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Exciting News!

Saturday, July 7, 2012
We have had a few exciting things happen around here lately.  A few weeks ago, I received an e-mail regarding a photo I took a few years ago at one of Harry's baseball practices.  Whenever their team was behind and in an effort of team spirit, they would put their "rally caps" on (inside out ball caps).   I was never able to get a good photo of it at a game so I had them do it one day after practice. Someone at the Smithsonian (who found my photo on Flickr) e-mailed me asking if they could use my photo in an upcoming exhibit!  I was so shocked!  And so honored.  A few people that I told even asked me if it was a prank.  Anyway, it was legitimate and my photo will be part of a traveling exhibit for the Smithsonian y'all!


Rally Caps Classicedit

Rally Caps by Kim S


This is from the e-mail:

Hometown Teams focuses on small, local teams as well as college and professional athletics to show the spirit, diversity and love of sports all across America. The exhibit is divided into six major themes: Sports Everywhere; Fields of Glory; Take Me Out to the Ballgame; Community Pride; Playing the Game; and Sports Explosion. These themes include personal stories from players, objects, images and videos that convey the impact of sports on people throughout the United States.  
We would like to include your image "Rally Caps ” in the Take Me Out to the Ballgame section. The exhibit will tour from about Feb. 2014 until Jan. 2021.


Although I am a pretty confident person, I have never had a ton of confidence in my photography.  I love photography. It has been a passion of mine for years. I have taken several classes and workshops and I have done a little professional work but I am very critical of my own photos.  So the fact that the Smithsonian is including my photo was just the boost I needed to keep trying to become a better photographer.  In fact, I am taking a new workshop this week to sharpen my skills and creativity.

In other VERY exciting news, a member of our family was interviewed a few weeks ago for a national magazine.  And Monday--- there is a photo shoot for some of us!!!!  I don't want to say more than that right now because I don't know what will be included in the article or when it will be out.  But it is very exciting and I will share more as I have more information.  It is just Murphy's law that the shoot is Monday and my hair hi-light and trim appointment is Wednesday!!!!!  Oh well!

And in other news...Will finally got his learner's permit (it is hard to get in the DMV here) and he is learning to drive (he also completed 3 weeks of drivers ed classes). Oh my..that is an experience!  We got up at 6:15 on July 5th to be in line early (they open at 8).  When we got there at 7:20...this was the line already!!!!  I think we were around 70 in line and by the time the doors opened there were at least 150 people in line.

Waiting at the DMV

We got out at around 9:30 so I guess that wasn't too bad.  I let Will drive for a minute in an empty paring lot right after we got out and that is all I can say about that.  He is taking driving sessions with an instructor and Dave takes him out to practice.  My heart cannot quite take it.

In other news, Will has also completed his Junior Lifeguard program and yesterday the directors told me that they got excellent reviews of all Will's hard work and his helpful attitude.  They are ready to hire him as soon as we can find a Red Cross class here now that he is 15!  He worked for free for the last month (about 5 days a week) to learn all the ins and outs of the job.  It is a great program at our local pool. They even invited him to join them at a life-guarding competition on Monday in College Station.  They have never brought a junior guard before.  So proud of all that you are doing this summer, Will.  I want to mention that Will is also volunteering at the zoo this summer which is almost full time (8-4:30) the weeks he is scheduled.  So he has been BUSY and productive which is what I like to see in a a teenager.

45 comments:

  1. THAT IS SO AWESOME ABOUT THE SMITHSONIAN!!! (And all of your other amazing news!)

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  2. Wow!! Wow!! Wow!!! I am SO proud of you!!! That is AMAZING!!!! Do you realize HOW amazing that is?! EEEEEK!!!! :D

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    1. Thank you so much Brooke! Your enthusiastic congrats makes me happy!!!

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  3. wowzers! awesome news for the peanuts!!! your photography is wonderful kim!

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  4. Exciting indeed!! Sooo happy God gave you the boost you needed to be more confident about your photography... you really do have a wonderful eye, Kim! Can't wait to see all we learn in Lisa's class :)
    Keep us posted on all the wonderful things happening around your house!
    oxoxo,
    Stefanie

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  5. How exciting!! I love your pictures. Our kids are almost the exact same ages and I believe busy kids lead to successful adults. Congratulations on all your wonderful news.

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  6. Oh Kim,

    CONGRATULATIONS on the Smithsonian!!! How awesome is that!!! So excited for you! You do take captivating pictures! YEAH KIM!!!!

    Dawn

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    1. Thank you Dawn. You are sweet. I miss seeing updates on your blog. Hope all is well. B is SO cute!!!!

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  7. Oh my goodness, so many awesome things happening right now for your family. What an honor to have your photo displayed with the Smithsonian.

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  8. Fantastic news!!! What an honor!!! So very happy for you. Is it wrong that I wish Harry was the first boy in the picture;))))?

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    1. Thank you Lizzie. You are sweet. I chuckled at your comment as I too kind of wish Harry could be seen in the photo but it is what it is. I really just wanted to capture the feel of that team.

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  9. Congratulations! That's very exciting. And driving teens...DOTR and I used to do rock, paper, scissors every morning to see who had to go with J1 to school and bring the car back home. It was a little much for my nerves at 7 am! By the time J4 was ready to drive, I told DOTR there was no way I could do it anymore. Nerves were shot! The good news is that boys, despite being less careful than girls, probably are easier to teach to drive. I know mine are much better at judging how fast something is coming (from playing baseball), they have much better peripheral vision and much faster reflexes. And my girls never really rode bikes much, so they didn't understand things like how to turn corners and which way to turn wheels to back up. I do count teaching a teen to drive as one of the things I'm grateful I never have to do again, nonetheless! Good luck!

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  10. KIm- That is all such amazing news!! Especially the Smithsonian!! Such a well-deserved honor. I'm just thrilled for you!

    Big congrats,
    KK

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  11. I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!

    that is THE coolest thing!!!!!
    yay!!!!!

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  12. Wow, that's pretty amazing! Congratulations!

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  13. I am laughing at your comment about Will and driving. I was in your shoes last summer and wondered if he would ever be ready. I thought I would be the calmer one to help him, however, it proved to be my husband. This summer is a whole new story and I actually took a nap when we recently let him drive to Mackinac Island. He will be turning 16 next Sunday and after completing a Segment II class for young drivers and getting back from a visit to his grandparents, he will take his drivers test. I now have complete faith in him and his driving abilities, which is something I never thought would happen - LOL!! Take a few nerve pills!!

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  14. Kim, I remember this photo from flickr(I think) when I first saw it. Well deserved...it's an amazing image.
    Congrats!!!!

    Gail

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  15. Congratuations! What a great shot!

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  16. Wow. that is awesome - good for you! What an adorable photo!

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  17. That is a fantastic picture and amazing news! The Smithsonian, all i can say is WOW! Your the perfect example of doing something with passion and succeeding. When Shelby did her driving test at the TXDPS office we drove to Conroe (40 min drive) and they allowed us to schedule an appointment online as well. We were in and out within an hour. Keep that in mind when it's Harry's turn. The lines and wait are insane in Houston. So happy for all of you! Shelby met Will at the zoo a few weeks ago :) She said he was really good with the kids.

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    1. Thank you ML. This Smithsonian thing came as such a surprise to me.

      As for the driving, I know we can schedule an appt. for the driving test but I did know we could for the permit.

      Will also mentioned meeting Shelby as well. He said she was very nice. He still has a few more weeks of Zoo crew in a few weeks.

      Kim

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    2. You are right, I was thinking of the lisence portion. For the permit I drove her to Hempstead. The things we do for our kids! Shelby will finish off her zoo crew duties in August . She was offered a camp councilor position next year and decided to do that instead of the zoo. I'm bummed this will be her last year at the zoo but she may change her mind. Have a great summer!

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  18. Wow! That photo IS impressive, Kim, and congrats on getting it in on the tour. That's amazing. I, too, am a photography lover and am just now learning how to take 'manual' photos. Keep up the good work. :)

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  19. Well Congrats!! What an honor!! Greatness rexognize greatness!! Congrats to Will also He is having an awesome summer!!

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  20. That picture is amazing as are your photography skills!!! What an honor!!! Also so nice to hear great things about teenagers!!!! You are a great mom and continuously inspire me to try to be better/my best!

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  21. Well, baseball is the American Past time, so it makes sense the Smithsonian would be interested ;-). It's a great picture and a cool memory to boot.

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  22. Wow -- very cool and love that photo with the ball caps!! Sweet -- so proud of you! :)

    You are having an exciting summer!! Love that he got his learner's permit -- about gave me heart failure to ride with my boys when they were learning too! It's really a good "Dad" job!! Have a great day!

    janet

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  23. I agree, I love to see busy and productive teenagers and it is few and far between these days! So, Will is doing such a great job and you and Dave have done such a great job of leading him into these endeavors. congrats on the photo deal! Sounds awesome! and i can't wait to hear more about the magazine...have a great end of summer!!

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  24. You are right. I was thinking of the drivers license portion. Shelby is doing the zoo crew in August. This will be her last year (she will be camp councilor ) I wish she could do both. Would love for her to do her senior year at the zoo. Enjoy your summer!!

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  25. CONGRATS Kim!!! I remember that "Rally Cap" photo! So many great things going on over at your house!!!! Enjoy your photo shoot tomorrow!!!!

    Hugs,
    Di

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  26. Wow, so many awesome and exciting things going on for you all this summer..congratulations to you and to Will!!!

    Gin =)

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  27. I am so happy for you about the Smithsonian! You needed that validation! You are a great photographer!!!! So excited to be keeping up regularly with you.

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  28. Congratulations! What an honor to be chosen for this traveling exhibit!! So happy for you!

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  29. OH YAY!!!! A big congratulations to you Kim!!! I have always loved this photo and am not surprised it was chosen!
    Sounds like there is a lot of great new things on the horizon for you and your family. Cannot wait to hear more!

    Have a wonderful week!

    xoxo,

    Lisa

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  30. So much exciting and happy news in your family! Congrats on your photo being chosen (how cool!!!) and on the mysterious interview, and on Will's driving and lifeguarding. I'm sure you're all walking around with big smiles on your faces! Yay for you!

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  31. Oops, I didnt think my msg went thru from Saturday! I commented AGAIN today!! Oh well, it deserves TWO comments!! :)

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  32. Kim, that's AWESOME about the picture, not surprised at all, it's a great pic! Congratulations!!!!!
    YEA Will on your learners permit, that's exciting too!!!! (well for him anyway:)

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  33. That picture is AMAZING Kim!!!!!! Seriously I can see why it grabbed their attention.....love love love it!! Congratulations to you!

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  34. Just now catching up, what an exciting week!! Love the rally caps picture! You ARE a great photographer!

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  35. That is a beautiful picture! I am so happy for you that it is being honored and showcased. The Smithsonian! Wow!

    I cannot believe that line at the DMV. Dots turns 15 in September. I hope the Dallas office isn't that bad (but I'm not holding my breath!).

    Glad you're having a good summer. Hugs.

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  36. Oh my goodness!!!!! Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations!!!!!!! You must be so incredibly excited! I am so excited for you! What a fabulous picture. And Congratulations on the magazine article - I can't wait to hear more about it and find out who is featured.

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  37. whoot! great things coming your way. wonderful news about your photo! and we look forward to more details about the you-know-what soon! donna

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  38. Wow, congratulations on your amazing news!!

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