luka bella photography (real families, real life)

Spring Break

This week has been spring break for us. I am trying to juggle work and kids, not doing such a good job. Yesterday however Lu-Lu and I headed to the mall for lunch and some flip flop shopping. I never go to the mall so am always surprised when such big changes have taken place. We have this huge new wing opening with Pottery Barn and William Sonoma. SIGH!!!!

Anyway, I am trying to clean my studio. Ha!! I just can not get it done. It is out of control. So while I was supposed to be cleaning I did a great job procrastinating and finished this...

 

And my sweet hubby sent me these for our Anniversary...

 

unfortunately look who I have had to share them with...

 

I am listening to Tyson and Julianna's CD, over and over and over. Love it!!!!  My sister is moving here this weekend from San Francisco. I am beyond excited, I am not really sure what I will do with myself until she gets here. 

God is filling our home with life in a way that I never knew was possible. May your name be lifted High in everything you call me to do, and may I never walk where you have not led me. Thank you Father for your continued grace and mercy. You are an awesome God!

Here they are!

Without further delay my celebrity couple ..... Julianna and Tyson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and my all time favorite

 

Yes, I know he is licking her face. Tyson, seriously!! O.k. it might have been my idea but he went for it.

Its beginning......

to feel a lot like Spring.

What a beautiful day today was. I took a long drive and listened to some powerful worship music. I love to do that when I drive. I had a bible study at my house last night and heard some very powerful things. I laughed a lot too. Which was a welcome relief after the funeral on Monday.  I was very aware of God's gifts today. I kissed my kids more than I normally due, took the dog for a walk and felt the sun on my face. I had a Starbucks and sucked every last bit down. I worked at home today, I am grateful for that.

Here are a couple of layouts that have been sitting on my desk

  

       

This is a lo that I did with Celine Navarro. It was a crazy and fun lesson on watercolors.

I will be trying to get my "celebrity" couple posted in a few days. I took so many pictures that I am a little overwhelmed. Here is a  hint..... There CD became available last weekend??????? ( and no I do not have one!!!) 

heavy day

Heavy day today. We will be saying good-bye to this sweet little angel.

 

 

Nora Grace who is in the sweet loving arms of our Savior.

Trying to keep up

This has been a crazy few weeks. I had a great photo shoot yesterday with a couple that will melt your heart. I will post a picture of them soon. Most of you will recognize my celebrity little couple, oh how we had fun. I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt.

I do have one layout to share that I did a week or so ago. Someone sent me a huge pack of Graphic 45 paper that I tried to use for this layout and I realized that I am really into bright colors right now and I could not get that paper to work for me. So I am going to try it again, I think it is beautiful very vintage inspired paper but I can't seem to get the colors to work. I did pull off a little of it. So if you have any suggestions with that paper let me know. So for me, when all else fails Sassafras Lass always comes through for a big punch of color.

 

Here is a picture that I took on our way home from the High School Church winter camp. I went with Amy to drop of some High Schoolers it was freezing cold. It got down to 30 degrees when we got to the top of the mountain. For those of us that live in So Cal, that is cold! So battling car sickness and trying to capture this amazing sunset as Amy winded down the mountain this is what I got

 

Thank you God for that little reminder of what a masterpiece you have created.

What we say is who we are

Powerful message taught at church. We are studying the book of James on Chapter 3 Taming the tongue. The message basically was "what we say is who we are."  What do do you allow to come out of your mouth? The book of James talks about how powerful the tongue is. That it is a small part of the body but capable of great damage. "likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." 3:5

"The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." 3:6

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness." 3:9

In the book of Ephesians He makes it pretty clear " Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful in building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." 4:29

What are you letting come out of your mouth? Is is building others up? Do your words pour life into others?

The weather here today is gorgeous. I had shoots yesterday in almost 80 degree weather. I was not expecting that. It was a welcome blessing. I was also not expecting to take the Clare's on a drive searching for a location out in the middle of nowhere and coming across someplace that was so much more than I expected. A meadow, lush and green with rolling hills. We could see and hear sheep grazing on a hill nearby. It makes you stop and realize the magnificent beauty God has given us. It is right before our eyes. Glad I was able to share that with such a beautiful couple.

At the moment I am enjoying a quiet house, with some great worship music on. The song I am hearing is Life Song by the Casting Crowns. A verse is "Let my life song sing to you." Made me think for a moment. What is your life song? Is it a sweet song? Precious to the ears of God? Oooh, I am going to make a page with that as the title.

This weather makes me want to be crafty. Here are two lo's that the fabulous Celine Navarro taught me.

 

 God is glorious if you just allow Him to come in. He can and will change your life!

Have a blessed and beautiful Sunday.