Sew fun!

I've been doing a lot of sewing this summer and I'm having the greatest time creating things for Tobin and Heidi. Heidi has seen the most of it lately because I've learned how to sew clothes for her. I'm in love with sewing little dresses for her little body! I don't mean to toot my own horn by posting these pictures...I just want to humbly remember my sewing progress and share this fun hobby I've been enjoying. Also, I love sewing for friends (because it gives me more practice) so if you see something you like, I'd love to sew something for you! Here's some of my favorites from the summer...

Some bags I've made for friends. This was my first experience with using patterns:
I wanted to make Tobin a "doll" and when I asked what he wanted, he said a monster would be "awesome." Then he said he'd draw me a picture of what he wanted it to look like. He, very specifically mind you, said it had to have three horns, three eyes, three teeth, long arms and legs, and a big body. Here's his drawing and what I came up with to please my opinionated boy:
I made Heidi a doll, too. Her name is Janie:
Here's some of the dresses for Heidi:Look at that joy...isn't it contagious?

Finally...

I have a walker on my hands. Heidi has shown some motivation to get from point A to point B another way other than rolling, crawling, or crab walking. Here she is in action...

Untitled from Emily Smith on Vimeo.

Untitled from Emily Smith on Vimeo.

Practice, practice, practice...

I get the privilege to take a friends family photos. Since I'm not a professional photographer or even an aspiring one, and I'm still learning how to use my new Nikon, and everything I know about taking photos I learned from the internet (thanks Pioneer Woman and Momtog), I figured I should get some more practice. Fortunately, I have two beautiful kids/models and they make taking photos pretty easy. I told Tobin he could take my small camera and take his own pictures if he'd let me take some of him. He loved that deal. Here's some of what we came up with...I just wanted to show the family Heidi's newest skill in this picture:I love both of their faces in this one:

This is one of Tobin's cutest from the day:

At the Lake

This weekend, we were fortunate to be able to spend the night at a lake house with some of our closest college friends and their families. We had a lot of fun and the kids loved lake life. Here are some of my favorite moments:

Zoo day

Today we went with our friends to the Frank Buck Zoo. What a treat! This zoo is a perfect size for little ones - not a ton of walking, lot's of shade, and many places to feed the animals. Here's some pictures from our morning:

Happy Monday

Check out this bed head:

Happy Monday, friends!!

Super-sized Smiths

Matt has been showing his students "Supersize Me" as he teaches about nutrition and the chemistry behind calories. I think it's getting into his head because yesterday he came home and said, "Let's try a new challenge...no eating out for an entire month." Naturally, I reacted by laughing then realized he was being completely serious. Uh-Oh. What? No Kids-Eat-Free nights at Chick-fil-a? No Sonic grilled cheeses and sweet teas? No El Fenix queso and chips? I'm supposed to cook every night for an entire month? But WHY???

Now, I wouldn't consider us in the obese or even overweight category of the U.S. population but that doesn't mean we're taking care of our bodies. I've noticed that I've been struggling with slight depression and lack of energy and I really think it's because of my poor diet. We've overhauled a lot of what we eat and drink over the last year such as no more sodas, lots more fresh produce, and more fish and chicken, less red meat. We eat a lot of Mediterranean/Asian foods these days. But we can still do better.

After planning our meals for the week and putting together my shopping list, I'm starting to get a little excited about this challenge. I think it will be the start of some great eating habits for all of us. I think it will force me to take better care of this body God's given me. How dare I trash it by skipping meals or eating too much sugar instead of natural, healthy "fuel"? This will be a sweet time of family dinners and reflections/conversations on the importance of taking care of ourselves for God's glory and purpose. How can we go out and serve Him with weak and fatigued bodies?

This may seem like a simple and easy change that you've already done in your own life. However, if not, I encourage you to think about how much food consumes your day-to-day happenings. Do you find yourself thinking a little too much about what your next meal will be? Do you turn to food for your comfort instead of turning to the ultimate Comforter? Do you skip meals and deprive yourself of much needed energy to get through your day joyfully? Do you eat mindlessly without giving thought to what it is you're putting in your body? I feel like this is a discipline and responsibility I've been neglecting and/or not putting enough emphasis on in my own life. I don't want to be "preachy" but just want to confess where some struggles have shown up in the Smith house. Now...off to the grocery store we go...