I will be sharing some of the images I have shot this year that I have already loaded to Facebook and also for those who are not on Facebook.  Stay tuned for an upcoming *new* sneak peek!!!

{~Rosie…….♥}

So now you’re wondering why the heck I am posting because I hardly post anymore on this poor neglected blog (I know and I am so sorry about that! LOL – facebook is just…so short and sweet!) so something must be up right? Well something is up…and here it is: I have decided that it would be best for me to take a 1-2 year sabbatical from serving photography clients. I will reevaluate at the end of 2011 to see where I am for the next shooting year and let you know if and when I will be open for bookings etc.  Phew! I said it. (and without crying!) I have been ruminating on this topic…even struggling to post about it for a little while now going back and forth, back and forth, back then forth, back.and.forth, and then back and then forth again.  Seriously.  This is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make…and yet it is one of the easiest decisions I have ever had to make because it concerns everyone I love.  It has been a while now that I have felt the Lord quietly, gently, and lovingly nudging me towards this decision…Keep reading and I’ll explain myself. ♥

 This past Nov. marked the 5 year anniversary of SDG Photography By Rosie Siebenthal and what an amazing 5 years it has been!!  I have grown so much in photography and the business of photography thanks to so many amazing people (Including but def. not limited to Skye Hardwick, Michelle and Orin Trademan, and of course my bestie, Shellie Benson!) I would not be where I am today without these amazing people/photographers , YOU, or of course and most importantly the Lord who gives me strength, wisdom, sustains me on a daily basis.

When I started this business I had one child…a sweet 4 mth old little guy who inspired something inside of me…something deep down I didn’t know I had until he was born.  Oh sure, I had always liked to “take pictures” (hence the *boxes* full of prints back from my film days down in storage) but my firstborn son inspired an unquenchable desire to learn how to capture the essence of people through photography…not just get a look at what they looked like at that particular time.  It started mainly with babies and children (okay mainly *my little guy* lol)  and that desire quickly turned into the desire to capture God’s beauty in people of all ages doing “life” around me.  The thing about starting a business with one child is that it is much more doable than running a business while being the primary care giver (by choice!) of  three children and teacher of two of them.    I actually had days when the whole house was clean, laundry was done, and when he was napping and I was {{gasp}} bored thinking of things to do. LOL – Yes,  yes laugh all you want but it’s true!  I was, after all, transplanted by God from the suburbs of Chicago to a couple of acres in the country outside of a “town” of like 40 people in it (I think! lol) and had no cable or Internet for crying out loud (and the nearest library was 7 miles away!).  Then my second was born, we moved three times in a year and while it was a huge (and fun!) adventure things got interesting mommy wise lol. Now with another sweet baby boy, homeschooling responsibilites, church activities and challenging logistics regarding childcare while mommy’s working  – things have gotten reaaaallly interesting!  My photography business was born because of my sweet baby boy 5 years ago and I am thankful for every minute of that 5 years.  The thing is..he’s 6 now…and his little brothers are now 4 and ONE and life isn’t slowing down…as a matter of fact I feel like it is speeding UP and slipping through my fingers like sand and I can do nothing to stop it (except take pictures of all of it but then I am even too tired to do that most days! lol.) My boys need me plain and simple and while I do work at night and it’s nice to get away for shoots and I thoroughly enjoy myself (and they enjoy their time w/ their daddy) the problem lies in the lack of rest for me working nights in addition to all my regular daily routine responsibilities.  If only there were 8 more hours in each day right?

Being a wife, mom, and running a photography business has gone really well in many ways and has always had it’s really wonderful times and major perks.  It really is one of the best jobs EVER (difficult but it’s amazing!) - however, when I put the official “teacher” hat back on to homeschool my boys things got a little crazy.  Okay, *I* got a little crazy lol mainly b/c the time to sleep just wasn’t there.  Many people (women especially) ask me, “how do you do it all?!” with big eyes like I have some amazing super powers or something.  Well I don’t have any super powers (unless you count making ginormous piles of clean laundry go away neatly folded into their rightful drawers ) but caffeine and I got pretty close the last couple of years…and I have *never* been one to need caffeine so I was not happy w/ that!  I have discovered something about myself and it’s huge…as important as when I learned that I could and actually should ask for help back in my student teaching days…that I couldn’t do everything myself all the time..and it was…*okay* and a good thing to admit my weaknesses and get help where I needed it.  I finally learned that I would actually be more effective and successful if I could ask for help effectively. Go figure huh!?

These last 5 years I have learned that I sure *can* do everything or rather many things…within reason but I sure *can’t* do ALL of them well…and still be my best me.  I left teaching so I could stay home and be a full time mommy and be with my kiddos (and seriously have never looked back – best decision of my life even though teaching is so much a part of me) and then started photography for the joy of it and also for the added income thinking I could stay home and be with my babies while doing it.  For a long time that worked out great but eventually it turned into me staying and being home but not really being present enough for my sweeties.  I was either busy and unavailable for them or up at night and then {{gasp! I know!}} cranky all the time and short with them.  Eeeks! I know hard to believe right? ) That is not who I want them to remember me as. ♥ Something or someone somewhere is going to suffer in some sort of way either big or small and when it comes to my hubby, my health, my kiddos, their education, or my clients well, there’s no contest.  I want and need to be 100% for everyone including myself…but I obviously cannot right now.  So I’ve reached the point where I need to take a break from serving my photography clients for myself which is for my family, and believe it or not for my clients.  Everyone I serve deserves my best and I expect nothing less of myself, but I need to be rested to be my best. At this season with (so many lol) little ones this is a great thing.  Photography will always be there but my boys will not be at these ages for long. ♥ I do have some sessions and past/return client inquiries for 2011 that are already booked/paid and I will honor those (with great joy!).  To those of you who are new clients and are  interested in a session for 2011 please accept my apology if you were hoping to book and please allow me to offer you referral information for another photographer - I just happen to know a few *very* good ones!

Sigh… (deep cleansing exhale) …somehow the night got away from me (again) and it’s almost 3 a.m…hopefully this will be my last late nighter for a while.  I pray you all have a Happy and Healthy New Year!  Thank you so much for such a wonderful 5 years and remember, this is not goodbye, it’s just a…”see you soon”. ♥  If the next couple of years goes by as quickly as the last 5 has I’ll be back in no time at all.  ;) I will try and post work of my sweet little guys periodically for you to see and I have a couple of *projects* I will start working on in addition to the rest of life that happens daily that I am exited about also – so that will be fun and I *will* be back!  Have a great night and an amazing 2011 everyone!!!

Always w/ ♥ ~ Rosie.

.{And because posts w/ pictures are just way more fun here is our sweet little J at almost 1 year old for his birthday party invite!}.

 .

Merry Christmas everyone!  We hope this letter finds you warm, well, and able to enjoy the blessings of this beautiful season.  At this time last year we were prayerfully and anxiously awaiting the safe arrival of our third son, Jeremiah Michael.  Fast forward to present and we can’t imagine our family without him!  We are so thankful for God’s protection and grace as Jeremiah arrived safely almost 4 weeks early via emergency c-section.  At 11 months Jeremiah is a happy little guy, loves his brothers and all their adoring attention, and works really hard everyday to be “big” like them.  He just cut tooth #9, is walking more than crawling around the whole house (including up the stairs), and loves to tinker on the piano and splash in the toilet (ahem).  He also likes to “wrestle” his daddy and brothers, take long baths, and has the cutest little nose crinkle and toothy grin.  Jeremiah is a joy to be around and is still my most snuggly little bug.  He seems to be growing out of his gastric reflux issues a bit and for that we are thankful.  It has been a rough year sleep wise compared to the other boys but we’d do it all over again in heartbeat.  Little Jeremiah is a precious blessing and gift from the Lord as are all our boys.  We are looking forward to celebrating his big “One” on New Year’s Eve with our family.  I always thought New Year’s Eve would make a great birthday!

Caleb is 6 now and he is our big first grader.  He still loves farming with his daddy and grandpa, is really good with legos, finds math his easiest subject but does well in reading and writing, and actually just lost his first tooth yesterday.  (Yes, I cried lol.)  Sometimes it is overwhelming whenI take a moment to think back to all his other firsts through the years.  When I actually contemplate the speed at which the last 6 yrs has flown by it makes me catch my breath a little.  It seems like just yesterday he was born and then learning to walk, talk, and play with his tractors.  Now he is doing chores, reading, writing, helping me with his brothers, and is quite responsible and thoughtful.  We are having so much fun watching Caleb grow up and are so pleased with our little man.

Benjamin is still the happy little guy he’s always been except now he’s 4 years old!  He has grown quite a bit both physically and developmentally in the last year.  It’s true when people say that a year makes a huge difference.  He has stretched quite a bit and is now more “little boy” than ever.  Somewhere along the line he got grouped into “the big boys” with Caleb when compared to his baby brother and he fits right in.  He and Caleb do everything together and are making great memories.  He loves to “do school” (pre-k 4) and asks almost everyday if we are indeed going to do school.  He has great balance and lots of energy so he still loves to jump on, swing, and climb up and down from anything he can.  He is more cautious now that he broke his wrist this summer (the day after he turned 4) but still has a natural athletic ability/instinct that is just a part of him.  Benjamin still has a little “bull dozer” in him but does have a soft heart for others esp. his baby brother.  He also still loves to color, paint, “write”, and likes to play “office” carrying around papers and envelopes (my old stationary) and writing little “notes” on them for everyone around him.  He is also learning to read and practically begs everyday to “do his reading” like Caleb!

My favorite thing the boys did recently happened on the night we put up the Christmas tree.  They bustled around and found things to “wrap up” for eachother and Ryan and I using baby blankets and kitchen towels (with plenty of tape) for Christmas gifts.  As much as they fight and pick on each other I know they love each other and this just melts my heart. ♥

Ryan is still enjoying his work as a crop insurance specialist for Water Street Solutions as well as farming with his dad.  The boys got to spend ample time with Ryan in the field this year and we are so thankful for that.  My heart is so full when I see my boys spending time with their daddy like that.  There is just something so right about it and it makes me smile and thank the Lord for the life He has blessed us with.

As far as my year (Rosie) – all I can say is “thank you”.  Thank you to everyone who helped with prayers, meals, lending baby gear, and staying a whole week (mom!) when Jeremiah was born.  I can hardly begin to tell you how blessed we were by all of you.  Thank you to our friends and family – you make this journey called life so much sweeter. ♥ Thank you to my amazing clients for choosing me to capture your beauty and spirit through my lens,  I so enjoyed meeting and spending time with every single one of you in 2010.  It is an honor and a privilege to do what I do and we are so thankful for every opportunity I have to make you smile.  Finally, we thank the Lord for blessing us in ways we couldn’t have dreamed up for ourselves in a million years.  We thank Him for every one of you, for our marriage, for our precious boys and the opportunities we have with them (like homeschooling), and most of all for sending His one and only son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins.  All I have to do is look at my boys and I am instantly reminded as a parent of the real reason for the Christmas season – the great love of our Heavenly Father for all of His children displayed in a manger and proven on the cross.  May the Lord bless you and keep you this Christmas season and throughout the New Year.

   All our love,  The Siebenthal Family  2010 ♥

ETA: Here they are!!  Aren’t these little boys just adorable?!? M is getting so big…and S – don’t think he could be any sweeter.  They are both at such great ages!! I want to run around and JUMP with M and sit and snuggle/cuddle S lol – those eyes and cheeks {{swoon}} – ahh..sigh…I just love this family!! ♥

Hope you’re all having a great day and enjoying the amazing weather central Il has been having allllllll fall.  Hopefully I can get some time outside with my boys today, it’s supposed to rain this weekend!! See you soon! ♥

{{♥Rosie♥}}

Loving all of these – that blue sky is just…LOVE!! And remember, when all else fails – it helps to have a pedal tractor in your trunk LOL   I am seriously loving the ones of little G “working”

See you soon – next up we have Erica, Class of 2010 (Woot woot!!!!)

{{♥Rosie♥}}

(Please forgive the numerous (I’m sure) grammatical errors in this post…I quit caffine yesterday and it’s now 1 a.m. LOL)   Have a great rest of the weekend everyone!  If the weather is anything tomorrow like it was today we are in for a serious treat !  A day of worship/rest AND weather like that!?! Weeeee!!   See you back here soon as I still have a handful of sessions to sneak peek and then of course hopefully I’ll have an update or two with pics of my own boys!

{{♥Rosie♥}}