My Mother

I have had a very busy end-of-the-school year time! I'm sure everyone is feeling the same with the onset of summer on the wake. Since I didn't get to blog in May, I wanted to still make a tribute to my mom. She is the bravest, most self-sacrificing person I know--someone who would do anything for her children. She is so wonderful!

My mom, Dolores, had to endure a countless number of things in her lifetime growing up in Mexico. Her name means "sorrowful". She also goes by "Lola" and her uncles and aunts use to call her "Lolita". Many of the stories she tells of her childhood deal with seemingly insurmountable despair. She grew up quickly.

Motherhood has been her role for the majority of her life. First and foremost, she naturally bore 12 children. Yes, 12! She had 6 boys and 6 girls, and I am number 11 in the lineup. I have one younger brother. As you can imagine, the diapers alone were an amazing amount of daily work and keeping everyone fed was a gigantic stress. She did it all: washing, ironing, cooking, and cleaning while babies everywhere needed her. I cannot imagine, even having two, how she coped. They say my son has my temperament as a child--God bless my mother! I am so thankful to her for her sacrifices. She sacrificed of herself and her comfort daily for the comfort of her children--she was called to.

Dolores is a truly amazing woman. If the tireless nights and work alone were not enough, she also had to keep strong in her faith that one day things would get better and her children would always be protected by God. She was a rock in her faith that the Lord was always near. She constantly prayed safety over us and willed blessings into our lives. To this day, she is continuously praying over and thinking about all of her children. I truly believe God has heard and answered her prayers. I respect her because despite so much negativity around her, she never cursed or turned to the world for answers. Her answers always came from God. I appreciate her example so much and of course, she contributed to my own faith.

Dolores is a woman deep with faith and love. She is a servant and stronghold. I love her immensely! I can never repay you for your sacrifices, Mamá, but I can honor you the only ways I know how. Te amo con todo mi corazón!

Here's my mom with my son when he was firstborn in February, 2009.

Gorgeous Senior

I had the honor of photographing this beautiful girl recently--gorgeous perfect smile and awesome bod! It was a wonderful day, but the sun was relentless! We found a great shady spot with some huge trees and all she had to do was smile. She made my job seem easy...my favorites are hard to choose! The lighting was tricky on these, but in the end, I am pleased with the fabulous results! Here she is...watch out! :)

29 Days Left!!

I have 29 days left to raise money for Charity: Water. Please visit the site, read about the good things going on with Charity: Water, and donate if you can! 100% of the funds go towards building a water well for a village in a 3rd world country. Thanks so much to the supporters thus far!

myCharity: Water Fundraiser

It Only Takes a Spark

They say it only takes a spark to get a fire going. Well, that spark was you. Today I want to write to my late father, Homero Gomez Cerna.

Today is your birthday. Happy Birthday, Daddy. Tomorrow is the anniversary of your death. Still a celebration, but one that I must admit, is harder for me to bear.

Thank you for your spark, Daddy. You once told me that I can do anything I wanted to...and I believed you. I believe you still. Why me? The words of a parent are so strong. I learned that from you. Your wisdom and lessons still follow me. For a while I resented your leaving, for the time I didn't get to spend with you. I choose now to focus on the time I did.

I miss your greetings. I miss the way when I entered into the house, you immediately announced my arrival to the world. I miss how you loved my daughter and you called her Beautiful, and you told her to her face that she was. She didn't understand you then, but I remind her of how you spoke to her. I miss your big, contagious laugh and the jokes you told. You were not done with me.

I dream of you seeing my son one day. You would say he has your mother's eyes, and that he's "puro Gomez".

Rest in peace, dear Daddy. Where you left off, our God has picked up. He has held me and brought the Comforter to me in the midst of your absence. He has sung songs over me as you used to. The morning is our friend.

Although I still remember you vividly and will never let you go, I know I have to trust in God to bring people to me to show me the way. I know I will see you again one day. Our God knows I want to.

Rio was crying for you yesterday. She said she didn't want to go to heaven because it takes too long to come home. She misses you. I told her heaven was home, and that you would be waiting along with our Father, God. I remember being scared of heaven, clinging to this life with all of my heart, but I don't anymore. I long for heaven!

Here's my family celebrating you today. I love to capture their love for you.









I love and miss you so much!

In loving memory.
Homer Gomez Cerna
February 28, 1936-March 1, 2007
Loving Husband, Amazing Father of 12



Here's a song I dedicate to you; can't wait to see you!
Finally Home by MercyMe

I’m gonna wrap my arms around my daddy’s neck
And tell him that I’ve missed him.
And tell him all about the man that I became
And hope that it pleased him

There’s so much I want to say
There’s so much I want you to know

Chorus
When I finally make it home
When I finally make it home

Then I’ll gaze upon the throne of the King
Frozen in my steps
And all the questions that I swore I would ask
Words just won’t come yet

So amazed at what I’ve seen
So much more than this old mind can hold

Chorus

Bridge
And the sweetest sound my ears have yet to hear
Voices of the angels

Chorus

Edited to add (February 28th, 2011):
It's been yet another year, and still you flow from my heart. I've heard more stories about you and am even learning more about you as our family shares their memories of you with me. Your brother, Abel, misses you, and so does everyone else.

You have a big heart! There's no doubt in my mind that God will be using you to help in his kingdom in heaven--you have such a giving spirit! I am proud of your legacy of helping others. I knew I enjoyed doing it, but now I realize it's because I had you as an example. I didn't realize that until now. You created a family with a big heart for servicing others and I am going to continue with your legacy.

Thank you for being a good daddy. I will see you again one day! Rio mentioned how she can't wait to see you--she's not afraid of heaven anymore. Now she dreams of it--as do I. Can't wait to see you and praise our Lord together! May your soul be blessed for eternity. May the Lord our God hold your spirit in the palm of his hand and shine through you so that you may feel power and love for you. I will always love you. Happy Birthday.

Valentine's Heart for Charity

Ok! Another effort to raise money for the fundraising I am doing for Charity: Water. Here is my fundraising site: Rio's Water. I am offering Valentine's studio sessions next Saturday, February 6th, for $50 and you may choose one of the following free prints: 1 8x10, 2 5x7s, or 4 4x6s. Please email me at jholub@capturingcreations.com to schedule your session! All proceeds go towards the Charity: water foundation to provide clean water for the less fortunate! Please feel free to bring any Valentines props you find! I have some too, just email me for ideas! Thanks!

My Charity Fundraiser

Hi everyone! Just wanted to deliver my promise of more information on the fundraiser I am doing for charitywater.org that I posted on my facebook page. My fundraiser website is http://mycharitywater.org/rioswater. I named it that because my daughter's name is Rio, and well...it means river...river, water..I don't know, it goes...right?

Most importantly, I have been challenging myself this year to do more heart and less "work". I am studying and finding ways to help others in need and Charity Water has a great mission--to simply provide clean water for those who need it. The fundraiser I am doing for Charity Water has a goal of $5000. $5,000 can build a freshwater well in a village and provide 250+ people with clean drinking water. Please take the time to look at the website , watch the video (its extremely encouraging!), and last but not least, donate! I've never done anything like this before, so it feels weird to type that, but I'm not asking for me! The Charity: water website is www.charitywater.org.
Here's a picture from their twitter update today, it was the photograph of the day:


I am also going to try to raise money by taking pictures! Who would have thought? I am offering outdoor mini sessions for half price ($75). All session fees and proceeds will be donated to Rio's Water.

Mini sessions will be held Sunday, February 21st at a park/outdoor venue TBA. Please email me at jholub@capturingcreations.com to secure yourself a spot! These will be incredibly special sessions, and the theme will be "balloons". I can't wait!!

January Natural Light

I looove the light that streams into the windows in January. Everything is so much brighter and I love the sun! Weekends are great because I am home to witness the phenomenon; and even though I'd rather be outside, it the below-freezing temperatures Houston had this weekend, I was glad to be inside. We are so blessed!
I always grab a few pictures during this time of the year in our bedroom of my daughter, and now my son is around to get some in too. Here's one of them each--it was hard to choose. Surprise, surprise, she's smiling in this one; the rest of her images were serious for the most part. I had to tell her I was coming after her in order to capture that smile! He seems to be following in her footsteps with the serious faces. Maybe he will start smiling once he understands english!