HANDWRITTEN BY GOD

Filed under: baby barden,bardenisms,just because,my family — admin at 2:43 pm on Friday, September 10, 2010

If you didn’t read my WAITING blog – make sure to check that out before you read this – search under the baby barden tab.

Our pastor had met with us in mid-August and told us that God was revealing to them that we needed to open our minds and hearts to having a child in our home that wasn’t ours biologically – then we would have our own children.

Within a week my heart was changing. I had nothing wrong with adoption or foster care – but they just weren’t options for us. I wanted to be pregnant with OUR baby.

I started to think more about foster care but I would never be able to give the babies back – then my heart started changing again. And I realized that if we could be in part of their lives for the time we would NEED to be there – it was better than the alternative – and I would be able to give them back.

I am a VERY stubborn person – so to listen to myself have this huge change of heart was so strange!

On Wednesday – September 1st – I was in the valley for some sessions and my Aunt asked if I could stop over and see if we could take my cousin’s baby home with us for the night. I stopped and packed him up and brought him back home with me for the night. He was so good. He never cried or whined – he laughed and giggled and never stopped smiling. He went to sleep at 10.30 and woke up at 4 – I got him a bottle and changed him and he went right back to sleep. In the morning I gave him a bath and fed him and ran about 15 errands – all the while taking him in and out of the car – and he was so good. I took him back to my aunt’s and swam in the pool and loved him some more.

When I came home on Thursday I felt a peace like I haven’t felt in the past year and a half. I talked with my Gramma on Friday morning and told her that having *B* overnight made me realize that Jared and I are NOT ready for this. We have been married for 6 years and are very comfortable in our lives together. There are lots of things that we have going on and we just aren’t ready – and I am okay with that.

For less than 24 hours I was FINALLY at peace about not having a baby – and then I get a positive test!

I started crying and called Jared – but couldn’t get him to pick up – which is usual for him. I called Johna and cried and laughed and could hardly get the words out!

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I tried very hard to NOT get pregnant in August – I have a TEXAS wedding on 5.1.2011 and a wedding on 5.14.2011 and weddings all summer long – we are going to Scotland in July! I have plans – plans that I had control over – or so I thought!

I am still in total and utter shock and so thankful to a good and faithful God.

I had an appointment this afternoon to make sure that I was indeed pregnant and figure out due dates and what not. As of right now – yes we are pregnant. Our due date is mid-May until confirmed with an ultrasound!

Once we figure everything out – I will not be taking any appointments leading up to and after the baby is born – so the whole month of May, June and July – I will be keeping the weddings and appointments I already have though – unless you are a May wedding – then I have already talked with you and we are waiting to figure out what to do!

Once August and September roll around I will only be taking 2 to 3 appointments a week and they will be local to Mansfield (other than that one day that I make trips to the valley for my chiropractor appointments). I have been thinking about this for a while and I will mostly be focusing on seniors, brides, maternity/newborn/infants/kiddos and of course my weddings no more than twice a month. I will only be scheduling sessions after 5.30 once Jared gets home. It’s a very hard decision to make but I have been looking forward to having a little one for so long that I need to enjoy it!

I know that lots of people don’t think we should be announcing so early – last time we did – and when we had our miscarriage – it was hard.

I have shared EVERYTHING with all of you – every struggle – every heartache – every tear and fear. I NEED to share this joy with you all! I NEED all the prayers we can get!

I won’t be sharing much at all over FACEBOOK – it has been so hard to see everyone and their sister on FACEBOOK being pregnant and happy. I have friends that are still struggling with conceiving and I want to be as sensitive as I can be.

It’s still not fair. It’s never fair. It’s not fair that I have this news to share and there are still people struggling out there. It’s not fair that I am so scared about seeing that first US. It’s not fair that the thought of a miscarriage pops into my head.

I am still praying for those of you who are struggling – hurting – and just plain angry. For that particular friend out there – we just had a conversation about all this the other day – I am praying that your heart will change – like mine has started to. I know the stubbornness in accepting what you can’t control – and I struggle with it even now. I want God to speak to me – not thru my MIL or Dave or our pastor – but directly to me. It’s not how it works. I know that there is a baby out there for you and your family. I KNOW it!!

The only thing that has gotten me through this past year and a half – is Jesus – my relationship with God – and if you don’t have one – you should introduce yourself!

I will be blogging updates as often as I have them – thank you SO much for praying for us.

*B*

Filed under: babes,just because,my family — admin at 7:39 am on Thursday, September 9, 2010

On September 1st – I was in the valley for some sessions when I met with my Aunt to see my cousin’s baby – *B*. He is the cutest, sweetest, happiest baby I have ever met!

My cousin was out of town for the night and so I brought *B* back to Mansfield with Jared and I for the night!

He never cried, never whined – just played and giggled. He slept till 4 and after I changed him and fed him – he fell right back asleep – a little angel!

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How ridiculously ADORABLE is that face?

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We had a GREAT time with him!

KATIE & FRED – 7.10.10

Filed under: marry me,wedding — admin at 9:03 am on Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Katie & Fred were married on a BEAUTIFUL July day!

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Thank you so much for having me at your wedding!!!

SAYRE

Filed under: just because,my town,scenery — admin at 7:55 am on Tuesday, September 7, 2010

I had a few minutes before a senior session in July to take some photos at the park in Sayre.

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*H*

Filed under: kiddos,portraits — admin at 7:43 am on Monday, September 6, 2010

I met Nicole on FACEBOOK – lovely facebook!

We met in early August for a session with her sweetness!

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How cute is that face!!!!

Thanks again Nicole!

*L* – 13 DAYS

Filed under: babes,love,portraits — admin at 7:08 pm on Sunday, September 5, 2010

Little *L* was so great during our newborn session. He is the perfect miracle to cuddle with!

Thank you so much Angela – his cuddles were just what I needed!100

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SO SWEET!

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I bought this blue sheet just for this purpose and had been saving it for a little baby bird!

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I almost forgot to get these shots – so glad we remembered!

Angela – thank you so much for having me over – can’t wait for our sessions in the fall!

MELISSA – MHS CLASS OF 2011

Filed under: portraits,seniors — admin at 7:54 am on Friday, September 3, 2010

I had a session with Melissa last year – JUST BECAUSE!

She is the face on my senior business cards and on my mouse pad!

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I love those shots!

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Her boyfriend Cody had to get in on some of the shots!

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Melissa – I love having sessions with you! I cannot wait for our next one!

Have a GREAT senior year!

AUGUST WINNER – SORROW

Filed under: contest,just because — admin at 7:34 am on Thursday, September 2, 2010

I didn’t get the response I have been getting with my contests – but it was still VERY hard to choose!

I knew this would be a very hard one.

SORROW – as defined by webster –

1. deep distress, sadness, or regret especially for the loss of someone or something loved.

2. a cause of grief or sadness.

3. a display of grief or sadness.

That being said – it was VERY VERY hard to choose – they are all so very different but display sorrow.

5th place from Lindsy – she took this photo in Bolivia – where she was working in an orphanage for kids with disabilities. In this picture – the eyes say it all.

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4th place from April – such a sad little face! There were so many photos submitting of kiddos crying – the big tear on her chin is what got me!

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3rd place from Alisha – this is a photo of her son waving goodbye to his Grampa – such a moment!

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2nd place by Emily – a mother’s sorrow.

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1st place by Carrie – a daddy saying goodbye to his son before leaving for Iraq.

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THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER is a photo submitted by Melissa – picking up her daughter after the first day of kindergarten.

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What got me in this photo is that sad, tired look and her arms outstretched waiting for the hug she had missed all day.

Like I said – it was SO VERY hard to choose and ALL the entries touched my heart. Thank you so much for sharing your photos and your stories with me!

Melissa – you get a $50 VISA gift card or $50 off a session with barden photography – your choice! Email me (dcbarden@gmail.com) and let me know what you would like to do!

Lindsy, April, Alisha, Emily, & Carrie – you get $25 off a session with barden photography – email me (dcbarden@gmail.com) by the 5th of September to claim your discount!

Encourage one another!

SAFETY – SEPTEMBER CONTEST

Filed under: contest — admin at 8:40 am on Wednesday, September 1, 2010

The contest for the month of September is SAFETY – I cannot wait to see your entries!

I recently took a photo that I would submit if I were entering this contest! I have several ideas in my head of what would be the winning photo!

SAFETY – as defined by webster –

1. the condition of being safe (protected, secure) from undergoing or causing hurt, injury, or loss.

Your photo must evoke the feeling of safety.

Submit up to 3 photos for the contest! If you use a watermark or logo – feel free to keep that on the photo.

You can submit your entries to dcbarden@gmail.com with the headline – SAFETY.

The contest ends September 30th!

I need at least 10 people to enter the contest – and there will be a prize for the GRAND PRIZE winner and the honorable mentions!

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