I LOVE FACEBOOK!

Janelle and I grew up in church together – her dad was our Pastor. We reconnected on FACEBOOK and she scheduled a session! Janelle and her family live in Wisconsin but were home over the weekend to visit her family. I met her at my parents house on Friday morning for a family session!

Her daughter was quite overwhelmed with all the new faces and places within the past 24 hours – so we didn’t get quite the photos we were looking for but we got some great ones!

Janelle – it was so great to see you and meet your hubbie and kiddos – they are sweeties for sure!

It was so great to catch up with you and talk about God’s faithfulness and promises even in the light of heartache, disappointment, and pain! It was a great blessing to see you!

I had taken pictures of *M* for her first birthday in the spring. Liza wanted to schedule a family session for the end of August in Mansfield – I was so excited!

We met on Sunday the 30th of August in the back alley that I LOVE!

I LOVE that picture – it’s the background on my desktop right now!

Thanks again *H* fam! I had a great time with you guys! Check out their complete collection in the gallery!

*H* is one of our Powerkidz – not for long – she is moving into 7th grade this year!

We had a picnic last week with Jared’s investment club members and their families – and the *F* kiddos were there to entertain us all!

*G* and *B* are brother and sister and totally cute!

We are going to have an official session in October!

I posted pictures of these sweet girls last week – SO CUTE!

Amy had wanted a certain photo of each girl so I worked on this collage of each one …

The girls – *E* – *A* – *M* – had their birthday party a few weekends ago – a PRINCESS party!

I couldn’t make it for the whole party but I caught them blowing out the candles!

Their grandma made the cakes for them – a cake for each girl!

Christy called me a few weeks ago to set up a session for her 2 1/2 y/o son *M*.

With the weather being so on and off this summer – we were wondering if it would happen. Thankfully the rain held off!

He was quite shy at first but gave me some great smiles eventually!

Thanks again Christy! *M* is such a cutie and I hope to see you guys again!

Last Saturday I also had a session with sweet little *I*. Her mom and I went to college together and have stayed in touch through FACEBOOK. Natasha won this session when she referred a bride to me. I will be doing Kari’s wedding in October thanks to Natasha!

*I* is so sweet and personable!

Thanks again Natasha for spreading the word about barden photography!

*L* is a 3 yr old sweetie that I photographed this week – her mom was GREAT and patient!

*L* was a little shy at first but ended up having fun “making her mom a birthday cake” in the sand!

Thanks again *J* for contacting me! *L* is so sweet and I can’t wait to photograph her again!

The thing I miss most about work is seeing Amy’s kids on a regular basis. Luckily – it hasn’t been too bad. There are a few days that Amy and Jim overlap with timing and need someone just for an hour or two – I had told her to give me a call – if I could come – I would.

Yesterday was one of those days!

We came inside for bathroom breaks and princess time. The girls LOVE all the Disney princesses and would spend their entire lives in character if they could!

They tried on my sunglasses – to which Ella announced the she felt like a ROCK STAR!

During the day Ella made the comment about being careful around me so that she doesn’t bump the baby in my tummy. So I explained the best I could that I didn’t have a baby in my tummy anymore. It is hard to describe to someone’s child since you don’t know what they want them to know. She wanted to know why – kids always do – but she did her best to understand. And as kids do – accept something in that moment and move on to coloring or playing princess.

*M* crawled up in my lap later and Ella asked why – I told her that she must have wanted a break and to just sit with me. Ella climbed up too and took my face in her little hands and said – Danielle – since you don’t have a baby anymore – you can pretend for a while that we are your babies. It was all I could do not to cry just a little. I love the honesty and absolute raw emotion of kids.

Amy – I don’t know if I can ever describe to you the impact your kids have on me – especially in times such as this. I love them dearly!