Happy Birthday Mommy!

So today is my dear Momma's Birthday.  My Mom, the woman who always encourages, always lifts up, and who always works hard.  There is not a day that goes by that I am reminded how wonderful she is to all of us kids.  I think she has quite a few of the "fruits of the spirit" down: love, patience, joy, patience, peace, patience... :-)

I mean she has to deal with all of us kids, of course she has patience down.  :-)

Thank you so much Mommy for always encouraging me, for helping me persevere, and for being the best example of a wife and mother I could ever have.

Happy Birthday Mommy, I love you! 

Love your daughter,

Kristin

For Christy & Stephen | {Wedding}

So this past Saturday I had the wonderful privilege to shoot another wedding.  This time it was for a good friend of mine that I have known forever.

Well, not exactly forever, but for a long time.  She and her sisters used to babysit my siblings and I, and when I grew older, I would look to their examples when I did my own babysitting jobs.  Even when they didn't babysit me anymore, they always tried to act like older sisters towards me: encouraging me with my walk with the Lord, my brothers and sisters, parents, and many other areas.  So, it was incredibly special for me to be able to take their photos. 

Christy & Stephen--Thank you so much for trusting me to take your wedding pictures.  I was so blessed to do it, and I will be praying for you guys as you start your new life together.  

Here are a few of the photos from the wedding...

Again, I was so blessed to have this experience!

In Him,
Kristin

P.S. The little writing you see on the photos sometimes is my new official name, Daughter of Him Photography. :-)

In Remembrance

I just wanted to take a quick moment and talk about the sinking of the RMS Titanic.

About all of the courageous crew, the captain, and the men onboard who gave their lives for other.

These people knew the real meaning of sacrifice.

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,

still all my song shall be,

nearer, my God, to Thee;

nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee.

Have a blessed day.
~Kristin

(for an accurate representation of the sinking, watch the movie A Night To Remember)

A Little Concert

That just so happens to be a Steven Curtis Chapman Concert.

*cue applause*

Just kidding, you don't have to applaud, but we did get to go to the concert.  It was a part of the Songs & Stories tour that had Steven Curtis Chapman, Josh Wilson, and Andrew Peterson.

It. Was. Awesome. 

...and amazing

...and many other synonyms I can't think of right now.  

I took a few pictures, and if it is okay, I want to post a few (read: twelve).  I know, that is a lot of pictures, but some are for a friend, and I couldn't limit it down to any more. :-)

Nathan & Ashlyn, on the way to the church where the concert was.

Sweet Ryan.  Happy and cheerful. :-)

(from left to right) Andrew Peterson, Steven Curtis Chapman, Josh Wilson singing "Do Everything."

Josh Wilson playing "Amazing Grace"

Andrew Peterson playing "World Traveler"

Steven Curtis Chapman singing "Long Way Home"

Sharing stories.

SCC "When Love Takes You In" (I just have to say as a side note that it was so moving and beautiful when he sang and played it.  They showed the video when they adopted their first little girl while he sang and it made me cry.  It was soo sweet.)

Of course, right after he sang "When Love Takes You In," he played "Cinderella."  Tears kept running down my face.  Again, it was beautiful. 

I think they were playing "Diving In."  It was SO great!  Everybody was on their feet singing like crazy and clapping.  It was amazing.

The three singers with the band right after the end of the last song.

The "bow."  Again, the crowd was going nuts.  It wasn't to overpowering though. :-)

It was such an amazing experience.  It was my first ever (non-classical) concert to go too, it was the greatest ever.  :-)

Have a blessed day!

In Him,
Kristin

I guess I'm pretty versatile...

...because I got an award!

Thank you so much Melody!  Wow, I have never received an award for writing--or blogging--before.

(Well, I guess there was that one time Mommy gave me a sticker for writing "Massachusetts" correctly in a spelling bee when I was 10, but that doesn't count. :-))

Okay, on to the award...

There are a few rules I am supposed to follow for this award:

• Thank the award-giver and link back to their site. (check.)
• Share 7 random things about yourself. (almost check...)
• Nominate 5 fellow bloggers. (here ya go...)

-Jean Marie from Sweet Life Under The Savior.  Thank you so much for trying to glorify the Lord in all you do.  You may not remember, but thank you for answering my email. :-)
-Tara, Kelly, & Elizabeth from Daughters of Vision.  You guys are a great encouragement to me.
-Breezy from a bowl of moss and pebbles.  God has blessed you with such a gift for art.  Thank you for using it to glorify Him.
-Amanda from Quintessential Ink.  We miss you in Advanced Comp!
-Abagail from abigail anne. You take amazing pictures!  I hope we can keep in touch after class (AC) ends. :-)

Okay, on to the beast.  Seven random things about myself.

1. I'm a toe-walker.  Which means that without shoes, I walk on the balls of my feet.  However, because of this I got great balancing skills.
2. I used to be terribly shy.  As in "oh no the person expects me to say something I think I will just stare at my shoes instead" kind of shy.  Hopefully I have grown in my communication skills. 
3. Continuing on with that subject, it is easier for me to write my feelings than to tell them.  I don't know why it is easier for me to write, maybe the fact that I can (over) process what I write makes it easier. :-) But if I want to have a deep discussion with someone, I normally write it out first.
4. I have different colored eyes.  They are both green, but one has more hazel/golden tones than the other (like the bottom picture on here).  Obviously it is not a drastic difference, but if you look really close, you can see it.  
5. I can raise my right eyebrow by itself (see below).  One of my brothers calls it my Quasimodo face (and yes, I am a Victor Hugo fan. mostly.). 
6. I get very determined (read:stubborn) and competitive about certain things.  In some cases it is good--such as trying to reach a goal.  But don't play "Connect Four" with me (trying to work on this). :-)
7. 75% of my music library consists of music without lyrics: mostly symphony, piano, guitar, or strings.  40% of that 75% consists of movie soundtracks.  Give me some "Pride & Prejudice," "Mary Poppins," or "Chronicles of Narnia" any day!

No, I am not mad (and thanks to Trey for capturing my, uh, lovely face).

That was so fun!  Now you truly know seven very random facts about me. :-)  Thanks again Melody for giving me this award!

In Him,
Kristin

"Happy Birthday!"...

...so says Frosty the Snowman.  Except for, of course, it's March (hey, I dream of snow all year long okay?).

And being March, it is not only right after Daddy's Birthday, includes Nathan's Birthday, it is also...

Trey's Birthday!

(busy month for us...Trey says he tops it off. ;-))

Ya big fifteen-year-old. :)

We went out a few days ago and took some "freshman" pictures for his birthday (if you're in my family, you get pictures every grade, uh possibly every month, or...day.  Needless to say, I like my camera. A lot.).  One of the great things about Trey is that he is so easy-going, that means he also doesn't care about being in pictures.  Whenever I point the camera at him, he doesn't shy away: he faces it head on.

However, most of the pictures look like...

this...

and this...

and last but not least...the rock-star pose.

I have three brothers.  Trey is the lead goof-ball. Then follows Nathan, and finally Ryan.  

They keep me on my toes.  All the time. ;-)

I think it is good though, they help me to filter stress through hysterical laughter.  'Cause let me tell ya, when they get going, it is like one wave after another.  

Trey remembers pretty much everything.  Of course, that helps with his wit, but he also uses it for other things such as memorizing Bible verses or math & physics formulas (yes, he is in physics.  This guy is smart.).

Trey loves his guitar.  He loves playing the guitar.  And he is really good at the guitar.  Recently, we learned about this Contemporary Christian artist named Josh Wilson who plays the guitar really well.  When Trey first heard Josh Wilson play an instrumental version of "It is Well," he has wanted to learn how to play that piece.  Trey wasn't able to get around to the piece until he was asked to play his guitar for church.  The problem (well, Trey thought it was a problem, ) was that he only had one month to learn how to play the piece.  But he didn't let that deter him. :-)

He emailed Josh Wilson asking for the tab, and when Josh Wilson's manager emailed Trey back with the music, he got to work.

After working really, really hard on it for one month, he got the piece down and was able to play it for church (with some minor changes though :-)). It was so gorgeous when he played at church, he played it really well.  But, the thing that struck me was Trey only wanted to give glory to God.

Playing "Amazing Grace." Another of his favorites. ;-)

He is actually playing "It Is Well" here.  I wanted to record him, but he wouldn't let me.  Oh well, one day I will get it. :-)

So Trey, I am so glad you are my brother.  You make me laugh so much, you truly enjoy life.  I just wanted to take this post and tell you how much I appreciate you.  Thank you for protecting me from the red lobsters and lava. :-)

Happy Birthday Trey!

-Love "the Sis"

Silly boy. :-)

For Trina & Russel

So I know you wonder why I haven't posted in a little while (although it is much better than my, ahem, six month break :)), but this time I do have a really good excuse.

I was in a wedding.

No, I didn't get married (for some obvious reasons), but I did get to be the photographer. :)

About a month and a half ago, Trina called me and asked if I would be their photographer.  This would be my first wedding to do, so naturally I was really excited--and nervous.  I am so thankful to Trina and Russel for trusting me to take their wedding photos.  I learned so much and had a great time.   

Anyway, so I thought I would post a few from their wedding on March 18.   

The groom getting ready.

The rings.

The bride getting ready.

Walking down the isle.

Trina and the mother-of-the-bride.

Two little nieces: (left) Rachael, (right) Abby.  So sweet and photogenic!

 

During the whole wedding, dark clouds kept rolling overhead.  We didn't have much of a chance of rain, but it looked like every second the torrents of heaven could've poured down! Trey came to the wedding with me to assist me, so he kept checking the sky and the forecast.  Thankfully, we didn't get any rain until much later, but it made for an exciting (plus slightly nerve-wracking :)) day.  It was interesting editing the photos afterwards because some of them look bright and sunny, while others look more dismal.  Oh well, even with all the craziness I was still so blessed to be able have this experience!

In Him,
Kristin