Wishful Thinking

I have a lot of real-world, important, big things on my mind and plate lately, in addition to having a lot of ordinary, but of course sublime things to do today, like kissing and teaching my kids, and cleaning my house.

But as I sit this morning, my mind is going adrift, caught up in a big, fat, imaginary Christmas Wish List, full of things I'd love to have, but know I won't get- but I want to spend a little time dreaming anyway.

Indulge me, if you like, and read my silly list, and add a few of your own Wishes in the comment section. I'd like to know what you want, and won't get, too...

In no particular order:

20 4GB CF cards. I love that size.
$1000 Pottery Barn Gift Card.
Wait, how about just a $5000 Full Life Business Allowance.
A new laptop. A really fantastic one.
An entire week alone with my husband, somewhere....far away from here. Could that also be free?
Lots and lots and lots of really cute pairs of earrings.
A new espresso machine. Much nicer than mine.
A new car (maybe Oprah reads my blog? Oprah? Are you out there?)


There. I feel better.

Back to breakfast and the real world, which really, is fantastic.

Furrthering Our Nest

Our kids go to a local animal shelter often, to see and socialize the dogs and cats- you can hold them, play with them, whatever. It's good for the kids, it's good for the animals.

Unexpectedly, we left a routine trip to the animal shelter with one more Koch last weekend.

This is Penny. She was instantly ours. There was just something special there. Something that was so "it". We didn't even discuss it. I gave Jim a look and that was all it took. Done deal.

We'd wanted one more kitty since we lost Boots and Bokeh this summer. But Bella is such an exemplary cat- Jim said lightning doesn't strike twice. Meaning, if we got another one, no way would it be great. It would probably be annoying, or tear stuff up, or be all weird or needy. It would definitely not watch Anne of Green Gables.

She's perfect.

She's gentle but very playful. Very intelligent and sharp, yet reserved and gracious. Relaxed and patient with our kids, playing right in there in the middle of them, but able to quietly check out when she's had enough lovin'. She also "talks" a lot, but in sweet, nice ways. It's precious.

Really, she's a fantastically sweet and gentle Beth to our Bella, who's much more of a Jo. If you know what I mean. They're a wonderful pair, and our girls are thrilled to have one more baby to coddle and chase. She fits right in.

As for the other three pawed Kochs, Bella has been a bit of a Sourpuss occasionally, learning to share her space with another cat, but she's been a charm. After praying over it, we saw a great bond begin between them- and now they run around chasing each other like squirrels, they sleep in the sun watching the birds at the feeder, and yesterday (don't tell her I told you) I saw Bella clean Penny just a bit. Penny was spotless. It was more for affection.

Penny is still unsure about the dogs- mostly, she watches them from under the bed, or on top of something high, when they're running around. Bebo is persistently sweet to her, attempting to win her, but still causes the fur to fly every once in a while when he barks or comes on a little too strong with his affections. Bacon heard her hiss once, and well, it's going to take him a while before he doesn't shudder a little every time he sees her. Pugs are sensitive things, you know. That's why you have to hug your Pug so much.

Yesterday Grace stole away to our bedroom with her kitties, to be all alone with them. I left the room and came back minutes later to find her with tears in her eyes. "Mommy, I was petting Penny and she liked it so much she started to rub all around me in a circle, and she was purring and purring, and she was so nice, and it made me cry a little."

Oh, that's precious.

The Koch women, we love our kitties.

One More Day.

Let's recap.

On this day I told you I don't know anything, but pointed you in the right direction for people who do.

On this day I gave several pop culture references, and also gave you some simple things to think over to better consider if you're ready to buy a DSLR, or if you want to wait.

On this day I couldn't resist posting a picture of Louise Jefferson, and I let you know I have a really simple DSLR.

Today, I'll answer...
What lenses do I use/recommend?

Until about a month ago, I shot with my kit lens (the one that came with my camera). It's all I had. When I felt comfortable enough with my camera, and I don't know...I could just tell that it was time...I sort of knew for sure when I was doing things right, and it wasn't meeting my expectations anymore. Basically, I sort of outgrew it (this took me 9 months). So I spent a LOT of time mulling over my choices, and in the end, got a 50mm f/1.4. I won't talk about it, because you can read about it here and here and here (good for learning about basic lenses, and also great people too). It's well-suited for what I need and want, for my own use, and for my clients. I absolutely love it. I will not be purchasing another lens for a very long time. I plan to use only this lens until I purchase a new camera, and I'm very excited to go wide angle- which is down the road a bit for me- that's why it was so important for me to make the right choice. I don't know what brand I'll land on for sure, so I'm not going to buy lenses that may not jive with it. And when I do that, I'm also affording myself a Shootsac and keeping my dear a200 and my 50 mm close at all times. (Altogether, this will be a several thousand dollar purchase...gulp. Don't hold your breath to hear about it. It will be a while.) Until then, I know I'm very content with what I've got, and I hope to rock that 50 mm into the ground. (Again, I need to mention, this, or any, lens is not a magic bullet. A 50 mm, while awesome, also has a couple of BIG quirks that you have to know and recognize, avoid and learn to work around- it's not an instant "fix" for great pictures!!)

How do you achieve sharp photos?

Practice.

If you're hoping to sharpen your images, I'd suggest plugging away at the photography basics I listed in my first post. Specifically, you would want to first learn about: how to hold your camera, how to position your body and even how to breathe when shooting, shooting on continuous shot rather than single, setting your aperture and shutter speed, lighting and FOCAL POINTS! That's a big one. Again, see the sites I gave in the first post for lots of very easy to understand information on some basics. Once you have those basics covered, a great lens, especially a prime lens (like a 50 mm) will really get things clicking. But even with an amazing lens- if you aren't shooting correctly, the images will still not be consistently sharp. I practice on all kinds of things. I need a LOT of practice. You'd think I'd practice on my kids, but I don't. Mostly, I practice on my dogs (great for practice on moving targets), and inanimate objects in my house (great for working on focal points, and gaining fluidity in changing my camera's settings without looking). One afternoon I spent almost 30 minutes photographing an Oatmeal box. Mr. Quaker's eyes were TACK SHARP when I was done, I tell you.

How do you edit?

When we see photographers' amazing photos (I oogle about 20 photographer's blogs in Google Reader just for this pleasure and for inspiration), when we see those images, they didn't come straight out of the camera (SOOC) looking exactly like that. You have to have a sharp, clear, great image to start with- it's all about achieving the best shot in camera for photographers- that's what you want- but then that works in tandem with post-processing (Photoshop). Working with RAW files rather than jpegs, processing the images to taste with knowledge and skill- these two pillars of photography (great SOOC and great processing) are what set pro images apart. That's how you add little touches, and take a photograph to the next level. That's where you remove eczema and snot and weird guys in the background that "ruin" an otherwise great shot.

Learning Photoshop in order to enhance (not "fix"- that's true sometimes, but not the goal) and finish your photos is a huge undertaking, but it's also fascinating, and completely worth the effort. I shouldn't fail to mention again that I have very little skill in Photoshop. Any photographer who knows what they are doing, and sees my shots can tell you that. But I am learning. And my workflow has improved by about 300% since I purchased Photoshop (CS3- not the same as Elements- I have no idea what Elements will and won't do for you- though it is much cheaper, but may not be what you want) in July.

My personal processing style is subtle- most of the time. My goal would be to keep my editing as natural as possible- to enhance what's already there, to make the edits "invisible" so what you really see is the subject at it's best, and distractions eliminated or toned down. You almost never see "effects" in my photos, for a reason. I personally don't usually like them. I keep it natural...and I have so much to learn.

Other than iHeartFaces and Pioneer Woman, if you want to delve into Photoshop, MCP Actions is an amazing resource.

There you go.

Don't hesitate to keep the questions coming- I absolutely love to talk about this stuff- I just wanted to post some of the basics here, but I'm happy to email/in person answer your questions any time! (As long as you remember, I don't actually know what I'm doing, and will probably just tell you who you SHOULD ask :).)

Mrs. Jefferson Buys a Camera

Thanks for this little memory trip, TVLand

So, Mrs. Jefferson- you talked about it with George and you know you want to get some DSLR action?

I shoot with a Sony a200. You can read all about how I got her here. This camera is as basic as it gets, DSLR-wise.

I have a husband that doesn't buy anything over $5 without extensively researching it and reading about 100 reviews. So when he came home with that little lady under his coat, he immediately got online, before we even took it out of the box. I'd ached for a DSLR for years but never felt peace about buying one, and Jim had been...researching them for a long time, too, just because he's like that. We're basically dorks.

That said, Sony (Minolta) gets really wonderful reviews for it's DSLRs, we felt sure about it, and from the time I took her out of that box...life has never been the same.

I do not own a hot camera. I own a basic, basic, DSLR.

That said,

• When you're first starting out, I really encourage you to begin with an entry-level DSLR. Entry models will do everything you dream of being able to do and more. And basically, they all operate in the same way. If you had something nicer, you wouldn't even be able to wrap your mind around those bells and whistles anyway, and they'd be of little or no use to you- other than cleaning out your bank account- whew! The higher-end models are expensive! If you eventually master that one, and want to move up (most people would never need to move up, but enthusiasts may want to), you can purchase an upgrade, and then you'll just have an extra camera body, which is really useful as a backup, to easily shoot with two types of lenses at certain events, and you'll have a "travel" camera- one you can easily tote around on vacation etc without worrying about losing a several thousand dollar investment in an airport. Basically, entry-level DSLRs take Gorgeous photos. You just have to learn how to tell them to. If you got a more expensive camera, you'd still have to learn how to tell it to shoot.


• When you buy that new piece of heaven, do NOT buy a new lens to replace the kit lens (that's the one that comes with your basic DSLR) right away!!!! Take her home, get to know her, work on the basics, get a feel for it, see how it goes. I'd strongly advise you to learn to shoot clear and consistent with your kit lens first. Yes, it's true that it isn't nearly as nice as other lenses out there, but if you don't know the basics, it won't matter what you shoot with- if you don't understand what you have, you won't know how to best use it- so don't worry about a new lens right now. Most photography problems arise out of user error, not lens insufficiencies anyway (believe me, I know about user error!). If the salesperson goes on and on about how much of a POS the kit lens is, and how excellent piece of glass A or B is, just say you aren't interested. Wait until you know what you're doing first, wait until you see what/who/how you shoot the most first too- lenses are incredibly expensive and confusing and vastly different from one another- and even amazing ones have their own unique quirks and pitfalls. Wait until you feel ready to move up, because you need a lens for ____ or ____ first. Then you can make an informed, smart choice and not end up spending hundreds, even over $1000 for something that doesn't suit your needs.
• Consider the challenges of a DSLR. They are very bulky (compared to slim, tiny point and shoots). They also scream, "Steal me!! I'm really easy to sell on eBay!" Also, if your child (or you) drops, spills on, sits on, or dunks your camera in water, and it's damaged, it's a huge financial loss. So not like those things should keep you from getting one, but, it is a lot more, "responsibility", if you will.

I'll be back with just a few more things tomorrow. Then I promise I'll stop talking photography. I know it's getting old. Especially hearing it from someone who knows as little as I do.

Tomorrow I'll answer a couple of common questions from people who already own a DSLR. Questions like: What kind of lenses do you have? How do you get sharp pictures? and How do you edit?

I ♥ Faces Week 45: Autumn Beauty

Today I Reach Some Sort of Blogging Apex. I May Never Out-Do It.

Back to yesterday-

When I hear, "What kind of camera do you have?" or, "You have such a nice camera! Wow!" I am 2 things:
1. Blessed by the compliment, and tempted to let them know how clueless I am.
2. Compelled to encourage them and say all the things I'll say below.

Lots of photographers say something similar to what I'm about to say. And now I'm saying it.

It's like, if you have a baby, and with the baby came "I just had a baby" thighs, and you got focused and determined and ate meticulously and worked out good and hard and faithfully and got those thighs into excellent form within a couple of months, and some well-meaning woman at church tells you, "You're so lucky, the weight just melts right off of you! I never could get the baby weight off like that! I bet you can eat anything you want!" You'd kind of want to slap them. A tiny part of you would. You know they're paying you a compliment, and they have no idea what you went through, but it's a little bit of a diss to your sacrifice and effort- but you say Thank You!! anyway, because you know in their heart, they are encouraging you.

I will move on. This is going somewhere sometime.

Excellent photographs are not accidental, and believe it or not, are not even the product of "nice" equipment. They are the fruit of countless hours of reading, thinking, learning, experimenting and trial and error. They don't just happen. I'd like to be an excellent photographer someday. Maybe you dream of becoming one too. One tiny victory at a time, we can get there, and there's no point that you "stop" growing, so we can look forward to many happy years of discovery together. (Doesn't what I said sound cheesy?? I can't believe I'm not deleting that. Well, I'm not deleting it, because it's true.)

The assumption would be that having a "nice" camera is what you need to have great photos.

Having nice golf clubs doesn't make you Tiger any more than having a microphone makes you Bono or having a glue gun makes you Martha.

I want to really, really encourage you today. The camera you have right now takes gorgeous, priceless photos.

It's true- the artistry and technical attributes of shooting with a DSLR contribute to amazing photography, but it doesn't start there. It starts with passion that inspires hard work. If you don't have the passion for photography, then your DSLR may be a waste of your money that could be saved or given or spent elsewhere. Let me explain...

Loving good photography (which, like all art, is relative and judged by the beholder) and loving the craft of creating great photos- these are not always linked. I just think it's important to say that before I throw this, as promised, bullet-pointed list at you.

It's not about your equipment. It's just not. It's about your love for capturing moments, and your desire for mastering the camera, to show it how to take the best possible images it can.
And I know so many of you love to capture those moments. And you just need to know the LOVE is what it's all about.

Again. You take amazing pictures, and you can achieve greater and greater skill, no matter what camera you have!

So you still think you want to move on up, Mrs. Jefferson?

If you're trying to decide if you'd like to move up to a DSLR from your point and shoot (that's what you have if you don't have a DSLR), here are my two cents, with Bullet Points!

• Chances are, your point and shoot is like, really smart. I have a Nikon Coolpix that can do all kinds of things. And it takes amazing video. It's tiny and stays with me at all times. Get out your point and shoot manual, and learn all about it. You might be surprised at what it can do.


• If you survived the manual, get online and learn as much as you can about exposure, aperture, composition, ISO, focal points, posture when shooting, shutter speed, etc. Start out with sites like iHeartFaces, or Pioneer Woman Photography, which are incredibly easy to read and understand.


• If you feel overwhelmed, that's perfect. No problem. But if you feel overwhelmed and annoyed and disinterested, you may not want to pursue a big investment right now. Maybe just hang out with your current point and shoot a little longer, and with the knowledge you gained from the sites above, I bet your photos are already looking better. Give yourself some time and wait a little. You won't regret waiting, if it means you avoid buyer's remorse...


• But, if you feel bolder, more determined, more passionate, more excited, even more giddy about getting out and about with your camera...then you might want to think a little more seriously about stepping up. (But don't do it just yet...)

I guess my point (which I am taking forever to get to, even with the bullet points), is that you need to really love photography in order to use a DSLR to it's full, or even partial, potential. Because, if you don't care, you won't be compelled to know your camera, and you'll just use it like your...P and S.

By all means, if you want a DSLR, it's not anyone's place to tell you not to get one. No problem. I'll discuss another day more about the pros and cons of having one, to give you a better idea.

But in a way, to someone who's really put some soul into photography of any kind, it's a bit of a shame to see a DSLR go to waste, basically just being used to take the same snapshots a point and shoot could've taken, simply because the owner didn't take the time to learn some of the tried and true basics, and they just seem to like the idea of having "the best". Like Edward in Pretty Woman. A Penthouse and he never even goes out on the balcony?? Such a waste. (But see, YOU can take the time to learn those basics and YOUR point and shoot will take really, really nice pictures because of it, and if you take the $$$$ plunge and get a DSLR, you will LOVE it and work it like a pro!)

It's a litmus test, if you will. If you don't feel excited or interested in learning about photography and working on the "basics" now, you won't feel excited or interested in learning about it once you purchase a DSLR. Even if you spent a ton of money and feel "sure" you'll want to once you've got one.

It will be just like the fancy ThighMaster you bought eight years ago, because you were so inspired by Suzanne Somers' rock-hard bod. You might like how her thighs look, but it will take more than that, and owning the ridiculous contraption, if you want to get those thighs. Otherwise, it's just money gone forever and a dusty piece of equipment somewhere in your closet.

Only blogging geniuses can segue from DSLRs to ThighMasters. I impressed even myself today, peeps. I better quit while I'm ahead.

I'll be back to answer yesterday's question...on Monday. Yes, Yes, OF COURSE, I'll bring back the bullet points.

And You Thought Expertista Wasn't a Word...*Updated

Unbelievably, people ask me for camera and photography advice now. A lot. Like I know what I'm doing or something, I'm not sure what they think.

I want to start this post by saying, on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being someone who knows nothing about photography, like my 2 year old, and 10 being a photography savant, I am a 1.5. Perhaps 1.75. I mean, I don't know how else to say it- I am not an expert. Yo soy no expertista.

But then again, to give myself a little credit, I have worked hard to learn a few things. So I don't mind passing my three or four things on to you, if you need some help. The great photographers, they pay it forward. So I like to follow in their big footsteps and do the same. So I think I'm trying to say, go ahead and ask me, I'd love to help- though I may just point you in the right direction using one of the many excellent resources I, myself, use all the time, like instead of giving you an answer straight from my own head.

Generally, I avoid posting about photography-related discoveries and pursuits on my blog. There are so many AMAZING sites out there, you don't need to read anything from me. You wouldn't believe the restraint this takes, as this blog's content is the fruit of life, and very large portions of this girl's life are devoted to the craft these days...

But because so many people are asking, especially this time of year as Christmas approaches, I thought maybe I'd write an easy to read, general post that could answer the question I get most often, in hopes that it's helpful to those of you who are thinking it over- because I genuinely love each one of you and would love to chat about it...

"What kind of camera do you have?"

The answer (with Bullet Points!) is on it's way tomorrow. Or Monday. It's on it's way.

***
See, you guys already gave me a chance to send you over to...
Check out this tutorial for more on enlarging photos in your blog!

Go Ahead, Make My Day.

I love coffee.
We brew strong coffee. Starbucks. House Blend.
I have successfully hooked my mate into loving strong House Blend too. With cream.
Half and Half. It's crucial.
There can be no flavored creamers in this house. No. No. No. My love affair with flavored creamers ended years ago, when I got wise.

I know I've just hurt someone's feelings. I'm sorry.

Here, it's about good, strong, creamy coffee, tasting like excellent coffee.

As far as out-of-the-house coffee, I love a Peppermint Mocha, or a Pumpkin Spice Latte like anyone. I even afford myself one, maybe two a season, for pure recreation. But I'm not swayed or attracted to you, you expensive, caloric lattes. I know how easy you are to make, and frankly, I'd rather have a cute new pair of earrings from Target than you any day. I've made my peace. I'm moving on.

I grab a Starbucks every once in a while, though, when I'm out for me, or in between freezing photo shoots. You know what I get? The only thing I want- Brewed Coffee. Whatever you've got that's not decaff. That's what I want. It's what I love.

I always order a Tall, in a Grande cup. That way, I get all the coffee I paid for, and still have room for cream. Because the Half and Half is crucial. Healthy amounts of it.

Savvy baristas know I'm doing this for the cream-room. Half the time I order in this fashion, though, I get a Grande cup with a Grande amount of coffee at a Tall price and it's served with a smile. Because they know and I know it costs Starbucks nothing to pour a couple more ounces in. And they want to bless me. Make me happy. Make my day. Make me want to come back.

I appreciate the gesture, thank them, and hide. I hide that I'm unhappy. I go to the cream counter around the corner and hide.

Because now there's no room for cream. The crucial cream.

And the brew is so hot there's no way I can just sip off the top to make it right.

So I pour just a tad of Half and Half in my cup, to the brim, throw on a lid, and thank them and smile and tell them "Have a great day!" on my way out.

I love that they were trying to make my day.

Smokin'.

Meet Beau and Lisa. Now, I typically don't let shots of clients trickle their way over here, but, I couldn't help but introduce you. Many clients become friends during the process of talking and working together, which has been a very pleasant surprise to me. But see, Lisa was already my friend. So this was a particularly special shoot, and I think it's altogether necessary that you get to know her too, and to top it off, she's preparing to marry a phenomenal man. So there you go.


When I met Lisa, I instantly loved her, as I believe most everyone does. And when I met Beau, I knew he was one of those rare and wonderful guys, too, and when you see the two of them together, it just makes perfect sense. They're the type of people that make your day better just for seeing them. And you can learn so much about someone through the intimacy of a photo shoot. This is when everyone's realness really comes out. I love that about this job. Love it. And these two were so natural, so at ease, so great at just being who they are without an ounce of pretension- its was just a fantastic way to spend a crisp autumn morning.

Can you imagine the fantastic babies they're going to make? When these two multiply, the world is going to be a better place for it. I digress.

Marriage takes an incredible amount of intentionality and hard work and love- which comes easily some days, and with a little more effort on others. But I know they are going to have a fantastic marriage. Not because they're perfect people, but because this is right. It's just obvious, they are right together. Wonderful counterparts. And they'll do what it takes, and it will be a beautiful thing.

Speaking of beautiful things, check out this righteous fox! Virtuous and passionate and just gorgeous. What a great gift for Beau, wow!

You can see a few more here and here - but would you take a moment to leave Lisa a comment and tell her how smokin' hot she is today? Hop on over from Facebook or Reader and leave your best marriage advice and blessings for her too, if you'd like. Here's a direct link to this post. I'd love to pass them on to her. Because she's out in the world making it a better place today, so I'd love to return the favor and make her day a little brighter too.

Great and Full

Something about putting this banner up for another year made me so grateful. Maybe it was seeing their sweet little handwriting and drawings from a year ago, and realizing how much their thoughts, and skills have grown. Maybe it was how reflective it made me over all that's happened in the past year, and how quickly it's gone by.



We were so grateful in 2008.

And we are so grateful in 2009.

Life really is so great. And so full.

Every Day

You're growing up.

You like to do stuff yourself.

I realize there's a day coming when you won't think it's hilarious for me to pretend to eat your feet.

So I try to eat some feet most every day.

If pregnancy has taught me anything,

it's that a thing that simultaneously fills me with joy, excitement, tears and nausea is worth doing with my whole heart, and will no doubt be one of the best decisions of my life.


Marriage, mothering, photography, living by faith. These are the things that are constantly pulling me to one more edge, causing me to take heart and call up courage once again, and again, and again, and to take one little death-defying leap at a time. Every jump affirms to me that I will never get over my fear of heights, but each time it gets a little easier to believe that I will land safe and sound.


And even when I feel, or know, I've failed, I am so thrilled that I was willing to give it a go.


And the victories really are worth the work. And the nausea.

Pumpkin MMMMuffins.

These Pumpkin Muffins are awesome!!

They're super-simple, and are just perfect. Instead of the 2 C of fresh baked pumpkin called for in the recipe, I used an entire, 15 oz can of pureed pumpkin. And I threw in some walnuts because it was right. See, I'm not afraid to improvise in the kitchen. I'm a risk-taker like that.

They were perfectly-dense, very moist, and...awesome. Almost like a pumpkin pound cake muffin. Awesome. And really, kinda healthy, in a way.

After they were done, I even added some homemade cream cheese frosting...which I'm not sure would normally be legal with something called a muffin...but it was right.

They were awesome.

Wise Up, and Call Me Blessed

A lot of people smile at us when we're out and about. A single trip to the grocery store brings many interactions our way. And, it's guaranteed that at least one person, though it's usually more, looks on at our brood and says that golden phrase, "You look busy!"

"Are they all yours?", "Are they twins?", "Do you do daycare?" and, "Finally got that boy, huh?" Round out the Top 5. I shall refrain from offering commentary on what I think when I've been asked any one of these on a given day for the third or fourth time.

Usually, they say I look busy with a smile. There are so many sweet people in the world. Sometimes, you know, just sometimes, they're not so much sweet. Even though, if I do say so, we Kochs have manners. It's not like we're a travelling zoo. Maybe they just don't have fond memories of raising their own children, I don't know.

I always smile and say something like, "Yes I am, and I love it!" And such.

As a mother of 4 young people, here is what I think:

Jim and I are present for the growing and becoming of four (and God-willing, more) fantastic, glorious expressions of the creativity and goodness of God. Our house is vibrant, energetic, and not ever, ever boring. We work our tails off, partnering with Him in the growing of their bodies, minds, and souls. We invest incalculable amounts of time and energy, love and hard work into these priceless, amazing people.

These children are breathtaking. I am so in love with them.

We see God creating and growing them into loving, caring, intelligent people who will one day enter the world on their own, we pray, to be confident, strong and humble, fully in love with Jesus and fully aware of who they are in Him. We work so they will be free to live how God created them to live, to use their gifts and talents, to be free to pour themselves out to the world all around them- free now, today, and free as they grow into adulthood.

And in the process, Jim and I grow, day by day, just as they do.

It's not easy. But it is wonderful.

No doubt, we are hard at work. No doubt, the day is busy.

But busy? That's not very encouraging at all.

Some days, I get tired of being told how busy I look, and I'd love for people to simply call me Blessed.

And you're blessed too.

I'll Thank Me Later.

Sometimes, when you're doing something ordinary, I like to pull out my camera and document it.

Just so I can remember exactly what you looked like

on just this day.

So I wanted to say thank you for letting me take so many pictures, even when you're just trying to make lunch.

I don't know if you'll appreciate it later,

but I will.

Love you,

Mom