a child's favorite book, transformed!

I saw this idea in a magazine and really fell in love with it.

So, while I was at my last Scrapbook Retreat...I made the book.  I cried a lot while making this book.  It was almost like walking thru the days before and after my husband died and Sophie and I had to move on.  But....we did.

Here is what you will need -

1. a favorite book that you read to your child
2. extra photos you have of you child that you have already scrapped in memorable ways
3. embellishments of various forms - tags, flowers, all of your leftovers
4. a good adhesive...something very strong but still good for paper

OK...so, here is what I did

The book I read everyday to Sophie was Goodnight Moon.  The version we had was a paper one.  I used a rub-on on the front to alter its look but maintain the title.  I also used a couple of stickers to make a subtitle.

The inside cover I left plain.  And empty spot is good for the eyes to rest before they begin the visual journey.

The title page is embellished with a picture of the pregnancy indicator stick showing that we were pregnant.  We worked very hard to make Sophie.  The pick writing says...This is a blurry double pink line positive!  And the tag reads....on March 13, 1997, we took a pregnancy test.  We were pregnant!

Page 1 reads - David and I asked for privacy for your birth.  It was a hard thing to do for my family.  But, the excitement was everywhere.  Everyone wanted to hold you.  Weenie, Aunt Diana and Tonia .  We were just tiredand amazed at being your parents.

Page 2 reads - @ 9:16pm on November 1, 1997, Sophia Marie Eula came into our lives.  No other baby could compare to her perfectness!

Page 3 reads - (on blue tag) Sophie stayed under the lights for 4 days - jaundice.  Sophie came home on the 7th of November.  It was good to have her home - but scary too!

Page 4 reads - This is one of the very few pictures of David with Sophie and I.  Thanksgiving, 1997

page 5 reads - Sophie's corner was shared with her Daddy's office.  But, she was still small and didn't take up much room yet.

Page 6 reads - Sophie's corner

Page 7 reads - Your 1st Thanksgiving.  Pictures of me and you and a side shot of Weenie, my Mom.

Page 8 reads - Here is a picture of you with your Great Granny and Grandpa.  And a 4 generation Granny, Weenie, Me and You.

Page 9 reads - be amazing

Page 10 reads (rub-on - "As a mother, my job is to take care of the possible and trust God with the impossible." Ruth Bell Graham).  I am so glad you were such a good baby because being a Mom is the hardest job!  (rub-on - Confessions of my heart)

Page 11 reads - Your 1st Superbowl.  Weenie made the outfit you are wearing.  Charm from David "I love you".  "I love you" both so much you can never know how you both have changed me.

Page 12 reads - You look so much like your Daddy in this picture.

Page 13 reads, January photo shoot, 1998

Page 14 reads - various photos from February, March and April, 1998.

Page 15 reads - This is Easter @ Weenie's house in Santa Maria.  Your favorite thing was the Johnny Jumper.  Tag reads - Lucky to have the time we had.

Page 16 reads - Our last family day together.  Your Dad died the next Wednesday.

page 17

Page 18 reads (Rub-on You are my sunshine)  I remember this month I was packing us up to move to a home for you and I in Santa Maria.  May, 1998

Page 19

Page 20 reads - I stopped photographing things and you for several months.  June, 1998.

Page 21 reads - Sophie & Mom on a Court Day.  Sophie in the pool.  Sophie riding her trike.

Page 22 reads - These were pictures taken by Weenie at various times from June to October, 1998.

Page 23 - empty like my heart was at the time.

Page 24 reads - Your 1st Halloween.  Your dad and I bought you this costume before you were born since your nickname was Tigger.  We let you trick or treat the ladies.

Page 25 - birthday celebrations!

Page 26 reads - Weenie got you this playhouse - You loved it!

Page 27 - Me singing you happy birthday and you eating cake.

Page 28 - this page represents those in Heaven...Daddy & Nicholas...celebrating with you.

Page 29 reads - Sophie - I saw this idea in a magazine and knew exactly what book to use.  Your 1st year was not an easy one.  Your life started with my post-partum depression, then your Dad dying and a medical scare for me.  I ask myself daily how I was able to raise such an amazing person.  You may never know just how much I love you and am in awe of you!

Page 30 reads - For you I wish it all!  Good and bad, happy and sad, love and pain - because it is all good!  I love you!  Mom 3-24-12

Back cover.

The Help

This guest post from Lewis Beck

I have to say that I was totally disappointed last Sunday when I was watching the Oscars on Dish TV. None of the movies that I picked to win won. The person that I picked for best supporting actress was the only one who actually won the award that I had predicted correctly. I was a bit partial though. I watched the Oscars over at a friends house and we had ballots that we filled out. Of course, I chose anything and everything that had to do with the “Help”. That is literally one of the best movies that I have every seen and possibly my favorite movie. Everything about it was great. I thought the actresses were wonderful and I especially thought the acting was superb. I was disappointed that Viola Davis didn’t win the best actress award. I thought she was wonderful. I was also disappointed that the “Help” didn’t win best picture. I haven’t seen the “Artist”, but how in the world can a silent film be better than the “Help”? I have absolutely NO idea!

looking for the deal

So, as you know....I love coupons and I love a good deal!

I think I found a keeper!  Become

You can go to this site and price compare to any other website.............side by side!  I looked up Lowes fireplace doors.  I was able to find the doors they sell at Lowe's....but was able to compare them on the same site as some sold by Northern Direct and others as well. 

So, I thought, this can't be!

Then I looked up gas fireplace heat-exchangers!  Wow, they had a ton to compare!  It was mindboggling!

So, I thought ok...what if I am not looking for fireplace anything....but a Lowes Fisher Paykel dishwasher Sears dd24dctx6v2!  What good cooking Mom doesn't want a couple of those in her kitchen?  Well...they had tons to compare as well!

I love this site!  Great for shopping.  And great for finding the best deals!

Getting ready to leave for Scrapbook Retreat!

Twice a year....I run away!

As a Mom....vacations are not relaxing.  I love going on vacation with my family but...I am just doing the same thing I do at home just in a different place......usually our timeshare.

But, twice a year I escape.  I run from my family and not even very far from home.  But, its far enough for me.

I go to a magical place where there are no husbands, no children, no expectations, no one really cares what you do or how you do it...as long as you leave them alone.

My magical place is called Scrapbook Retreat.  For me...it's heaven!

yep...this is where I sleep.  And there is another bed in the room too.  But, I sleep alone.

I go for 4 days and 3 nights.  I sleep in a pretty uncomfortable cot, in a private room with paper thin walls.  If I were to go here on a family vacation....I would bitch.  But for me....I don't care.....I am only in my room to sleep, nothing more.  Oh, and there is no TV here either.

This was my table the first time I ever went.  I had no clue what to bring and didn't know a soul!

The magic....is in the big room.  I am provided with a table that is 6 foot wide and about 3 foot deep.  It is lined up with about 5 other tables.  When I arrive....it is empty with only a bag with goodies to maybe use, a candy bar sitting on top with a bottle of water, a charm for my keychain and one electrical outlet.

THIS IS MY HEAVEN!

The big room...full of women with a mission.  Scrapbooking!

Once I arrive it takes a while to get all of my STUFF loaded into my scrap space and get it set up how I want it.  Now I know to bring extra tables to set up next to me and also my own personal chair.  The chairs that are there are NOT bad....but, you have to stack them 2 high and they don't swivel.  I like a good swivel.

Here is the group in 2009.  Oh, we are a crack up!

I also now know just about everyone that attends.  And I also bring my buddies too!  Debi, in the bottom right corner.  She brought her friend Katy and Katy brings her sister.  So, we have a group.

We show off our work...gab and have fun!  We share our chocolate and snacks.  We tell each other how pretty the other persons work is.  And when Shell announces meal time.....well, damn, we get fed well!  And no clean up, no cooking.  Just show up when you are called and you are fed!

And at 10pm on Friday and Saturday night....Shell does this fabulous chocolate fountain!  OMG!

I say all of the time...this is the best thing I have ever done for myself!  And I can hardly wait to go!