I am currently without internet access for an undetermined time.  We had someone work on our phone lines yesterday and now are experiencing problems with our DSL.  Grrrr.  I will not be able to respond to emails until Monday or Tuesday of next week.  I’m actually at Border’s right now PAYING to use their wireless (another Grrrrr!).  So I got caught up on emails real fast and wanted to post this so you all know not to email me for the next few days. 

Once I’m online again I’ll post an update.  Thanks for understanding!  Anything you may need over the weekend - just call me - 287.0579.  I’ve got 4 sessions tomorrow and a charity event all day Sunday that I’m photographing…so phone messages may not get returned immediately unless they are urgent.  Thanks again for your patience!

A quick image from today’s session.  I love being a fly on the wall and capturing moments like this.

As I mentioned before, I’m only offering Christmas cards to clients that have booked a Fall/Holiday package with me.  For those clients, below are your choices for your cards!  It took me forever to decide on these designs…I even made my husband help me!  I am in love with these - modern, fun, with a touch of whimsy.  Remember, text is customizable.  I’ll have samples on hand for you to see in person at  your session.  Enjoy the preview! 

this next card can be used for a portrait or landscape image:

The cards are either 5×7 or 5×5 flat, and come printed on yummy linen press-printed paper.   Included are envelopes are adorable matching sticker seals -so perfect!  I can’t wait to see the first batch come in.  I’m looking forward to seeing my first set of holiday clients this Saturday!

…you are going to love the Christmas card designs I’m offering this year!  I can’t wait to show you.  You’ll have your choice between several different designs, which I hope to post in the next week or 2.  If you have booked the Fall/Holiday Special, then be on the lookout for these designs.  I can pretty much guarantee you’ll want more than the 50 cards that are included in your package

With the rainy, messy weather, I thought it would be fun to see what sort of things YOU do to pass the time on days like this.  What have you been doing the last few days while the rain’s been pouring down?

A few things we did: 

 jumped in rain puddles (yes, I have pics - those later)

visited the indoor playland at McDonald’s (and ate nutritous, non-processed foods…riiight)

found a baby slug and praying manits on our storm door - cool!

stayed up with the hubby & watched The Notebook while snuggling on the couch drinking hot tea.  he loved it so much he cried.

oh wait.  that last one didn’t actually happened.  i must have fallen asleep and dreamt that

whatever you do, enjoy the change of seasons that is upon us!  and let me know what YOU did this weekend…you never know, there might be something in it for you

I want to give a quick update for those of you that have asked regarding my follow up appt today. 

The biopsy samples that were taken all came back free of cancerous cells.  There was a short sigh of relief, followed by a “but”. Because of the size of the largest nodule (golf ball-sized), the tiny sample taken is not a 100% accurate indication of benign vs malignant.   We knew this was a possibility going in.  The dr said if all the nodules were very small, he would most likely recommend just watching them.  However, since one of them is large, with a smaller one attached to it, he recommends removal and sending them off for testing.  Removal of the 2 nodules would also involve removing half of the thyroid…which would result in being on lifelong thyroid medicine to supplement.   Without going into too many details…we are seriously considering surgery.  Doing so would give us definite answers regarding malignancy that we just don’t have right now.  In order to really “move on”, we need those answers.  There are many variables to consider depending on the results after surgery, but we are trying not to get ahead of ourselves. 

We need to spend some time in prayer considering what God would have us to do.  Right now we are looking at doing the surgery in early October.  I hate the thought of having it done, but it seems to be a necessary evil at this point.  It’s stressful knowing that there is something there that could be harmless, benign…or could be cancerous. The future for our family is very uncertain right now, and many dreams and plans are being placed in God’s hands.  We don’t understand why this is happening, if only to glorify Christ in our lives even more.  We have no choice but to trust Him and allow Him to take our dreams for our family and mold them into His. 

Thank you for your prayers & encouragement.  We ask for your continued prayers, and that as do, you would pray that this verse would be manifested in our lives.  It’s our heart’s desire and yet it doesn’t come easily. 

1 Peter 1:6-7  “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Whew.  I think that’s enough personal/heavy stuff for awhile.  Some more lighthearted posts to come very soon…thanks everyone for hanging in there!

I’m sorry for the neglected blog lately.  There has been a bit of activity in the Knobloch house lately, and I think it’s time I fill you guys in.  About 7 weeks ago, I found a nodule in my neck.  After several doctors appointments, and almost 2 months of anxiety, I was able to get into a specialist last week.  He has recommended a CT scan & biopsies.  Long story short, I have several nodules in my neck one of them being larger than the others, which is considered to be a mass.  I have some swollen lymph nodes too which he wants to check out.  I’ll be going in for my scan & biopsy next Monday (25th) and won’t get results until Sept. 2nd when I see the specialist again.  If the blog is quiet in the meantime, it’s because I’m just not feeling all that up to posting right now.  I’ve been a bundle of nerves the last 2 months and until I get some clear cut answers I doubt I’ll be any better :)  Worst case scenario: the mass is malignant and we will be looking at thyroid cancer  (which happens to be the most curable cancer there is) and I’ll be going under the knife to get some things removed.  Best case scenario: the mass is benign and we have to decide if we just watch it or remove it.  I’m obviously praying for the latter, and covet your prayers for the same. 

I know I sound a little relaxed about it all,  but I’ve also had 2 months to obsess think about it,  and I really have a peace that certainly surpasses my own understanding.  We have seen our share of heartache and trials the last 4 years, and I really feel God has prepared me for this time and place.  I know He will carry us in those moments that we feel we cannot walk through, just as He always has. 

All that to say, SKP will continue just as it always has…although proofing & orders may not be fullfilled quite as speedily as usual over the next 2 weeks.  I wll be hiring an assistant next month that will be taking care of orders, packaging, some emails, etc which will help tremendously.  I thank you for your patience and understanding during this transition! 

Much love,

S

Ready for another contest? I decided it’s been much too long since I gave something away, so here goes!

The scoop:  Everyone who leaves a comment before tomorrow (Friday) 8pm CST will be entered to win a Peas&Carrots zippy!  I have been a fan of Jessica’s boutique for a long time, and am so excited to share the love :)  I will draw a name tomorrow evening and announce the winner on the blog Saturday morning.  I have a zippy & I use it EVERY DAY.  It goes everywhere with me…even Jessica when she saw me with it one day said “wow, you use that alot!”.  Guess it was time for me to wash it, lol :) 

The reason:  My blog gets between 80-120 hits a day…but only a handful of comments.  For all you lurkers out there…I’m calling you out!  :)  Plus, it’s fun to give stuff away!

The catch:  your comment MUST include ONE of the following:

1) What was your favorite part about your experience with Summer Knobloch Photography?

2) What would you like to see offered in the future by SKP?

The bonus:  An extra entry will be given to anyone who links this contest from their blog!  Make sure to include a link to your blog with your comment so I can add that extra entry on for you

You do not have to be a client to enter…so tell your friends! 

Good luck!!

A quick post to let you know I just updated my newborn gallery - so go check it out!  It was in major need of TLC.  The rest of the site will hopefully get some updating next week.  I tweaked a few things but it still needs work.

CONTEST coming soon….!

playing around with some black & white film conversions…me love!

quick update - the holiday/fall session special expires on sunday!  this is not the kind of special that stores run where i say it expires on sunday, but then i keep extending it an extra day or 2 to try and lure you in…it really does expire on sunday!  there will not be any fall session spots left after sunday!   the last few spots available are filling fast!  so shoot me an email if you want a fall session, before it’s too late :)  otherwise, i won’t get to see you this fall and that would make me sad.

check back later for some goodies i’ve found :)  until then, a few more of sleeping beauty:

i love her imperfect little fingernails…in desperate need of a trimming.  these sweet baby hands will be gone before i know it.  sigh.

Only 3 spots remain for September fall sessions, with 4 spots remaining for October.  See the post here for all the details on Fall Sessions before booking.  With this special only lasting until another week, I don’t see those spots lasting much longer!  Once these spots are filled, that’s it folks.  :) Don’t count on a November session either…I’ll be busy shooting newborns and decorating our Christmas tree.  Fall sessions are only available September & October, and through this special.

Ok, I think I got my point across :)  Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend everyone!  I’m off until Tuesday, so any email or phone calls will not be addressed until Tuesday morning (unless I have told you otherwise) 

Ciao!

Just had to post the latest birth announcement design I’m offering!  If you have a newborn session with me coming up, and are on the fence about whether or not you want annoucements…just do it!  :)  I guarentee you won’t find anything like this from the mass announcements websites ;)  Plus, the quality of the images & card itself are fantastic!  You really can’t beat press-printed announcements on art linen, with matching sticker seals.   Sigh.  If only I would have known this when Charlotte was born. 

I mean, c’mon - how could you NOT want something this cute for your lil one’s announcement? 

Thanks to sweet baby Natalie for being my model