Talk about being productive!

Boy.. how I love Digi. Never before I made so many layouts in just one week. Bless you.. all the people who create Digikits! There should be a special place for you in scrapbooking heaven. Do I love to exaggerate or what?

Anyway, here are some layouts I made:

I really want to capture Darrel's special relationship with his Grandpa. They are so close to each other. He even kinda forgets about me whenever Grandpa is around... Sigh... :D

Digikits used: Ettes & Co - Happiness; Marie Stones - Life's Simple Pleasures; DSP - Welcome Kit; Michelle Underwood - Bright Smiles: Miss Mint - Coordinated Kit Mommitude; Rhonna Farrer - September Freebies, Splish Splash.

This is my first attempt on a boyish layout. I've always been kinda girly and romantic (only scrapbooking wise.. on other aspects, it's completely the other way around). I love these pictures, they're just so funny. They were taken by my sister, Eunice, when she and my Mom were babysitting Darrel. At that time, he completely refused to take a nap and ended up falling asleep on his bike after playing all day long.

Digikits used: Emily Powers - Art Nation Blossom; Shabby Princess - Splendid, Moody Blues; Rhonna Farrer - True Dream, May Freebies.

I just love love love this picture of Darrel and Hardi. A moment truly worth remembering.

Digikits used: Betsy Tuma - Eloquent Autumn; Linda Walton - Oopsy Daisy; Shabby Princess - Harvest Spice, Vintage Florals; Anne Langpap - January Brown; Erica Hernandez - Vibe; Rhonna Farrer - September Freebies; Dawn Mills - Heritage; Veronica Ponce - Cottage Bluff.

Post-baby, I hardly ever made layouts of me and my husband. Talk about focus & priority shift post-baby, that's so true in every aspects - even scrapbooking! Anyway, something happened last week that reminded me to always make time for my marriage as well. So, in the act of reminiscing the past I skimmed through our old photo files (yup, they're no longer in albums) and found this picture, taken just last year on Hardi's 31st birthday.

Last year was a very busy-busy time for me as I was holding two responsibilities at the same time at the office. I had to work day and night (literally) and weekends too. So making time for family was a real struggle. As a surprise for Hardi's birthday, I made a reservation at Malya (now Padma) - a resort in Bandung for a quick getaway. We went straight to Bandung after I landed on Jakarta's airport from my business trip in Semarang. 3 cities in just one day, could you imagine? He didn't even have his bag packed when he picked me up at the airport, we bought all this clothes there. But it was a very good getaway, something that we both really needed. And it reminds me that no matter how busy I am, I should always always make time for my loved ones.

And then I found that quote to enjoy the little things in life, and then the papers and then the embellishments. Then everything just seemed to fit on its own accord. And voila... a little something to enjoy.

Digikits used: Linda Walton - Oopsy Daisy; Michelle Coleman - Bohemian Summer, Wild Sorbet; Marie Stones - Mother's Love.

Our Dreams came true

I made this layout as part of my preparation to explain about adoption to Darrel. It captures our journey from the first time I met him, the routine visits to the hospital - to the day we became the proud beaming parents we are today.

Adoption is not very common in Indonesia, many people still think of adopted children as 'second-class' and the fact that someone's adopted is often kept secret. To tell or not to tell was a dillema that my husband and I struggled with for quite sometime. Eventually, we decided it's best to let him know from the very early stage. I still go by the rules that honesty is the best policy.

I hope that when the time comes for Darrel to learn the fact that he's adopted, this will help him to see how much he is wanted and hoped for. No less than our own biological child, if someday we are blessed to have one.

Digikits used: Dawn-Mills Heritage Kit created by Snowsmoon's Design, Dream Acrylic from True Dream Digital Kit by Rhonna Farrer

Happy Birthday Darrel!

Happy birthday, baby!

And here is my wish for you - for today and all the days to come,

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow

And each road leads you where you want to go;

And if you’re faced with a choice and you have to choose,

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you,

And if one door opens to another door closed;

I hope you keep on walkin till’ you find the window

If it’s cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

You dreams stay big, your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can haul

And while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too

Yeah, this is my wish

I hope you never look back, but you never forget

All the ones who love you, in the place you left,

I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,

And you help somebody every chance you get

Oh, you find God’s grace in every mistake

And always give more than you can take

But more than anything, more than anything,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this is my wish

~ from My Wish by Rascal Flatts ~

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

The Unsuccessful Photo Shoot

Went to the studio for Darrel's first photo shoot with high spirit. Afterall, he laughs all the time at home, so there shouldn't be any problem, right? Plus, I've packed along his favourite toys that never failed to make him laugh. I've also asked my Mom and my brother, Kenneth, to tag along to help make him laugh. See that I didn't even aim for a smile? I was so confident I was gonna get lots of laughter, an ear-to-ear grin at the worst scenario. I've got everything covered, this should be a piece of cake, we'd be done in a jiffy. Or so I thought...

Take one, ready, camera, go...

Me: Darrel, look at Mommy! Look what's Mommy got.... (waving a squishy & noisy plastic hammer with a frenzy)
Darrel: gazed intently at the cameraman after throwing me a scathing look which I'm pretty sure meant 'Ssh Mom, I've seen the hammer everyday... I want to concentrate on the weird thing that man's pointing at me!'

Take two...
Me: Peek a Boo! (from behind the giant lighting equipment - I have no idea what's the correct name for it)
Darrel: watched the lighting thingy in awe - 'Bright white light... how beautiful. Mom, stop... you're ruining my meditation.'

Take three, four, five and so forth... (I stopped counting already)
Me: Made funny faces, rolled around.. dribbled colourful ball, waved the squishy hammer again in desparate attempt for a smile... Just a smile, baby, pleaaaseeee.....

Darrel: watched me curiously - 'Mom... err, is something wrong with you? I think you need a nice warm bottle of milk to calm you down. Works for me all the time!'

Well, you get the idea....

Story of My Life

The first time we met....

Test of faith....

My own sweet happy ending...