Sophie's Baby Shower

The crew went to Armando's, a yummy Mexican Bistro, for Sophie's baby shower. This place was delicious and I definitely plan on going back. I wouldn't get their tortilla soup (mostly just a bowl of liquid), but I loved every other bit of my experience there.

Sophie and her youngest sister, Marie Claude. Marie Claude and I bump into each other around town a lot, so it's fun to see her in a social setting.


Bibbin & Brooke with their pregnant bumps with Erin


Heather & I. Heather is sporting a Doha scarf that she asked me to bring back for her. Just a little cultural lesson there for ya.


Sophie's other sister, Cecil, Leslie, & Emily.


Sophie got some fun gifts for her sweet little baby boy, Pablo.


P is for Pablo. Daddy's name is Jose Pablo, so baby gets the second name.


Sophie with her sweet delight.


The crew minus the sisters....


...and the crew with the sisters. And yes, I am always on the end in these photos. Some things never change, especially if you have to run back and forth to check the picture on the back of the camera.


Another fun girl evening with friends. So thankful that Sophie is keeping that baby in her belly and is still pregnant!

I am thankful

...for family. For too much food that we eat leftovers for days. For friends. For the times when we are healthy and sleeping well.

For smiles on little boys.


For pure happiness as a wife and mother.


For my God, who created all living things, to show that He is everywhere in our lives.


For my Lord and Savior, who is the Living Water. For the peace in my soul.


I am thankful that I have been forgiven much. May I remember that as I extend grace to those around me.

Camera ramblings

**Disclaimer: I had photos on this post but they kept acting up. But if you google these items then you can find plenty of info on them. Good luck!**

I am going to try and make this post as basic as possible. I have been getting emails now that Christmas is right around the corner about what kind of camera to get if an SLR camera is what is wanted. I am a Canon junkie, although Nikon is the other company to consider. Since all I know is Canon, all my recommendations are Canon. I recently upgraded to a better camera but bought a used camera body. So two of my three recommendations are for older cameras that you could buy used. And they are all using a crop factor, meaning whatever lens you get you multiply 1.6 to in order to get the proper distance. So a 50mm lens is really 80 mm away. This is one of the reasons I was wanting a switch - I was tired of being so close to a subject when I looked in the viewfinder. Just extra info, so take it with a grain of salt. Just something to think about when you are talking a out a budget. And beware - this is not a cheap habit!!!

One camera I enjoy playing with is the Canon 20D. It has a quick shutter speed, an easy to use screen, and takes some great photos. They have since released 30D, 40D, and now their newest in the line, 50D. The 20D has been around awhile, so both used and new camera bodies are available. The key is to see how many clicks the camera has. This means how many times the shutter has been used, which is just slang for how many pictures it takes. A great camera has a shutter that will last about 100,000 clicks, and then you spend a few hundred bucks to replace the shutter. So check on that if you are looking at used bodies.


The camera I just replaced was the Canon XTi. The reason why this camera is so great is because I took some fantastic photos on this thing. It's been around awhile as well, and people like me are getting rid of this model after 1.5 years, which is short in the large scheme of things. So lots of used bodies are on the market right now, and many haven't been used that much. Just remember - it's the lens that you use, not the camera that the use. You can have the best camera, but if you have the cheapy lens, your photos won't look great at all.



The upgraded version of my XTi is the Canon XSi. Great camera that quite a few of my friends have bought here in Houston. Takes photos quicker than my Xti, but only someone like myself would notice it. They key to an SLR is a quicker shutter speed, which is what those handheld cameras just can't seem to get. I know that you will have to carry a bigger purse when toting it around, but once you see how much better your photos are, you'll never go back to the days of blurry, horribly overexposed photos. Promise.



Now all the above cameras can be sold in a set with the 18-55mm/f 3.5-5.6 lens. This lens is okay, but it really is not that great of a lens. If it were me, I would buy a used camera body and get an upgrade on a lens with more versatility. Just my opinion.


I wish this lens would fit on my camera, but I have now entered the realm of very pricey lenses. The Canon 18-200mm/f 3.5-5.6 lens is a new one and the range is amazing. It's basically a wide angle and a zoom lens all in one. I love this lens - takes great photos! I used it some this summer and wish I could purchase this lens as an all purpose take around lens. It is a little bit heavier, so it has Image Stabilization (IS) in case you can't hand hold the lens very well. Fantastic lens but the most expensive of the bunch of these recommendations.



This is another great lens. Canon 18-135mm/ f 3.5-5.6 lens is a little bit cheaper, weighs less, and still gives you the zoom you might need on the go. I used this lens today when I was taking photos of a friend getting baptized at church. Great lens.



Here is the cheaper version of my fixed (meaning can't zoom) lens. The Canon 50mm/f1.8 is less than $100 and takes great photos with the low aperture (f-stop number). It lets in a lot of light but the photos are not as crisp or as creamy as my lens. But for less than $100, it's pretty fantastic and a steal.



Hey there precious lens. I have been using this puppy for over a year, and I love it. My favorite photographer uses this lens, and this is currently the only lens I use. I don't use any other lens, and my next purchase would make your head roll on price, so for now it's what I love. Pricier than the 1.8, but the photos are just get to look at and have incredible bokeh (blur).
Canon 50mm/f 4



A lens with a fixed f-stop/aperture will always be heavier. The lenses that are 3.5-5.6 depend on the zoom that you have. The more you zoom in, the more aperture that you sacrifice. The less blur you get, you more will need to use your flash. I am not even suggesting my current camera since it does not have a pop-up flash.

Where to start searching: B&H gets the best Canon products from the best Canon factories. I will sometimes just call and talk to a sales person for 30 minutes and not make a purchase. They talk you into the right purchase, not the most expensive one. Fred Miranda is a website where is doesn't cost you anything to buy something. And of course, Ebay & Craiglist or just word of mouth.

I know I probably rambled too much and used words that didn't make sense. Just start shopping around and maybe you will find a steal of a deal! And while you are at it, sign up for a camera class to learn that new piece of machinery that you now own....

Lundys & Blevins in Waco

The Lundys & the Blevins have been friends with my parents since the good ole days of Baylor back in the late 1960s. We have stayed family friends for over 40 years. This past year Roland, Coy, & my dad all turned 60, so they decided to meet up in Waco for a Baylor game. Before the fall of our newly beloved quarterback, everyone thought the UT game would be a fun one to go to. More on that disastrous game later, but for now all the festivities of a jam-packed weekend of family fun.

First we went to George's where ole Snuffy had personal place cards for 40 people to sit at our very long table for dinner. Friends from long ago came to see the travelers from Nashville & Atlanta. After dinner I took this photo in front of the ole stomping grounds, back when Big O's were 25 cents. All these men were in each other's weddings and have remained great friends. It's always fun to hear all the stories of the old days.


The next morning we had the traditional Smith tailgate. My parents have always modeled such servant hearts and have shown me how to gracefully entertain company. My mom had all the right foods for both breakfast and lunch. We started out with Leal's breakfast tacos.


Every bit of food was put out in an organized fashion. As always, you can see where I get my anal tendencies, though my mom has always been a much more relaxed hostess. She makes it look so easy - I am trying to get better with the easier part.


The famous six


I pulled the blue out of the sky on this one, and if you zoom in, the blur in the background is pretty awesome. I really do love my 5D. In the next week I am going to answer a lot of questions about new and used camera bodies for Christmas that many of you have emailed me about. I haven't forgotten, I just need to get my thoughts all in line.


Aaron & Elise sporting their green and gold. They both went to Texas State, but Elise is now doing her masters at Baylor, so one more family member to add to the Baylor line.


I promise we did not coordinate our outfits, and once again I didn't tell Derek to wear anything to support my school. But I still love the Sic 'Em spirit!



Sarah & Roland, aka G-Mama & Ro-Ro.


My cousins also came in for the game. Cheryl, my cousin grant, Kaki & Shane, my cousin Hilary, and Chris.


Grant is a pretty passionate UT boy - he is one of the Silver Spurs that takes care of Bevo. Nice upside down horns in the background, Roland.


We brought our washers that the Junods customized for us. Justin played with Roland and would hit his head with both hands in frustration when he wouldn't get the disk near the hole.


They played for quite sometime. And yes, small footballs do not fit in the hole.


Then we went to the Kid Zone where Justin displayed his athletic loves.


After throwing the football, he went in the money pit (on the right). It's hard to see him, but he has on goggles and is trying to grab pieces of paper while a blower shoots them around. Then you win whatever prize is on the paper.


We went back to join the group thanks to a ride on Daddy's shoulders with our token lollipop as our prize.


The Baylor team running out on the field.


Little did they know that it would be the loudest their fans would cheer all day. We need that quarterback!


The three amigos - Roland, Snuf, & Coy


Me, my godmother Sarah, & Justin. Justin sat in Sarah's lap for the entire duration he was at the game. He even got an ice cream out of the deal.


During halftime we all went back to eat lunch and take some quick catnaps.


Some in chairs, others in the car. Not many returned to the game after halftime.


Regardless of the score of the game, we had a great time catching up with all the friends and family!

Galveston with the Girls

The weekend after Halloween I took 13 girls from our Sunday School class down to the beach house for a quick 24 hour relaxation period. Derek already had plan to go camping with his buddies, so Mary Beth came into town to watch the J man while mommy went to the beach.

We all got in on Friday night, stuffed our faces with dinner, then gave each other pedicures. Let's just say that I have never been meant to be a painter. I stuck with massages the feet and rubbing special lotions on them. Got to stay where your talents are at!


We then busted out my favorite game of the season - Whoonu. And let me tell you, I learned all sorts of things about these ladies...who knew....


Lots of laughter is always emitted during this game.


The next morning we decided to go to the beach. No make-up and the few shorts that were brought were all passed out as we headed to the water. The high was 75 degrees with a breeze and very little humidity. I decided that I should always go to the beach in November - it was gorgeous. We sat and had out quiet times and then walked up and down the beach barefoot for over an hour. We all piled in Cristie's truck and went Morby-style down to the beach. A few of the ladies were unsure even though I kept reassuring them that my family does this all the time.


We even set up shop under the infamous house that my family has been grabbing all summer. Just a constant reminder that Ike was truly a crazy hurricane.


Before you think I totally painted on the sky, all I did was adjust my blue hue/saturation bars in bridge to bring out the colors. I will have to start doing this more often - I know it looks fake but I love the punch it gives the sky. And it really was a gorgeous day.


I truly love these ladies and their constant hunger for the Lord. I know any one of these girls would be on their knees for any need I would have in an instant. So blessed with such friendships!

Halloween

Halloween, 2009. I don't know what it was this past year that made Halloween not quite as fun as years past. Maybe it was the fact that Justin was coming down with an ear infection and was definitely not his true self. Maybe I was a little extra sensitive to all the disturbing decor that almost everyone in my neighborhood seemed to be displaying. I don't know, but we still had a fun time nonetheless.

I wish we had stayed longer at our church's First Fest. It was free to the public, and it was the most unbelievable carnival we had ever attended. They had 15, yes 15, inflatables all over the property. They had fun performers like the "tall man"..


...a bungee jump type affair that Justin attempted....


...mini rides, horse back rides, face painting, bowling, and the list goes on. We had an absolute blast although Justin seemed pretty expressionless through the whole thing.


Then we had to go pose for the camera, which he didn't put up a fight for. This year I kept asking him what he wanted to be. He didn't really care, so I chose a race car driver for his new car obsession. When I put it on him for the first time he totally didn't love the fact that it was all one piece. And he kept saying he was Chick, the poor sport on the movie Cars. I don't know why this always bothered me, that he wanted to be the bully on the show. So I finally explained to him that Chick wasn't a kind friend or a peacemaker, so he finally settle on being the King, the nice respectable driver on the movie. Ironic thing if you go back and look at the Halloween playdate photos, his posed photo shows him holding Chick in his hand. It was just fate, you know?


So no more lineage of the postal worker, but we continue to represent the blue collar workforce.


We stopped by our buddy Luke Wilson's house, where their flat screen plasma TV was in the yard in order for everyone to hand out candy together and watch the UT game. Since Justin was heading downhill quickly, we decided to go trick-or-treating on our own. Very few houses seemed to have casual Halloween decor. One man on our street was even on a microphone yelling at the little kids, while wearing a hideous mask, and telling them how scary he was. I think I might go egg his house soon - that's the way to show him Jesus, right?


I got somewhat choked up watching Justin just crave a group a kids to run around with. This kid needs a sibling! But I truly am content with our family of three.


Little man got a little tired at the end of his journey, so he grabbed a ride on Daddy's shoulders.


Until next year....