SUMMER SUMMER SUMMERTIME (and a broken arm)

Filed under: bardenisms,family,farmlife,just because,kiddos,my family,my town,word of God — admin at 1:05 am on Thursday, August 31, 2017

We spent so much of our summer swimming and swimming and SWIMMING!

We visited my sister in New Jersey. We went to Sesame Place. We went to Land of Make Believe (a hidden gem in NJ).

I photographed some BEAUTIFUL WEDDINGS.

We saw APRIL THE GIRAFFE!

We spent time at the farm.

I photographed BEAUTIFUL families.

We spent a day at BUCKTAIL.

Jared & Fitzy played golf.

We volunteered at the Troy Fair.

We spent time with my brother and his family.

We got an updated picture of the Trout grandchildren.

We celebrated 4 years of mania recovery. We slept in a few hotels. We saw some exotic animals. We fed a miniature horse and goats. And some more goats. And yet more goats.

We got together with some friends from church. We walked. We went to the park. We played in the rain.

We swam. And swam. And swam some more!

I took an Instagram break for July and then August and most likely September too – but I DID make sure to take photos throughout the months!

In early August I got a message from my friend. A friend that I haven’t SEEN in person in YEARS. Years and years. She was my bestest friend EVER in Kindergarten. And first grade. And second grade. And then the school districts changed and we lost touch. But we reconnected a few years ago on FB. We’ve messaged about life and kids and Jesus and hopes and prayers. She messaged me and said – I have a strange question. I have to work out your way on Wednesday and Thursday and I was hoping that maybe you could watch my kiddos? Her daughter L is 11 and her son J is 6. I told her that I had some errands to run and we would most likely go swimming – but if she was okay with that and they were okay with never having met me – then yes! I had already told my friend J that I would keep her daughter on Thursday – she’s 9 – so L would have someone to bond with!

She dropped them off on Wednesday and the boys took to her kids within minutes. They acted like they were long-lost friends! We walked around the track at MU and then ate lunch and picked up M a day early and went swimming! If you know me – you might know that I don’t really love being around children and water. It stresses – STRESSED – me out. I’ve gotten SO MUCH BETTER! And for 3 hours – 5 kids swam and laughed and had the BEST TIME! J didn’t want to go home at the end of they day – but they were all excited about seeing each other in the morning!

We went to my MOPS childcare meeting – picked out the paint for our trim – and then stopped at the park! My dearest and best Missy came along and we set our bags down and made our way across the playground when I hear little J behind me say – I think I broke my arm. I was turning around saying – Oh honey. I’m sure it’s just fine … OH NO. NOT FINE. He was holding his left arm – all bent and CERTAINLY broken. He wasn’t really even crying. He said – it hurts! It hurts! So Missy called 911 and I called his mom and told her that J broke his arm and we were calling the ambulance and to meet us at the hospital. NOT MY MOST ANTICIPATED PHONE CALL TO MAKE. His sister rode along in the ambulance with us – for the 3 blocks to the hospital. Missy kept my two kids and M at the playground. So I texted my friend J to let her know that the little boy in my care broke his arm and her daughter was now with Missy at the playground. He was so strong. And so very very brave. He barely cried. This 6 year-old boy who just met me and broke his arm without his mom around – barely cried. Until he realized that it meant we wouldn’t be swimming that afternoon – THEN the tears came!

It’s the nightmare that you hope to never experience when you’re watching someone else’s child! And in this case – a child I JUST met the day before! His mom came and hugs happened and x-rays were taken and calls were made. He needed surgery but the hospital local to them couldn’t fit him in until MONDAY night. This was THURSDAY morning! So – the orthopedic that works here in Wellsboro – who doesn’t typically see children – stayed late and performed the surgery. WITH PINS. Seriously. This wasn’t just a small crack – this was a SERIOUS break! So – they waited until the end of the day – and I took his sister back to the park and picked up my kiddos and M. We ate lunch and went swimming and had ice cream for dinner! I took M home and then drove L to the hospital to stay with her mom and brother for the night! The doctor wanted to wait until the morning to put the cast on – his little arm was SO swollen!

And then I finally took a breath. Fitzy had said to me – mom – do you think that their mom will EVER let us see them again?! And I said – well that’s a good question – but I think she will. She’s cool like that. And we did. Saturday – L & J came up to my parents to spend the day with us while their mom was at work. GG joked – OH is THIS the kid whose arm you broke Danielle?! J said – she didn’t BREAK MY ARM! She was just watching me while I broke my arm! On the way back to the park on Thursday – L had said to me – you know what the funny part is? People are going to say to my mom – now exactly WHO was watching your kids when this happened? And mom will say – you remember Danielle right? From grade school – well – we stay in touch online – she was watching them. And THEN my mom will bring up a picture of you and they’ll say – oh so this woman from grade school who now has a shaved head and a sleeve of tattoos? Well … no WONDER he broke his arm! We laughed and laughed! She is such a GREAT kid – and that M – she is such a GREAT kid! I was a little sad that I don’t have the little girls I envisioned having in my life! BUT – that’s a different blog for a different day! And I’m so thankful that I have friends with little girls that I get to hang out with!

And as I sit here writing this blog – 3 weeks after J broke his arm falling off the zip-liney tracky thingy at the playground – I am so thankful that a friendship that was so strong in our early elementary years has reignited and we’ve seen each other quite a few times since it happened.

And that forgiveness is strong. And real. And living out what Jesus taught us is real. This afternoon – we had lunch with J and his mom on our front porch. I made lunch and she cut watermelon while the boys played. We talked about life and marriage and kids and parents and anything and everything that came to mind – and two hours FLEW by! And as we hugged good-bye – with the intention of getting together this coming weekend – I said – while I’m not thankful for J breaking his arm – I am certainly thankful that it’s given us the chance to actually see each other. And to catch up. And to strengthen a bond started so long ago!

S – thank you for forgiveness! Thank you for not placing blame on me. Thank you for reaching out to me several years back and trusting me. I will forever remember what happened that day – and what happened AFTER that day – and I know that our kids will too! It’s such a great story of grace and forgiveness!

*M* FAMILY

Filed under: . babies . babies . babies .,babes,family,just because,kiddos,lifestyle,portraits — admin at 11:18 am on Wednesday, August 30, 2017

I’ve been SO looking forward to this session with Aszur and her sweet family!

LOOK AT THAT FACE! SHE IS GORGEOUS!

I CAN’T EVEN DEAL!

I love her little hand on her big brother!

Make sure to notice that little butterfly on her foot and her shirt! She MUST be as sweet as sugar!

SO SWEET! Aszur finally got her blue-eyed baby girl!

It was a PERFECT day to take some shots of the boys enjoying their pool!

I LOVE THAT SHOT!

OH MY WORD! I LOVE THAT ONE TOO!

Aszur & Dave – it was SO GREAT to see you guys! Thanks for asking me to come up and capture your family HAVING FUN!

CELEBRATING GG

Filed under: bardenisms,family,farmlife,just because,kiddos,lifestyle,my family,parties,portraits — admin at 11:06 am on Tuesday, August 29, 2017

LOOK AT THAT SWEET FACE!

We spent the first weekend in August at the farm!

We had a small celebration for our GG – she’s now 84!

That GG – she’s got all three of her kiddos living with 15 minutes of her! And she absolutely LOVES being able to spend time with her great-grandchildren!

THE ABSOLUTE SWEETEST!

A sticky sandy day called for a tubby!

I assure you – he does get tired of a camera in his face!

That sweet boy – he loves his special ice cream and his Pa AND the farm!

*R* FAMILY

Filed under: . babies . babies . babies .,babes,family,just because,kiddos,lifestyle,parties — admin at 11:41 am on Monday, August 28, 2017

Kelly & Dane have been loyal clients for over 6 years – not only that – they’ve become friends too!

ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!

OH MY WORD!!

LOOK AT THAT WRSIT CHUB!!

I LOVE THAT LAST SHOT!

Kelly – I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU THIS FALL WITH ALL THE COUSINS!

 

WE ARE FAMILY

Filed under: . babies . babies . babies .,babes,family,just because,kiddos,lifestyle,portraits — admin at 11:33 am on Friday, August 25, 2017

I cannot BELIEVE that this sweet little girl is TWO!!

I absolutely LOVE those shots! He is SO good with her!

OH MY WORD! SO SWEET!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS ONE!

She was really NOT feeling photos – but then her grandpa brought out the POPS!

Kelly – THANK YOU so much for spending the evening with me!

I hope your parents cherish these pictures!

JILL & BOB – 7.1.2017 – PART TWO

Filed under: lifestyle,love,marry me,wedding — admin at 11:04 am on Thursday, August 24, 2017

The ceremony …

I LOVE those shots – FINALLY – married!

The groom’s mom and his new wife – the two most important women in his life!

This was the FIRST time for a shot of the ENTIRE GUEST LIST!

Is that not one of the most BEAUTIFUL wedding dresses you have EVER SEEN!

WARNING – when small children are at your wedding – I will take LOTS of pictures of them!

Jill & Bob – thank you SO MUCH for asking me to spend the day with you and record this BEAUTIFUL chapter of your life!

JILL & BOB – 7.1.2017

Filed under: lifestyle,love,marry me,wedding — admin at 11:14 am on Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Jill & Bob aren’t from this area – but when they asked around – my name came up for weddings!

Jill was one of THE most organized brides I’ve ever worked with! And while things rarely go as planned – it’s great to HAVE a plan!

Seemingly unimportant details. My favorite kind!

That shadow outside the door – that’s Bob – waiting to see his wife for their first look!

He could NOT keep his eyes off her!

GORGEOUS! ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS !

Their little flower girl!

Bobby LOVES his guns! Jill had asked me if I was comfortable taking some photos with guns – NOT loaded – of course!

We checked and double checked and triple checked – NOT loaded!

LOVE THAT ONE!

to be continued …

DANIELLE & CLIFF – SHE SAID YES

Filed under: lifestyle,love,marry me,portraits — admin at 11:14 am on Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Danielle & Cliff are GAMERS – and while they might play video games – I’m talking about board games!

Card games! Strategy games! ALL THE GAMES!

They’re getting married on May 26, 2018!

I absolutely LOVE that little quote! What do you think? I think it’s totally true!

SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM!

Danielle & Cliff – thank you SO much for asking me to come capture your passion!

I CANNOT WAIT FOR YOUR WEDDING NEXT YEAR! And our next two engagement sessions!

*E* FAMILY

Filed under: babes,family,just because,kiddos,lifestyle,portraits — admin at 11:48 am on Monday, August 21, 2017

We’ve known this family for about 13 years – I think!

We watched their two youngest grow up from their late elementary years!

And now – Laura – the oldest – has her own little family! That’s her brother with his little nephew!

Becoming a grandparent – might be the BEST THING EVER!

That little guy – he is the center of their world right now!

I will never know what it’s like to be a doting Aunt – but these two – are just soaking up their little nephew!

That little guy just LOVES riding and waving!

I LOVE watching grandparents with their little grandbabies!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THAT ONE!!

I cannot BELIEVE that they’re SO GROWN UP!

THANK YOU SO MUCH for asking me to come capture your growing family!

And thank you for being such an amazing influence in our lives over the past 13 – or so – years! WE LOVE YOU!!

*J* FAMILY

Filed under: family,just because,kiddos,lifestyle,portraits — admin at 12:04 pm on Sunday, August 20, 2017

I’m not sure if it was last year or the year before – but I took photos for Arica and her extended in-law family – and they were SO FUN! We set up another session for July – hoping that this crazy weather would cooperate! The morning of our session – thunderstorms were at 80% for Canton. Throughout the day – it changed to NONE! YES! So we kept the session!

Around 3:30 – the thunder started in Mansfield – and on my way – the rain started in Troy – and then once I hit Canton – it was POURING! And the THUNDER AND LIGHTNING – WHOA!

But thankfully it sort-of stopped just long enough for us to get our session in!

THE WHOLE FAMILY! Great-grandparents included this time!

And little miss *L* was NOT in the mood for photos when we needed her – in fact – most of the littles were NOT in the mood for pictures – BUT I TAKE THEM ANYWAY!

As long as daddy was holding her – she was happy – KIND OF!

THIS! THIS! ALL OF THIS! THIS is one of the many reasons I LOVE this job! THIS MOMENT!

I’ve been taking his picture since he was in his momma’s belly! SIX YEARS!

LOVE LOVE LOVE THOSE!!

AND THIS ONE!

OH MY HEART! LOVE!

SO BLURRY – just a TINY bit in focus – but I LOVE IT JUST THE SAME!

BROTHERS!

She perks up after a while!

That last shot – MY FAVORITE!

Again – we were losing light and the kids were restless – but just because it’s blurry – doesn’t mean you can’t see the emotion and beauty!

I LOVE THOSE!!

LOOK AT THAT BLURRY SMILE! The boy who made her a momma!

I ABSOLUTELY ADORE THOSE SHOTS!

The guys and the girls – FAMILY!

Thank you so much Arica – I hope this is a family tradition that lasts through the years!

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