I know I've posted this picture before, but every time I look at it, it just makes me happy (so I decided to post it again).

And to answer a few questions (and a few other random things):

1. I get a lot of Annie's clothes at Target or when there's a big sale at Gymboree (there's actually a sale right now).

2. When we were driving to school the other morning, Coley and I had a conversation that went something like this...

Cole:  I know the other reason babies have to sit backwards in carseats.

Me: Why is that?

Cole: So the sun doesn't get in their eyes.

Me: Well, what's the first reason?

Cole: So their brothers and sisters can can play with them.

3. Yes, I am getting married in 3 weeks.  When I looked at the calendar this morning, I kind of gasped because for some reason, I thought it was still 4 weeks away.  As terrible as this sounds, I've hardly even had time to think about it.  It's a good thing that it's small and simple.

4. Josh listens to a lot of talk radio and came home a few weeks ago with the idea that he was going to quit his job and home-school all the kids because of a program he had listened to (a few weeks prior to this incident, he had decided to quit his job as an engineer to go to medical school; also because of a program he was listening to on talk radio).  Both of those ideas lasted for all of about 30 minutes though.  He cracks me up.

5. I don't know how long this has been out, or how in the world I missed it, but this lovely thing is the (least expensive) answer to all of your sports photography prayers.  It's spendy, but it's still a heck of a lot cheaper than the Canon version of this lens (which runs for about $1700).  You could use it for a lot of different things, but the best thing about it is that you can get great shots with it in low light situations (like indoor gymnasiums) even when you've got fast moving subjects that are far away from you.  This one is made to mount on Canon cameras (they haven't released their Nikon version yet...sorry Nikon girls).

6. I use a Canon 16-35mm lens for most of my wide angle stuff.

7. The frame I used in the photo above (and a whole bunch of other frames & brushes) are available now to download at Polka Dot Potato (I think most of them are about .99 cents each).

8. If you didn't get the newsletter that I sent out this morning, email me (karencrussell@charter.net) and I'll forward it along to you.

Comments

[Stephanie]

i love this pic! Super cute!

[Ashely Schultz]

I just bought some of your frames at polka dot potato. I love your stuff so much.

[Ashely Schultz]

I just bought some of your frames on polka dot potato. I love your stuff so much!

[Barb]

May I just say that your little Yannie is the cutest thing ever? Each and every picture of her warms my heart. Not to take anything away from the other kids. They're cute, too. But this little face is just so precious. Thanks for sharing her with us.

[lovely cee]

you are getting married? i'm excited to see the photos... but who's taking the pictures? congratulations!
your frames are awesome! just got done registering> i'm getting those frames. my favorite is the film.
i was just at the gymboree today, they had 1.99 stuff> i nearly got in trouble.
i love reading about your guys' conversation

[Brooke - in Oregon]

Oh girl, it is a good thing I love you cause you are sooo on my Naughty list or if I was at your house you would be sitting in the naughty chair! WHEN did you put stuff in PDP??? Have I not been after you for digi stuff? So consider yourself whipped with a wet noodle! lol Now I am off to SHOP :)

[Becky]

Ahhhh -- Karen you made my day -- I have been waiting for your frames to be brushes FOREVER!!! I am so excited to download and play with all of those from polka dot potato. Thanks! Good luck on the wedding planning and the wedding -- we can't wait to see the beautiful photos!

Becky (aka: beckywed) :)

[Tina]

Are there any other options for the 16mm lens? checked the price and yikes! I might be saving for a bit!

[Susi (dragonflydreamer)]

I really think you are an all around awesome person, woman, mother, wife, artist, photographer, and blogger along with all the many other roles in your life. Your story is very inspiring to me. I am so happy about your online photography classes and one day when I have the money, I will be so happy to take it. For now, I think about how you made a decision to go to school while raising your sons as a single mom and believed in yourself enough to keep taking the next right steps to get you to where you are in your life right now. It gives me hope. So many wonderfully exciting things going on in your life right now and I am so happy for you because you have worked hard and deserve life's best. I can't wait to see the photos of your wedding. Congratulations and best wishes for a life filled with love, laughter and all of your dreams come true. Thanks for all of the photography tips you give on your blog for those of us who are financially challenged.