A stupid mistake.

I accidentally deleted my blog in January. I was trying to sync two accounts together, and succeeded in wiping one out completely (unfortunately the one that had my blog on it). Long story short, after hours of reading articles, months of working with blogger support trying to figure out where my blog disappeared to, and what exactly happened...it's baaaack! I actually cried when they asked me to try it one more time, and lo and behold there it was. I had just read an article about deleted blogs not being retrievable after 90 days, and had resigned myself to the fact that 3 years of hard work was gone. So when my blog flashed on the screen, and the music started rolling, so did my tears... I didn't realize it before this whole thing happened, but even though my poor blog has been neglected for the most part, I really do love it. There are times I've looked at my blog as though it were a bit of a nuisance, just another mounting pressure of one more thing on my "list of things to do", that I've yet to get done. Another reminder that I am not as "together" as I need to be. Perspective is a funny thing. In a matter of minutes the blog I had once forgotten about, suddenly became the blog that was filled with precious memories I had hoped my kids would one day love... it was the blog filled with silly stories, family vacations, and memories to cherish. There's an old rock song by Cinderella that says, "Don't know what you got til' it's gone." Isn't that true? It's far too common to take things for granted, from the big things in life like people, a place to live, food to eat, down to the silly things like blogs. Well, thank you Jesus, (and blogger support), it's back! Yay! It's not perfect, there are a few glitches. The pictures are all permanently deleted. So bit by bit, I will have to go through the entire blog and re-insert them. That will take...um...some years...er...time. But at least the stories are still there, and for that I'm thankful.

A friend of mine saw some pictures I had taken at home of our littlest and asked me to take some pictures of her little boy. At first the thought of it was kind of stressful! It's one thing to take pictures of your own kids, but completely another to take some for friend. Not to mention the fact that I don't even know how to take pictures! I literally point the camera and shoot, my photography knowledge stops after that. Aaagh! Talk about pressure...

At the beginning things were a little nerve-wracking. Carter wasn't too sure of his new environment and wouldn't let Sarah put him down. I think we both were unsure of what to do... but after we got the kinks worked out, it was actually really fun! Here are a few of my favorites...

I absolutely love this pic with the bubble on his head! I had his mom blow a bunch of bubbles to keep him side-tracked, and it just sorta happened. The look on his face is priceless... =0)

Another one of my favorites. I almost deleted it, because I couldn't see their faces very well, but when I caught sight of their hands, I knew it was a keeper. Gotta love cropping!

Isn't he a cutie? There are so many more, but I'm running short on time. Just wanted to send some encouragement out to any of you that have cringed at paying way more than you expected at a studio. Try it at home. Grab a white sheet, some toys from the toy box, (even a fishbowl will do!) and go for it! You might just be surprised.

Sarah Beck got married this summer! We were so excited she married the man of her dreams, Jonathan Curtis. They are both on youth staff with us, and it is so fun being able to do ministry with friends! Not to mention, they are amazing babysitters too! ;)

Reagan was a flower girl, and Josiah was the bashful ring-bearer!

Right as they were about to walk up, Josiah decided he didn't want to walk up the aisle all by himself. Luckily his older sister took charge, and half-drug, half-walked them all up the aisle!

Kodak Moments

I was strolling through the hallway one morning, and caught sight of this little cutie hard at work!

Some moments are too cute to pass up!

Especially ones like this! =0)

I met my sister at Country Village this summer. We let the kids play on the toys, feed the ducks, and tried to snap a few pics in the process. Here they are showing us how old they are...

Monkey boy

Best Buds taking a stroll through the Farmers Market...

Feeding the ducks