Forties Top 40, #23

#23:  Toddlers to teens.

I have been known to say on numerous occasions in the past decade

that these are "The Wonder Years".

When I turned 40, my youngest was just taking her first steps.

It seems that somehow during these ten years

they have both learned to fly.

Just a few weeks after my birthday, I will have a teen.

I have also been known to say that 

for every thing that gets harder, something gets easier.

I might have wondered once or twice

just how long I could keep thinking this.

So far, so good.

They are amazing!

And while I enjoy the now

I always find myself peeking around the corner

to get a glimpse of what they are becoming.

Growing up is a miracle.

I am still growing up too.

"He who began a good work in you 

will carry it on to completion

until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 1:6

We are all miracles.
You are a miracle too.
Don't forget that.

Fireworks!

Fireworks tutorials:

Digital Photography School

Clickin' Moms

My notes:  

The tutorials recommend setting manual focus with reference 

to something (e.g. a building) about the same distance away as the fireworks.  

Ours are all open sky, so I set the manual focus on infinity.

ISO: 200

Aperture:  8  (go higher next time--too much light!)

Shutter Speed:  1.3 seconds  (sparklers around 15 seconds)

(longer allowed the wind to move the fireworks 

and give the tails a funky shape)