Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner!

And the winner of the naming of the newsletter contest is....Molly! The newsletter's name is Transformations! I'm throwing an honorable mention at Miz Becky. I'm using her "The Girl Across the Room (never envy her again, advice on being her)" for the advice column! She gets a $50 gift certificate! Congrats girls. And I promise, you'll get the newsletter soon. I worked really hard on it, made it beautiful, and the file is too big to email. I may have to make it less beautiful so I can get it to ya'll :( Congrats girls, and thanks to everyone for the creative names. It was a tough decision!

Win $100 Gift Certificate

Ok people, I'm giving away $100 Bella Bucks (that's a gift certificate towards my services)! But I need your help! I'm in the process of creating my very first newsletter, and I'm very excited about it. But I want some input as to what I should name it. It's going to have articles, tips, a Q&A section, and of course a client section with before and afters.

So put on your thinking caps! I want to get the newsletter out by week's end, so contest ends on Thursday. Oh, and if you are out of town (too far for me to travel) and you win, no worries. We can do a partial consultation online!

To enter, just leave a comment with what you think I should name my blog. And if you want to receive the newsletter via email, leave your email address in comments section or email me at holly@ciaobellaimages.com. Let all of your blog buddies know so I have lots of ideas to choose from!

Good Luck!

You Were on the Cross

Yesterday, all I wanted to do was spend time praying, meditating and reflecting on the death of our Lord. Tall order for a mom of 3. Satan did everything in his power to make this not happen, and most of the day it worked. I had a really hard "mommy day." I found myself praying, "Lord, I just want to spend time with you!!!" And the truth is, spending time with my kids (even at their worst) IS spending time with HIM! So as my 3 year old was throwing fit after fit, and literally throwing her sippy cup at me while I was driving down the road, I "offered it up." I knew that I was going to have a little time with Him at the Good Friday service at church, where I could utilize the nursery. WRONG! No nursery. More offering it up. As I prayed last night, the Lord put this song on my heart. Even at my worst (which really isn't that bad) and I wonder where he is, he's there, on the cross.

Lost.

Everything is lost

And everything I’ve loved before is gone

Alone, like the coming of the frost

And a cold winter's chill in my stony heart

Where were You when all that I’ve hoped for

Where were You when all that I’ve dreamed

Came crashing down in shambles around me?

You were on the cross

Pain.

Could You take away the pain

If I find someone to blame

Would it make my life seem easier

Alone, all my friends are asleep

And I can't find anyone to stay awake with me

And where were You when sin stole my innocence

Where were You when I was ashamed

Hiding in a life I wish I’d never made?

You were on the cross

My God, my God All along, all along

You were on the cross You died for us

All along, all along

You were on the cross

Victorious

All along, all along

You were there in all my suffering

You were there in doubt and fear

I'm waiting on the dawn to reappear

By: Matt Maher

CD: Alive Again