Driving, Driving, and MORE driving.

Bobby and I left last night at 11:40 pm for Tennessee...and we didn't pull up in his driveway until 2 pm today. Wow...that's what you call a long drive. I always thought that driving to the other side of Pearland (where we live) is a long drive. I guess I got a little spoiled being able to work from home. haha. I slept for 2-3 hours on the first part and then Bobby said- "Linda- you've got to wake up, I'm so tired!" So I woke up and drove 3.5 hours until we ate breakfast. It was the first time I have seen the sun come up in a while. It was really beautiful. All the fields next to the road were foggy and the clouds were really pretty. I think the Lord knew I needed to see that! =) So, then I watched the crop dusters pepper all the fields with whatever they are peppering the fields with- it was neat to see. The last leg of the trip (after breakfast) Bobby took the wheel and drove us into Memphis. I wanted to stop by the Fire Museum to get Mark a shirt (he gets one everywhere we go). I took a few pics and then we were back on the road; I seriously thought it would never end. Bobby has a little IPOD- type gadget, so I decided I was going to be the DJ of the road trip. He had a playlist of "Greatest hits of the 90's" and I was SO excited. I listened to songs I haven't heard in years..like Chumbawamba*- Tub Thumpers.. I was in 6th grade when that song came out. Good times. Well, I took a few pics, but I am going to add them up probably when I get home... I am exhausted! Oh by the way, on our way here, Bobby got a call from the flight school at Middle Tennessee State University (where he goes to school) and the Captain invited him to come work for the flight college. After he hung up the phone he screamed so loud! I am so happy (and proud) for him! He is going to be teaching private students...building his hours and getting paid at the same time! Way to go Bobs!
xoxo,
L
ps... I miss my husband and our little girl (Bella)!!!!! I am already getting homesick! I love you two so much!

Unexpected Road Trip!

Me and The Bobs
Yea for self timers!!!
Grandma and Coco (aka Coco Channel!)

Grandpa and Grandma
(They just celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary- August 6, 1955)

Me and the Gramps
Bobby and Grandma
Bobby and Grandpa

So, I've never woke up in the morning and said- "I'd like to go to Tennessee today..." but today, I said that- and we'll, I'm on my way to Tennessee with Bobby. We were planning on coming up to our grandparents house to spend the night- and I was going to head back home tomorrow- but because the weather was not good enough to take Bobby's senior pics we decided to do them in Tennessee at his school. By the time the morning was over- I had a flight home, thanks to my Uncle Chris (He's the best!) Bobby and I will be making the 12 hour drive tomorrow, I will be taking the pics on Saturday and then flying home Sunday morning at 6 am to get back in time for a senior session I have in the afternoon. I called Mark and said, "Babe... You know I always tell you what I'm up to- but I kinda think I might be going to Tennessee..." and he said, "You're going where?!" haha- I am excited to take pictures of cool stuff along the way! It'll be a trip of a lifetime! When we got up to grandma and grandpa's- they treated us to a catfish dinner in conroe...it was delicious! When we came home and HAD to take a few pictures (imagine that...).
I'll keep you posted on the trip!

xoxo,

L

I guess Since I'm adding Pics... Oldies but Goodies!

Out on the town!

Jeff took us to the Astros game for Mark's birthday-- and I "caught" a ball during batting practice! This was the BEST game ever!

Lots of L.O.V.E !!!

Me and "THE Bobs"

The Three Trouble Makers- Pico DeGuio- Don't Get it in your Eye-o--
only we would understand!

Me and the beautiful (!!) Sister!!!

Today was pretty great...even though Mark was working =( ! My twin brother, Bobby, aka, the Bobs (that's what I call him) is in town from Tennessee. So today my sister, Christine, and her husband, Richard (aka Ricardo) and I all went out to lunch. It was so great to see my brother. I saw him in March for the wedding, (which by the way-- oh goodness- doesn't time fly?!!) I really missed him lots... So if you can imagine me seeing him in the restaurant wanting to scream at the top of my lungs in excitement. If my family wouldn't have been embarrassed, you know I would have done it! That's just me though. So anyways- we made plans to go up and see our grandparents on the lake tomorrow. Yeah! I think I am also taking his senior portraits tomorrow. (He's graduating from Middle Tennessee State University in December!) Let me just tell you a little somethin' somethin' about Bobby.... A) He is fabulous! There's just no denying that. He says what he means, which I really do appreciate... I need more people like that around me. B) I am just so dang proud of him for following his heart (which can sometimes mean that a girl has to get you to where you need to go) and making the best of every situation. He is graduating with a degree in (well I don't know the technical terms-- ) but he is going to be a commercial airline pilot. He already has all of his certifications and now he is about to start teaching students!!! Wow.. he's come so far since our first (semi-scary) plane ride with him in 2005. What a good kid! He knew what he wanted- and he didn't stop until he had it. So, tomorrow we are trying to find a jet to take his Senior pics in front of-- how AWESOME would that be? Pretty awesome I'd say. Just to add a C) I love him because he's always so good to me-- and we kinda did share 9 months together- 9 months longer than any one else has ever spent with him. So special!
Anyways- tomorrow is going to be kinda busy. I am going to my friend's Uncle's funeral. So sorry Thomas!!! I'll be praying for you and your family! You guys are so special to Mark and I- we love you and we're always here for you!
xoxo,
L

Oh Baby, Baby!

Here is the best nephew a girl could ask for!

Wow, what a great day! Nothing is better than getting a phone call- that wakes you up- letting you know that you have another nephew! Mark called me this morning and said, "Linda!!! Kelly had the baby!!!" I said, "WHAT?! I mean, what did she have?" He said, "She had a little boy!" I flipped out! I screamed so loud the people in the apartment next to us probably thought I was getting hurt or something. I haven't really heard too many details, but I know she had him around 8 am- and through out the day (and I'm sure by seeing his sweet little face) they decided to name him Kyle Worthy Holmes. Mark told me that we were going to see him on Wednesday...then he calls me back and told me that he just went up there to see him (he was at work)... boo! I really wanted to see him today- so maybe sometime this week. My other nephew, Henry (Kyle's big brother) and I have had so much fun together the past two days. Henry is staying at Nanny and Papa's while Kelly and Jeff and in the hospital. Yesterday when I was over there, Nanny (aka Lisa) looked up at the sky and said, "Henry, what is that?" and he said, "The mooooon." So I said- "henry- do you want to take a space ship ride to the moon?" So then I put on his imaginary space helmet and astronaut boots, we counted down and blasted off to the moon. It was by far the cutest thing- he laughed for so long!! So then we landed in "Tickle Land
where Aunt Linda (that's me!) proceeded to tickle him until he was out of breath from laughing so much. He's such a doll. Yesterday was the first time I've ever heard him say my name, which is, "Aunt Yinda!" So cute! I love that little guy. Today I went over to go see him and when I walked in he had the biggest smile on his face and he says, "AUUUNTTT YINNNDA!" My heart melted! Love it! Anyways today was pretty great. I can't wait to see the baby- it doesn't feel real yet! I've heard he is so cute- So I will post pics as soon as I get them!
xoxo,
L

It's been forever!

-My first 2009 Senior Mailing-

I had no idea it had been so long since I blogged last. Mark and I have both been really busy lately! July as a whole has been kinda rough on Mark because he has had to work a rediculous ammount... but he never complains. That's what I like about him...you can't have two complainers in one house, right?!! Bella and I took lunch to him at work yesterday and visited for a few minutes. He was at his side job at Ellington. We were sitting in the bay, that over looks the runway, and Bella saw a plane taxing by and she got so mad. We laughed. Her ears perked up and she was moving her neck in a really funny way.

As for me, I haven't been that busy...which is kinda sad for me...because I like to be productive. My first senior mail out is going out this next week (it was pushed back a week because of a new printing company that I decided to go with, which by the way, was a huge mistake). So, hopefully once I get 1,000 of those out in the mail, I'll be getting some senior business! Then of course, I need to send out my 2nd, 3rd and 4th mailings within a few weeks from that...so hopefully by then people will know what Linda Holmes Photography is....

Anyways, i did some really cool underwater pictures the other day...

Anyways, there they are. It was pretty funny to watch the whole thing take place...and we did this at the pool at our apartment so the kids were getting on my nerves; they kept trying to swim behind Misty and in front of the background...yes it was deliberate...and I finally was like, "Um, HI, YES, we are doing something here...can you please use the rest of this HUGE pool? Thanks!" haha..

Well, that's all for tonight.. I have a few things to do before bed!
xoxo!

L

Insomniac

It's 3:36 am. I can't sleep; I think I have insomnia. Right now the light is so bright, I am only looking out of one eye, that is squinted. My sleeping schedule has been so weird lately. I am listening to "Somewhere over the Rainbow" by Iz (it's the song Mark and I had our first dance to). I love this song, it's so beautiful. It's the perfect mix between my love for the Wizard of Oz and beach-style music. I think it is so well written because it's such a simple song, that allows you to dream; I'm mean, how the heck are my troubles going to melt like lemon drops? What the heck is a lemon drop anyways? I guess it doesn't matter, it'll be melting!

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true

Some day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
Some day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

-PASSED OUT on the couch- Yes, this is normal!!!-

I sing this song to Bella all the time. I imagine when we have children this will be the only song they'll ever hear. haha. Speaking of Bella...tonight Mark and I watched a movie (well, I fell asleep) but when the movie was over, we were going to bed. Like I have said in previous posts, Bella is spoiled rotten and gets carried to bed and tucked in every night. So tonight we thought it would be funny to see if she would come to bed on her own...and she wouldn't!!! We called her name for 5 minutes, and no sign of The Bells. So I walked into the living room and she's laying on her blanket, probably thinking, "Are you kidding me? You KNOW I am NOT walking to bed!" So I picked her up, she passed out, and she was carried to bed...just like she is every night. haha...

Tomorrow, well today, Mark and I are headed up to Stockdale to spend sometime with the Holmes Family at Grandma Dorothy's house. I am so excited about going! Mark and I are taking our guns to do a little target practice in the country. I told Lisa that I was going to let her shoot my gun (that will be the cutest thing ever!) I am so excited!

Well, it's 4:33..... and still restless.

xoxo,
L

Vacation!

Mark and I got back from our Holmes Family vacation at Port Royal. We had a great time as usual. The beach was so beautiful and the weather was amazing. We enjoyed spending lots of time with the family and eating LOTS of food. Emily was able to come this year and we spent most of the trip together; we had a great time! When we first got there on Friday, Emily and I decided that we were going to go down the slide to get into the pool. So we started our race...and then right as I was about to come out of the tube, my legs were jerked from underneath me, I was thrown up to the top of the tube, and belly flopped at the bottom of the tube. My head was hurting REALLY bad...and I was kind of in a daze. So when I got to the bottom I was staring and Emily and she was like, "are you ok?" and I said, "Uh, I don't think so." So she took a second look at me and realized that I had blood running down my face. So to make a long story short... I didn't need stitches but it looked pretty crazy for a few days~and I had a TREMENDOUS headache! Good times at Port Royal! On Saturday evening, we had Randy's famous shrimp night. It was awesome! We all ate shrimp until we thought we were going to pop. We love Shrimp Night at Port Royal...it is definitely the best! Anyways, on our way home, Mark and I got to talking about all the places our families had taken us to when we were kids and we both realized that we hadn't been to the Midwest. So we planned an entire road trip in an hour! We are calling it, "Wild West Spectacular 2008" haha! We are going to travel to New Mexico, Colorado,Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, and few more on our way back. We will be stopping at a few major landmarks and a few national parks. And the best thing about it all...we are taking Bella!!! Mark and I both laughed so hard at the thought of having Bella's picture taken in front of Mount Rushmore. Haha.. it must just be an inside joke! Anyways, I have been taking pictures at Vacation Bible School this week and I need to go get ready to head back up to the church!

Moving Away....

The one and ONLY Shelly!!! She is the most amazing friend! She gave each of us a beautiful Medallion Necklace to remember her by! I love it- I wear it all the time!

-Charlotte, Miranda, Samantha and Carrie-
This was taken by our waiter who had just called us the "Sex and the City girls"- We all LOVE Sex and the City- so we thought it was hilarious how much we do resemble them!

-Here is our action pose! Haha!-

Today was interesting. I got a few things done around the house, and then did a little packing (we are going on a vacation to Port Royal, in Port A. with Mark's family for the weekend). Tonight I had the chance to hang out with my beautiful friends from college who I haven't seen since the wedding. Sadly, Shelly is moving to Germany for four years...yes, FOUR years. So I started to cry as I told her "see ya later"...then I proceeded to cry the entire way home. She is such an amazing person and SUCH an amazing friend. She is NEVER (has NEVER) been judgmental towards me for me being who I am. I love the handful of people I know that really love me for who I am! I have always appreciated her for that. She will be missed SO much! I need to stop talking about it before I start to cry again! We had a fun girls night tonight. We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe, then coffee at Coco's. Every time I'm there I think about Shelly. I know she's going to open the most amazing little coffee shop someday! I told her if she does, she has to name a drink after me...something cool... haha =)
Anyways, about our weekend getaway, Mark and I are SOOOO excited about Port Royal. This is our 4th consecutive year to go. We love it! Randy and Lisa spoil us with great food, specifically the shrimp fry night. Since we have not been married every year that we have gone, we always got the living room....all I'm going to say is we are SO excited about having our own room this year! We are always joking about this because every year something happens that makes me sleep anywhere but the living room (such as a closet or the balcony) haha. Either a baby is crying, a clock is ticking, some one is snoring (to the point of almost ear piercing...) or someone's cell phone is dying...so we are SO excited about being in a quiet room where we can sleep! As funny, or annoying as those things might be, we always love Port Royal... it has never been a show stopper for us...but it does give us slightly humorous stories to talk about! The only thing that could make Port Royal 100% perfect is Bella was allowed to go...but she is going to spend a few days at her "weekend estate" (as my dad says), at "Grandma and Grandpa's house" (aka. my parents). They love her to death and I know she is ALWAYS in good hands with them...and just to let you know... YES, Mark and I treat Bella like she is our first born. Sometimes we argue about who gets to carry her to bed and tuck her in. She's one lucky little girl! =)
Well, I need to get a few things done..sleeping would be one of those things!!!
Love you!!!
L

We Will Dance

As I clean the house I always put on the playlist on Itunes and listen to my favorite songs. So tonight the song "We will dance" by Steven Curtis Chapman came on. It gets me everytime. Here are the lyrics:
____________________________
I've watched the sunrise in your eyes
And I've seen the tears fall like the rain
You've seen me fight so brave and strong
You've held my hand when I'm afraid

We've watched the seasons come and go
We'll see them come and go again
But in winter's chill, or summer's breeze
One thing will not be changin'

We will dance
When the sun is shining
In the pouring rain
We'll spin and we'll sway
And we will dance
When the gentle breeze
Becomes a hurricane
The music will play
And I'll take your hand
And hold you close to me
And we will dance

Sometimes it's hard to hold you tight
Sometimes we feel so far apart
Sometimes we dance as one
And feel the beating of each others hearts

Some days the dance is slow and sweet
Some days we're bouncing off the walls
No matter how this world may turn
Our love will keep us from fallin'

And we will dance
When the sun is shining
In the pouring rain
We'll spin and we'll sway
And we will dance
When the gentle breeze
Becomes a hurricane
The music will play
And I'll take your hand
And hold you close to me
And we will dance

The music will play
And I'll hold you close
And I won't let you go
Even when our steps
Grow weak and slow
Still I'll take your hand
And hold you close to me
And we, will dance
_______________
This song is so emotional for me. My Grandpa danced with me to this song at our wedding. He whispered in my ear, "I had to dance with the most beautiful girl in the world." Then he went on to tell me how much he still loves my Grandmother, 53 years later. I began to cry. I pray the Lord protects Mark and I, and someday when our future Granddaughter marries, he will be able to whisper the same thing to her. In the second verse, I danced with my dad. This song perfectly describes our relationship. We haven't always been close. The farthest away at times. But sometimes the friendships that are the hardest at first become the most sustaining ones. I love how songs can be interpreted to reference my relationship with the Lord. His love for me is always unconditional. He is always there for me, waiting to listen. I can honestly say that I don't know where my life would have gone if I didn't know the Lord. Those who don't know Him, miss out on the greatest friendship one could ever imagine. Love everlasting. Peace. Hope. Joy.

Today I have felt God's love for me. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened; I just slowed down to listen.

I love how the smallest things today brought me the most joy. As a lot of you know.. I have an unstoppable love for plants. That's right... plants. When we have a house someday, it will be like a garden out of a fairy tale...I assure you! My mom started me on that. I used to think she was crazy. But then I realized that we could be crazy together....it's bliss! It's nice having someone to talk to when my plants are having a bad day ;) ... So here lately my plants got this horrible fungus, and it spread to almost all of them. I really thought I was going to lose them all...my mom assured me that I wouldn't. I was so sad. I treated them, and I just looked out today and there are lots of new blooms; that brought me lots of joy. I loved the rain today; joy! I watched Bella run her little heart out at the park today; joy!

So all this to say, if you ever need a little joy in your life...start to look at the things that most people don't think don't matter. This is where you will find your greatest joy!

;)

~L

Relaxing!

Hey everyone! It's been a nice past few days! Mark has been off for a few days (he has been working every other day for a while now) so we decided that we were just going to relax, watch some movies, eat lots of homemade macaroni and cheese (Mark loves it when I make that!) and have our friends over for hamburgers! SO, now that it's Sunday night and Mark is at work, I have some time to write. I just came home from Lisa and Randy's house. Lisa and I are throwing a cute little diaper shower for Kelly, my sister in law. We are both so excited to do this for her and we are having a blast doing a few projects to prepare for the big day! As some of you already know, I just recently joined on the communications team at church (Sagemont). There are about 25 of us who have chosen to volunteer to put together a magazine that will be published monthly. We are super excited about seeing all of the fruits of our labor! The magazine will hit the doorsteps the first week of September. At first I thought I was going to write, photograph and help design the magazine, but thankfully there are more writers that photographers. As much as I really like writing, I think that I will leave it to those who are Uber- passionate about it...and leave more time for me to focus on the awesome graphics and the designing process! We have a really great group and I am so excited to have found a place to serve that I really think I will enjoy!
Anyways, last Sunday my parents came over for lunch and gave me an awesome present...a Springfield .40 !!! It's all black, and the sights glow in the dark!!!!! Mark is SO jealous! He actually has the same gun, but the top of his is silver. So, my dad and I decided that we would spend the afternoon together, and go to the gun range. He bought the ammo (which by the way is ridiculously expensive now) and then I paid for the gun range...which I would say is not a very fair deal...but that's what he wanted to do =) ! So we get there and I'm really nervous to shoot my new gun. My dad hangs up my target, shows me how to load my clip and then he says, "Ok, it's active, take a shot!" I start sweating and I'm telling myself, "You can do this Linda, You can do this.." then BAM... I fire it...and I am NOT kidding... I hit the upper top left of the X ! My dad was like, " WHAT?!!" haha.. then he starts laughing... so I'm like- "Ok, I'm gonna do it again!" So I do and it's in the same area. I could tell he was really proud of me...and that made me really happy! So after I shot for a while, I thought I would take a break to watch him. I stick my head around to his stall and he's just firing away...and all hitting the middle, practically in the same place! So this Mexican kid was standing there watching my dad with his jaw open and he says in really broken English, "I not going to break in his house" haha... I was like- "Yeah...that's probably not the best idea!" We had such a great time together and I will always remember that! When I got home I pulled out my target and showed Mark. He couldn't believe it.... so all this to say...I hope no one breaks into our apartment....because this Annie Oakley will take you down!!! =)
Well, I told Mark I would put some of the pictures I have taken of him on to his myspace...so I will write more later!

Thank you cards FINALLY in the mail!!!!!

Hello All,
The thankyou cards have finally been sent out! Yeah!!!! Hopefully everyone will be recieving them within the next few days! Thank you all for being so patient (and knowing how greatful Mark and I both are for all of the wonderful wedding gifts that you blessed us with) as it took me FOREVER to get the cards sent out! When we were moving everything into the apartment, I felt so overwhelmed that so many people blessed us beyond measure! I never thought that plates and silverware would make me this happy! Which by the way, Mark and I love to entertain...so if you ever need a free meal... or just want to hang out with us...please let us know! Well.. my plans to make this post a little bit longer were just cut short...seeing that it's past 3am... and Mark is (or was) sleeping in the other room and aparently he can hear me typing! He has to be up in two hours...so maybe I can write more tomorrow!

Our first time to blog!

Hello Everyone!
Wow! What a crazy past few months! Can you believe that it's already been two months since we tied the knot? The time has really flown by! We started off our married life on a honeymoon to Puerto Rico (I promise I'll post the pics!) We had so much fun! We did a little surfing, lots of snorkeling, sightseeing and we met lots of new friends! We will definately go back! I'll do a whole blog all about Puerto Rico...someday! Mark and I both have been very busy. Mark recently started a new side job working as a EMT for a company at Ellington. He is enjoying the laid-back atmosphere and watching the planes come and go all day, (must be nice...right?!!) As for me, I have been busy getting my photography business where I want it to be! I am currently re-designing my entire line (website, business cards, blah blah blah!) and while it's a ton of fun...it can also be very time consuming and somewhat stressful! BUT, I am very excited about updating and I'll keep you posted on how everything is going! I'm sorry this first post is fairly short, but I need to get back to my business!