Do you remember me? Your host???

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I KNOW.....I totally suck at keeping up with everything during the summer. But in my own defense, I've been really busy getting orders together and doing all of my regular stuff with 3 kids biting at my ankles it's just so much harder! Is it August yet??? lol In all reality, I adore having them at home. I really do. But since Mason didn't get a summer program for special needs, it just really takes a toll on him. His need level is so much higher than a "typical" child and no matter how hard I work to match his energy level he's topped me by the time I get there. lol It's exhausting. We've had lots of fun in the sun, they are so enjoying the pool. Especially Miss Brooklynne - that girl is a water baby! She just can't get enough. I need to get pictures of them out at the pool. I am so enjoying just hanging with my homies. ;o) My mommy's helper started this week, she only came once this week but it was such a nice treat to have uninterrupted time to concentrate on my work. She will come in really handy! I think I want her to move in. lol She's a teenager though, and I'm thinking her parents won't be so down with that idea.

I had the amazing opportunity to meet up with some local photographer's on Wednesday evening. We went to Duke's BBQ for dinner and had lots of fun getting to know everyone. I host a local forum, as well as a photo forum for photographers of all levels and I've had the pleasure of getting to know most of the ladies there before we had our meet up. It was such a great time, and I'm looking forward to our next meet up! Here's a couple pictures from our evening. I have more, but need to check with the other mom's first to see if I can share here. Thanks so much to all the ladies who came!!!











This was just about all I could get out of my little people. They weren't liking me for portraits. lol



Oh, and even one of ME and Brooklynne



One of my dear photographer friends pointed out I was looking a little on the yellow side. Must be in the sun too much. LOL

So, I'll promise to be posting more. Even if it's my own kids. I need to bust that camera out for everyday stuff again!!!

Meet Lil Miss H. She's a doll, beautiful, fun, adventurous, and loving. She was SO much fun to work with, I seriously could have photographed this little one all day long. And let me tell you, that girl can work a camera! Just look at this face! She just HAS it! :o) My kind of girl. Thank you Miss H, you were so lovely to follow. I had such a blast getting to know you! XOXO

Cardboard Testimonials

I found this video on the blog of a very talented vendor I know, Neil Creative and had to share it. I watched it twice and was in tears both times. It's amazing and worth the watch. How blessed and humbled I am to be loved by such an amazing God.

Feels Like 20 Minutes......

I had the incredible privilege of being invited to join the G Family on Memorial Day weekend to photograph an amazing reunion. The entire family had not all been together in the same place in years, and since they were spending a long weekend together they thought it would be perfect timing for family photos! I couldn't agree more! Joseph and I headed out to the lakehouse of one of the siblings, which was BEAUTIFUL. The families were amazing and kind and seriously organized! It went smoother than I could have ever hoped for, and we had such a great time in the process. The grandparents were AMAZING, and I have to say the favorite part of my day was photographing them. They were still so in love, and when I asked them to kiss for a picture they were silly with giggles like teenagers in love. Their kind souls were so refreshing. As they sat there having their photos taken, the grandfather says to me "47 years and going strong.". (I think he said 47 but my brain is fried from all the processing, so I could be off) To which I said, "Really? Wow!". He then says to me "Feels like 20 minutes.". It was sweet, sincere, inspiring. Then the grandmother without skipping a beat looks at me, says "20 minutes under water! Can you hold your breath for 20 minutes?!?!". I DIED laughing. They giggled like teens in love again. It was to date one of the best times I've had at a session. I've been proofing their session like crazy, and am finally there seems to be an end in sight! I hope to be done with proofing their session soon, but here is a sneak peek to keep them till the rest are ready. G Family, thank you. Your family is beautiful, amazing, loving, and fun! My kind of people. :o)

I'll gladly hold my breath 20 minutes under water if I'm still that happy 47 years down the road.

The Lame Blogger

Yep, that's me. But in my own defense, it's been a crazy couple of weeks and sad thing is Mason still has 2 days left of school. What is my life going to be like once all 3 are at home all day? Funny, I never imagined they wouldn't be at home at this stage. I planned for Reagan to be in preschool, then off to kinder but the other 2 would be here. Now that Mason has been going to school everyday we've got a different schedule than I expected. He's been sick the last 2 days, so they've all been here and let me just tell you - it's been pure and utter chaos. Most of the day yesterday Mason was laid up, but just after lunch time he was finally done with the throwing up and was totally bouncing off my walls. lol Since he won't get a summer program at the school, it will be up to me to keep him really structured (which I am good at), but I will also have to make every effort to keep the regression at a minimum. We know he will have some regression for sure, but I have to do my best to keep his level of learning and modeling as strong as possible. I'm looking forward to having the mother's helper, cause at least I'll be able to get a bit of work done, get my housework done, maybe even get out to the grocery! ;o) Just remember to keep me in your prayers this summer, it's going to be a doozy! lol

Ok, sooooo from the tones of the last few comments I've gotten, it seems that me talking nonsense about my life is no longer acceptable. Seems some people want to see some pics. Sheesh. Such big demands here people. :oP Sad news is, I'm just now blogging about these insanely handsome little boys (their session was a few weeks ago). oops. Good news is, they're insanely handsome so it makes up for it! Meet the W boys, or as I like to call them The Boys with Killer Eyes. I don't really call them that. But I would have if I thought of it at the session. Yeah. These boys - sooo sweet. Loved them, and could have photographed them all day long (well except big brother was SO over me).

Did I mention I am behind in my editing? So, you'll be seeing images that are like totally last week. But that's my life. Totally livin' weeks behind. It's awesome. You should try it. Brings a whole new meaning to living in the past. Amen.

WAAAAAAH, etc.

Just so everyone knows, my website and email are down. I've had a rough go of really unusual events with the new site, and we've hit another unusual obstacle. There was an electrical fire that caught a transformer on fire, shutting down our systems. They are working as quickly as they can to correct the issue. Luckily there seems to be no data loss, so once they get it fixed on their end we should be back in action. If anyone needs to get me by email between now and then, you can email me at bella_amadis@sbcglobal.net . Brooklynne's birthday party is today, and I have a lovely local photographer coming to help me capture the day. It'll be nice to be more of a mommy today. :o) Anyways, I'll be back with pics soon. It's been a crazy couple weeks, but I promise to get myself back on track!