Sunday, January 14, 2007

Scrapbooks are Time Capsules

This is Sophia Jane's scrapbook that Aunt Trisha bought for her for Christmas. I cannot wait to start filling it with pictures of her.


I really enjoy scrapbooking, it gives me an outlet for my creative energy, but more importantly, my children enjoy me scrapbooking. I keep a book running at all times for each of my children where I tell the ongoing stories of their lives. I document their sports, choir performances, violin concerts and birthdays. I show their favorite days through pictures. They are constantly going to their books and making sure that everything is updated and checking to see if any of their siblings have more pages done than they do.

To me these books are the place where I can create something for each of my children individually. A place where they can go and see the story of their childhood through my eyes and see the words I love you in my own handwriting directed specifically to them. These books are where I share the stories of loved ones who have passed on through pictures and my words. I show them where we came from. I document the homes and places that are a key part of us. Our Grandmother's home, our Aunt's home, etc...I want them to always be able to look back and see these places regardless of what becomes of them through time.

I also keep a family book running at all times which is where I document the majority of our family activies and holidays. These are not only popular with my own children, but with my friend's children as well who are always going through them looking for pictures of themselves.

Scrapbooks are time capsules that you can leave your children. I wish that my mother had left one for me. I know that it would be priceless.


These are some pictures from Zachary's books.



These are from Tyler's books. They got a little funky though-sorry.




These are from Kate's book




These are from Eli's book.



15 comments:

Steffie B. said...

I am so behind on my scrapbooking it's not even funny! Maybe we'll get to go through this waiting
journey together! If we ever get our 171H. I'm getting everything state sealed tomorrow!

Carolyn said...

I'm an avid scrapbooker, too! I've been keeping a pre-adoption scrapbook, and I'm soon going to start a "lifebook" for him... I'm not really sure yet where one starts and the other ends yet- but that's OK- it will work out in time, I'm sure!

Steffie B. said...

Now I'm stressing. I forgot about the passport issue. Are you talking about the Chinese Visa? I just emailed our SW today about it. We were finger printed on Dec. 26th. I'm getting antsy. I wanted to be DTC by Feb and of course preferably in the first batch Bethany sends out! It better come this week!

Steffie B. said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Elizabeth said...

Lovely! You are a talented lady. Your kids will treasures those books their whole lives.
Elizabeth

Glinda said...

You are quite impressive; how you find the time, I'll never know. I can't even find the time to pick out a book let alone put stuff in it.

Thanks for oogling my site...I love it when I find people that dig the "Wizard" as much as I do;)

Beckyb said...

Love to scrapbook too!! I was keeping up until Chloe came home - now I have her China album finished but everyone else's albums are suffering - UGH - we need to get our basement finished so I can work again!! You insipred me!!

Tamara said...

Aaahhh- now you have me all inspired to get back to scrapbooking. Your pages are fabulous!

I'd be honored to be linked to your blog :)

Tawni said...

I love to scrapbook too...I've had it put away for a while - I need to get it out again. Your pages are adorable - I think I will scraplift a couple if you don't mind!

redmaryjanes said...

Tawni,
Wow, I'm thrilled, scraplift away. I got into scrapbooking because my two sister-in-laws do it and my husband's cousin also scraps. You should see their pages, they do a beautiful job.
-Kimberley

redmaryjanes said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sophie's Mom said...

I'm a scrapbooker too - although I haven't had the time since Sophie came home! She's a busy girl! Wanted to tell you that Mei Mei is pronounced "May May". Hope that helps!
Christine
www.journeytosophia.com

~Kristen said...

What wonderful memories you are making for your children. I too wish my mother had kept a baby book of some sort for me... those things are priceless!! Beautiful work!!

PS... I added you to my blog if thats alright??
~Kristen

redmaryjanes said...

Kristen,
It would be great to be linked to your blog. I love your layout-it's new isn't it?
I'll link you to my blog also.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the scrapbook pages you shared here! I've never done scrapbooking myself, though I am an avid photographer. My two youngest don't even have baby books... I started my blog as a way of chronicling the kids' childhoods...thinking I would print out hard copies of my entries and thus have something to hold on for them. But, looking at your scrapbook pages has me inspired! I love the idea of individual scrapbooks for each child! Hmmmm.... maybe I can get organized enough to try that!!!