There's no place like home, and Sunday morning breakfast

Sometimes, I feel a bit guilty for having grown up the way I did.  We weren't rich in terms of money, or had a lot of things, but we were extremely rich when it came to family.  I have the best parents in the world, and a brother and sister I can call my best friends.  We have a wealth of memories, good times shared, and have overflowed with laughter.  We are rich in terms of love.  Many people I know do not have a family like I do... many of my friends did not grow up the way I did.  I am so blessed to have the family I have.  I am truly wealthy.

This morning I went through some images I had taken over Christmas spent with my family.  

These images made me long for my childhood, and Sunday morning breakfast.  

Dad with Joah.  Dad hasn't changed.  He always took time for us, played with us, provided for us, and saw the best in us.
It continues to this day, and now it passes on to his grandson.  

To me, my Dad is the ultimate example of what a Father should be.

I can't even begin to count how many times Mom has made this biscuit recipe.  We had them often.  

We always had every meal at the table together.  A concept lost by many families today.  

No TV.... cellphones didn't even exist, and facebook was what happened when you fell asleep while reading.

Mom, I know you are in your pjs in these images, and you may feel you look silly, but I think you are beautiful.  

These images mean the world to me.  

These images remind me of the amazing childhood you and Dad gave us!

I think Joah approves of Sunday morning breakfast  :)

Legacy Leavers :: Papa Robie

I watched as she stood next to the casket, tears welling up in her eyes... she desperately clutched the flag that had only moments before been presented to her.  Her feet, I'm sure, felt like blocks of cement... they refused to move.  How could he leave her after all these years?  How on earth could she leave him?

Theirs was a love of a lifetime.  She was his sweetie Edie, and he was her Robie.  A chance meeting had brought them together.  Love bonded their hearts... sealed their fates, and set the course for their destinies.  A lifetime unfolded before them.... new jobs... new cities... new friends, and children.  Throughout all the changes, the heartaches, the laughter, the joys, and tears... they were each other's unremitting foundation.  Their love was the one thing that remained faithful.  To know them, was to truly know a couple in love.

Robie left this life last Sunday.  He went peacefully in his sleep while his beloved slept beside him.  He left behind a legacy of love... a legacy of life lived to the fullest... a life filled with family and friends... a life that was truly filled.

Recently, I was able to capture a few images of Robie and Edie at their home in Salina.

He loved golf... next to Edie, it was his passion.

Robie was a great man, husband, father, grandfather, co-worker, and friend.  He was a man of honor... A man who lived a life worth remembering... a life worth honoring.

As I mourned with Robie's family this past week, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of legacy I would leave.  How am I living my life to honor those who have gone before me?  Would I leave a life that was lived to it's fullest?  Would there be regrets?  Chances not taken?  Opportunities missed?  I desperately hope not, but how many moments... how many days have I let slip by without a second thought?

We all hope to leave a life worthy of remembering, but how many of us live our days worthy of repeating?

Robie, you gave so much to those you love.  May we give back in honor of you, and the life you lived.

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Last weekend, I went home with my sister and brother to surprise my Grandma for her 80th birthday.  She had no idea we were coming.  As our gift, we decided to spend the night with her, the way we used to as children.  It was so nice nice to spend time with her.  We hung out all afternoon, and then brought out the Wii that evening.  If you ever want a good laugh, watch us all attempt the obstacle course or the tilt board on WiiFit  :)

While there, I took some time to go through my Grandma's house, and snap some shots.  I like the image of the thread below.  When we were little, my Grandma made clothes for us all the time.  Everything from shorts to dresses.  Even though I hated wearing dresses, looking back it means a lot to me.  I don't know a single person who makes their own clothes anymore.

For as long as I can remember, Grandma has always kept her perfume in the same spot, on a tray on top of her dresser.

I love the shot of the old cookbook and yarn.  My Grandma has tons of books in her house... tons.  My sister and Mom read them all the time.

I have no idea what the list at the bottom is for, but I've always liked my Grandma's handwriting.

I love the sound of my Grandma's mixer running; it means her yummy mash potatoes are on their way!

This bowl of apples was on her table in the basement.  Fruit can always be found in my Grandma's basement.  Sometimes it's peaches that have been freshly picked... she lays them out on newspaper all across the floor.  Other times it's jars and jars of canned vegetables... particularly green beans and corn.  Yum!

On Sunday, we had a cousin's reunion where we surprised her once again with cake and flowers.

The cake was fabulous, thanks to the amazing Rita Bridges!

We love our Grandma!

Four Generations

Happy Birthday, Grandma!  I am so blessed to be your granddaughter!

Where are they now :: Todd and Candy

Earlier this summer, I met up with Todd and Candy in Springfield, MO.  Todd and Candy married  October 6th, 2001.  Their wedding was the very first wedding I ever shot.  Their wedding is what started it all.  I wasn't their hired photographer, but Candy knew I liked playing with cameras, and especially enjoyed using black and white film... yes, you heard correctly... film. She asked me if I would be willing to shoot some candid images of their day.  Without having a single clue about f-stops or shutter speeds... let alone what the heck ISO meant... I agreed.  And so, with my friend's Nikon N 60, and a few rolls of Ilford black and white film, my life as a photographer began.

I thought it would be interesting to catch up with them, and see where life has brought them over the years.
Meet the Sitclers:

How did you two meet?
We met at Antioch Church in Overland Park, KS on a Sunday morning. I had been working at the church as an intern for 2 years, Candy was coming in from Arizona, where she had worked with a church for 3 years. We were in different ministries, but worked together around the church on a number of different projects. The more we worked together, the more our friendship grew.

How did you propose?
I didn't just want to do the stereotypical dinner and an engagement. I wanted it to be memorable. A good friend suggested that I make a day of it and lead her on a scavenger hunt. I enlisted the help of a number of friends who all made it happen.

At that time, Candy was the church receptionist. I was able to work with her boss and have Candy run some errands she would think it were for the church. Candy went to three businesses owned by members in the church to pick up items "needed for different ministries." Each one contained a gift and a card (numbered in the order I wanted her to read them). At the last location, she was instructed to open card #1 and follow the instructions.

The first card instructed her to go to her home where I had set up her VCR with a tape I made for her. It was a simple slideshow of our times together put to the Caedmon's Call song "Somewhere North." The other cards took her to locations of memorable times we spent together; talking late over dinner at McDonald's or sharing a coffee at Starbucks.

The last card took her to the Overland Park Arboretum where we had spent time walking through the gardens and trails together. While sitting there reading her last card, I walked up with her favorite flower, Stargazers. I told her how much I loved her, got on my knees and asked her to marry me.

What was your favorite part about your wedding day?

This is going to sound like a fake answer, but the WHOLE day would have to be my "favorite part." I can't pick one point out as the best. The family, friends, events, and my lovely bride, made it all incredible.

 Any advice you would give to newlyweds?

I would tell newlyweds what my father told me on that day: If the husband chooses to serve his wife, putting her needs always first, without looking for that treatment in return, and the wife chooses to serve her husband, putting his needs always first, without looking for that treatment in return, then both of their needs will be met, and they will live a wonderful marriage.

This can appear to be somewhat out of reach. Over decades of marriage, we all will have bad days, and may even have horrible seasons, but I believe that God isn't asking for perfection from us, He is asking for excellence. I walk this out, continually fighting and believing that one day, I will be the man my wife deserves.

What is life like now?
I love our life. As of this date, we have 2 wonderful boys; Joshua & Devin. We've moved 3 times since we've been married, and are doing what we love as youth pastors. We've been together through times of plenty, and years of want, but we are a team, we are a family and we choose to love each other everyday.

Any additional comments? 
Everyday I realize that I don't deserve my wife. She is too good, too beautiful, too wonderful, too gracious, too lovely to be mine. The choices of my life should have brought a damaged marriage. But isn't that the definition of Grace; To receive more than you deserve? My wife is the Grace of God in my life.

Wow, Todd!  What a testament to a marriage that's truly committed to each other, and committed to the vows and promises made!  How I long for this kind of marriage for all of my brides and grooms... past, present, and future!

It was so much fun catching up with you both, and to see where life has brought you.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity you gave a naive little 21yr old on your wedding day.  I'm honored to know you both, and am so glad to call you my friends!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! I realize I've been a bit M.I.A. on the blog these past couple of weeks, but between the bridal show and travel... I've been a bit exhausted. Spring is finally here, and for me, that means the start of wedding season. I'm so excited for my brides this year! I can't wait to get started. I've also been working on some new plans, or rather new dreams for Sandberg Photography. I can't wait to see these dreams become a reality!

So while I go back to dreaming and planning, here are a few images from today. We had a quick lunch with my sister-in-law and her family, and of course, my camera came along as well :)




I hope today was more than chocolate bunnies and family dinners. For me, it was a gift... A reminder of what was done for me!

Family, Cake, and Sunshine...

This past weekend, Paul and I headed down to southeast Missouri to spend some time with my family, and to celebrate my nephew's 2nd birthday. I know I've said it before, but I love going back home... no matter where I end up in life, it will always be home for me.

I can't believe this little guy is 2yrs old already.

Paul enjoyed playing with Joah's blocks. He's convinced he's turning into an old man, but here's proof that he's still a kid at heart :)

Joah LOVES his trains! So cute!

T-ball with Daddy!

My Dad still has some youth left in him. He looks so natural with the football :)

Here's the reason I don't like photographing my subjects with them facing into the sun.

Paul had to show off his football skills and his new ability to do the crane thanks to P90X.

I snapped these two as Joah was talking with Grammie... not quite sure what he thought about their talk

I thought the weekend was all about Joah, but my family surprised me with an early birthday party that Saturday evening. I had no idea and felt so loved!

CAKE!

My cake was absolutely fabulous!

Dad apparently likes to stock up on wood. I don't think they'll have any wood shortages anytime soon :)

I also created a little short video for Joah's birthday on facebook that can be viewed by CLICKING HERE