Beauty.....

A lot of photographers have really taken notice of this video, and I am one of them. I first saw it about a week ago. It really moved me, being a woman. A woman, who as most women always finds flaws in herself. Always feels as though there is something wrong, something to improve. From blemishes to the baby fat, from clothing choices to boobs. Yep, I said boobs. I think we love to hate ourselves. Well, maybe not. If only I could be have great skin...If only I had bigger boobs...If only this baby fat would go (yes I know I am expecting again, but you get the picture). I am a smaller framed girl, and have plenty of people who say what do you have to worry about? But the bottom line is that we will always find fault in who we are. In what we look like. We could all look different, dress better, and have perfect boobs. But would we be happy? And what determines beauty? At the end of the day, we are all beautiful. Our perseption of beauty is heavily influenced by society. And sadly, what we see is not reality. What we now consider "beautiful" is actually fake. Society has shown us what they want us to see, making our standards of beauty the unobtainable. Here is a video, that is part of the Dove Campaign . It really puts into perspective how far lost we are as to what is beautiful. I am thankful for my flaws, they remind me I am real and just a girl who is far from perfect. They give me something to work for. A better me, maybe the physical won't change...but the heart can only improve with self love and appreciation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U

Prayers and Praises

It's Friday! That is good news since it's been such a long 2 weeks. First bit of great news...we went yesterday for our 3rd ultrasound to see if baby was going to make it. And as the dr. finds the baby I see something familiar and something I know. It was a sign. A sign of life, and prayers answered. Ultrasounds are so confusing to me, half the time I have no clue what I am looking at. But yesterday, I knew as soon as I saw it that all was well. God is good and prayers for my tiny unborn child were answered. There in the screen of the ultrasound machine was a very stong, and very visible HEARTBEAT. I couldn't have asked for a better sign or better way of knowing my "dot" was ok. It was relief. And immediately a smile was on every face in that room. My dr. said to me your baby is doing wonderful, I could tell he too was relieved. As we were leaving he told me that I was ironically one of three women who had pregnancies that they were unsure of. He said he didn't know if those three babies would make it to the next visit. Want more great news? I was the last of the three to get the wonderful outcome that our unborn babies are well! Perhaps this was nothing more than just the way my body always works but we have just never seen it, but for us it was God's work. It was a little miracle. I am again SO thankful for all of you who have emailed, called, and followed my blog. I cannot even begin to tell you how many people pulled together for us. From amazing emails, calls, hugs, even meals offered. I am blessed. And forever thankful. And RSVPing for those meals when the baby arrives. lol, ok only kidding. :)

I had the wonderful priviledge of going to one of my friends/client's house last weekend to photograph her family in their environment. She has brought her 2 girls to my studio for pics before but for family I went to them. Young children just like their own environment. But this family is special to me. Their oldest child, Chase has autism. So, going to his environment was the best option for their family. We had SOOOO much fun. It was pretty hilarious watching a family giggle and laugh and fall all over the place. And lucky me to be on the other side of it with a camera. We got some great and fun pictures, and best of all her kids didn't even realize we were actually having a session. But yesterday I got an email with a request for some prayers for her dear friend. Here is the email:

I don't know if you have a prayer chain or can put in for prayer request with someone, but a friend of mine in CA just had her littlest guy diagnosed with autism. "N" is 19 months old. She has 3 boys. Her oldest "A" was diagnosed with autism 5 years ago. He is 7 now. This has been a huge blow for her and her family. Every prayer helps. I'm sure that about now she is really questioning everything. She is extremely upset because they thought they did everything right with a completely organic diet and lifestyle and N was not immunized at all! Anyway, they are getting ready to face some huge issues and will also have to face fighting the california school districts for services. Not a fun thing to do.
Anyway, any prayers offered up will be a huge help and a comfort for their family.

To learn more about autism, please visit http://www.autism-society.org/ . Please keep this family in your prayers. I cannot begin to imagine what they feel, but know we have a God that can get us through anything. If the family reads this, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your angels. It reminds me of a post on Eliot's blog. Many have heard the story but it talks about how you are going on vacation to Italy and you end up in Holland. How you were so set on Italy and the food and culture, everything. You get to Holland mad, sad, and disappointed. But you step out of the plane and realize how beautiful Holland is. You realize you love Holland. And are thankful for it. I have faith that Holland is not where you intended to go, life takes us to many places like Holland. But once we get there we see God's beauty in it. I hope you find your Holland to be amazing. To read Eliot's Holland story, go to http://mattandginny.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_mattandginny_archive.html and scroll down to the post titled Holland.

And Holland has done well for the Hoyt's. I cry everytime I watch this video. I know that while this dad carries his son over finish lines, so does our Father carry us over ours. For anyone who did not see the post on the Hoyt's, another inspiration in my life, here is their video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4B-r8KJhlE

If you've read this far THANK YOU for listening to me ramble!

Here they are!!!

Finally let's me post the rest. Here are the rest of my Cuties!!! Everyone was soooo cute and it was loads of fun. Thanks again to everyone that helped make this first annual event a huge success. I have 2 more sessions on Monday, so there will be a couple more to share. Have a great weekend!!!

Costume Cuties!!! Part 2

I got fussed at since I had not posted round 2 of costume cuties. SO, I better get on it. My last 2 days of events sent my life into a tailspin. Here are the last of my adorable Costume Cuties!!!

And to update everyone, we went for another sonogram yesterday and saw a baby!!! 2 days before there was just a sac and yesterday there was a tiny baby forming. My progesterone levels are low, which is a bit alarming but the blessing in all this is that we caught it early and can supplement if needed. I will find out today if my levels from yesterday were still too low. And I go in next Thursday for our next sono to make sure things are progressing properly. We are still not out of danger, but things are looking good for now. Thank you all for the wonderful emails of support! I appreciate the continued kindness from my wonderful friends.

Ok....it wont let me post pics...darn it. I will be back later and try to repost.

What IS that thing???

I went to post about this yesterday, and my emotions were far too raw to post so I deleted it. I have had a night to sit on news of what "that thing" is and decided to post. I went for my annual "girl doctor" appointment on Monday (oh joy). I was late, but pregnancy tests were coming back negative. So, they did my annual and decided to do a sonogram to see if there was a problem. Well, they found several. To start they found what "could" be a pregnancy but next to it was an additional sac that was filled with fluid. They also found a good amount of fluid behind my uterus, and what appears to be several cysts on my uterus. It was all a little mysterious. My dr. ordered a blood test to make sure there was not a pregnancy so that we could start action to relieve whatever it is that is going on in there. Well, guess what?!?! That thing that "could" be a pregnancy IS!!! Yep, a Baby Menchaca...#3 to be exact. WOW, 3 is so many. lol So, now this is where we are....my hormone levels look great, right on track. But they feel as though they should have seen more of baby than they did. Now that they know what they are looking at, they are doing another sono today and more blood tests to determine if the baby is "viable". We are still unsure why there is extra fluid behind my uterus and why there is an extra sac of fluid. Hopefully we are only seeing a pregnancy in the early stages, and there is nothing wrong with the development of our little surprise. We are happy, and very, very scared. We have lost a baby once before and know how that feels. So, we are praying for a healthy baby. And while we are praying we may as well ask nicely for a girl. hehe So, that's my news. It's a baby. A surprise baby, but a baby we love already.

Costume Cuties!!! Part 1

Hi everyone!!! It's been a few since I posted, so I thought I better get to it. I have been crazy busy, but it's been a fun busy. Costume Cuties was a HUGE success on Saturday. We had a great time. Awesome costumes, goodie bags for the kids. Everything was wonderful (well, except for the fact that my neighbors teenage son rearended one of my client's parked cars. gotta love that)! So, I thought I would pop in and share a few of the images from the event.

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/

I survived the oral surgeon

I made it through my procedure this morning, and am a little less wise without those wisdom teeth. hehe I just wanted to stop in to thank everyone who has sent me such warm wishes. It is truly appreciated! I am in a good amount of discomfort, but thank goodness for pain meds!!!
But I wanted to share a couple shots very quickly before I hit the sack again. These are just a couple of the shots that I got in my quest to capture my children in their everyday activities. This is a new venture I will soon be adding to my services...stay tuned for more details and more samples!

Specials....

Just a reminder for the specials that are going on right now, they have gotten far down on the blog.

September Blogger Special - Receive a Complimentary 10x20 Storyboard ($75 value) with 3 of your favorite images from the session with paid session fee!!!!

Christmas Blogger Special - Half off session fee ($25 savings) and Complimentary 8x10 ($25 Value) with $75 minimum print purchase!!!!!

Here are the Christmas Session dates left:

October 14, 21, 28

November 11th

(I can also open up evening appointments, if needed during October or the beginning of November.)

And last, Costume Cuties is full!!! It only took a day to fill all of the mini sessions for this event. IF there are others that still would like to participate, please RSVP or email me and I will see if we can work out another day of sessions. Thank you all so much!!!

These were from one of my sessions this weekend. These girls were such a joy, so happy and just full of life. They had the best clothes and were just the cutest things!!! We talked about boys and school (ok, so the baby didn't talk about boys, but she did give me the finger!)...it was tons of fun!!!
I will be off this weekend and a few days during the week next week to recover from my wisdom teeth extraction. So, I wanted to post the September blogger special. This is for September sessions only and to get this promotion, you have to schedule your appointment by August 31st!

September Blogger Special -
Receive a Complimentary 10x20 Storyboard ($75 value) with 3 of your favorite images from the session with paid session fee!!!! I made a sample Storyboard collage for you all to see:

Sometimes we need to be reminded just how blessed we are. God has given me two healthy, beautiful children, a best friend and husband. My problems are nothing in comparison, and at the end of the day I am thankful for what I have and where I am. I am inspired by the strength of this man and in awe of the unconditional love his father shows. Just thought I would share this...

The Story:

I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay for their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots.But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.

Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day.
Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. on a bike. Makes taking your son bowling look a little lame, right? And what has Rick done for his father? Not much--except save his life.
This love story began in Winchester, Mass., 43 years ago, when Rick was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.
"He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life;'' Dick says doctors told him and his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. "Put him in an institution.''
But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to he engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was anything to help the boy communicate. ``No way,'' Dick says he was told.
"There's nothing going on in his brain.''
"Tell him a joke,'' Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a lot was going on in his brain. Rigged up with a computer that allowed him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? "Go Bruins!'' And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the school organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, "Dad, I want to do that.''
Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described ``porker'' who never ran more than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he tried. "Then it was me who was handicapped,'' Dick says. "I was sore for two weeks.''
That day changed Rick's life. "Dad,'' he typed, "when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!''
And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with living Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such rd-belly shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.
"No way,'' Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few years Dick and Rick just joined the massive ld and ran anyway, then they found a way to get into the race icially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the qualifying time for Boston the following year.
Then somebody said, "Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?''
How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick tried.
Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii. It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you think?
Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? "No way,'' he says.
Dick does it purely for ``the awesome feeling'' he gets seeing Rick with a cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together. This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best time'? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992--only 35 minutes off the world record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the time.
"No question about it,'' Rick types. "My dad is the Father of the Century.''
And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries was 95% clogged. "If you hadn't been in such great shape,'' one doctor told him, ``you probably would've died 15 years ago.'' So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life.
Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass., always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day.
That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.
"The thing I'd most like,'' Rick types, "is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once.''
Here's the video.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjPrL3n63yg

Waiting.....

Have I mentioned that I am an impatient woman??? Don't know too many women that aren't impatient. LOL I saw the oral surgeon last Friday, and unfortunately have to wait till the 25th to have my wisdom teeth removed. blah!!! But that's ok, at least they will come out and I found a great oral surgeon! I obviously will not be having any sessions that weekend, but will be back in action in September.

Other exciting news, I will be doing "Costume Cuties" mini sessions October 7th. These will take place in the studio and each session will last about 30 minutes long. You will be able to bring your kiddos in their costumes for a great Halloween session. And the best part...the session fee is COMPLIMENTARY!!! I am scheduling these now, please email or call me to schedule for your Costume Cutie!!!

I am going to start scheduling holiday sessions to take place in October and November. You can call anytime to schedule them, but remember they will fill very quickly and slots are limited. As most of you know, I only shoot on weekends, but may be able to open up an occasional week day appointment if needed. The following will be the dates that holiday sessions will be available:

October 14, 21, 28

November 4 (no longer available), 11

December 2

Please remember there are only 3-4 sessions available each date available, so this means there will only be a max of 24 slots available for holiday sessions.

*** Holiday Blogger Special!!!!***
I am going to go ahead and announce the holiday blogger special since I will start scheduling these next month. Please be sure to mention the blogger special when scheduling! The Holiday Blogger Special is......

Half off session fee ($25 savings) and Complimentary 8x10 ($25 Value) with $75 minimum print purchase!!!!!

Big ole chicken.......

That's what I am!!! A grown woman scared of the dentist, can't believe I just admitted that on a public blog. But this week I am forced to love the dentist. I have been in quite a bit of discomfort for about a week in my mouth. It has given me headaches, very sore jaw, and a LOT of pain!!! So, I found out that I have 4 wisdom teeth coming in, and they are not being nice about it!!! I have a consultation on Friday and will hopefully have my surgery to remove them next week. I'm feeling a little ripped off, no one EVER said I needed to have them removed....I wasn't even positive if I had them. So, next week pray for me. If anyone needs to get ahold of me next week, email would be the best way. If I do not answer emails immediately after the surgery, I will either get back to everyone once I am feeling a little better or will have my husband answer emails. I will be back to update the blog after the surgery. Have a great week!!!

My Boys...

Mason age 1

Reagan age 3

My boys are my life, my heart, my soul, my love, my reason for being on this journey. I see them growing right before my eyes. They change so much and so often, and these little moments that make me smile today will soon just be distant memories. A friend of mine did a day in the life of her children, so it inspired me to follow my kids for a day documenting their every move. I want to be able to not only think back on their fun daily activities, but to also look at my memories. I want to stop those moments and make them portrait memories. Cherish your babies!!! I will be sure to share the outcome of my day here on the blog!

WOW!!!!!! What a big hit the blogger special turned out to be! I am so excited to have several clients back for more portraits!!! And of course I will be sure to share some of those sessions. I will be updating blogger specials at the end of every month, so make sure to keep checking back in. I will send out a monthly email to let everyone know when the blogger special is posted. I have had quite a few clients wanting to reserve Holiday sessions. I will begin reserving Holiday sessions in September. It is a very busy season and turn around times will be increased, there is a 4-6 week turnaround from the time you order. So, if you plan to schedule Christmas pictures, please plan to reserve your spot next month. They will fill up very quickly!!!