s electronics…my grandmother would be amazed at these gadgets called cell phones! You know?…those things that never leave our kids hands! So many things pulling and fighting for our kids attention. How I long for the simpler of days!
　
I know each generation has it’s own problems. But this one has me really worried. Our kids are getting lost in the shuffle...even in our churches! Many teens leave the church right out of high school and never return to their faith. Today’s churches are so busy entertaining the kids and not teaching or connecting with them. When it’s time to be an adult and leave the nest so to speak…they feel lost and disconnected. Why stay and fellowship with the adults when the adults have never taken the time to get to know these young people or even listen to what they have to say? These kids are our future church. Just think what the church will look like in 10 years if all our kids are walking away from the faith.

I recently sat with a couple of teens fresh out of high school. Again at an age where they are too old for youth group and feeling too young for our college and career group. Stuck in the middle… middle child syndrome. It was sad to hear their comments. They were lost in where to fit in. They want to be used…not put in a box! Kids are going to go where they feel needed and wanted. Teaching them to step up and communicate their desires is so difficult. Sometimes we are so busy taking care of others outside our homes…that we are failing to see the needs of those under our very own roofs. We as adults will get out exactly what we invest in our kids. That stays true to anything or other relationships in our lives. My mom use to tell me…“In order to have friends you first have to be a friend.” That concept can be used in investing of yourself in any relationship. I will say…It’s not my job to be my kid’s “friend”…they need me to be a parent! When a parent tries to step into the friend mode they lose the very special connection they have with their kids.

Parents are so busy trying to make ends meet…they are failing to really listen to the hearts of their kids. Kids are raising themselves and each other. When is the last time you sat down with a young person and just listened? When is the last time you had more than a five minute conversation with your teenager? I am so guilty of not paying attention to our youth…helping them to see their value in our homes and churches. We all want to feel valued. Sometimes you just have to step out of that box( comfort zone) and ask God to place you where He wants you…which is the very best place to be.

Our kids are the next generation of leaders…scary ? To think of them in those terms…we better wake up! Our daughters are the next generation’s mothers…and our sons fathers or leaders of this world. Parenting is tough…but that’s not an excuse!

One of those teens I had a conversation with…my very own daughter. Yes…even I miss the mark in connecting with my kids. Do I have all the right answers…NO! But I know someone who does! Although it is ultimately their choice to follow Jesus…I pray I never have to see them fall from His grace.

Connecting with our youth starts with time and a good listening ear. It’s time to slow down…It’s time to listen! We have to get off the sidelines and get into the game! It’s time to let our kids know they matter in this world…that they have a purpose! One day they may be the ones taking care of us!

I challenge you to get to know the youth in your communities and churches. Yes…they may seem weird in dress and actions. But actually they are very smart and kind of neat. They might even teach you a thing or two. Just remember what you see on the outside that might annoy you….there is something so much different on the inside that would amaze you! It’s all about relationship! If you want to help our youth of today…start by giving them your time and ear!

I recently found an article ...Why students abandon their faith  Lessons from William Wilberforce

What if.....

What if I had only… What if I had not…What if he…What if she…What if ! What if ! What if !!!

Do you ever catch yourself thinking this? These thoughts and feelings come in a moment of fatigue and frustration. A time when you would like to be someone else in a different time and place. A time when you would like to go back and start over! Hind sight is always twenty-twenty!

This past week in our community a young man lost his life crossing a busy street in front of the skate park. Very sad...but I believe God ordained ...the vehicle who hit him was driven by a youth pastor and kids on their way to a lock in. Do you think that young man knew that Friday was his last day here on this Earth? I wonder how many witnesses to the accident had the thought..."What if"? Would the young man have lived his life differently had he known? Would you....if you knew it was your last day? It's strange how a death can really make you think of your very own mortality. Sometimes making you think about your relationship with Jesus Christ or the lack there of. We don't get a second chance once we're gone. Life can end in an instant...leaving those that we love saying "what if !"

What if my dad hadn’t died…who would I be today? What if he had made a different choice to not leave that day? We all make choices that change the course of history. Some simple and some very important choices. Even the simplest of choices change how our day or life plays out.Our choices not only affect us…but often those that we love.

I am continually encouraging my children to make wise choices in their lives. Sometimes they listen…sometimes they don’t! I know there have been times when I have heard them say…“If only I had listened!” Those words are music to a mother’s ears! Finally…they get it! They did hear me! Now to get them to think this way ALL the time. What if?

So often I do the same thing with my Lord. He speaks…I ignore. He speaks again…I run. He speaks so quietly…calling me to sit with Him and listen. What if I obeyed his calling? How different my life would be.Am I too busy? Am I afraid to obey His request? I know He has my best interest at heart. He knows my future. But yet I shut out that still small voice and in my own selfishness do my thing…in my own power. Then in the end…I say…What if ? “I wish I had only listened!” Those are the words that our Heavenly Father longs to hear.

Choosing to follow Christ is something I have to do daily. My decision to surrender my life to Him was the best choice I have ever made! What if I hadn’t made that choice? Who knows ? I hope I never have to find out! My heart changed the day I gave my life to my savior. All my wants, needs and desires changed too! This is the one “What if” that I will never look back on and regret!

My father in law once told his children…“Live your life with no regrets!”Your actions are something you can never take back! Slow down… Think before you say and do! We have all heard it but yet those choices are made and the regrets are left in their wake.
Isn’t it time to put the past in the past and look to the future? Yes…you have regrets of the bad choices you have made. No one can change their past! But…it’s never to late to look straight ahead and make a change for the future! Learn from it and move on!
“What if you did!”  Life is too short!