Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Denial

I'm only kidding myself.

In an alternate universe, I scrapbooked. I filled three volumes within Brother's first year. Along came Sister and though I fell slightly behind, I still made time to get two volumes for her first year and two more for Brother.

Then we started homeschooling.

Then we added Baby #3.

Incidentally, Baby has two pages.

So a few weeks ago a friend, who also happens to be an avid scrapbooker, suggested we try to get me caught up before school starts. She began weaving this scenario - a beautiful lie, I know - and like a true junkie being faced with an old habit, I began to believe her.

I'm only four years behind. I can get caught up in a month. Totally.

She suggested we pick a day. I would get a sitter for my kids. She would take hers to daycare. We would rendezvous at her house - a veritable scrapbooking Mecca - and scrapbook.

Without kids.

All day.

I said, "SIGN ME UP!"

We set the date and I wrote it on my calendar. However, two doctor's appointments and four prescriptions came out of nowhere and my Scrapbook Day/Babysitting Fund was quickly depleted. I made plans to cancel.

But then, on a Sunday morning, three days before the Blessed Event, a young dad stood up and announced he was hosting a Mom's Day Out at his home.

On Wednesday.

The very day.

Free childcare.

I took it as a sign from above. A Holy Calling, in fact.

I must go.

So I went.

I spent the day - more like six hours - cutting, stamping, leafing through pictures, and shooting up the creative juices I thought I had long given up. She introduced me to new stuff, too. Stuff I'd never tried before.
Good stuff.
And before I knew it, I was sucked into the swirling vortex of scrapbooking again, giving myself over to the euphoria of creating pages of stickers and stamps and oh-so-adorable pictures. I got six pages done and told myself I could do this. I felt empowered...invincible.

BEHOLD! I HAVE BROUGHT FORTH SCRAPBOOK PAGES!!


That night I left my scrapbook supplies on the couch, because I was going to do more after the kids were in bed.
They were still there the next day.
And the next.
Finally I moved them to the middle of my bedroom floor, because I was totally going to do more.
It's been a week.
But I won't put them back in the closet. Because I'm going to do it. I will make more pages.
Really, I will.
Totally.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh I wish I could even make it that far! Someday maybe.... I did get all of my pictures, before digital cameras came along and I quit actually printing them, put into chronological order! woohoo! Those are cute pages! Good for you!

Unknown said...

Beautiful pages! I'm about a year behind in my 5 yo book, not even close to done my 2yo's baby book, and of course haven't started the baby's book yet. I really really want to keep up with it - I think it's so important to keep a record of our family, but man, I could use some extra hours in the day!

Musings of a Housewife said...

Oh I feel your pain. I am soooooo behind.

Adena (aka cre82learn) said...

Your pages look great. I am so far behind I don't even want to think about it. Baby #5 made his arrival in January and I was determined to start his book and keep up with it. I've only done his hospital pics BUT I have taken TONS of pics!! I tagged you on my other blog, www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre82learn. You will have to go over there to see why and get the details. Blessings!