Thank you and other ramblings

Hi everyone!!! First I wanted to take the opportunity to thank each and every one of you for the kind and generous outpouring of love to me and my family. I cannot even begin to tell you how much it was appreciated. There were so many emails that I got that just really touched my heart and helped me get through this. I am so blessed with the most amazing clients, who I am proud to call my friends! So THANK YOU!!!

Life is getting back to normal. The Monday after my uncle passed, my husband went to California for a "conference". His company calls it a conference, I call it a vacation. hehe He was at Disneyland and apparently miserable without us (sure lol). They get sent off to this conference every year, which is always such a nice time and have great things planned for them. But we seem to like each other so much he never has a good time. Let's face it, I'd rather be anywhere with him than co-workers in my career days. He was gone for 3 days, so it was me and the boys. AND...we survived!!! I even did some guy stuff around the house. I replaced a board in our fence, did some yard work, and treated fire ants! YAY ME!!! lol Ok, so it wasn't anything extreme. But considering that fence board had been waiting to be replaced by him for a week...I got to say hahaha to my hubby. It may backfire...he may realize that I am actually pretty handy at those things and want me to do them on a regular basis. :)
It is almost time to start the Christmas sessions!!! I can't believe it's almost October. I have regular sessions this weekend, Costume Cuties next weekend, and then starts the madness. I do still have a couple sessions left but they are still of course SUPER limited. Don't forget to scroll down to check out the holiday blogger special, then email me to schedule yours! Hope everyone has a wonderful week!!!

"Graduation Day"

Graduation Day - that's what my mom said this was. And she is right. My uncle has graduated, gone home. No more cancer. No more pain. No more weakness. He can eat. He can walk. He can dance if he wanted. He is HOME. It's so bittersweet. I cry and am mourning a life lost. I am sad that his wife will not have her soulmate by her side. Sad that his daughter can't call her dad. But he is still with us. Still living in our hearts. One's physical body can pass, but his soul and love will live on in all of our hearts. They didn't expect him to make it through the night. He proved them wrong. He passed on his time. Around 8 this morning he went home. Thank you to everyone for the love and kind support.

Jerry

I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face and a broken heart. I am grieving for someone that is still physically alive, but slipping way too fast. My uncle Jerry has been battling a VERY nasty cancer for a very short time and sadly the cancer is winning. I was supposed to travel this weekend to photograph an event for him. There was going to be a band, an open house, prayer, and a celebration of his life and how far he has come. And tonight I hear that he is back in the hospital and not doing well at all. I HATE cancer. There are not many things I hate, but I HATE cancer. It makes me sick to my stomach and I cringe at the word. It's disgusting. Why does it even exist? I don't understand why so many men, women, and children die everyday from such a wicked disease. I don't get why we can send a man to the moon, but we can't cure cancer. I don't get why babies have to suffer. I don't get why my uncle is suffering. It hurts my heart. He has a young beautiful daughter that still needs him. And a wife that is devastated that her mate is slowly slipping. There are many things in this world I do not and never will GET. But I know that God has a master plan for everything, even this. I ask all of you to pray and think of my uncle. Please. He has bounced back from many situations that were not in his favor in this awful battle. I pray this to be one of them.

Subscribe to the blog!

I know that many of you follow my blog (THANK YOU!!!)....so in an effort to keep down unwanted emails please scroll all the way down and subscribe to this blog. I won't be sending out as many reminders for specials, and may have random surprise specials that will be good for only one day. Soooo, be sure to subscribe to the blog to stay up to date on the latest Bella Amadis news!!! AND...don't forget to snag one of the last 4 holiday sessions!!!! They are MOVING FAST!

Christmas sessions

Just a quick reminder to those who want Christmas pictures, but have not yet scheduled. Time is running out and so are the sessions!!! Email or call me today to book your session and don't forget to mention the blogger special!

Christmas Blogger Special - Half off session fee ($25 savings) and Complimentary 8x10 ($25 Value) with $75 minimum print purchase!!!!! I book several sessions each date, but most are half full...so space is very limited now! Here are the Christmas Session dates left:
October 14, 21, 28

And for those looking for a session in September we have a great September special!!!
September Blogger Special - Receive a Complimentary 10x20 Storyboard ($75 value) with 3 of your favorite images from the session with paid session fee!!!!

I am also featuring an item for the holiday's...I just got my very own and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Portrait jewelry. Awesome stuff!!! I just got a portrait tile pendant to add to my own necklace. It is GORGEOUS!!! Can't say enough about them. If you would like prices or more info, shoot me an email!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

HOOK 'EM HORNS!!!

Life lessons from Eliot

In an effort to keep on top of my photography skills, I am part of several online forums that inspire me to be a better artist. And as a community of photographers, and a very large community...when there is a need we can post that need and know that we have friends there to back us up. This week, a photographer that I do not know personally, posted this link about her nephew who has Trisomy 18. So, as a member of the American Children Photographer Charity Guild (www.acpcg.com) I went to have a look and read Eliot's story. What I didn't know was that I was about to read a story that would touch and inspire me in a way that I have never experienced. Eliot's story has taught me more in the hour that I spent reading aboout him, and the hours spent praying and thinking of him after reading...than I have learned I think in my entire life. Eliot's diagnosis is fatal, which is heartbreaking. But the love and faith that I have read pouring from the hearts of two parents that are so in love with their sweet little boy reminds me to embrace life. Reminds me to love every minute with my own children. Makes me appreciate their health. I know that putting myself out there may turn some people away from my business, but my faith is more important to me than my business. What I am asking from all of you, is that you sit down and read Eliot's story. If you feel compelled, send him a message, I hear he loves them. And if you believe in the power of prayer, please pray for him and his family. If you don't believe in prayer, please just think of him. Read his story and the celebration of each day of his life. Because each day that Eliot lives is a miracle and defeating the odds of what doctors have called a "life that is not viable". http://mattandginny.blogspot.com/