learning how to use my manual settings on my camera

i'm finally diving into the experience of learning how to use the manual settings on my camera. i decided after putting it off for so many months, i needed to just dive in and see if i could at least begin to grasp what all the different settings mean and how they effect the outcome of a picture. this particular afternoon, i and the kids headed out to give it a whirl. they were kind and patient little subjects. and as i practiced, i captured a number of shots that i liked. i still have a far way to go but this is the beginning of chipping away at the world of shooting in manual mode.... we'll wait and see where it takes me!