I looked out the window

and guess what I see...

We enjoyed our 1 day of a Houston White Christmas!

What is it about snow that is so magical to look at! We spent the entire morning mesmerized, just looking out the windows. 

Doug came home extra early from school to play in the snow and drink hot chocolate with us! 

Family Fun

Doug and I are family people.  I think we are pretty lucky that we both come from such wonderful families that we love to spend time with.  I can't think of anything else I look forward to more than getting to spend time with my favorite people.  I love crazy houses full of kids.  It was so fun to host part of the party this Thanksgiving! (And much less stressful to cook Thanksgiving when you have 2 seasoned cooks in the kitchen helping!)  We are looking forward to our pilgrimage home in 17 days! (Although I think Cal may be most looking forward to see Grandma's dog Goldie and Grammie's dog Zoey.) 

We missed you Josh!

We had a great time at NASA, The Aquarium, The Natural Science Museum, Ice skating, parks, movies, eating out, etc.!

(And yes, my goal was to keep the chubby girl out of as many pictures as possible.)

Aunt Di

We kicked off the Thanksgiving week with a special visit from Cal's very own Princess Diana. Cal got lots of good fashion advice. 

They look like a pretty happy family don't they.  Although they all look a little too much alike. 

We all graciously helped Diana eat her delicious birthday cake. 

Diana was such a good sport!  She put up with Callin bossing her around all day telling her exactly how they were going to play.  This was the part he insisted on blowing on her belly over and over and over.  He probably likes to hear her laugh/snort as much as everyone else does.  It takes a long time to wear a two year old out of a good thing. 

We're so glad you came.  Come back soon!

The sum of my free time

The past 5 weeks or so, I have enjoyed working on our guest/baby room. It has been a process to kick Doug out of here, but come January, the desk, the mystery man who sits at it, and his hundreds of books full of gross pictures will be gone and a crib will come in its place.

A look behind the scenes...

Curtains: Did you know you can get very cute and cheap fabric from Ikea? Of course it was vertical stripes and I wanted horizontal, but after reading this blog post- the problem was easily fixed with a little sewing together. Can you tell? Say no.

Paint: I found this baby room and have been crushing on it ever since. I love the 1 dark blue/ 3 white walls. A great change from the full baby blue look it was.

Bed: Brand new from Craigslist.  (Great deal.)

Lamps: $7 from Ikea.

Headboard:  This was my first project for the room and it gave me the "crafty high" I needed to continue. It was so easy.  If you are interested here is a good tutorial on how to do it.  I found a large piece of plywood  in our garage (hopefully we won't be having anymore hurricanes anytime soon) and traced a pattern on to it.  The Douger was nice enough to stop studying for a second to cut it for me.

Next, pad it with 2 inch foam (I bought it at Hobby Lobby- 40% off coupon of course).  It looks like a little foam mattress you would take camping to sleep on.  Cut it to fit the board and use a spray adhesive to make it stick. Next, cover it in quilters batting, pull it tight around the back and staple gun it. 

(No skill involved whatsoever.)

Lastly, repeat with your fabric (1 1/2 yards, 40% off as well): lay it flat, pull it around the back, and staple gun.  And whala! A really cute headboard.     

We were given this great armoire this month.  With a little primer, gray paint, and some silver spray paint for the hardware, it fits in nicely and will make a perfect storage for the baby clothes.  I really wasn't looking forward to pulling out all the baby clothes, washing, and organizing them, but I can hardly wait now to get some bins and get to work. 

 That is about it for now.  There is nothing on the walls yet, but someday these cute pictures will hang above the crib.

Who could ask for anything more than...

a best friend reunion! It was 4 perfect days filled with play, good food, pedicures, sewing, uncontrollable laughter, deep conversations, very little sleep, and a tear or two.

Tara teaching us the art of eating Australia's famous Tim Tams

(complete with lots of hot chocolate and lots of ice cream.)
Of course this was just after tasting Erin's favorite cheese and peanut butter combo.

Thai food and Broadway's Mary Poppins.
(You can click on the pictures for a bigger look if you need a better look at the wigs!)

Yoga/photo shoot in the park. Both pure comedy.

Hours in the worlds best fabric store.

Late night/many mistakes on the sewing machines.

But how cute are our aprons! 

Visting our 4th grade teacher- Mrs. Peterson.

Houston Temple.

And a great pedicure where they tried to serve us wine the entire time. 

Now all I am left with is a quiet house and dreams of 2011! 

Happy Halloween

I wish every weekend could be filled with this much fun and dress up.

We loved our little horse!

Boo!

Cal was lucky enough to find this preschool mess before I got it cleaned up. I'm thinking a ghost would be a cheap and easy Hallowen costume.

My other very cute kids (minus 1):

100 Days

I panicked as I realized that Cal only has 100 days left before he is dethroned. Before I shift the bulk of my energy and time to his little brother. Every mother says that you love each child the same. Apparently your heart expands. But seriously? This little guy and I have had the best two years ever! Here's to the next 100 days! We'll try and live them up!


...and now for your viewing pleasure: Callin Douglas.

(He is really into watching himself on the little screen. The "love you" and kisses at the end make the ABC's worth listening to.)

Spread the word...and quick!

If I could get a good look at my heart, I am positive that there would be a big "I LOVE AFRICA" tattoo on it. I especially have a weakness for the sweet orphans of Mozambique. I love them. All of them. I wish I could bring as many as possible home with me every time I go to Africa. I wish I had enough resources to at least help them all find wonderful homes.

The past several years I have tagged along the beautiful journey my two mothers have been a part of. They both love the orphans of Mozambique. As you know, Doug and I both adore our adopted siblings. Lindy turned 10 last week and is one of the sweetest, most nurturing child I have met. Kelvin is 11 and has more spunk and self confidence than any one in the Lewis family (and that is saying a lot!).

My mother in law and mother have started a non-profit organization called Acenda. It has been a slow process to get all the paperwork in order, the government to get on board, etc., but the past few months Acenda has taken off. We now have 12 children placed and are hoping to get 5 more placed with in the next week or so. We are ready for support from any and all. Acenda's mission is to place orphaned children into loving homes- to 'light the way' in order to make sure these children get a brighter future. These families are Mozambican families who have been trained and screened carefully. But they simply cannot afford another child to feed and clothe.

We are looking for sponsors. The cost is $50 a month. Partner up with family, friends, church groups, etc. Find 6 friends and that only ends up being $100 for a year. (All tax deductible.) If you are unable to be a sponsor at this time, you can help us spread the word. And of course, donations of any amount will help!

I'll close with the story of two of the children Acenda has been able to help:


Emilita (left) and her younger sister, Suzanna (right) were two of the many orphans in Mozambique who were trying to survive the daily life. They lived in a small mud hut orphanage in Marromeu, with one pair of dirty clothes, little food, and little communication with the world. Emilita and Suzanna suffered from serious eye infections that left them nearly blind. In addition Suzanna was born deaf.

Early 2008, Acenda was able to move these two sisters into a wonderful home where their new brother is also deaf. With the monthly help from Acenda, Emilita and Suzanna receive regular eye care and Suzanna is attending a school for the deaf with her new brother where she is learning to sign and talk. Emilita is front and center in the red shirt and Suzanna is next to her in the white dress. (Despite the lack of cultural smiling during pictures, we receive regular reports that they are happy, healthy, and thriving in their new home.)

For more information on becoming a sponsor please email lacinda.lewis@yahoo.com or me at annielewis83@gmail.com

Fun. Free. Food. Family. Flying.

That about sums up our Friday night. We found a great little picnic spot directly under the take off path by the Hobby Airport (about a 12 minute drive from our house). Anybody who knows Cal and his obsession with airplanes, knows that we could not have found any better entertainment in all of Houston. I'm pretty sure we started a new tradition.

double u

Doug and I disagree a lot. We have a happy marriage, honestly. We just don't see eye to eye on most things. Case in point:

I bought Cal some alphabet letters for the fridge. I was finishing up dinner preparations while Doug and Cal were putting the letters in order and enjoying singing the ABC's over and over. At one point, the Early Childhood Education background got the best of me and I interjected that it is best to clearly pronounce each letter so Cal doesn't learn the letters wrong. (I had already corrected him earlier in the month to sing the "lmnop" part much slower, so Cal could hear what letters he was saying. And we all know Smoots do not like to be corrected...but I went ahead with alphabet correction number 2.)

"You know, you should really say Double U. It is kind of coming out 'dubba u' when you sing it. "

"Double U? Are you serious? You have been teaching it wrong all these years! It is 'dubba u.'" (Laughter from Doug)

"What! Honey, I am a kindergarten/preschool teacher. I specialize in the alphabet. It is double u. DOUBLE U."

"Do you want to make a bet?"

"Heck yeah!" (Every bet at our house is a 15 minute back rub bet. Lewis marriage tradition.)

"K, I'll call Lauren; she is an English major she will know."

I thoroughly enjoyed my back rub! Of course only after checking several sources!

(Doug's sad excuse has something to do with George "Dubba U" Bush and J-dub (his Dad's nick name for John W. Lewis.)

Go Cougars!

We had a super fun labor day weekend in Dallas going to the 1st BYU football game of the season, spending time w/ my darling future sister-in-law Paige (Horray for Ben!), celebrating Lauren's birthday, playing Settlers, Ladder Golf, and eating REALLY well all weekend.

I was very surprised how much fun a football game could be. The new Dallas Cowboy stadium was incredible (even for a not-so-much-into-football-gal like myself.) The game was thrilling down to the last seconds. The Nacho Especial topped w/ a fresh tomato and cilantro salsa was delicious. The drunk BYU fans were entertaining. The company was wonderful. Who doesn't love to do the "Ra ra, ra ra ra. GOOOO Cougars!" We got a "family only" tour of empty stadium post game...(not related to any players). And not to mention, my ticket was free!

Go see this movie

if you live anywhere near: Dal­las, Salt Lake City, Fresno,Greenville, SC, or Orlando. Opens September 11th. For exact locations or more info look here: http://www.brokenhillthemovie.com/

It is an awesome, family friendly, PG movie written and directed by my very talented brother in law filmed in the beautiful Australian outback. Spread the word to your friends!

It's a ...

Mom, Dad, and big brother couldn't be happier!

Dangerously Delicious

My friend Anna sent me this recipe with the lengthy subject something along the line of "You have to make these tonight. if not tonight, first thing tomorrow then. for breakfast. they're really really good." Callin and I would like to add our testimony to hers that they were the best Chocolate chocolate cookies we've had in a LONG time! We can't seem to stop making them!


Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (I am a milk chocolate girl and always will be...)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; stir into the butter mixture until well blended. Mix in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or just until set. Cool slightly on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Eat warm with a large glass of milk!

We have something to say

(and only 14 days and counting until the exciting ultrasound!)

Dreaming of Africa...

Callin has watched this video at least a dozen times today. (Okay we both really like it.) It happens to be the most incredible pictures EVER of African animals and my MOST favorite hymn.

Lately Callin talks about his trip to Africa a lot. Every time we are anywhere where there happens to be a lot of trees or brush, he instantly starts asking where the monkeys and elephants are. I wish!

I hope they have sister retreats in heaven!

This captures a little bit of my FAVORITE 24 hours in AZ.