New Obsession: Digital Scrapbooking

Ok gals (I am figuring it is mostly gals who read my blog) - I am now obsessed with digital scrapbooking. A while ago I purchased the Creative Memories StoryBook Creator Plus. I have heard from many others that this is a fast and easy way to create photo books, while still using a lot of the paper and stickers that are available from CM. As a former CM consultant, this appealed to me. Not to mention that with a new baby, there is not a lot of time for scrapbooking.

So the other night I finally decided to try it out. I downloaded one of the power pallete kits that you can buy to go with the program. I chose the Delight Baby Girl since of course I would be doing mostly baby photos. It took me a bit to get this program figured out, but I am finally getting it. And let me tell you, it is SO COOL! The program comes with a few kits already installed, and then you can add on as I did. The neat thing is, once you have a particular kit installed, you can use that paper over and over again. And you also have a variety of embellishments, different fonts, stickers, etc that you can use. So the possibilities for creating your pages are truly endless. And unlike traditional scrapbooking, where once you use one element or piece - it's gone - with this, you could create 20 of the same pages if you wanted to! Then when you complete the book, you are able to get several copies made if you choose.

I am excited about this as it will make for great gifts, as well as being a lot easier and faster to create than a traditional album. I still love my albums and will probably continue doing them to some extent, but I am definitely in love with this new digital thing as well! Here's one example of what the pages can look like - since I haven't figured out how to upload one of my pages here:
And here's the link about how to create this if you are so inclined!

Kirsten Growling

Not Too Much To Say...

I'm choosing to write a blog post right now instead of folding laundry or doing dishes - two things which desperately need to be done around here! I figure it's time for a little update of what is going on around here. I can't believe it's already June! It is truly crazy how quickly this year is passing by. I am seeking to enjoy each moment, though, and take advantage of the time I have rather than wasting it. Although occasionally, I do sit and watch mindless television.

Well anyway, as for an update, let's see. This past weekend we were at home on Friday night for the first time in a long time. Now that our Marriage Course is over, we have our Friday nights back. We definitely enjoyed all that we learned during the Marriage Course and would recommend it to others, but it is nice to be able to just chill out on Friday nights and have no where to go. On Saturday, I had to "work" by going to Kohl's for a kids' event where F.A.C.T. had a table. I got to do face painting and temporary tattoos for kids of all ages (including myself - haha). I have freaked a couple people out since then when they noticed the tattoo on my ankle - no, it's not real! After that we headed for Charleston for my step-brothers graduation from high school. We saw some people we hadn't seen in ages, so that was fun. Sunday was of course a church day, and Scott had a meeting for Belize afterwards, so my friend Jess and I went out for Chinese. That was lots of fun. Then amazingly when I got home, Kirsten fell asleep and I got a nice long nap in, which was definitely needed! We finished off the night with small group, and since it was super small that night, the guys installed Steve & Jessica's overhead light and then we played wii bowling.

Kirsten has been continuing to amaze us with all of her changes and development! She has learned to "growl", which is extremely hilarious. I will post a video for anyone who hasn't seen it on facebook. She also has a second tooth coming in now, so we've been dealing with lots of fussiness. She has had a hard time the past few days and has been crying more than usual, but thankfully it seems to be getting better. She's also continuing to work on crawling and is incredibly fast at getting around. She is not quite sitting up on her own yet, but she is getting pretty close. It is just incredible to see all of her changes. I truly enjoy her more and more every day. Although I have loved her ever since she was born, I feel like the past few months have been a lot more fun than the first few months. I now feel like I have a little bit more of a clue what to do, and she's also tons more interactive. Kirsten also doesn't need to be held 24/7 anymore, which is kind of nice on my back!

Well that's it for now, I guess. Nothing major to report. We have a busy month ahead and we are trying to find a way to celebrate our 7 year anniversary which is next Monday. We are hoping to do a day trip without Kirsten to just focus on us sometime before the end of the month!

I Want to Remember

Dear Kirsten,
I want to remember how you sound so cute when you try to "talk", saying "bababa" and "mamamama".
I want to remember how it feels to have you snuggled close to me while you nurse, eyes closed, in the middle of the night.
I want to remember how you look up at me, neck cranked back, with this goofy smile when I am trying to put you down for your nap or bedtime. I try not to laugh, but I can't help myself because you look so silly, even though I know you're tired.
I want to remember how you light up when you see the cat walk by, and you reach out to try and grab her fur. She's not a big fan of it, however.
I want to remember how you lean into Daddy when he has you in the sling, and how you will gradually fall asleep, looking so precious.
I want to remember how you are so very active, always wanting to move and explore, never sitting still for even a moment. Perhaps, like Mommy, you'll have to work at being still and not always doing something.
I want to remember your big blue eyes staring, focusing, studying new things that you encounter... and how shortly after studying them, you put them right in your mouth!
I want to remember how these first 7 months have flown by, and how I should truly savor and appreciate every moment I have with you.
I want to remember how you are already looking like a little girl instead of a baby, and that is just crazy!
I want to remember these moments, even though you won't, so that I can tell you about them later on.

Love,
Your Momma