Birthday's and my Darling Daughter | Bella Lucia Photography

1/31/12

To my darling Nevaeh....

How have five years already passed since I first held you in my arms? I close my eyes and remember every detail leading up to your birth. I sat in whirlpool tub, laboring through each contraction, smiling at the idea that soon my world would forever change and that you’d be in my arms at last. I savored every second of your rambunctious activity in my womb, knowing that soon those feeling would be no longer. Laying on the operating table, we took bets on how big you might be. I laughed, never expecting you to be a whopping 8lbs 11oz! You were born with a head full of hair, and the chubbiest cheeks I’ve ever seen on a newborn. I held you close knowing that forever I would be not just one, but two. You held my heart the instant our eyes met, and it is a bond that is unbreakable.

You have grown into the smartest little girl I’ve ever known. Your bright eyes, glorious laughter, and incredible way of figuring things out inspires me daily. Watching you grow up these last five years has been nothing but a blessing and a gift from God. How am I even worthy of being your mommy? The joy you bring me is indescribable.

We have been through so much these past years. Through loosing your brother Leo, to welcoming in our little Enzo, your spirit and joyful heart never cease to amaze me. You give me strength daily, and each hour that passes, I see you transform before my very eyes.

You have a love for animals, and are such a curious girl. Exploring how things work has always been your favorite thing. Already I see your talents shaping you into such an incredible and intelligent little girl. You have a heart for Jesus and your pure faith abounds all doubts I ever have. How can someone as young as you have such a true knowledge of our Father in Heaven? And yet, I know with every ounce of my being, that you know exactly who He is and His purpose for everything.

I remember when you wiped my tears as I cried for our Leo and you said “Mommy, don’t be sad, Baby Leo is in heaven with the Angels and their harps, and he’s playing toys with Jesus, cuz’ Jesus has a lot of good toys mom!” I remember your sweet cheeks and closed eyelids as I’d rock you to sleep as a baby....So many moments like these I have burned into my memory.

Nevaeh you are the best daughter I could ever ask for. I love watching you grow up and change each day. Our evening art projects, and daily cooking together are the highlights of my day. I am excited to start homeschooling you soon. I know that you will thrive to the fullest and that your ability to learn will astound us all. As I watch you rattle off a song on your piano keys, I sit in awe. And at night as we say our prayers together, you always know exactly what to pray for.
2011 was a tough year for you. You endured my being pregnant with baby Enzo, and the scary time we spent in the hospital. Through so many hardships and difficulties you astonished me, adapting ever so easily to new obstacles that arose. I treasure our time together in NICU, talking to baby Enzo and scrap-booking pictures of us all together. I don’t know how I could have made it through these last five years without you in my life.

Nevaeh, you are the light of my life, and I couldn't be prouder of you, or the woman you will become. For now, I am savoring the moments, and praying for guidance you in your education, and above all your spiritual growth. Thank you for every single “Mommy, I love you”, every hug, every kiss, every knock-knock joke, every kitchen dance party, and every shared morning espresso.

I love you my sweet sweet daughter, and I wish you the best 5th birthday ever!

XOXO,

Mommy

Calling All Brides!! | Camas Wedding Photographer

Join me and some of my all time FAVORITE wedding vendors this coming Saturday, January 21st from 11am-3pm at Camas Meadows Golf Club for a spectacular showcase of their venue and some of the top wedding vendors in the industry!!

Camas Meadows Brides, book now thru February 14th to receive $250 off any wedding package + an additional 10% off your total package price!! 

Email me today to secure your wedding date! 

kellene@bellaluciaphotography.com 

Morning Delights | Vancouver/Portland Lifestyle Photographer

Just a sneak peak at my on-going Morning Delights Series of my morning espresso's from 

Instagram ... Enjoy!

Also, if you get a moment, head on over HERE to read a feature on myself and my business from my dear friend Karina Tobin of K. Tobin Video Production!!! Leave her a comment too - WE LOVE COMMENTS!!

2011 Reflections | Bella Lucia Photography

A single lamp reflects its light against black granite. Close by, my mustard colored espresso cup steams with freshly brewed goodness. Outside, fog is moving in quickly as rain pounds the windowsill. Moody Edith Piaf echos in the background of this morning communion as I reflect upon this past year and all of its extraordinary moments. Edith's raspy french soothes my mind as I recall so much that has transpired in such a short time. 365 days and yet it has encompassed far more than one would assume it could.   

 As I sit in contemplation on this past year, many things are going through my mind.  2011 was another incredible year full of lots of challenges and joys. I am thankful everyday for being blessed by God in so many ways. From being able to stay home with our children, to being able to express myself through photography, I never take for granted all the gifts I've been given. All things have a season, and soon enough the kids will be grown and things will change. I treasure every moment I have watching them grow into the incredible adults they will become. I pray that my example of hard work,  dedication, and faith above all will give them a glimpse of possibilities in every day life. 

Just when I think things are out of control, God steps in yet again to remind me that HE is in control of all things. I have already lived quite the journey at this young age of 27. His guidance, assurance, and undying love has been my compass, and without my faith, I would be lost. In 2009 we lost Leo after I suffered my first placental abruption 27 weeks into my pregnancy. We were blessed with knowing his preciousness for 30 hours and the impact those few hours made is still unexpected. I naturally blamed myself for what happened, as any mother can understand. I was truly walking through "the valley of the shadow of death". How could this be His plan for me? It took much faith to trust in His plan, and daily I struggled with trusting Him with my pain, frustration, and pure disbelief. In January of 2011, we took a leap of faith and trusted God. We became pregnant again, despite the risks we knew we were against. Sure enough, our worst fears were re-lived, as I suffered yet another placental abruption within the same week as my past abruption. But this time, things were different. That 30 minute drive to the hospital brought up emotional havoc of every kind. Hubby was the most distraught I'd ever seen. I prayed through every phone call, every split-second decision, every problem that arose, and trusted that everything was part of HIS plan for us. Trusting in His guidance took the pressure off of myself, because in the end, I knew it was in His hands. I think relinquishing control is the most difficult thing in the world, and something I will always struggle to do. 


One of my favorite parts of Enzo's birth is that my love for photography and his birth were so entwined. As I always do, I pray diligently leading up to each wedding I photograph. That morning my car wouldn't start, which made me wonder to myself what type of day it might turn into. The wedding was incredible, and despite my cramping, and uncomfortable fatigue, my 2nd shooter and I were able to capture one of my favorite weddings ever. I came home that night thanking God for the gift of doing what I love, and for using me in such a way to touch the lives of others. I never dreamed that hours later I would be frantically waking up my husband to rush me to the hospital. 


I cracked jokes in the delivery room, because frankly, God had already walked me through this valley before. I knew that all I could do was trust Him and like before, He would handle things according to His plan. I was met with praise and "kudos" from nurses and doctors alike... who didn't understand my comedic demeanor or my ability to stay calm during such a scary time. I remember looking up at blinding lights in the operating room, and asking pertinent questions as if I was watching a case-study. I praised Jesus when the surgeon brought news that Enzo was a pound heavier than Leo... I knew that 2 lbs 7 oz was a significant difference from Leo's 1 lb 12 oz. I trusted God, because in the end, His plan is all that matters. I had no intention of having Enzo 13 weeks early. We never dreamed it could happen again, and yet the fateful day arrived. 

As I watched the sun rise in recovery, I learned that Enzo didn't have to ventilated and again I praised Jesus for yet another miracle. Though my body was in horrible pain, and I didn't know what the next hours held, I praised Him. Days later when I awoke at home in the worst pain imaginable I asked for His guidance. I'm not sure if I passed out or not, but when I was able to rouse myself enough to literally crawl across the floor, I knew He had more plans in store for me. I was re-admitted to the hospital with internal bleeding in my abdomen and was blessed with staying down the hall from Enzo in NICU for another 5 days. I had a folly catheter for over 2 weeks. I had 4 units of blood and still was so weak it took all I had to make the short trip down to Enzo's room daily. Yet, in all these trials, I saw His mercy and knew that His plan was for much more than I could imagine. 

October 7th, 2011 we were blessed with taking Enzo home after almost 80 days in the NICU. Protecting our precious son has been on the forefront of our minds since that fateful day, but I trust that we have been brought to this place in our lives for a purpose, and that He has plans for us that we cannot fathom. As I type, I bend down and kiss Enzo's warm cheek as he breathes peacefully in his sleep. No matter what tomorrow brings, I know that these moments are the ones that shape us.

Phillip Keller breaks down Psalm 23 into such an amazing depiction of our role on this earth and our relationship with the Father. This is my "go-to" verse for so many situations in my life and it brings me so much comfort, and this past year has been verbatim of all He promises.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Because the Lord is his guide, leader, and provider for all matters physical, spiritual, and otherwise, he will not be lacking in any area of need.

He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
He will in fact, lead me to places where I can be sustained and find rest

He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
He will bring healing to my innermost heart, He will lead me from there on paths that are right and good in His ever-capable eyes, He will do this for the sake of His own character, because that is who He is consistently.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Even in the darkest of paths, when the most prominent of evil exists in my life, my fears are calmed because of the very capable presence of the One who is there with me, disciplining me when I leave for a path that is bad for me and Him, guiding me while His staff rests upon my in an assuring way.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
Even when enemies approach, and in fact surround, I am still cared for in the sense of all the sustenance I need, and more, for He liberally cares, so much so that He is more than I need.

Surely goodness and loving-kindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
I am so confident in the character of my Lord that His grace and mercy will pursue me for as long as I am alive, and He will in fact secure His presence with me forever

This excerpt from A Shepherd's Look at Psalm 23 says is all:

 It is there that I will discover He only can really satisfy me.  It is He who makes sense and purpose and meaning come out of situations which otherwise could be but a mockery to me.  Suddenly life starts to have significance.  I discover I am the object of His special care and attention.  Dignity and direction come into the events of my life, and I see them sorting themselves out into a definite pattern of usefulness.  All of this is refreshing, stimulating, invigorating.  My thirst for reality in life is assuaged, and I discover that I have found that satisfaction in my Master. 

 If you haven't read this book, I encourage you to find the time to in 2012. It is a life-changing depiction, and one that will change your view of your relationship to the Father. I have been through some of the darkest times and in those time, Christ was there, leading me like the sheep that I am. Through incredible pain and heartache, clarity in His word and love for me has been overly abundant.

Above all, I've learned to accept that first I am His child, and all else follows. I don't know His plans for my future in business, or life's obstacles; but I can trust that whatever might come, He will be guiding my feet and directing my path, and that above all, He is all I need. 

I look forward to 2012 and as I approach my 28th birthday, I think of how different things could be. I'm blessed to be alive, to be living in our new home, to have 3 beautiful children, and above all to have been granted clarity. This clarity has brought changes to my business plans for 2012, but I trust they are for the best. In light of having Enzo and starting home-schooling with Nevaeh, I will only be accepting a select few weddings for the year. 2012 will be a time of learning for our family, and making life adjustments as well as finding balance in business and life at home. 

I wish you all a very happy new year and much blessings and success in 2012. Thank you all for your continued support, friendship, and prayers. Sharing my journey with you has been a blessing on it's own, and I hope that my honesty might bring you comfort during your own "walk through the valley". 

Cheers to 2012 and God's Blessings to you all!

©David Barss, Photographer

©Bella Lucia Photography

©Bella Lucia Photography

©Bella Lucia Photography

New's for the New Year | Bella Lucia Photography

New Year's Resolutions:

• Turn 28... UGH... 30 is looming nearby and already I am freaking out! 
  
• Loose a few LBS... OR buy larger clothes (it's a toss up)
• Finalize choosing Nevaeh's home-school curriculum and ORDER IT
  
• Planning out said curriculum into a manageable schedule
• Transferring the kidlets into the same room and creating a home office for Scott
• Completely re-doing my downstairs room to set up for home-school (bookcases, organization tools of every kind, and sanity savers)
• Plan Nevaeh's 5th Birthday Extravaganza (this year WILL NOT contain a Fairy Tree built from scratch)

In other news,  I will only be accepting a select few wedding clients this year. After much contemplation and prayer on the subject, and Scott's insane work/travel schedule, I will only be accepting a select few wedding clients this year. My focus will be considerably more on families and portraits this year, as it is more flexible with our schedule this year.

If you are interested in booking  or Wedding Photography for 2012, please email me for more details at: Kellene@bellaluciaphotography.com

Also, be on the look-out for LOTS of portrait specials and another attempt at my 365 project! 

Small Business Saturday!

 

It's Small Business Saturday & Christmas shopping is in full swing!! 

Save 40% on all print orders!!  

Enter GOBBLE during checkout!! 

Support your local small businesses!  

http://bellaluciaphotography.zenfolio.com/

Tobin Mini-Session Sneak Peak! | La Center, WA Photographer

Here are a few sweet shots from today's mini-session! The rain even held out until the end of the shoot! YAY for that!! ENJOY!

Book your mini-session today in time for the holidays!!