IRELAND DAY 6!!!!

I know everyone have patiently been waiting for me to return to posting about Ireland... So here is Day 6! :)


For Day6 we split into two groups some of us enjoying sitting/playing at the beach, and others going to Skellig Michael. As you can see from the above photos.. I was with the group that did the beach day! :) I enjoyed resting and simply enjoying what was around me. ENJOY your day! :)

Still going strong!

I know everyone thinks that they have the best parents... However, today is my parents anniversary... So today, MY PARENTS get to be the best... deal?! :-)

Yes, these are my parents! Aren't they an adorable couple?! 27 years ago today my parents were married and pledged to spend the rest of their lives together! 27 years later they have 6 daughters, one son-in-law, and 2 grandsons with another grandchild on the way! In case you couldn't tell in the pictures... they are STILL happily married and VERY MUCH in LOVE! :)

For those of you that don't know I'm going to share a little bit about their story...

My parents were high school sweethearts back in Palestine, TX. Dad left for West Point, and the week after graduating he married my beautiful Mom. :) They spent the next 26 years of their lives serving the Military and those around them, and are now happily retired. They have moved 21 times in their married life! How many people can say that?! They have been through extreme stress almost losing each other to health issues... They have also been through separations the military has given us. They have also suffered through all the torments the six of us girls could muster up! :D Sorry Mom and Dad! :D Through it all they have remained strong.

They are an example of a Godly couple that has allowed God to be the guide of their lives and that CHOOSE to love each other daily!

If there is one thing my parents have stressed to all of us girls growing up it was looking at those around us and finding ways to serve others. It's been a huge part of my life and my parents have taught us all what it means to have the heart of a servant. I have truly been blessed with amazing parents that have stood by me and guided me my entire life.

I love my parents very much and would be lost without them... Here's to my amazing parents! LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD!

Nic and Kate

I had the extreme pleasure and honor of assisting Jon Spratt in photographing Nic and Kate's wedding in Oklahoma. It was a Beautiful wedding filled with Love. Here are a few of my favorite moments to share with you!

The Bride enjoying how cute her little nephew is!

How often do you see the BRIDE helping the bridesmaids get ready when she isn't ready herself?! Katelyn is so AMAZING! :)

One of the Bridesmaids assisting Katelyn in finally getting ready! :)

All the Bride's jewelry for the day, not to mention the adorable shoes.

Time to get dressed!

Jewelry time!

Mom enjoying a special moment with her daughter!

I had never seen a Bouquet like this, but I LOVED IT!

Everyone needed an upclose look at the ring, of course!

AW! Bride's parents!

We were arranging everyone else for a picture, and they were just standing there looking soo in love. I couldn't resist taking a picture.

This was my second wedding at this church... I KNOW not to let ANYONE HERE NEAR my car! LOL! :)

I hope you enjoyed seeing a glimpse into this couple's special day!

A Fallen Hero

First I want to apologize to all my viewers, and fans who have patiently been awaiting more updates, and Ireland pictures. Hopefully this post even though there are no pictures will explain my lack of presence on the blog and Facebook.

Tue. May 18th, I received a phone call on my cell informing me that a family we knew had just lost their Husband/Father/Grandfather in a car Bomb in Afghanistan that morning. My heart immediatly got caught in my throat as I tried to absorb this information.

My mom and I rushed over to their house to be with the family and helped throughout the week. Col. John McHuch left his Wife, Son Michael (married, 21 and stationed in Iraq), Daughters Kelly (19), Kristen (17), Maggie (11), son David (5), and grandaughter Abigail (2 months).

My time has been spent helping this family as they deal with this loss and try to move on. Their has been a huge outpouring of love in this community here for them. It is a huge blessing to me to know that Col. McHugh and his whole immediate family are Christians. It has been amazing to watch first hand as God's grace and strength are being poured out. To watch God work is incredible.

Anyway, as I've listened to people share about this man and his family, and watched everything unfold... It has left me with some thoughts. This man holds many medals, and honors, he also was blessed by being a Col. in the Military. However, as you listen to people talk these are the things people are saying about him

"It was a blessing to work with John because He was a good man"
"He would always smile, or wave, never passed you by"
"Never too busy to say hello or lend a helping hand"
"always willing to help"
"Great soccer Coach"
"A family man"
"You didn't have to wonder what was important to John he made sure you knew that God and his family were top priority"

Articles about him have been written and published by sooo many important people that knew him and loved him. Don't believe the things I'm saying Google Col John McHugh and see what all comes up.

As I saw all of this and reflected on everything that I was getting to see and participate in. I wanted to encourage you to think through what people would be saying about you if you died today. What would you WANT them to say? What can you do to live your life in such a way that without even trying you would have touched soooooooooooo many lives just by living your life not really trying to make a difference just living a Godly life. Some relatives made a fan page for him for people to post things like articles, clips, stories about him... by noon of that same day their were 1200 fans. I have NO IDEA what the count is up to now, but that alone overwhelmed me. The ministry this man had and the lives he touched simply by living his life.

I think too often we are characterized by being too busy for people, driven, fashionable, caring about people, but unable to fit them in our schedule, we help people when it works for us, not when they need us the most. Are we even looking to see how we can help people and be there for them in little ways?

Anyway, I've been feeling the need to share. The family has already been through the military memorial service, and then his casket showing up today from Afghanistan, tomorrow is the funeral. I KNOW the family would appreciate everyone's prayers and support as they go through this and in the next upcoming months as they deal with their loss. Please pray for them.

Living in God's grace,
Kristina

Ireland Day 5!

This was a relaxing day. I loved all the beach stops!! I found the beaches very refreshing and relaxing. So, grab a cup of hot tea (or whatever makes your heart happy), pull up a chair and relax as you get a glimpse of my Day. :)

We also stopped at a very cool, old stone fort.

This was also my first day shooting HDR so I have included a few of my favorite of those from this day. :)

I climbed on the rock in this^ photo and sat and enjoyed the wind and the sound of the water! Very refreshing! :)

Such a cute pair^!

HDR^

HDR^ PLUS, fisheye lens!

HDR^

HDR^

The next three I included because they make me smile!

And that is Day 5! I hope you have enjoyed them!