my best friend.

On July 5th – Jared and I went along with PM on a tubing run down Pine Creek. She had wanted to check it out for a RAY activity but wanted to do a test run first. It’s a good thing we did. The creek isn’t too high in July – not too high at all.

We parked PM’s car at Tiadaghton and then took Chuck to Ansonia and parked her there. I had put my car keys in PM’s car so that we didn’t have to carry anything on the creek – the short trip it would take. We left at 4 and figured maybe it would be 7 when we got to Tiadaghton – according to Google – Ansonia and Tiadaghton are 9 miles apart.  I got the GIANT tube while PM and Jared got tubes that were a titch too small – and we started our journey down the creek. We thought that the water would be moving much faster and swifter than it was – PM eventually just started to lug our behinds down the river. I could have kicked myself for not buying an underwater camera to take with us. She got in the giant tube and pushed while I sat on the back and held onto Jared with our deflated raft pulling us along. WHAT A SIGHT. Jared lost both his sandals in knee deep muck but we decided that we would probably have to walk a bit down the road so he might need them – he found them after a disgusting search. God bless PM for lugging us down the creek. We got out at 7 and figured we might need to hike it a while. After two miles – we think – we saw a sign that said Tiadaghton 4 MILES – OH NO – FOUR MILES !?!?! – we watched a park ranger drive by and hoped he would stop with no luck – so we kept going – but GOOD NEWS – the ranger came back and asked us what we needed – we asked how far to Tiadaghton – he said GET IN – the 4 miles marker was right – THANK YOU GOD – for sending that park ranger. We were exhausted – PM more so – since she did most – wait – ALL – of the dragging.

Before the adventure began – ALL SMILES.

After the adventure ended – PM went home and crashed.

It was a FUN trip and the best part – we are all still friends.

The first 3 seniors to book sessions with me get a free 11 x 14 print of their choice. I have new packages ranging price and prints. Jot me an email at dcbarden@gmail.com for more details. I have two sessions left for the free offer but lots open for senior pictures.

What does Reckless Abandon mean to you?

As children of the Almighty – we must be prepared to stand up for what we believe – what is right.

For those members of RAY – I am issuing a CHALLENGE – with a contest thrown in.

Tell me what you think Reckless Abandon means to you – to the church – to the lives of teenagers. Two rules – it must be AT LEAST 100 words – it must be submitted by 8.20.2008 – which is a Wednesday – the first Wednesday OUR PowerKidz become RAY members.

The winner will get a free photo shoot of your choice – within reason.

If you haven’t figured it out already – I LOVE BABIES – they are God’s greatest miracle in my opinion. We went up to see the almost TWO MONTH old sweetie on Tuesday night and she was a doll – of course.

I love having a baby sleeping on my chest. All your worries and confusions and stress just seems to melt away in light of God’s great miracle.

Jared determined that it might possibly be the best stress relief he has found yet.

I took these shots outside of the Athens Fire Hall while we were walking back into the reception after shooting the cornfield shots. I love LOCKS.

Laura, the maid of honor, had high hopes for the dollar dance.

She was NOT happy with the results.

The best man – the groom’s brother – is on the L and the groom’s cousin is on the R. They sang Piano Man and had a GREAT time doing it.

James and Laura – two dear friends – I have known James since 2000 (which hardly seems possible) and I took his and Laura’s wedding pictures in October of 2005.

Joy has asked a few weeks ago if she could come with me to this wedding – I told her yes but it was in Athens which meant spending the night at my parents house Friday night if she was okay with that. Turns out that the Pastor who did the ceremony is a teacher at NCA – the school within our church here in Mansfield – and the guy in this picture with Joy is one of her good friends from school but also the bride’s cousin. I was so happy that Joy had some people she knew at the wedding and had a good time. She was a HUGE help – and did a GREAT job.

The Pastor and his daughter – I love daddy-daughter pictures.

Melissa and Tyler – thank you for allowing me to capture your day. May God bless the two of you in your marriage.

She’s Everything by Brad Paisley was the song that Melissa and Tyler first danced to as husband and wife. It’s a great song – and the very last picture in this series shows how much the lyrics mean to Tyler.

Melissa’s cousin-in-law was the Pastor for the wedding.

Joy, my assistant, and a sweet, sweet babe.

Love …

We were going to take all the bridal party shots at the old Waverly High School building – but it started raining HUGE drops as soon as we pulled up. God had something better in store for us – but I snapped a few of Melissa and Tyler before we ran for the cars.

The Athens Fire Hall had a beautiful cornfield as a backdrop instead of the school – which worked well with the sunflowers and the green …

Me and Joy snapping a quick picture in between shots.

I love the genuine smile on Melissa’s face.

And I love the look in Tyler’s eyes.