The face I come home to

If a cute face like this is waiting at home, who could resist the urge to go home ASAP?
Have a nice day everyone, now I'm running off to meet my son's happy face.

2010 Resolution Page

I know, I know, it’s almost end of January already. But then again, it’s better late then never.
Without further ado, here goes:

Oh… how I miss traditional scrapbooking. And one day I just couldn’t resist myself from buying that beautiful Prima transparency. Since then, it’s been haunting me, screaming to be scrapped. This page is again, inspired by the very talented and creative woman, Ria Nirwana. You can see her 2010 resolution page here. Now, now, don’t even think of comparing hers to mine. She’s waaay out of my league.

In her blog, she described what her resolution means to her. I figured, what a nice way of thinking. So doing what a mediocre usually does, I imitated. To me, living inspired means:

Eversince I had a baby, I’ve been struck in awe to see how amazed my son is on everything around him. Not only lovely things like morning breeze, birds, cats or butterflies but also unexpected things such as the ceiling fan. Maybe it’s the breeze that brushes his face, maybe it’s the movement of the fan itself or maybe it’s the light from the lamps. Whatever it is, he’s mesmerized by it. His face would light up brighter than those lamps. He reminds me to pay attention on little things around me and try to see things through childlike eyes because beauty and loveliness might be just around the corner.

And to:

Because I want to remember the joy I experience every single day. And to be able to hold those memories when life storms struck unexpectedly, as they always do.

And to:

These days and everyday onwards.

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