The Life of Jennifer Dawn

Treat Ideas for Rice Krispies

2012-02-06T00:23:00.001-05:00

Lydia Grace loves to cook with me. It's a great way for us to spend some quality time together. I think it makes her feel special to be able to help out in the kitchen. And she needs that as she continues to adjust to there being a second little one in the house now. (We will save more on that for another post though.)

Anytime I start to cook or bake something, she is like a bee to a flower and is instantly attracted to the kitchen--grabbing a chair to bring up to the counter and sit on. I love hearing the sound of her dragging the chair over while declaring, "I wanna help, mommy. I wanna help you!"

Recently we made some Rice Krispies Treats together. What is it about making these that brings out your inner child? Is it that we remember making and eating them when we were kids?

I couldn't help but laugh as L.G. kept stuffing marshmallows into her mouth and pleading with me, "One more, mommy. Just one more, please." She holds up one little finger to emphasize the "one more" and smiles so sweetly. I'm a sucker. I can't help looking away and smiling as she stuffs a few more into her mouth. I think she put more Rice Krispies and marshmallows into her mouth than we put into these...

Don't they look darling wrapped in parchment paper inside a paper plate bowl that has been adorned with ribbon and a doily? Here is another yummy treat idea that I'm sure you have seen around! The Rice Krispies website shows some pretty fancy ones, but I prefer to keep mine simple.

While you are at it, you can mix-up a second batch to make these delicious chocolate-dipped treats.

Happy eating!

Happy Sunday

2012-02-05T12:13:00.000-05:00

Do you ever want to freeze time?

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

I look at these sweet little faces...Eli sleeping peacefully...L.G. staring up at me with her "bigger than Texas" hazel eyes...

and I find myself wanting to stop the progression of time...

hug my kids a little bit longer...kiss them several more times...keep them this little forever...hold onto these sweet times always!
If you could, what moments would your freeze?

Necktie Onesie with Khaki Baby Pants

2012-01-30T00:21:00.003-05:00

Remember the Necktie Onesie I shared a tutorial for back in December? Well, I made another one. This one has cute little khaki pants to go with it!

Happy Sunday

2012-01-29T09:01:00.000-05:00

Hot Cocoa Party

2012-01-28T22:39:00.002-05:00

I love transforming simple, small things into special occasions. You know...making the mundane memorable.

Like turning homemade hot cocoa into a party complete with cute mugs, chocolate coated spoons, and all the marshmallows you can manage to stuff into a steaming hot cup of cocoa...

Here's to enjoying life's simple pleasures!

Blog Makeover

2012-01-25T21:42:00.002-05:00

My little blog is getting a makeover! The designer...Cindy at Blessed Design. I can't even begin to describe to you how talented she is! I have only seen a few elements of the design, but it has already gotten me so excited about the finished product.

Want a little sneak peek?

Familiar? I know...

I just couldn't let go of the sweet little bluebird theme, but Cindy has already been able to come up with things that I could never do on my own. A friend of mine saw the sample, and said, "Oh my! It's like your current blog--only prettier!" So true!

Can't wait for you to see it when it all comes together.

Isaiah 40:31

2012-01-22T23:46:00.004-05:00

On Friday I shared why I hadn't been blogging as much lately. Here's a convo the hubby and I had about it today...

Me: I've felt a lot better today.
Tim: I've noticed.
Me: I think I probably have been dealing with some postpartum symptoms. They say it gets worse when you're tired, and I've been pretty stressed and tired lately. I tried to nap when the kids napped and I tried to get lots of rest this weekend.
Tim: I've tried to help out a lot this weekend and let you get plenty of rest. (And he has!)
Me: I've noticed. Thanks... (pause) Do you think that I'm more prone to postpartum depression because I've struggled with some depression in the past.
Tim: I think it's that and the fact that in the last four years you've gotten pregnant, had a baby... (long pause) lost two babies (getting a bit choked up on the words), gotten pregnant again, and had another baby. Your hormones have been on a roller coaster.
Me: Yeah. I guess. I don't think some people realize how debilitating depression can be.
Tim: I've read some about it online.
Me: Lately, I've been disinterested in a lot of things. I've cried. I've been tired. I've hurt everywhere. Friday night my whole body ached...even the muscles in my face. (chuckle) I've had to make silent commands to myself just to be able to do the things that need to be done. "Now you need to get up." "Now you have to brush your teeth." "Now you have to wipe the table off from where L.G. ate dinner." I've had to order myself to do even the simplest of tasks. I really do feel a lot better today though...getting so much rest and all.

And I do! I've prayed about it a lot this weekend too! Have you ever struggled with postpartum or any kind of depression for that matter? It seems like so many of my friends who have had babies deal with the aftermath effortlessly. Me...I tend to hit some bumps in the road as hormone levels settle out again. It does get worse when I'm tired, and I don't always do the best job of taking care of myself. As long as the kids are taken care of, my own health sometimes gets sacrificed. I've always been like that. Especially during the college years when I had so many things going on at once. Unfortunately not taking care of myself eventually catches up with me.

My mom reminded me the other day that Lydia Grace was about 18 months old before I really got past the postpartum symptoms from that pregnancy. My babies themselves have brought me so much joy though. Along with lots of rest this weekend, I also made sure to get lots of hugs, kisses, and cuddles.

Friend, thanks for letting me share my joys and struggles with you. Sometimes it is hard and a little embarrassing to be so transparent though. I begin to fret over what impression people will get. Sometimes I worry too much about what people think. I find that I am able to be more open about things here than in person though. I also find myself hoping that somehow the words I say here will offer up encouragement to someone else dealing with the same things. It's nice to have a release...a place to vent...my little corner of the world. Thanks for listening, friend. And thanks for visiting with me.

I hope you have a blessed week!

Guest: Lisa from Lisa's Craft Blog

2012-01-21T08:46:00.003-05:00

I have a fantastic guest for you today. Lisa from Lisa's Craft Blog is joining us. She has some really BIG plans for her blog this year, so be sure to visit her in her corner of blogland. I'll let Lisa tell you more about herself and her blog.

Hi there!! I'm Lisa and I blog over at Lisa's Craft Blog!!

I'm so excited to be here today and am so grateful to Jennifer for letting me share this project with you all!!

Today, I'm going to show you how I made my Quick Fabric Covered Magnets, which is actually a version of Jennifer's Fabric Magnets. She originally shared her tutorial here at The Life of Jennifer Dawn back in November. I loved this project soo much I had to try and make my own version!!

The two biggest changes you'll see in my version is that I sewed my fabric around the wooden shapes, rather than glue them. Also, I used really inexpensive wooden shapes that I purchased at Michael's in a bag of a few hundred pieces for just $5!!

At the end of the tutorial, I will explain the adjustment you'll need to make in order to cover square/rectangle and heart shapes with fabric. They can be a bit tricky so be sure to read these "adjustments".

Let's get to the tutorial for my version, shall we?

SUPPLIES

Wood Shapes

Fabric

Felt

Magnets

Glue

Hot glue & glue gun

Step 1: PREP FABRIC & FELT

Cut Fabric

Cut pieces of fabric about 1/2"-3/4" larger than the wooden shape.

Cut Felt Backing

Trace your wooden shape onto felt in coordinating colors and cut out.

Step 2: COVER WOODEN SHAPE

Stitch Edges

Sew a loose running stitch around the edge of the shape.

Cinch Fabric

Place the wooden shape in the center of the fabric and cinch the fabric around the shape.

Tie a knot to hold the fabric tight around the wooden shape.

Step 3: GLUE FELT BACKING

Using tacky glue, attach the felt to the back of the fabric-covered wood piece.

Step 4: ADD MAGNETS

With a hot glue gun, attach a magnet to the felt side of the shape.

FINISHED!!

SQUARE SHAPE ADJUSTMENTS

Trim the corners of the fabric squares so that they are a bit rounded.

Follow the rest of the steps described above.

HEART SHAPE ADJUSTMENTS

Trim the bottom point of the fabric heart so that it is rounded.

Sew a running stitch around the edge of the fabric and then cinch it around the wooden heart.

Add a stitch from the bottom of the heart to the top indent and back to the bottom; pull the thread tight so the fabric fits tightly into the top indent.

Follow the rest of the steps described above.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial!! I know I had a blast making it!! You should definitely make a set of these for yourself or as a gift - you'll enjoy it too!!

If you happen to like step-by-step crafty tutorials, I hope you'll stop by Lisa's Craft Blog because I have many for you to browse through. I also host a weekly linky party called "Lisa's Linky List". I personally invite you to link up your crafty creations each week!!

If you happen to stop my blog by before January 31st, you can even enter my Grand Re-Launch Giveaway to try and win one of 3 crafty prize packages that have a combined value of over $175!! Click the button below to be taken to the entry widget.

I want to say "Thank you" to Jennifer for allowing me to share my version of her great tutorial!! I've had a great time here at The Life of Jennifer Dawn, but now I must head home to Lisa's Craft Blog and give my readers some attention!! hehehe

Thanks for reading!! Until next time...

Thanks, Lisa, for stopping by! Good luck with your Grand Re-Launch!

Winter Blues

2012-01-20T20:20:00.003-05:00

My poor little blog has been so sad lately...

I have been neglecting it and my lovely readers.

Where have I been?

Well,

I've been...

trying to keep up with the heavy demands at work...

taking care of a beautiful baby boy who I swear has a hole in his stomach because he eats so much...

figuring out a solution for why my once potty trained two-year-old has suddenly decided that going potty isn't a good idea anymore..

dealing with the never ending feelings of guilt I have for be a working mommy...

attempting to keep my house up to the sterile standards that my OCD, neat freak self usually has it up to...

and feeling like I'm failing miserably at all of the above...

I think I've got the winter blues.

My energy levels have been at an all time low which I hate because I'm an on-the-go, non-stop type of gal.
My top FAQ is...

"How do you do it--teach, take care of your little ones, keep your house clean, cook, craft, blog, sew?"

The answer lately has been...

I can't!

I have felt so horrible recently that I've wondered if a check-up is in order, but then I'm not a doctor going type of person. (Unless I'm pregnant and then it isn't for my sake--it's for the baby's health.)

Can postpartum hit you three months after a wee one is born?

Is a vitamin in order?

More sleep? No, that isn't the answer because I'm already going to bed when the kids do.

Ugh.

What is wrong with me? Who knows!? But whatever it is...I've go to snap out of it because I hate this version of myself.

Maybe I just have a case of the "winter blues". Maybe some pretty things on the blog are due.

I promise to post some more things soon. In the meantime, I just wanted to explain where I've been.

I'm sure spring is just around the corner.

Happy Sunday

2012-01-08T18:11:00.001-05:00

Pizza Party!

2012-01-04T23:06:00.003-05:00

Tim had to work late last night, so Lydia Grace, Eli, and I had a little pizza party. Flat bread, toppings, sauce, and smiles made for an excellent party! L.G. had a great time preparing her own pizza! It was a wonderful way to involve her in cooking dinner. Poor Eli is just too little for pizza--one day soon sweet boy! In no time at all your will be L.G.'s age. Oh my! What a thought! Time goes by way too fast. Getting off topic...

Anyway, Eli did a great job supervising and keeping us company, and L.G. did a great job prepping the pizza.

Sometimes I wonder what I ever did before having kids. I often comment to Tim, "Our lives must have been pretty boring." They both make the simplest things so much more amazing. Life before kids seems like the distant past even though it was only a few years ago. It is funny how it just seems like they have always been with me. I love having them in my life, and can't imagine it without them even if that means that I am usually covered in baby spit-up and running late everywhere I go. (Oh, who am I kidding? I always ran late before having kids. Now I just run exceptionally late. The baby spit-up definitely comes with the territory though.) The simplest of tasks--making pizza--becomes magical getting to see the experience through their eyes. Sorry... Off topic again...

Our little pizza party really was tons of fun though. Take a look...

Lydia Grace in Her Mommy's Wedding Dress

2012-01-02T00:01:00.003-05:00

I originally saw this idea on Pinterest and pinned it here!

(Don't you just love Pinterest!)

I just knew that I wanted to try this with Lydia Grace!
She had a blast prancing around in my dress and having her picture made. And PRANCE she did--dress gathered up in her arms, flitting around the house, showing-off kind of prancing.

My younger sister Allison is getting married December 22, 2012, so there has been a lot of wedding talk going on lately.

By the way, Allison, I wanted to let you know that L.G. says she wants to wear this dress for your wedding. Don't worry though...

I told her that she has to wait until she gets married someday to wear it again.

First Post of 2012

2012-01-01T23:21:00.008-05:00

I always feel so much pressure when writing the first post of a brand new year. Should it be thought provoking, funny, inspiring, or even just ordinary? It's the first post of the year, so it should be something great. Right? Should it be about motherhood, a craft, new recipe, or some random topic? How will I push this blog into the year 2012? Ugh. Do you see what I mean?

PRESSURE.

Let's just go with...
me...

typing about what is on my mind right now...

Do you have any New Year's traditions? I have a few.

Tradition #1: I always make cheese fondue for our New Year's Eve celebration paired with a bubbly beverage and a chocolate dessert.

Lydia Grace really got into the spirit of things this year. She devoured a good portion of the fondue and sparkling grape juice last night.

She also excitedly ran around the house wearing a festive hat, blowing into a noisemaker, and shouting, "Happy New Year".

Easygoing Eli just sat back and smiled or slept while she joyfully celebrated.

Knowing that Lydia Grace isn't old enough to stay up until midnight, we pulled up this countdown on the internet for her to watch and celebrate with right before both kids went to bed. What fun!

Tradition #2: I always buy a new calendar on the first day of the year.

My mom already took care of this little tradition for me. She purchased one of Joni Eareckson Tada's planners for me to use this year. Thanks, mom! It is the planner that my mom has ordered and used herself for years.
Are you familiar with Joni and her story? Click here if you are interested in reading more about her. She is such an inspiring lady! I think I am going to really enjoy using her planner. In the January section of the calendar Joni put a note encouraging the owner to choose a verse for the year--one that will serve as their motto or inspiration for the year ahead...

That brings me to my final New Year's tradition...

Tradition #3: I make resolutions!

Hmmm...this is the one New Year's tradition that may have found its end. Last night, I looked over my 2011 resolutions, and just ended up depressing myself. There are so many of them that I still have not accomplished. I found myself dwelling on all of the things that I hadn't managed to do in 2011. I started questioning, "What in the world did I do?" Determined to turn my focus onto more positive thoughts, I put together the previous post. It was entitled, "Top 11 of 2011". In it I highlighted the top posts from the year. Looking back over all of the posts from 2011 reminded me of the things that I DID manage to do, and I began feeling a lot more productive. The truth is...I often have grand plans and ambitions, but like so many others don't always have the time or energy to bring them to fruition.

So...

rather than making resolutions this year that may never amount to a hill of beans, I have decided to honor Joni's suggestion and choose a verse for the year instead. Want to know which I have chosen? It's John 10:10.

That is God's desire for us--to live a full life during our brief time on this earth!

This year isn't going to be about what I did or didn't accomplish. It is going to be about living life fully and abundantly. I want to focus on being present--enjoying whatever life has handed me at that particular moment. I want to stop looking forward to things that may never happen and focus on the joy of each beautiful moment. I guess if I were to choose a single word for the year like so many others do it would be...

LIVE!

Just that...

LIVE in the moment, savor every joy, soak up each miracle, LIVE fully and abundantly for the one who has given us LIFE!

I challenge you to choose your own verse for this year just like Joni's suggestion challenged me.

I'm so excited to see what joys 2012 brings! Here's to abundantly living this year with purpose while being fully present in each minute--all 525,600 of them. And here's to being thankful to the one who came so that we could have life!

Top 11 of 2011

2011-12-31T18:32:00.003-05:00

Here's a countdown of your top 6 favorite posts from 2011...

#6 Pinwheel Flower Brooches and Yo-Yo Bows

#5 Great Toddler Activity: Watercolor Canvases

#4 Children's Art Display

#3 Fairy Village

#2 A Double Tutorial: Snap Clips and Display Cards

#1 Whipped Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

& 5 of my personal favorites...

*Proudest Mommy Moments of 2011:

(Sorry, I couldn't choose just one.)

Eli being born...

and getting to meet his big sister for the first time.

Lydia Grace turning two.

*Yummiest Post of 2011:

Banana Pudding Milkshakes

*Most Emotional Post of 2011:

A post entitled, "I'm reading to talk about it now...", about our past miscarriages and the high-risk pregnancy with Eli

*Favorite Crafty Project of 2011:

Toddler/Tot Tote

*Most Magical Post of 2011:

Princess Tea Party with Lydia Grace

Wow! 2011 was an amazing year!

I'm looking forward to all that 2012 has in store.

Happy New Year!

Christmas Through the Eyes of a Two-Year-Old

2011-12-29T10:10:00.001-05:00

Lydia Grace received a camera for Christmas. It is one of those Crayola Digital Cameras that are supposed to be virtually indestructible. When we were scrolling through the pictures she had taken on Christmas Day, my sister suggested doing a post entitled, "Christmas through Lydia Grace's eyes". That sounded like a great idea, so here it is...

Christmas through the eyes of a toddler who was on the loose with her very own camera.

*Disclaimer: These pictures were taken by an energetic toddler who couldn't quite stop long enough to take the picture, so some are a little blurry. Maybe that is how her world is though--one big wonderful blur!

I think someone turned the camera around on her.

Yeah, about this picture...

She thinks Rosie the Roomba is our pet.

Daddy, Pappaw Jeff, and Uncle Carl who L.G. calls "Car-der".

December Crafts--A Recap

2011-12-26T20:51:00.000-05:00

It's the Recap for...

I had to surrender...
You may have noticed that ten crafts were as much as I could find the time to whip up for the countdown this year. The days leading up to Christmas Eve were packed with last minute shopping, wrapping, baking...
Christmas Eve and Christmas were busy, wonderful days spent with family. (I'll post some Christmas pictures in the upcoming days.)
For now...
Here's a recap of the crafts I did manage to complete and share during this year's crafty Christmas countdown including one from a very lovely guest...

For the 1st craft of Christmas,

I crafted and created

The Life of Jennifer Dawn

Treat Ideas for Rice Krispies

Happy Sunday

Do you ever want to freeze time?

Necktie Onesie with Khaki Baby Pants

Happy Sunday

Hot Cocoa Party

Blog Makeover

Isaiah 40:31

Guest: Lisa from Lisa's Craft Blog

Winter Blues

Happy Sunday

Pizza Party!

Lydia Grace in Her Mommy's Wedding Dress

First Post of 2012

Top 11 of 2011

Christmas Through the Eyes of a Two-Year-Old

December Crafts--A Recap

Merry Christmas From Our Family to Yours

No Sew Felt Bowl Tutorial

No Sew Felt Bowl

Happy Sunday

Felt Hat Tutorial

Felt Hat

Day 16: Pinwheel Flower Tutorial

Pinwheel Flowers

It's Christmas in the Shop

Felt Ruffle Scarf Tutorial

Felt Ruffle Scarf with Ribbon Trim