Friday Show and Tell - and Twin Update

It has been a sad day in many ways. Steven Curtis Chapman's family tragedy was shocking. I pray that their teen-age son will be able to forgive himself someday. My husband works with a man who ran over his 10-year-old daughter several years ago. It took him years to gain some semblance of normalcy again.

Then a horrendous tornado hit a small down just east of us - I was having lunch with a friend from that town just as the tornado was hitting - we were oblivious as we ate and talked and caught up on the last few months. Our youth director's home was badly damaged and both cars as well. She was at the church watching the news with the staff when she saw her house on the screen - or what is left of their house. They haven't been able to go back there yet. Sadness.

My week has been very difficult. But we know God is working, and you are praying. For this I am very thankful.

But - on to lighter things! Today I want to share the first in a series of "things I used to do." They are many. When I realize how creative I used to be, I feel somewhat guilty and sad. But I'm glad I took so many pictures.

When I was in my early twenties, before I was married, I had a good friend a bit older who was married with two kids. Her little girl was so tiny and adorable. I did a lot of sewing, so I began making dresses for her out of all of my scraps - I used the same pattern over and over, creating a new look with each one. It was so much fun, and I know Sharon loved getting free dresses for Tonya.

I made myself a red gingham dress, with 3 different sizes of gingham. I used the left-overs to create one for Tonya as well.

When I had a daughter of my own, for some reason I decided to do it all over again. I didn't have my dress any more, and by then, I think I was wearing my dresses a bit longer. I also found a little outfit for Kev (or maybe I made it, I can't remember) that would fit right in.

As I look at this picture, though, I realize I don't look so happy. I remember now that it was taken at my grandparents' 50th anniversary celebration. I was there without DC, who couldn't get away. I was the only one of my siblings who was there without my helpful spouse. The airline had left my luggage back in Denver, and had to deliver it to my grandparents' house from Minneapolis late that night, long after the kids should have been in bed - with no clean jammies, no diapers (I had carried on the minimum - I think I had bought a rare package of disposables for the trip and had two or three in my carry-on), no toothbrushes, etc. etc. I was tired, I remember. Lugging purse, diaper bag, carry-on, a baby, and hanging on to a toddler - we didn't have nice double strollers back then - was exhausting, let alone losing the checked baggage! I remember it so clearly.

Fast forward about 30 years - I still have Kristen's dress (mine is long gone, and long grown out of). I pulled it out and gave it to Kristen for Care Bear to wear. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of her wearing it. Or maybe I just can't find it! But we did get one of Feisty wearing it. This was taken right after Care Bear did her famous haircut on her sister.

The little girlies are growing and developing so quickly all of a sudden. Kristen has wondered if they'd ever really become buddies - they seemed to ignore each other when we laid them down together for a bit of play time. Suddenly they are looking at each other, reaching for each other. They are also smiling, laughing, gurgling, cooing. It is such fun. The big girls continue to be such good helpers. They LOVE their little sisters.

Anakin has finally gotten over his fear of holding them. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to get a picture of that yet. I'll have to rectify that situation soon.

For more Friday Show and Tell stories, stop by Kelli's blog, There Is No Place Like Home.