I'm a Big Girl Now!

My husband is the best. I mean it. He's truly one of a kind.  He's watched my obsession love for photography grow rapidly over the last couple of years and is supporting it with all his might.  He could secretly be hoping I make us some money one day.  But for now, he has surprised me with an early Mother's Day present - my big girl camera!  I have been saving a little at a time hoping I'd be able to purchase it sometime around Christmas this year but Mike has boosted it up and all right before our vacation that's coming up in less than two weeks.  You can only imagine my excitement!  This is my new baby:

A Canon Rebel T1i EOS 500D.  And I have no idea how to use it.  Actually, it is somewhat familiar because I have been using a Canon PowerShot for the last year and it's been great.  I'll continue to carry it with me for daily use.  But sticking with Canon, I'm not completely in the dark.  I'm reading the manual and doing a little experimenting.  So I hope to have a few tricks worked out before we leave for vacation and bring back some incredible pics.

This camera came with the EFS 18-55 mm lens.  I haven't done much research on lenses yet so I'd love to hear what those of you that have DSLR cameras think I should purchase next.  I also welcome any and all suggestions, tips and tricks with this camera.  Those of you that blog about photography tutorials, I'm stalking you.  I'm just sayin'.  

I'm so very blessed to have a husband that loves me unconditionally through all of my crazy obsessions hobbies and even feeds them.  How loved am I???