My parents have a dog named Buddy – he was a drop off that Derek fell in love with and ended up keeping – thinking that he would take him someday – but I think my dad is too attached.

He does NOT like Schrute!

My parents have a family of birds living on their porch …

The three of us are very rarely together at the same time anymore.

Samm is at my parents right now but will be moving to New Jersey after the wedding in September – and when she is home – she works at Chili’s as a waitress and then at Elderwood as a nursing assistant from 11 PM to 7 AM. Xavier lives in NJ now and doesn’t get to come to Athens often since their schedules don’t mesh well.

Derek just graduated from Indiana Wesleyan with a degree in Christian Ministries. He is going to Seminary in Kentucky in the fall with his wife Jessica getting a nursing job there.

The six of us – we will all be together again for Samm & Xavier’s wedding in September.

I am the oldest – Samm is 15 months younger than me and Derek is 2 1/2 years younger than her.

I love them dearly!

Last night I took Schrute out for his nightly “going out” when he spotted a rabbit and there I was being pulled across the lawn. The pulling stopped quite abruptly when I went into a split. I hurt my ankle and REALLY REALLY pulled my quad! I went down to Amy’s so she could “doctor” me up – she says it is going to get worse before it gets better – luckily the only thing that really hurts is flexing that muscle. OUCH!

On a happier note – here are some photos of Schrute while we were at my parents at the beginning of the month.

He didn’t know what to think of my brother – he LOVED playing with him but wasn’t up for cuddling.

Derek was the best man in the *R* wedding and I was the photographer – so we all had to leave Schrute for about 4 hours. The crate wouldn’t fit in the car so we had to put him in the bathroom at my parents house. They are starting to remodel the bathroom and the kitchen. Schrute must have overheard them talking about it – ‘cus he gave them an early start.

Schrute loves hanging his head out of the sunroof in the car – usually I am driving when he does it – so
I was excited to capture these photos.

I keep watching out for the new litter from his breeders – they are due June 26th!

2009 officially hates me – but it did let one area of my life excel.

BARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY – maybe it’s because I am emotional today – but it brings tears to my eyes to know that I am actually a REAL photographer and people actually like my work. To know that I get to spend my days doing what I truly honestly love doing – is AMAZING.

I am steadily staying at 24 weddings this year – which is EXACTLY what I needed to make it on my own with photography.

I have had 9 weddings so far this year!

The last wedding I had was Saturday the 13th – AMAZING weather – AMAZING couple – AMAZING BRIDAL PARTY – AMAZING families – AMAZING scenery – AMAZING!

I don’t have another wedding until July 18th – which is kind of nice – considering that I am covering for the Phoenix secretaries that are taking vacation 9 days this month.

July 18th – KT is getting married – I am so excited for this wedding weekend extravaganza!

July 25th – Jennie is getting married – Jennie and I grew up in church together!

August 1st – Alicia is getting married – Alicia came to me through Julie & Tyler’s wedding last year!

August 8th – Clarissa & Chris are getting married! They came to me through Amy & Jim!

August 22nd – Amanda is getting married! I met Amanda through the BRIDAL EXPO and her fiance was in Melissa & Josh’s wedding this past month!

September 5th – Sarah & Marty are getting married! They came to me through Julie & Tyler’s wedding last August.

September 12th – Samantha & Xavier are getting married! I am the maid of honor – photographer – wedding planner extraordinaire! Samm didn’t have a choice of photographer – since she’s my sister!

September 19th – Mandy is getting married @ Belhurst! I met Mandy on FACEBOOK!

September 26th – Nicole & Ben are getting married! I met Nicole through a senior shoot this past fall.

October 2nd – Jill is getting married! I met Jill at the BRIDAL EXPO!

October 3rd – Kari is getting married! I met Kari through our mutual friend Natasha!

October 10th – Meghan is getting married! I met Meghan at the BRIDAL EXPO!

October 18th – Ryan & Heather are getting married! Jared grew up with Ryan!

October 31st – Pam is getting married! I knew Pam in college and reconnected on FACEBOOK!

December 19th – Andy & Megan are getting married! I met them through Jenna V and her insane marketing skills! Andy also went to high school with my sister.

That does it SO FAR for my 2009 weddings!

Right now I have 6 weddings booked for 2010 with at least 2 inquiries in!

THANK YOU AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO HAS MADE BARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY WHAT IT IS!

It’s been 3 months today since we miscarried.

And all I can seem to think is we would have been 22 weeks right now – halfway thru – we would have heard a heartbeat by now – we would know what we are having – we would have seen our little baby on film.

I still feel lost. I still feel confused. I still feel hurt. I still feel angry. I still feel alone. It’s hard to find joy. It’s hard to be happy. I sometimes feel like I am JUST living and not feeling.

I know it’s hard to be our friends right now. I know it’s hard to find the right words to say. I know it’s hard not to say – JUST try again. I hate that word – JUST. I don’t know how many times I heard – but you’re JUST Danielle – you’re JUST a secretary – JUST try again for the baby that you won’t get to hold in this lifetime.

So – I wanted to give an update. We are still here – still breathing – still trying – still praying – sometimes JUST enough.

No – I have not fallen off the face of the earth – unfortunately – this blog takes FOREVER to upload photos with several steps involved and it is 100 times easier to upload them to facebook!

So – my poor blog gets neglected while I am in the busy season of life!

I have pictures to upload – it’s just finding the time and the access to do it!

ENOUGH EXCUSES – on to the reason for this post!

I want to photograph a “rock the recpetion” dance – so …

If you are a barden photography bride or groom and you would like to hold a rock the reception dance with your wedding party at your reception – please let me know!

There will be free stuff involved for the TWO couples that contact me and decide to participate in this contest.

Most people like to keep the dance a secret – so you can email me @ dcbarden@gmail.com.

THANKS!

*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!

You might remember reading this post a year ago …

This sweet little babe turned ONE on Tuesday the 9th!

That was taken the afternoon after she was born – CANNOT believe it has been a year!

On Sunday she had her 1st birthday party!

*M* and gramma …

HAPPY BIRTHDAY *M* – we love you dearly!

Saturday the 6th I had a wedding in Athens – which is always nice ‘cus I can stay with my parents.

My brother and his wife came out for the wedding since he was the best man – they arrived on Wednesday so we spent some extra time with them Friday before the wedding.

Derek showed me his gift from Travis – BATMAN CUFFLINKS! I was SO excited – all the groomsmen had different superhero cufflinks! When I met with Travis & Michaelia on Thursday she told me about the old car that they were riding in the reception to – SO excited again!

My brother gave such a touching best man speech – making me cry. Derek was “blessed” with two older sisters and Travis is one of the two people that he considers a brother. I was so proud of him.

Travis & Michaelia – thanks so much for allowing me to be part of your day!

That is my brother and his wife of a little over a year.

Thanks again Travis & Michaelia!

Take a look in the gallery – it is a little out of order as I update right now – but there are more pictures from the *R* wedding there!