So what happens when your two two-year-olds get snuggled up with their blankies on the boppy pillows?  They fall asleep at 11:30 a.m., that's what!  Had to take a picture since this has NEVER happened before and probably won't ever happen again.  It was a strange hour of quietness.  So precious, sleepyhead baby girls!

Need a cute chair cover to make your son/daughter feel special?  Here's the easy-to-follow directions you've been looking for!  Kathryn at nannygoat took a simple project and really jazzed it up--way to go!

I love, love, love this song...just love it!

April 19, 1995

I was just beginning to teach the first reading class of the day during my student teaching experience at Academy Elementary in Guymon, OK.  I was almost five hours away from Oklahoma City, but I knew so many people who were right there.  I was concerned for my friends and loved ones.  I was scared.  I was 22 and trying to help over 80 5th grade students deal with the fact that a large building in their state capital had just been destroyed.  It was a day I would never want to relive, but it is a day that sticks with me every time I go to Oklahoma City.

I went to the site of the Murrah Building just before it was demolished in May, 1995.  I saw firsthand the destruction the bombing left behind.  I saw the office building where so many lives (even children and babies) were taken.  I took pictures.  Upon getting them developed (this was before everyone had digital cameras), I filed them in my photo album and didn't pay much attention.  Now, I sometimes find myself looking back at them and wondering about the lives affected still to this day.

I went to the Memorial site in 2000.  It is a beautiful, peaceful place.  I especially like the tree that survived the blast and is there to help others see that life goes on.

It's hard to believe it's been 15 years, and in other ways it seems like it could have been yesterday.  My thoughts and prayers today are with the families and friends of the victims of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, OK on April 19, 1995.

Where were you? 

Photo taken September 18, 2004 by Dustin M. Ramsey

The felt doll from this post is slowly but surely coming along.  Her eye has been fixed; her head has been re-stitched; her arms have been sewed.  I still have to come up with some outfits for her, but that should be fun.  Oh, and hair...she could use some hair as well!  Oops!

If you are a believer in the power of prayers and miracles, please pray for Kaci (Reid) Ronne.  She was diagnosed with a brain tumor in March.  She has had some setbacks and scary moments, but she's a fighter.  She and her husband, Ryan, have put the fight in God's able and caring hands and are ready and willing to follow His will.  They are the young parents of three precious children, and they need all your prayers.  Thank you for joining in!  Check out their blog at http://theronnes.blogspot.com/ .

Hunter had two wiggly teeth on the bottom.  They've been wiggly for a few weeks now, but haven't fallen out.  Today (his birthday) I took him to the dentist to check out the situation since we could see the permanent teeth trying to come in underneath.  The dentist looked at his teeth, turned on the laughing gas, gave him three shots, and literally yanked out those baby teeth!  I was horrified and glad at the same time.  Why, you ask?  Because even though my baby boy (well he's six, but he's MY baby) had to have them pulled at the dentist I didn't have to deal with those icky wiggly boogers anymore!  Only the rest of his mouth of teeth left to lose.

Enjoying some fun in the sun before the wind hits later today.  I am a huge believer in sun hats, so my kids are, too.  About twenty minutes after these pictures, the wind blew in and we went inside.  It was fun while it lasted.

Dandelions are the perfect flower for a two-year-old.  You can pick 'em and no one minds!

From Clean to This in five minutes flat!  They love to take all the throw pillows off the sofas and throw them somewhere else.  I promise, it was clean just a few minutes before.  *sigh*

Taking a picture and getting it right the first try is a rarity around here. After at least five tries I got a shot of both girls smiling with eyes open. It was worth it!

Take 1:  Only one girl

Take 2:  Both girls, one in front of other

Take 3:  One sleepy eyes, one closed eyes

Take 4:  One small smile-eyes open, one large smile--eyes closed

Take 5:  Success!  Love those girls!

I've decided it's hard to be grateful for what you have until someone you know has it worse.  I have an accquaintence who's been diagnosed with a brain tumor.  She's 30, a married mother of three (6 yo, 4 yo, and 3 mo).  It made me realize it could happen to anyone, any day, any time.  I should really appreciate what I have:  a husband and three children, a home, a vehicle, good health, and a wonderful extended family.  I'm sure I'll forget again how great my life it, but for today I'm trying my best to be grateful.

I have been working steadily on my little felt doll for my niece's birthday (it's not until May, so I have some time).

Problems I've run into:  I should have put a dot on the face for eye placement BEFORE I sewed on the eyes; I should have sewed the head further down on the neck for better stability; I should have inserted the legs into the body before I sewed the body shut; I should have made the pattern bigger.

(this is the head on the back of the body--oops!)

(oh, that eye!)

(this is the awful stitching I had to do to try to stabilize the neck)

Remedies:  I had to remove one eye and move it to a more suitable (aka less wall-eyed) placement; I had to remove the head (eek!) and place it further down on the neck (oh, and remove it again since I sewed it on the BACK of the body the second time); I had to tack the legs onto the back of the body making it not as pleasant to look at undressed; I had to settle for a small (around 8 inches tall) doll.

I guess this "practice doll" will still be cute, but she's had a lot of "work" done along the way!

I am in desperate need of some felt crafting therapy!  As soon as I can enlarge the pattern found at Nuno Life, I will be making at least two of these cuties personalized for my twin daughters!  I have one heckuva week coming up with grad school, so I need some down time and felt fun to get me through!  My friend Meridith over at Smitty Baby made a couple of these dolls for her twin nieces.  They (the dolls) are too cute and were a great hit for the girls' birthday (the girls are too cute as well)!  Hope I've inspired some of my readers to give felt a try!

I found the cutest bedding for the girls' room at Walmart, of all places! It's by Green Gorilla, 100% Certified Organic Cotton, and CUTE, CUTE, CUTE! The design is Orchard: a retro throw-back of colorful birds and graphic designs. It came with a comforter, pillow sham, flat sheet, fitted sheet, and pillow case AND it was on sale for $31!!! For $62 the girls are now all set when we finally move them out of the cribs into their gorgeous four-poster antique beds that my mom and aunt (their grandma and great-aunt who just passed away last month) used to sleep in as little girls. I'm thrilled and delighted and anything else good you can think of! Can you tell I'm excited???

Now I just have to figure out how to make or buy these darling bird pillows that match (didn't have anymore at Walmart or online except on eBay).

I have added February's Food Calendar to my other blog.  Fayla is currently in University Hospital in Denver dealing with lots of medical issues.  In her absence this month, I attempted to put together a calendar of meals (hers are much better and have side dishes, etc.).  Check it out at Fayla's Fabulous Food Calendar! Enjoy and browse other months, too!

More Felt Food Fun!

I have added to the kids' felt food collection. They now have the sandwich, bag of potato chips, celery stalk, strawberries, hamburger patty and buns, fried eggs, and a half-done donut (100% calorie-free!). My next project is animal cookes with icing.

My friend Meridith over at Smitty Baby caught the Felt Food bug, and she's crafting away! Check out her book and gift items at her Smitty Baby store! Enjoy!

My aunt, Suzanne (Sue) Taylor Kennedy died January 15, 2010. She was a sweet and funny lady who was thankful and graceful until the end of her life. She could cook food for an army of family and friends, and she would at a moment's notice. She could sew and loved dolls and angels. I will miss her every day, and I will love her always. She was funny without even trying, and I will always remember her smiling.

Suzanne Taylor Kennedy (March 1, 1944-January 15, 2010)

I've been working on a Food Calendar Blog for a friend of mine. She writes up (just for herself) a food calendar each month and posts it on her fridge. It's usually chock-full of yummy dishes, and I've used it frequently (not necessarily on the same day as she did though). Here's the first attempt at making a blog for her to post each month's calendar and recipes. Browse for information or just for fun! It's searchable, too!
Click here:
Fayla's Fabulous Foods

Felt food is fun! It's fun to make and fun to play with, too! After seeing an article in the Amarillo Globe News, my mom called to tell me about a stay-at-home mom who makes felt food for her daughter to play with instead of plastic food. I had recently got a grocery sack full of felt in various colors free from my uncle. When he bought a house it came with a load of old crafty stuff. Most of it was donated to the local thrift store, but for some reason, I kept the felt.

So far I've made a sandwich with 2 cheeses, lettuce, a tomato slice, pickle chips, and 2 slices of bread. I also made a sack of potato chips to go with it. I am currently working on some vegetables (celery, carrots, tomato) and fruits (strawberries, apples, grapes). Who knows when the felt crafting stage will pass, but for now it's fun and the kids like the end results!

I stumbled on the sandwich/potato chips template from the blog Keeper of the Cheerios. The pattern can be found here at Snazzle Craft.

I have decided shopping for new jeans is the equivalent of my own personal hell! I need a personal seamstress to make them fit me correctly! Apparently I have long legs, a short torso, no butt, and some of my "baby belly" extra skin from my second pregnancy leftover just for fun. Jeans shopping = sucky!

p.s. I did find one pair I liked, but if I wear them every day they'll soon fall apart like my old favorites! ;o)