My Mom shared this information with me the other day and I wanted to jot it down for memory sake.  Its just the months/ years between each kid. 

April and Peter  11 months and 26 days (wow)

Peter and Luke  16 months

Luke and Spring 2 years and 4 months

Spring and Hope 20 months

Hope and Lacey 21 months

Lacey and Faith 22 months

Faith and Levi 4 years and 4 months

Along with this I will share something my Mom gave me years ago and I thought it would be neat to record here as well, to keep for my children and for me to look back on.  My parents have been through a lot and in a short time span too! I think she shared these with me when I was going through my three different miscarriages a few years ago.   I think my Mom’s outlook is really wonderful and an inspiration to me!

Jan 1 1974  April Louise born (after years of trying for children)

Feb. 1974 My mom’s Grandpa died (her dad’s dad)

March 1974 My Mom’s Dad (of 56 yrs) died of cancer

December 26, 1974 Peter Ken Holladay was born

May 17, 1975 April (17 months old) died of bubonic plague at home (this was after having her to the Dr’s. 3 days in a row).  No one had died of this in the Country for 25 years.  Hard for me to fathom, knowing that Luke is just now 17 months! Wow, this must have been tough!

July 1975, Mom pregnant again (awful morning sickness)

1975 (unsure of date) Mom’s other grandpa died (her Mom’s died)

March 1976 Mom broke her foot and had to have a cast up to her knee. 

April 21, 1976 with a cast on my Moms leg she gave birth to Luke Holladay who was born with a congenital heart defect (transposition of the great vessels) he was transported to UCLA Hospital where he stayed until they released him 10 days later.  The doctors were unsure what defects he might have.  He was okay except for the main problem which the Dr’s said he would need surgery for when he was about THREE.  We had to make many trips to UCLA for checkups.  Doctors finally decided we should go ahead with surgery early not waiting until he was three.  

May 24, 1977 Luke had open heart surgery at UCLA (doctors saying they do these surgeries all the time, Luke would be ok). 

May 28, 1977 Luke (13 months) died never regaining consciousness.   

June, 1977  My Mom found out she was pregnant again, turned out to be a ectopic (Tubal) pregnancy.  Had to have emergency surgery.  Doctors told her she would probably not be able to have any more children.

July 17, 1977 The Elders from church came to the house to tell my parents that my Mom’s nephew (Greg 12 yrs old) (my Mom’s brothers son) had died in an accident on their stairs involving a belt.  They lived in WA state. 

August 1977 peter (now 2 1/2) wanders away from the house (they lived in the country 2946 West Young Road in Fillmore)  Pop was watching Peter at the time.  Peter was following a stray dog.  It really scared my parents.  The sheriff found him before dark, doing just find with his new dog Jip.   Yes, they kept the dog! It was a favorite for several years until it was killed by Coyotes 

December 1977 Mom found out she was pregnant, doctors all thought it was another tubal pregnancy…. NOT… it was me (Spring) born August 1978. 

Quote from Marion Holladay (My mom)

“During this time my walk with the Lord wasn’t as it should have been but the Lord was with us through it even though at times it felt like he wasn’t.  All these happenings drew me closer to the Lord.  It is a choice you make; you can let life’s problems make you bitter or just let them make you better.  Let them grow you the way the Lord would have you grow.  

There have been seasons of hard times in my life but remembering this verse has really helped and knowing the Lord will never leave me nor forsake me.  

James 1:3  For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow, for when your endurance is fully developed you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

The Lord has truly blessed me with a husband and family that I am very proud of .  He couldn’t have given me a better family and I am very grateful for that!”