barden photography

This was my backyard growing up …

How I miss that …

If you enjoy good music, a good message and the chance to partner with God to make good things happen, you won’t want to miss the Strings of Joy: Threads of Inspiration concert taking place at Mt. Pisgah Wesleyan Church Saturday, October 18 at 7:30pm.  This concert, which features the musical talents of local favorites Chuck Stringham and Joy Cooke, also highlights the blessings brought into many lives through adoption.

On Saturday, October 18th, Chuck and Joy will take the stage at Mt. Pisgah Wesleyan Church to share an inspirational message of God’s love and work in their lives.  Standing with them will be the Moody Family: Steve, Heather, Grace, Maya, and Eli, the Moody’s son through adoption.  Steve and Heather experienced both highs and lows throughout their adoption journey, and on October 18th they’ll relay some of the inspiration they received from God on their way to find Eli.

In addition to the inspiring music that will be shared that night, Meagan Nowacoski will present a moving monologue of adoption from a child’s perspective.  If you’ve ever thought of adopting, or would like the chance to make a difference either through your own adoption or by supporting others who feel called to adopt, please attend this concert.  A love offering will be taken, with all proceeds benefiting Michael and Leslie Roche as they prepare to adopt in the summer of 2009.

For more information about the Strings of Joy: Thread of Inspiration concert, contact the event organizer at 570-882-9716, or check the church’s website at www.mpwesleyan.org.  This concert is a combined effort of the Bentley Creek Wesleyan Church and the Mt. Pisgah Wesleyan Church.  Mt. Pisgah Wesleyan Church is located ½ mile south of Springfield Road on the Berwick Turnpike, East Smithfield, PA.

That was written by my Aunt L. Mike and Leslie are my cousins - her niece and nephew - and we are so excited about the adoption.

Aunt L asked me to shoot the promotional photos for the concert.

Chuck - Joy - L - thanks so much - I had a GREAT time with you guys- Let’s pray that God brings great things through this concert - both for the body of Christ and for Mike and Leslie.

My cousin and his wife are expecting a sweet babe at the end of September. My Gram hosted a baby shower for them on Friday night -

Jared got them this - he had to make sure the size was right for the election.

Soon-to-be mom and dad and Uncle M.

Aunt L - Gram to the wee one - trying to feel the babe.

*R* and *M* - you guys will be great parents - I can’t wait to meet the babe.

Saturday I shot a very low-key wedding. The bride and groom arrived together and put the food out for the reception - then Anne - the bride called everyone over to the side of the pavilion where the ceremony was taking place. The groom’s brother stood up with him and the bride’s daughter with her - the rings were exchanged - the vows said - the bride kissed - and the license signed. Then we took a few pictures - ate - had a toast - had some cake and the bride and groom went around table to table to talk with their guests. I’ll post those pictures later - but for now - some of my mom and I.

My mom was playing with the mint wrappers - making bride and groom finger puppets.

My mom was my assistant for the afternoon - it was so fun to hang out with her.

Nice close-up Mom - This close-up shows the appliance that I am wearing on my bottom teeth. It isn’t nearly as obvious as I feel it is.

I have posted some pictures of Mauser before - Mauser is my Aunt L’s puppy - Saturday evening - he was all about giving me kisses - but I didn’t want any of it.

So he propped his sad little face on my legs - just waiting for me to give in. When I wouldn’t he ran to Uncle Bob to complain.

He is a cute little pup.

Friday night I headed home - to Athens - to attend my cousin’s baby shower - shoot a wedding on Saturday - and hang out with my family. Jared stayed in Mansfield b/c his company had their summer picnic on Saturday - which I was bummed to miss out on. When I got to my parents house on Friday night - I noticed two bunnies in a cage - turns out my mom’s friend found a tame bunny on her way home one night - ‘cus people always drop off animals on farms in the country - and she took it home with her. It was pregnant - with eight babies. So my mom and dad took two of them home. Smokey and the Bandit.

Bandit - she loves to run around the living room and try to sneak under the couch.

Smokey - he loves to chew - and hates going back in his cage.

Smokey - he would have ate my shoe if I had let him.

I have a kindred spirit. I have written about her before. She is a strong, Godly woman whom I admire and respect greatly. She is one of my biggest supporters with my photography and life in general. She is a mother, a wife, a daughter, a child of God, a soon-to-be grandmother … She is my Aunt L. She is one of the smartest women I know and love.

Every year our church has a picnic in August - and of course I took my camera along this year.

The kids collected apples and then I arranged them in stacked piles - mostly because I LOVE organization. One of the deacons in the church and I got into a conversation about geocaching - something that I didn’t know existed.

This baby bird was at the base of a tree by then pond - I thought at first he was injured but as soon as I took the lens off him the first time - he jumped up and stumbled off toward the water. I don’t think he liked having his picture taken.

At Tanglewood - they have a pavilion with an old fridge and stove in the back - I LOVE the old appliances.

Every year at the Troy Fair and Tioga County Fair - NCA has a booth with peach shortcake - and LUCKILY there were leftovers. Make sure to get to one of the fairs next summer and have some shortcake - SO GOOD.

Another beautiful sky …

The rest of our vacation pics - again in  no certain order -

Brandon - our SCOPES guy - at work.

Goofballs …

We rescued a Marine …

Me and my beach “boyfriend” that you may have read about …

Last year we decided to do the Mafia and Flappers … this year - Pirates.

Goodbye Ocean City - see you again next year - ???

Barden family beach portrait 2007.

Barden family beach portrait 2008. Thank you Brandon.

I love comparison pictures. A year ago - I think we look so different. Dr. Robinson tells me that the shape of my face will change with this device - I hope so - look at the difference in my face from 1 year ago - my weight isn’t any different but my face is shorter and chubbier. I am hoping to get that defined jaw line back. Nonetheless - this is one of my FAVORITE pictures of Jared and I together.