Try

Try, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Tell The Story, Template 1) and Forever Mine both by Jen C Designs. Fonts are Nillie's Love Letters and The Wolff by Heather Hess.
Journalling reads: For the last few years I have been reading about a very interesting concept, but one I have never really felt brave enough to attempt. One Little Word originated from celebrity scrapbooker Ali Edwards, the idea is simply to choose one word to sum up what you want from the year, there are a lot of different ways of approaching this project. Some people choose to focus on the word and what it means to them, using it as inspiration in various ways throughout the year. Some use it as the basis for their scrapbooking and memory keeping. I’m sure there are as many different approaches to this project as there are words to choose from. I started out this year in the strange position of knowing exactly what I wanted from 2012 but not really knowing how to go about getting it. I struggled to narrow it down to just one word change seemed too vague, happiness and health just seemed far to unobtainable and the few other suggestions like organize, tidy, clean and cook just seemed very much unlike me and much harder than I felt able to attempt at the moment. Eventually I decided that I could cover all of my bases by simply choosing the word TRY. I want to try new recipes. I want to try and lose weight. I want to try and be more active. I want to try and be more organized. I want to try hard to make lasting memories. I want to try to scrap more. I want to try and be more patient with the kids and Mark. I want to try new experiences like taking Logan and Leia to play groups. I want to try and keep the house tidy. I want to try and stay on top of the washing. I want to try and spend more time with the ones I love. I want to try and enjoy all of the firsts and lasts of my final baby. I want to try and be less sad and miserable. I want to try and complete projects when I start them. I want to try and read more books. I want to try and listen to more music. I want to eat healthier. I want to try and take more photographs. I want to try a lot of things, but I also know that there will be times when I will inevitably fail. If I achieve nothing else I simply want to try and accept that. Failure is always going to be an option, but you never really fail at all as long as you keep on trying again.

Never Grow Up

Never Grow Up, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Made In The Shade, January 2012 Template) by Jen C Designs, Stereo Heart by Laura White (C.W Picket and Company) and Children Wordart by Sue Jones. Lyrics are Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift. Fonts are DJB Heather G and DJB Hannah Script and DJB Jenna all by Darcy Baldwin.
Journalling reads: It seems like only yesterday that you were born, yet somehow you are already 3 months old. It felt like I waited forever for you, yet now you are here time is just flying by. I love nothing more then to stand beside you or hold you in my arms and watch you sleep. There is nothing quite like the look of pure contentment on your face. I just wish I could slow down time and make this time last longer.

Christmas Timeline

Christmas Timeline, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Timeline, Template 3) and Counting Down To Christmas both by Jen C Designs.

Never Forgotten

Never Forgotten, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (The Sketch 40) by Kitty Designs and 52 Inspirations 2012 Week One by Sue Cummings. Font is Century Gothic.
Journalling reads: They say that time is a healer, but after 7 years my heart still hurt just as much as it did the day he died. I thought it would never get any better, and then she came along. Somehow the fact that she looks so much like he did, helps me to feel closer to him and miss him less.

All Wet

All Wet, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (January Double Dutch Template) by Amber Shaw, Me Me Me by Jen C Designs and Shiny Silver Alpha by Jewel Goodwin (Mad Genius Designs). Fonts are The Sketchy Serif and The Serifs Sister both by Heather Hess.
Journalling reads: I wish I could remember exactly how we came to be visiting the park. I know we weren’t intending on it when we left the house. But somehow the plans got changed and we ended up stopping for snacks, drinks, bread for the ducks and mcdonalds picnic to eat there. I know the weather was warmer than we thought it was going to be, because I remember being hot and taking my shoes off on the grass, while we sat on the park bench eating our food. I remember us laughing as we were throwing the frisbee and fetching it and pretending to be a dog. But I have no idea whose bright idea it was to let you both run around in the sprinklers and wet play area, but it sounds like my kind of crazy. Although I have to admit, it sounds very much like something crazy enough for me to suggest. We didn’t have any swimwear or towels with us, so I stripped you both down to underwear and t-shirts. Lukas was straight off into the water jets shrieking with delight. But you were a bit cautious and it took a little while for you to get close and start enjoying it. You loved racing through the watersprays and jets after Lukas, especially after you armed yourself with a plastic cup to tip water on him and make him squeal. I was eventually able to convince you both that it was time to go. Even though it was warm out, you were shivering with the cold. Luckily I had spare clothes but I had to use a little improvisation in getting you dry - by using a clean nappy to mop up the water.

January Timeline Cover

January Timeline Cover, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Timeline, Template 1) and Refresh Mini both by Jen C Designs.

The Snowbaby

The Snowbaby, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (January 2012) by tashdown and Cocoa and Candy Canes Collection by Jen C Designs. Font is The Basic by Heather Hess.
Journalling reads: Having kids means there are always going to be lots of firsts to remember. Some of them seem really important when they happen but then the memory kind of fades and gets forgotten - like your first word. But then there are the things that seem unimportant in the grand scheme of things, yet the memory sticks with you. This is a perfect example of that. It’s not very often that we get to see snow here. So when you woke up to see the garden filled with it, obviously you were excited. We raced around the house searching for gloves and hats and scarfs to stay warm. One of the many things that you wanted to do, was build a snowman but you don’t really have enough patience for that so we decided to build a tiny snowbaby instead. You and Daddy worked hard on it together, while I took photos. I will never forget the look of pride on your face as you finished it. But within a few seconds of him being done you baffled me by kicking his head off and laughing at the snowstorm you created. I was confused at first but after thinking about it I realised, sometimes just having the chance to do something and the actual process of doing it are much more important than the finished result, you just have to enjoy them while they last! 6th April 08.

Winning Review

Winning Review, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Spotlight, Template 1) and Quality Time Collection both by Jen C Designs. Font is A Song For Jennifer. Disney Pixar Shorts cover image found online.
Journalling reads: When we were living with Nana, it was very difficult for you to take part in after school clubs. Mummy was too sick to be able to collect you from school and Daddy often started work at 4pm, so had just enough time to collect you before he left for work. After we moved into our own house, your new school was much closer and Mummy was able to cope better. You asked if you could join the film club at school. For £1 a term you were able to stay after school on a Monday and watch a film. Each week after seeing the film you would write a review. They then picked a review each week to receive a small prize. You were thrilled when your review of Disney Pixar Shorts was chosen and you received a small Lego Skateboard set as your prize. You couldn’t wait to show me when I picked you up. Well done Lukas, I’m so proud of you!

Grumpy Zebra

Grumpy Zebra, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (December Template Challenge 1) by Christi (Crafty Mommy Scraps), Happy To My Toes Border Cluster Templates (Template 3) by Connie Prince and Cocoa and Candy Canes by Jen C Designs. Font is Bready.

Unexpected

Unexpected, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Just Journalling, Volume 2, Template 4) and The Journey Begins both by Jen C Designs. Font is DJB Lindse1 by Darcy Baldwin.
Journalling reads: Life is a constant learning experience, with every year that passes, there are always new lessons just waiting to be learnt. Some of them are positive and some not so much. 2011 was a year that was filled with surprises and lessons, but the most important one for me, was one that I seemed to be reminded of frequently throughout the year - Sometimes you just have to do something unexpected and wait to see what happens next. Whether that is how you react to a situation you are placed in or a choice you make it doesn’t matter. You just have to overcome the fear of people making nasty comments or judging you as crazy and go ahead and do it. Some of the most unexpected things in 2011 were, finding out I was pregnant again and that we were finally getting the little girl we had been dreaming off. Surprising the boys with 2 day trips to London to celebrate their half birthdays. We all had a great time riding on the London Eye, visiting Madame Tussauds and the London Aquarium. Nan being admitted to hospital for most of the summer gave us some great opportunities for unexpected things, like borrowing a wheelchair so I could take her for a walk around the hospital. Then there was the party we packed up and took to the hospital so she could celebrate their birthdays with them. Me being admitted to hospital 2 weeks before Leia was born via C-section. Leia being nearly 1lb heavier than anyone expected or being fine except for being tiny, she only ended up spending 3 weeks in hospital before we were able to take her home. Or even cooking and taking an entire Christmas Dinner and Buffet party for Boxing Day to Nan’s so she could celebrate Christmas with us. But I think the most special one for me, was the most simple. I sent my mum a Christmas card with a photo of the kids on it. It seemed like a nice thing to do, but I was worried how she would react. Our relationship has pretty much always been strained and difficult. She completely surprised me by sending me a thank you note via facebook. Then when we happened to run into her while shopping she made the effort to come and talk to us and look at Leia. We ended up visiting them on Christmas Day and she even had gifts for the kids. I can’t describe how amazing it was for her to be so nice. We had been really struggling to get into the holiday spirit but it ended up being one of the best we have ever had. Here’s to hoping 2012 will be just as full of unexpected surprises, crazy ideas and special memories.