Learn From My Mistakes!!!

Yesterday (Sunday) my niece and her husband had a BBQ and swim party at their house. I aggonized all day before we left whether or not to take my camera. You all know I love my camera and take it everywhere. But it has almost become a joke at family gathering that I never go anywhere without it. So I decided not to take it.

I justified my decision in the following ways:

1. I had just gotten my computer back up and had lots to do to it still

2. I still have most of my vacation photos to still edit as well as some others of Monkey

3. It has stormed BIG the past few days so Bryanna will never have the baby in the pool

So off we went - with NO CAMERA! I was feeling pretty good about my decision - there really wasn't much going on that was "photo-worthy" and then it happened!!!!!

My SIL Char had Monkey and was playing with her by the pool, showing her the waterfall and the sprayers. Monkey was adorable and the regrets started! Once Char took her away from the pool she started to cry - she wanted IN the pool, or at least to play in the waterfall some more. To distract her, Bryanna took her back inside. Next thing you know she is coming back out in Grandpa's arms and they are both in their swim suits. Oh No - this is going to be painful for me! And it was!!!! Grandpa sat her right up in the waterfall and she looked sooooooo damned cute! It was killing me! She was laughing and smiling and trying to drink the water as it cascaded down her. Now everyone is asking me

"Where's your camera Marta?"

"Aren't you going to take pictures of that Marta?"

"What? You didn't bring it with you Marta?"

I am in pain over this - this is one of those moments that you can never recreate - one of those special moments that are just "little" moments that turn into "Big" memories, and I can't capture it with anything but my mind. I can't share it with anyone except with my words.

So I start begging -

"Bryanna, do you have your camera? Your phone?"

"Darwin?"

"Jeanne?"

"Anyone have a camera?!?!?!?!"

Finally, my niece says she has one and she brings me her little PnS digital - YIPPEE!!!!! I have a camera!!!!! She tells me she will email "the picture" to me. "The Picture"? Has she never seen her Aunt Marta take pictures? There will not be just ONE! So I start shooting and I took several - maybe 20 or 25, not as many as I would have taken if it were my camera. But at least I have caught the moment - in my own little way I made time stand still, and I was thankful.

Now I am sitting with all of the girls while Monkey and Grandpa continue to play in the waterfall. When all of a sudden I hear her. . ."AM-MA!!!!!!AM-MA!!!!!!" That is what Monkey calls me, she wanted all of my attention and that camera pointed at her! I tell you what, that little girl melts my heart and has me wrapped around her little finger! Once again I started talking to the girls again and not watching her or taking her picture and once again I hear ."AM-MA!!!!!!AM-MA!!!!!!"

Well, I got to take the pictures and I am so glad of that. But I have none to share with you tonight. Because I took so many they couldn't just email me the picture, they will have to burn me a CD. So here I sit, waiting. . . and wishing that I had those photos! Hopefully they wont make me wait to long.

So, learn from my mistakes!!!! Don't leave home without your camera, especially to family get togethers. Who cares if people laugh at you. Who cares if nothing "photo-worthy" ever happens. At least you will be ready if it does!

What did you take photos of this holiday weekend? Or were you like me and opted not to take it with you?