LIFE

Hello everyone. This is Kristie. I had lunch with two of the sweetest ladies today. Not to mention names but Erin said "oh and tell Robert to update his blog". This really makes me giggle because my sweet husband is SO busy! Rob is pulled in SO many directions all the time. I'm always after him for some QT together and being the amazing husband and father he is of course his blog is at the bottom of the list. I have a bathroom sink that needs a little work as well before he has time to sit down and update. I thought I might drop fellow Rob fans a line or two and let you know he is busy being the energizer bunny. However with that being said we love, love, love being with friends and family. This truly makes our lil world go round. We talk about often how most of our close friends (to many to name) are our friends we at one time went to church with. We have those friends that stick closer than a brother like the Lord talks about. Thank you all who love my husband and encourage him to be follow hard after God and be the man He wants him to be. I'm kind of partial but I'm SO thankful to have married my best friend!!!!

Wednesday Weigh-In

So today officially starts my diet/campaign to lose forty pounds and get back into shape. I thought it would be pretty cool to use my blog as a means to document it. I have not set a date or timeline for the weight loss because I don't want to relax on it and think that I have time to make it up. From now until the time I lose the forty pounds, I have decided to make my weekly Wednesday post the Wednesday weigh-in. Each week I will post my weight for that day, share my diet and workout plan and go over some of the things I'm struggling with during the process. So without further ado todays weigh in and starting point is 251 pounds. I know, I'm fat. I have never weighed this much and have always been an active athlete so my goal is to resume to that as soon as possblie with what I like to call the forty pound countdown. Check in weekly to see all the progress.

Ok, I know it's been a week

It's been one week! I know I've been slacking again, but don't worry I'm back now and going to get on track. The regularly scheduled Tu(n)esday post will be up shortly. Until then, I have some personal business to share. Since we found out that we were having a baby, I have put on the pounds. I guess that's what I get for one-upping Kristie with the cravings and late night fast foods. The end result is I am now 15 lbs more than when I was my biggest. I will post my actual weight tomorrow with a new weekly post called Wednesday weigh in, as a part of my overall campaign to lose forty pounds. Fittingly (no pun intended) named the 40 pound countdown. Side note: I like to sing like The 80s band Europe sings the final countdown. Anyways, I will be weighing in each wednesday and filling everyone in on my progress to lose at least 40 pounds and get back in shape. Stay tuned to se if and how long it takes me to reach my goal. It would be helpful If you check in tomorrow to see my starting weight!

Tu(n)esday

Todays Tu(n)esday has a bonus to it. Not only is there a link to a video and song, there will also be a musically geared product review.

First, the song - Notion by Kings of Leon. I've heard three songs by these guys and so far this is my favorite. I've only heard three songs because I'm really not a fan of secular music and these guys don't have the beat lyrics. No cussing but refernces to alcohol and sex just don't cut it for me. Besides lyrically, these guys have it together vocally and musically. Here is the one song I will say I like by them although I am not a fan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FkUbPrFv64

Again, as I stated before I am not a fan of secular music and it is very scarce on my iPod but I do feel this is a cool song despite not backing for this band.

Bonus time-
I recently updated to Apples 3.0 software for iPhone and touch which included the addition of Bluetooth. I purchased new, bug free Motorola s9 Bluetooth headphones and I must say I love them. They are perfect for working out, cleaning the house and my favorite, grilling out. If you have the iPhone or touch I would highly recomend a pair.

Well now I'm off to get ready to take Joshua to reading coach so this post will end here but it is now three straight days of postings. Feels good to be in a rythym (no pun intended since todays posting had to do with music).

Just another manic Monday

That's an 80s song for you younger readers.

Yeah I know, I'm a stay at home father so the whole "case of the Mondays" doesn't/shouldn't really apply to me, but today was one of those Mondays. Kelby was up from about 10-11 till nearly 4 am last night and who was up with her and had been up sine 10 the previous morning? That's right, daddy! So when I woke up early this morning I knew today was going to be rough and it was. Thankfully it wasn't as bad as it couldve been and my wife let me sleep 3+ hours this evening. Now it would be a normal bed time but I'm wide awake and it sounds like another night with a fussy little girl. I love her, even if she is depriving me of precious, valuable sleep. Looks like tomorrow will be just another day.

On a completely different topic, I've managed to post for two consecutive days on my blog. I'm not asking for an award or anything, I'm just saying that's a pretty big deal! Look for Tu(n)esday tomorrow and see if the streak continues!

I'm terrible

I hate that I've hyped things up on my blog or have said that I'd have another blog up later in the day but never produce. My intentions are well but it just never seems to happen. So today I am making a commitment to my blog and it's readers that I will put forth the effort everyday to contribute and post to my blog.

Now that that's out of the way, I have some real blogging to get to. Kelby is now a month old and tomorrow she will be 5 weeks. They just grow up too fast! Everyday she is beginning to look more like me (poor thing) yet so much cuter. I am so blessed and even though it's been rough, I've enjoyed every minute of rocking her till 3 in the morning most nights. She got her first little shots on Friday and weighed in at a whopping 9 lbs and 8 ozs. She is amazing!

To get back to what this blog started with, I want to step up with my blogging and implementthe ideas I have previously had. Any encouragement or discipline would be much appreciated.

Tu(n)esday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJdWGqUfzFs

The song is Th Stand by HillsongUnited. It's a great song and very catchy with a great message.

I have to apologize now - our laptop has been broken for some time so I'm making this post from my Touch. I don't know how to bed videos with it yet so you'll have to follow the link.

I am now off to feed the baby but will return with another Tu(n)esday post later today.

Stop calaborate and listen, this blog is back with a brand new addition

I am now the father of a sweet little girl by the name of Kelby Joy. She is amazing and beautiful. Things with that have been so hectic and our laptop has screen issues so I had to find this app in the app store soy blogging can continue. Now that I'm back, check in to see the new posts.

Tu(n)esday

This weeks song comes from a band that is actually a side project of another great band. The side project is known as FM Static and the other band is Thousand Foot Krutch. Both are great christian bands with lots of hits between the two of them. Fm Statics new cd, that I believe its currently not released yet because I know I got it before it came out, is very good. Its the kind of cd to blare loud and rock out to yet a great cd to kick back and chill with. This weeks song is a song letting go of being complacent in your walk with Christ and telling Him to take you jsut the way you are. The song is titled "Take Me As I Am". Lyrics with video below (not offical music video).

WOW! What a great weekend

First off, Friday afternoon I came home to a new van sitting in our driveway. Turns out it was Kristie who went and looked at it and they let her drive it home. After driving it Friday and some deliberation, we traded in the Trailblazer and the Accord for this van. Thats right my primary car is now a minivan. It is a 2009 Nissan Quest, and a nice one at that. It has all the features we need and want for convenience and safety. Pictured here in this very color is our van.

Secondly, Mothers Day was a huge success! I made a nice video for Kristie with pictures of her and the kids and wrote an original little something to go along with it. She really enjoyed it.


After that we headed to the beach and had a great day as a family. I love them and had a great weekend with them.

Blogging purpose

The purpose of this blog is to write not only about my life but to also reach people with the message in some way. God laid this on my heart when I first started this blog. Sure not every post reflects that but most do. I am upset that some people think its pointless but I know that there is a purpose for it and I will continue to do so.

Tu(n)esday . . . the wait is over

Ok so Im going to be lazy today with Tu(n)esday and pick a comical song. Im sure I may receive some negative feedback for this but Im just now geting to post at 9:30 or so. Its been a long day at the beach then some traveling and grilling out when we got home, kids baths me showering and so on and so on . . .

So, the comical song for this edition of Tu(n)esday is a song from the old HBO show called "Kids in the Hall". The song is titled "Daves I know". So check it out . . .



I know, its not the greatest comical song out there, but why should I go with the obvious Weird Al parody when you've probably never heard this song.

Next Tuesday will be a full featured post for Tu(n)esday. Lyrics, video, my thoughts on and how the song impacts me. Please dont let this post discourage you from checking out future posts.

Quick post - Headed to the Beach

I know, its Tuesday and Tu(n)esday post will come a little later in the day. We are packing up the kids and headed to the beach. Kind of a spur of the moment deal so I dont have alot of time for a long post right now. I am excited because it will be the first time I go surfing this year. Hopefully there are good waves.

Check back later today for the regularly scheduled Tu(n)esday post.

Birthday Moments Countdown

Well, today was my birthday. It felt like just another day, nothing special. I am now 28 years of age and physically I feel 40 yet soulfully I feel 18 still. I have had an interesting life but after 28 years I feel very blessed. God has definitely had His hand in my life and I am thankful for all He has done.

On to the purpose of this post . . . Since it is my birthday I thought Id do a countdown of my 5 favorite birthday moments.

5. 22nd Birthday - One of my friends found out that I used to love Scooby Doo, so they decided to get me alot of Scooby Doo stuff. Scooby Doo Monopoly, playing cards, stickers, a magnet, and a stuffed Scooby Doo. I opened it all at Sonnys with everyone that wasnt with our group looking at me like I was an idiot.

4. 17th Birthday - I played baseball and for some reason the only Wednesday game we played all of high school fell on my 17th birthday and it was in Gainesville. We left school early and got home around 10:30 that night. When I got home it was just me, my family and my best friend in high school. It was a crazy day but it was fun and a good birthday. By the way we lost, bad.

3. Today - My stepson made me a card that said Happy Birthday and I love you with a truck drawn on it. He said he wouldve drawn a Corvette on it but he only knows how to draw trucks. It was really sweet - made me cry.

2. 19th Birthday - A very rough time in my life after some things happened in our church, all my friends came over and hung out almost all night. It was alot of fun and I loved it. It was a good time. We had about 25 people packed into our living room.

1. 5th Birthday - I got a puppy for my birthday and I was really excited, until he wouldnt stop barking at me and my friends and I hit him on the head with a hammer. Yes, a real hammer, right on top of the head. He didnt bark the rest of the day. Just hid.

Year after year passes but memories will still be there.

Friends, food and a fuzzy little bear

Today was quite a day. First, the doctors office with Blake getting four shots and Logan getting his finger pricked for blood. It was crazy. Kids screaming and crying. It was tough. Im not a fan of needles but I did ok, jsut felt for them and their pain.

Second, I went to lunch with Mike and Daniel. Had a great time. It was good to have some chill time with the boys and get some good food. Moe's again. Last night and today, wow homewrecker is becoming a likeable term.

Thirdly(?), we went to dinner at some friends house. It was my best friend in high schools older brother and his wife, whos younger sister was good friends with Kristie, so it was pretty cool. They too have four kids so that was cool to let the kids all have fun and hang out together. We had hamburgers, corn on the cob and some roasted potatoes that were really good. Overall, had a great time and got to catch up on things.

Lastly, we went to Ollie Koalas with the kids so they could spend some time with their dad. It was a little awkward but it was good. Things in that department and progressing and getting alot better. Had fun myself. Loaded a card with a few bucks and played the basketball game and the shooting game. Felt like a kid. Had a good day.

The name game

Upon hearing the news that two others have now named their dogs Chloe, we have decided to change the baby's name from Khloe Lavonne to . . . (suspense) . . . Kelby Reese Holmes. She is going to be my angel Kelby.

Tu(n)esday

Ive wanted to start a weekly post featuring a song on some sort, but I didnt want to just steal Music Monday from Brad. Tu(n)esday will be a weekly post on Tuesdays featuring a tune that I like or means something to me in some way. Fittingly I am updating my Ipod and adding some songs and cds to it. This week there will not be a posted tune, however I would like to refer you to a band that I really like. The Band is The Wrecking. They have two music videos on Youtube which I am posting for you to listen to. Next week will start the regular postings of Tu(n)esday.






Remember, check back weekly for new posts on Tu(n)esday and keep looking for the other new posts that will soon be appearing.

Tomorrow is just a day away

Tomorrow. The first day of the consistent (hopefully) posting. Tomorrow and every tuesday will have a music theme. More on this tomorrow.

Whats the deal with mother-in-laws?

When I was roughly 10 or so, we had an evangelist that was based from the church I grew up in, Bethany Baptist, Melbourne Fl. His name is Jamey Reagle. He was preaching one Sunday night and I cant remember one bit of his sermon, but I do remember a joke he told about mother-in-laws. It went a little something like this . . .

A struggling business man boarded his flight home after a long business trip. He had a empty seat next to him, so he checked and looked down the aisle for anyone that might come to occupy the seat next to him. He turned to check the seat again and there was a lamp there. Curiuosity led him to rub the lamp and a genie soon emerged form within. The genie said he had three wishes yet there was a catch. "Everything you wish for, it will be doubled for your mother-in-law." The genie stated. The business man agreed and began his wishes. The first wish he asked for a million dollars. The genie granted it and told him it would be in his bank account when the plane landed, but his mother-in-law would have 2 million in her account. His second wish, he asked for a large mansion and two nice sports cars. Again granted, yet his mother-in-law got two mansions and 4 sports cars. Realizing he only had one wish left and wanting it to count, it only took him a second to make it. "I wish I was beat half to death."

I dont know how but I remember that 15 plus years. Ive always thought it was pretty funny.

For me this is not the case. I am blessed with a great mother-in-law, and very thankful for it. She is a great woman and a great friend. I am blessed and love my family.

Thats it for now. Still working on some things to get ready for some of the new stuff. Keep checking in cause it will drop soon.

English, Grammar and what not

After getting a few things together for the new layout and looking over some previous posts, I realize that my grammar and english is not so good. Previous sentence an example. I will try to devote more time and effort to making my posts grammatically correct. Thanks.

Oh, and the new stuff will be along soon . . . possibly next week. So check it!

You have seen posts yet

There has been so much going on lately that I cant seem to slide in blogging to the daily schedule. I am really going to work on that though. I have a few ideas that will help me to be more consistent. A few are weekly posts that will feature music, movies and scripture, along with a few other things. Stay tuned for these changes coming soon.

Another thing Id like to announce is that there will be a new layout soon. This will include a new header and some custom work to go along with the new weekly posts. I now have photoshop on the laptop and cant wait to start playing with it for all the new stuff. Hopefully the photoshop playing will not cut into my attempt to increase my blog postings.

That is the short of it for now. Off to baseball with the boys.

You'll never find the living among the dead

First off, Happy Easter!

Easter is not about a bunny, eggs or all the delicious candy you recieve in a decorative basket. It is about the one thing that sets Jesus apart from all other religious figures. Along with all other religious figures, Jesus died. What happened after that sets Him apart as THE Savior. He took sin and became death, after three days He rose from the grave. The stone being rolled away symbolizes the fact that that grave was not occupied. As the angel said to Mary - You will never find the living among the dead. I wish you all a Happy Easter and pray that you will all take the time to appreciate, thank and reflect upon what the true meaning is. Ill leave you with a song titled "The Stone was Rolled Away".

A movie I really want to see

This movie is going to be awesome! For all you gamers out there.

I have been a big Legend of Zelda fan since I can remember playing it on NES. This movie looks like it is loosely based on The Ocarina of Time. Great game.



Unfortunately its too good to be true. It was a very elaborate April fools joke from last year. None the less, its cool.

TV Frustration!!!

This post is based on a post that Angela recently made. I too have some TV frustration to let out. I have not seen either of my shows in the last two weeks and I missed Dog the Bounty Hunter this past Wed night. Ok, ok, the last one isn't so important. Its more a guilty pleasure. But come on, I haven't seen Heroes or the Office in 2 weeks now. This is big stuff! Its near the end of the season for both shows so every second is important to the story line. I jsut have to vent because it is killing me to know what is going on. Hopefully I will get some quiet time with Hulu to catch up and get ready for next week.

***WARNING*** DO NOT . . . I REPEAT, DO NOT GIVE ME ANY SPOILERS OR INFO AS TO WHAT IS GOING ON! Thanks, for your own sake.

So . . . much . . . to . . blog about

Things have been going and going here at the Holmes/Bennett/Clifton household. (Ask if you dont get that). I have alot to blog about so I will make several short blogs today or in the next few days instead of making one gigantic post that would take you 45 minutes to read. This way I can waste 45 minutes of your life in small increments.

Well, we returned safely Tuesday night from our three day road trip/vacation to Sea World. It was alot of fun! I havent been to Sea World since I was in high school, yeah like ten years ago. Please refrain from any "old" references, thank you. It was really cool yet stressful for me because it was my first family trip. Let me explain. Ive been on several with my family i.e. my mom, brother, grandparents etc. . . but never as the father figure leading the charge. We got the year pass where we can go back as many times till the end of the year, and we got a great deal on them too. Although it was stressful as previously stated, it was also alot of fun and I really enjoyed it. Im looking forward to the many more trips/vacations with my family. They are the best and I wouldnt want to spend that time with anyone else.

Pictures should follow in the next few days or never if I dont get to hooking up the camera and transferring etc . . .

Time Flies

Ok . . .Ok . . .Its been over a month since i last blogged. So much has happened which means there has been less time to blog. I think the next post would have been Monster Truck pics/blog. . . but that seems so long ago. There is however, BIG news! Kristie and I are now happily married. We were married last sunday at our church. It was very small and very private. I loved it! I couldnt ask for anything more. I love my new wife and my new family. It seems like alot and too much but God has truly blessed and has allowed me to be the man to take the position and for them to fill my heart with love and blessings. There is so much ahead of us, and specifically me the next few months. Please keep us in your prayers. I will soon be back on to blog about those things and all the other randomness that occurs on a daily basis. Thats it for now . . .

My Autograph Collection

After moving my stuff to my moms a little over a year now, I have just gotten to unboxing some things. The majority of it is my autograph collection. Yeah I know, seems kind of nerdy, but hey Im a big sports fan. I like my sports. So here are a few pictures since I got it out of the box and on the walls. This is jsut what Ive gotten to tonight, there is still more to get out and get setup.

A full wall shot of my 8x10's. This is not all as you will see.


In this picture; top row: John Madden, Pat Neshek, Reggie Williams
bottom row: Tim Tebow, David Garrard, Richard Petty


top row:Ingle Martin, Rashean Mathis, Danny wuerfell
bottom row: Jason Kidd, Bob Wickman


Jason Kidd


Some that need frames: Mike Mussina, Dirk Nowitzki, Maurice Jones Drew, and Fred Taylor


Probably 2 of my favorites: Chipper Jones (Go Braves!) and Joe Montana 4x6 poster reprint.

Just wanted to share alittle of my hobby and there will be more to come once more is unpacked and set up. Im am well aware that the pictures are not all level in my pictures.

Complete Randomness and Steve Martin

Im sitting here 12:07 watching SNL with Steve Martin and just wanted to throw out a couple things Ive been wanting to blog on today.

To start, Kristie and I were tlking movies last night over sushi and I mentioned the movie Facing the Giants. I began to explain how good it is and how its a great story of how God works in our lives today. After sushi we went next door to Family Christian Bookstore, it was only $5 and I heard the angels sing the hallelujah chorus as clouds parted. We bought it. Watched it tonight and again I cried. Kristie balled at some parts. Great movie, I highly recommend.

I also recently, finally bought an Ipod Touch. I love it and cant get enough of it. Since I already have a smartphone with alot useful "apps" on it, I wasnt jumping all over the Iphone. I look back and I bought the PSP when it first came out. Like 2 weeks after. I paid 250 for it. I had to buy a memory card 1 gb, I know, and that was 90 bucks then. I sold it awhile ago and last year I bought the updated version with a 1gb memory card for 200. I also sold it a while back. Now I have seen the light and purchased the Touch. At least 8gb, wifi, all my music and video plus all the cool apps. I also in the last week made my first purchase from Itunes, and Ive owned Ipods for the last three years. Im diggin it.

Just wanted to throw out some randomness. Thanks for reading. I am now returning to SNL. Laser Cats 4.

Maybe you have, Maybe you haven't . . .

Just throwing it out there . . .

Focus . . . Focus . . .Aha!

About a year ago I bought a fairly nice, slightly older Canon EOS Rebel. Nice camera. It wasnt digital but a nice 35mm film camera. I took it on my trip to California and Vegas and got some pretty cool shots out of it. Even one of a scenic street that looked like Marty McFlys street in Back to the Future. One style I really liked playing with was where the near object is in perfect focus and everything else looks as to be a blur. It was a little tricky but with the right amount of focus and patience, the pictures came out great (side note - if anyone knows what that style is called please comment and let me know, thanks). I have a few pictures of a flower like this. There is a slight dew on it, a great focus on the flower itself and background blurry, yet you can tell its a lovely spring day. Overall it makes for a great picture even if the focus is on one object. I think our Christian lives are the same. If we focus on God and God alone the rest of the surroundings will blur themselves out. Yet, when we focus on God like this, the whole overall picture is still a great picture. He will bless us beyond our picture and what we see. Recently, many things in my life are leaning me towards having a sharper focus on God. Whether its money, children, relationships or even my own personal life, if God is the center all else will fall in line to that picture. Overall it seems to be a crazy method,but focusing on one thing (God) would make the whole picture turn out to be beautiful. Try to focus this week solely on God and see how your picture develops.

Yes! Hamburger Buns! Just what I wanted!

Well, we went to get the sonogram yesterday. I really wanted a girl but a boy wouldve been a big blessing too. Wait! No it wouldnt. The world doesnt need a little Robert Holmes right now. So as we are looking, the lady says "Hamburger Buns. Its a girl". Hamburger buns? what in the world. Then she proceeds, "Boys have hot dogs and girls have hamburger buns". Woohoo I got my little girl I was hoping for. So the adventure begins.

Who has time for this crap?

Last night my lady and I enjoyed a nice dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. I ordered a steak and cheese, fries and we split a spinach and cheese dip. We continued our date night by going next door to Barnes and Noble so I could look for the James Bond book Ive been looking for. I soon had to make my way to the restroom. Dont worry I will not venture into details. I went straight to the stall. As I eyed my surroundings I happen to see, in blue sharpie, a phrase. It read: Be aware that you are lying to yourself. I wondered, as I sat there, what is it that I lie to myself about? Maybe I believe that I look good in a certain shirt, or maybe i believe that a certain pair of jeans make my butt look good or the worst yet, maybe I believe that my hair looks good long (like a slight to medium comb over). After the many things ran through my mind, it hit me that its not so much that we believe our own lives but more that we believe the lies that the devil tells us. The devil is the author of lies, and he looks for everyway for us to take our focus off God. So many people believe the lies that propel them to themselves or to others. Although this "revelation" came to me as I sat there, I, in no way ever felt the need to whip a sharpie out and write on the wall. Don't get me wrong, Ive had plenty of epiphanies sitting on a toilet but never have I had an inclination to write it on a wall. Who are these people that write on bathroom stall walls? If I were to go to the bathroom at their house, would there be writing on the walls in there? Would they have no problem with me writing on their walls? Its mind boggling to me that people still do that. So I ask seriously, who even has time for that crap?