ADVENTUROUS ANDREW

Last weekend we got to have a bunking party with Andrew, Oli, Hannah and Brea.  Elisha is at college now, so he couldn't join us.....

Andrew was a little upset at one point because his mom didn't leave early enough to suit him (he didn't get to get everything he likes to do into the evening), but he recovered quickly.  It was as though he got his second wind after she left for home.

He loves to craft and uses lots and lots of glitter.  He is very creative and comes up with some great designs.  The kids are now enjoying the "Cricut Machine" and have learned to make lots of people and design the clothes.  This isn't just for girls because there are knights, dragons, pirates and more on these programs.

After crafting, the popcorn was served with lots of butter;  this is only for Grandma's house!
A few M&M's were eaten, the mess was cleaned up and the couch was made up into an extra bed.

Andrew decided he wanted to see how many pillows he could stack on top of each other to make a mountain.  He was king of this mountain until all the others decided they needed a few pillows too.

The mountain quickly came down.

I enjoy my Adventurous Andrew.  Sometimes he's quiet, sometimes he's noisey, but he's always a joy!  He is growing up way too fast and is quickly turning into a handsome young man.  I love you Andrew!  There is nothing I wouldn't do for you!

BEAUTIFUL BREA

How did my Brea grow up so fast?   It seems like yesterday that she was a little rough-neck, fighting with her dad and uncles whenever they were around.  Now she has blossomed into a beautiful young lady with so many interests.

This past Saturday I asked her to help me with some extra house cleaning.  She came and did an awesome job.  Every piece of furniture was dusted and shined.  She vacumned the floors, mopped, and put everything back in place.

If that wasn't enough, she was able to fix a broken kitchen drawer.  This drawer has been broken for several years and no one was able to fix it to where it would stay in place.  When I told Brea that was all I wanted for Mother's day, she decided to take a look at it herself.  Within a few minutes it was fixed!!!  It is a week later and it is still fixed!!!!   I am so happy!   Thank you Brea.

Recently we were able to get some pictures of her at the daycare as she read to the children.  She is so good with the kids, especially the school age kids.   My Brea Brea is growing up way too fast.  I am so blessed to have wonderful grandchildren!

TEA PARTY

What a fun time I had with Michelle and Oli on Thursday, St. Patricks Day, when they invited me to a tea party at the Sister's Tea House, Fenton.

I arrived at their house to find Oli looking out the glass door anxiously awaiting her special tea party day.  Because she loves pretty dresses, and didn't have a green fancy dress, she informed her mom that "I can't wear GREEN to the Sister's Tea House."   I was able to help her out a bit with a new green bow I had made for her hair.

We arrived around 11:15 and went straight upstairs where there is an abundance of fancy dresses, hats and more hats, gloves, boas, and jewelry.    We all had fun trying on "new looks".  Grandma had fun taking pictures!  The fun ended abruptly when the fire alarm sounded!  Opps!  We had to go......

The alarm turned out to be a false alarm so we were then seated for lunch.   Beautiful tea cups, lace, flowers, adorned the tea room.     Our waitress took our order then asked Oli if she would like to pick out her tea cup?  The pot of tea was brought to our table and we enjoyed sipping it together.

If you haven't enjoyed a girls day out in a while, I'd would recommend you take your girls to Sisters Tea House in Fenton.  There is a memory there just waiting to be made.

GRANDPARENTS DAY

Being a grandparent is one of the greatest joys of my life.  I love each and everyone of my grandkids and understand fully the saying, "If I knew how great it was going to be having grandkids I would have had them first".  

On Thursday I had the privelege of attending what would probably be my last grandparents day, for Olivia.   Grandpa had to attend the funeral of a very close friend so I was the only one who could go.

It was such fun to watch her march in and take her place on the platform.  She spotted her other set of grandparents, her great-grandparents, and myself before the singing even started.  Of course we were waving, taking pictures and making ourselves look foolish along with a large room of other grandparents doing the same thing.

Oli sang her songs  and then was released to show her grandparents to the cookies and then her classroom.  She was very proud to be the center of attention and of course we were more than happy to do our part.

Oli is growing up so fast and will probably be my last grandchild.    Parents miss having babies but so do grandparents.  Maybe I'll just have to volunteer at one of the children's hospitals someday.  You know, the ones where people just come in a rock new-borns.   Sounds like that would be a hard job now, wouldn't it?

HOPING TO DO BETTER

I haven't posted here for a long while and I'm not sure why.  I have been really busy and a little tired in the evening when I have the time to write.  When I'm tired, it's hard to write.   I also went through the winter feeling somewhat stressed about so much work and some things that were totally out of my control. 

In January I finally broke down and went to the doctor only to find that my blood pressure was through the roof and my cholesterol was way too high.  This happens to me every winter.  I think it is the fact that I have been stuck inside with all the cold and all I want to do is cook and eat!

I have already got the blood pressure lowered with exercise, medication, and letting go of stress.  The cholesterol....well we'll see in a couple of months.

I hope to be back to making regular posts about Holmans Happenings.  I love my family and I need to start writing about them.  I will save my other site to post about my hobbies, crafting and simple living.

Thanks for checking in on me.

Brenda

THE STORM OF 2010

I  was jolted out of a deep sleep around 5:00 a.m. August 6, with thunder and wind like I have never seen or heard before.  Sidney and I quickly made our way to the living room while trying to collect our thoughts of what was taking place all around us. 
The thunder actually shook the house, and the cracking and popping were deafening.

Only minutes after it started it ended.  We were able to look out our windows to find trees and limbs down blocking all of the ways out of our house.  We were only able to get outside through the garage door.

Cleanup took 5 days with neighbors and family jumping in to help us.  There were over 20 trailer loads of limbs and branches hauled off to my neighbors field to be burned at a later date.  That doesn't count all the wood big enough to burn in a  fireplace.

As we drove around the neighborhood to assess other people's damage we found we couldn't go south on 61 because of electric lines down, we couldn't go toward TT Hwy because of lines and trees down.  Electric was out for the day, but I have to say that Ameren UE worked quickly and very hard to bring everyone's electric back. 

Our roof is damaged, we had a broken window, and some other damage to our property, but no one was hurt.  God reminds us once again that everything we have can be wiped out within a few minutes.  We must always keep our eyes and focus on Him.

FAMILY TIME AT THE BONTANICAL GARDENS

I treasure the times that I get to spend with my grandchildren, especially knowing how quickly the years pass by.  So while on vacation in June, I requested a day together at the Missouri Bontanical Gardens (Shaw's Garden as I fondly remember it).

The maze and feeding the fish are always the highlight of our visit, but I always enjoy the wonderful photos that we get while there.  Michelle went with us this year and took some really great photos but her computer crashed and she lost them, so here are a few of mine (less great) that captured  Grandma's special time together.  Thank you family for humoring me and letting me spend some great moments with you.

Michelle is our family photographer but we were able to capture

her picture while she tried to find her way out of the maze!

Never too old for riding the sheep.

The 4th of July at the Hubers

GRADUATION! SUCH A PROUD MOMENT

It seems like yesterday that I watched my three boys walk across the stage to recieve their diplomas.  The time has gone by so fast.  They are all grown men now, married with their own children.  I have loved my family; my sons, my daughter-in-laws, my grandchildren.......Ah!  The memories!

Last week we celebrated with our oldest grandson, Elisha, as he walked across the stage to receive his diploma, ending his time in high school.   Not only did he graduate, but he graduated with honors.  He was the top of his class of 300ish kids.  Grandpa and I were so proud we could have busted our buttons!

Elisha is enjoying his last summer before college.  College!  Surely it can't be!  Surely he will stay close to home and and never leave us!!!  But as life moves on, so does Elisha!  And off he will go to college this fall.  Truman College at Kirksville.   We are so proud of this tall lanky boy as we are watching him turn into a man.  I am so happy that God chose me to be his grandma!  I couldn't have chosen a better young man anywhere!

Grandpa and I love you Elisha!  We will be praying for you every step of the way as you go forward in life.  God has a plan for you and I know you will keep Him in the center of your life.

DOG SITTING FOR THE KIDS

The things we do for love!  That's a song title isn't it?  If not it should be.

Scott and Michelle took their family to Disney World this past week and we volunteered to "dog-sit" their newest addition, Skipper.  Skipper is a half chocolate lab and half Australian Shepherd and has a tail that is long and is all muscle!!!  I nick-named him "Gonzilla" because of the way he would clear a room with his tail anywhere he went.

Now I have two small dogs, Mollie, a Cairn Terrier, and Penny, a Rat Terrier who love people and other dogs.  They were excited to see Skipper come.....at first.  By the second day Mollie would do anything she could to dodge Skipper's tail.   Skipper just wanted to play, but each time he came near, Mollie got a good whop!

Because Skipper is still in the puppy stage Scott and Michelle made sure they brought an ample supply of raw-hide bones for him to chew.  They warned me to keep all shoes out of his reach and anything else I valued (Michelle has lost all of her flip-flops this year).   I obeyed the instructions and we didn't lose one thing all week!  Penny, the Rat Terrier, seldom chews her raw-hide chews that I buy for her, but this week she never stopped chewing them.  The only response we heard from her was a "grrrrr" anytime poor Skipper walked near her.  He was a little afraid of her at the beginning of the week but by day three he did what we do and just ignored her.

Penny "grrrrr"

Skipper really took a liking to Sidney and followed him everywhere!  If Sidney went out to the garden, Skipper was there beside him.  Skipper likes to stick his nose into every hole or new crevice he can find.  He also likes to give big licks to those he loves.  One morning as I was undressed, ready to step into the shower, I was the receiver of one of his big licks.....right on my bare bottom!   He then laid down in the doorway until I exited the shower safely as if he had done his job.

Skipper & Mollie with Sidney

By Saturday Skipper was showing signs of wearing out.  He had run and played so much outside that he was ready for some sleep and sleep he did...almost the entire day!   On Sunday, the day his family was returning, he again slept.  I think he knew they were returning and he would need to get his strength back.


When Oli  and Andrew came through the door Skipper met them with a huge lunge and a big lick.  He knocked Oli to the floor and she giggled with glee!  Skipper had his family back and his vacation to Grandma and Grandpas had ended.   I'm sure he will want to come back to visit us again someday and me, I'll welcome him, tail and all.

FAMILY ROOTS

Holman/Moody Cousins

Aunt Mary Jane, Uncle Dub (James) and Uncle Jerry Reando

Recently I watched a tv show about celebrities finding their roots.  Emil Smith was tracing his family tree, and said "You don't really know who you are until you know where you came from".  I'm learning that our past helps us to understand why our fathers and grandfathers, mothers and grandmothers behaved the way they did, helping me to understand some of their actions.  There were a lot of things that they simply couldn't help.  Some of them didn't learn to read or write, some were married so young that they didn't know how to be great parents because they were still children themselves.  We also learn how courageous they were for picking up and traveling across the states to make a  better life for their family.  There are possibly many factors that enter into our ancestry and I personally find it facinating to uncover some of these secrets.

Jerry and Vicki hosted a gathering yesterday for the Holman/Moody family that included cousins and aunts and uncles  (pictures will be added later).   Jerry has reseached Ancestry.com and has traced our roots.  He has put together a book that includes census records, death records, etc.  We now know where many of the Holmans lived years and years ago.

This was a wonderful time of learning.  We enjoyed a great meal and good company. 

If you have information about this family that you want to share please feel free to add it.  We will be handing this information and pictures down to generations to come.  Our children will know who they are, and hopefully will do even better than those who have gone before them.  After all, isn't that the hope of every parent alive?

THE SIDNEY AND RUBY HOLMAN FAMILY

Patty, Sidney, Sid Sr., Ruby, Jerry, Linda, Larry, Connie, Randy

I'm not sure of the year, but I remember why this picture was taken.  This was the last time all of the family was to be together before Jerry shipped out for Vietnam.  We had enjoyed time together at Ruby and Sid's house and I wanted to get a picture of them all together before Jerry shipped out.


Sidney had already been to Vietnam during the years 1965 to1966 so it was extra hard to think about Jerry  going to be going to that dangerous place.  It was hard on Sidney to have to let his little brother go.  I'm sure John Huber felt the same way since he had already served his time in Vietnam also.


Jerry and Vicki were already married when he was sent into the war so again, it was extra hard on them.  Much prayer  was sent up for Jerry's safety and Vicki to have peace during that year.  God heard our prayers and sent Jerry home safely, for which we are grateful.


War is a terrible thing.  It has destroyed many lives and helped to save many others.  We are now praying for Neil Goff, Jennifer Holman's husband, to return from Iraq safely.  We have word that he will be returning toward the end of February, 2010.  Please keep him in your prayers.


                                                                                                                            Posted by:  Brenda

OUR PASTOR AT HORINE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

 Chester and Mildred Donoho with

Ruby and Sid

This was the pastor of Horine Presbyterian Church and the man that led Sid Sr. to the Lord.  The Donoho's would drive to Horine every Sunday, stay all day, preach in the evening, then drive back to St. Louis and go to work the next day.  They were very faithful.

The story goes something like this:  The Donohos would visit the Holman's home every few weeks to invite them to church.  Sidney Jr. says he remembers hiding the beer cans when they came!  After visiting the Holman's over and over, Bro. Donoho asked Sid if he would agree to come to church for 4 Sundays in a row.  If he would agree, then he (Bro. Donoho) would stop visiting him.  They shook hands and made the deal.  The rest is history.  Sid Sr. got saved and his entire family.  All because of the faithfulness of one man and one woman who had a love for the Lord and for people.

Are you one of those who is saved because of Chester and Mildred Donoho?

                                                                                                                                                                      Posted by:  Brenda Holman

CHRISTMAS YEARS PAST

You might recognize yourself in this photo.   It was taken at Grandma and Grandpa Holman's in Horine, Mo.  Presents were not opened until a picture of the grandkids was taken.  Can you even imagine the fun we had trying to get all of these kids to stand still for all the flashing lights.  Back then it was flash-bulbs.  If it didn't go off then we had to take another.  Every parent had their own camera (not digital either, we just had to take our chances).  The Christmas Story was read by Grandpa, Christmas carols had to be sung, and then the fun began.  I'm surprised we didn't lose a baby or two under all of that paper!   There was always plenty of food, punch and noise! 

There have been a lot of changes over the years, but we'll always remember Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Posted by:  Brenda

GRANDMA RUBY

For those of you who are too young to remember, Grandma Ruby Holman loved dolls. For many years it became a tradition that one of us purchased a doll for her at Christmas time.


All of her dolls were beautiful and had fancy full dresses. Ruby proudly displayed them in her bedroom.


Ruby also loved  red, glitz and glitter.  If it sparkled, she loved it.  If it was red AND sparkled, all the better.


When Sidney and I were first married I had problems understanding Ruby and her fascination with all the sparkles, glitz and glitter since my own mother was just opposite.  As I grew older and learned a little more about her life while she was growing up, I realized  while being raised "dirt poor" that she may have never owned a doll of her own as a child.  She probably never owned a necklace or ring that sparkled.   Most likely she never even owned a beautiful dress or a pair of dressy shoes.   As an adult she was embracing all that she had never possessed before.


I wish I had been given more insight into Ruby's childhood while she was living.  I would have bought her more dolls,  given her gifts of sparkley jewelry, and helped her paint her house red, but it's too late now.  I have no doubt that as she walks the steets of gold in heaven that she runs her fingers along gates made of smooth pearl. I'm sure she stands in awe of the jewels around the throne and often wades in the crystal river.  Most of you picture people in heaven dressed in white robes, but I think God may be making an exception for Ruby.  When we get to heaven she will be easy to find because I'm sure she is dressed in a jewel studded red dress, with red dancing shoes, and she will come running to greet you because you are part of her most prized possession; you are her family.

4th of July 2008 at the Huber's

Every 4th of July the Huber's host a family BBQ.

They have the most beautiful, breath-taking backyard.

The children and adults alike love to watch the gigantic coy in the beautiful pond.

Elnora, Connie, Randy, Katie, and Patty are feeding the fish.

John created this gorgeous waterfall.

John and one of his grandchildren.  He looks so proud!

This has been contributed by:  Michelle Holman

Thanks Michelle!

Family Thanksgiving at Grandma & Grandpa Holmans - Horine

As the Thanksgiving Holiday approaches I was remembering what Thanksgiving was like when all of the Holman kids and their kids went to the Holman house in Horine for dinner.  Of course there was Ruby and Sid Sr., their seven children and the husbands and wives.  Then we all began having children.....

Ruby had a large dining room table, a lot of counter top space, but it was still crowded to say the least.  As the very large tukey was carved (actually it kind of fell apart), the potatoes were mashed, the dressing was served up, the iced tea was poured, the mouths began to water.  Everyone gathered round as we asked God to bless our food, and the action began;

When the children were small we fixed their plates for them and sent them towards the basement to eat.  Some sat on the stairs, some on the freezer, and I'm not sure where the rest went.  The dining table was reserved by age.  I'm not sure that even Larry or Randy ever got to sit at the dining room table.  John always chose to stand during dinner.  He would stand by the turkey roasting pan and pick the meat off the bones of the turkey.  He would say it was the best part.

As far as leftovers go, I'm not sure there was even enough turkey left for a sandwich.  The pumpkin, chocolate, and coconut cream pies disappeared quickly.  You didn't wait around for desert or you might miss out.

As the family grew the large family dinners fell apart.  Family members started having dinner at their own homes.  We didn't know it then, but those were special times.

If you are old enough to remember the dinners at the Holmans in Horine, please leave a comment about the things you remember.  Please help to preserve those memories.

October Chili Supper and Weiner Roast

One of my favorite family gatherings is the one held in October, hosted by Jerry and Vicki.  I believe their children have begun to help them with this event.  There is lots and lots of chili, hot dogs, hot chocolate and hot cider.  Sitting by the fire and visiting is always one of my favorite things to do.  The kids of all ages seem to have a really good time.  Thank you Jerry & Vicki for this time tested tradition.

My First Introduction to the Family Home

It was August of 1966 when Sidney first returned home from Vietnam. I had been working at a Bible Camp in Indiana and cut my work trip short when he called to say he was home. We hadn't been dating up to that time, but we were very good friends. I had known Sidney and his family most of my life since we went to school and church together, but I had not visited in his home.

It was a normal afternoon when I had been invited to the Holman's home for dinner. They lived in an old two story farm house located on Front Street in Horine, Missouri. It was probably the oldest home in the community. At this same time, they were in the process of building a new home on the same property. Back to dinner.....

There were 10 of us seated at a large table with large bowls of food everywhere! Now I don't remember what we had for dinner that afternoon, but I do remember this; it began to rain. Not a gentle rain, but a hard summer rain! I was only 17, a little shy about being in their home with my boyfriend, and then it happened...several of the kids got up, as if on cue, and started sitting bowls, pans, buckets and whatever else they could find on designated spots on the floor. They knew the exact place where the rain would be coming in and they knew how to handle it!

The Holmans moved from that old house into a brand new brick home soon after that. I shared many meals with them after that day, but I don't remember any other one quite like I remember my first.

Brenda