I decided to do this a few months ago. In my family, we have a tradition of giving big, thoughtful presents for important birthdays like we made a video of all of his friends for my Dad’s 50th and a website with messages and photos from all her friends for my mom’s 50th and I made a book for my sister’s 30th. Even though Jake turned 36 this last week, I decided I didn’t need to wait until his 40th to do something special for him.
59. Do Something Special for Jake’s Birthday
Since I’ve started scrapbooking, I’ve learned the value of preserving memories. Actual stories from our lives. I think they are magic in every sense of the word. So for his birthday, I wanted to give my husband the gift of stories. Stories from his life. I made this long list of people from his life. Here are the categories I made:
- family
- elementary + middle school (he went to the same school for 9 years)
- high school
- college
- job 1, 2, 3, etc. individually
- friends of parents (people who knew him as a little baby, people who’ve been family friends for a long time)
- disconnected (people he met unrelated to any of the above but are still significant in his life)
My first task was to grow this list of names. I’ve been with my husband for 16 years so I knew a lot of the people from each of the categories except elementary school. I emailed some of the people I knew and asked for ideas. I then had to figure out everyone’s emails. This, too, was a big task. I went through his Facebook account and messaged some of the people to ask for their information. I didn’t want to add them as friends as I worried he might notice some trend. For the few disconnected people left, I randomly dropped sentences into conversation like “oh have you talked to so and so lately, what’s their email?” It sounds too obvious but i did it very rarely over a month so he didn’t notice it.
Once I had my list, I emailed all of them explaining what I was doing, telling them it was a surprise, and giving them ten days to do it. This is one of those favors where it takes about ten minutes to do but you put it off forever so I figured the longer the deadline, the more people will put it off.
Then I waited. And then I emailed “this is almost due” email about 2-3 days prior and another “you’re now officially late” email about a week after the due date. I then emailed “this is my drop-dead-date” emails to the few people who still hadn’t done it. And finally “you REALLY need to do this” emails to the few people I thought were really important to have in the book. After months of emails, followups, and gathering, it was finally time to put the book together.
A few years ago, in anticipation for Ali’s BPS class, I’d asked Jake’s mom to bring me childhood photos of him. So I had them scanned. I took a bunch of them that I loved and mixed them with a bunch of recent photos of him with the kids, etc. and I had my words and my photos. All in all, I’d emailed around 100 people and heard back from around 75 of them. Not bad at all.
I decided to do the book using blurb so I went to their site and downloaded their software. I decided not to do anything in chronological order. I mixed the photos and mixed the people. Just laid it all out the way I thought looked most fun. I feel like at any moment in time, we’re a mix of all of our past so it made sense to mix it all together.
It took me two-three solid days to put it together and another week to adjust it. I then uploaded and ordered and it was here a few weeks before his birthday.
A typical layout. This one is one person’s story. Some spreads had two people, one in each page.
I gave it to Jake at 1am on his birthday. I wanted it to be private, just the two of us. I think he really did like it. My hope is that it showed him how amazing he is and how he’s left a trace in so many people’s lives.
Here’s what i put on the dedication page:
My love, I know that special presents are supposed to be saved for big birthdays but I decided that the round numbers were overrated and that the best time to give a gift from the heart is now. Every year with you is special and your 36th birthday is just as important as any.
One of the things I’ve always loved about you is that you are one of those people who leaves an impression. People don’t forget you. You touch their lives in a way only you can. And, this year, I wanted you to see just how many people’s lives you’ve touched. Just how many people care about you and just how much.
Life is a collection of memories and I wanted you to have a little book that shows you some of the stories other people have with you. The dents you’ve made in their life. We all love you so much.
All of our lives are better because you’ve been in them Jake. Thank you for being you.
Happy Birthday!
and on the next page, I added this quote I’d found on Ali’s page a long time ago.
Our lives are a flood of images and we are collectors who keep a strange assortment of images: moments of extreme emotion, pain, beauty, and fear stand out. Events we’re taught to remember: weddings, graduations, births, deaths. Then there are the millions of images that we can’t shake out of our heads, that come to us at strange times – things we can’t remember why we remember: the gold threads in an old stereo speaker, the way the light hit a thousand cars in a parking lot by the water, the face of a stranger in a restaurant, a friend standing in a pool – you can’t remember where, slapping the water with the flat of her hand. Memory is a sieve that holds curious things. A life is a trail of strange, colorful memories. – Risa Mickenberg
In the end, I loved how it all came together. As could be expected, I did make some mistakes and leave out two people and had a third one with a story sent too late and there was one small portion with white text so I will fix all that and get the book reprinted (another wonderful side effect of having done it digitally like this.)
But I am truly glad I didn’t wait another 4 years. This for me to remember not to save my “best” ideas. Do them now. There will be more.
Here’s to the power of stories.
I love you my amazing husband. Happy thirty-six and to many many more.
Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always loved snap dragons. They are so wonderful.
Today was mostly a rest day. The last few days were a whirlwind. I had the inlaws, a lot of work, and I had to get some layouts for Margie for her HSN show. All of that was done yesterday so I had allowed myself to rest a bit today. And rest I did. I did some more catching up on personal work and work work and then I tried to rest. But if there’s even such a thing, I am too exhausted to rest.
Nathaniel was a bit off too. He wouldn’t take his nap and was in a funny mood.
This photo is blurry but I wanted to show you how he chipped off part of his front tooth a few days ago. He was mad and hit it against the tub.
David and I practiced some more smiling. Tuesday is his class picture day.
Nathaniel loves the outdoors so much. He is super happy when we’re in the yard.
Love of my life.
David decided to pull him around a bit and he loved it so much!
So did David. Here, he’s gassing up. Heh.
About to put the kids down and then rest and relax the rest of the night. My birthday weekend so I get the weekend off, right?
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for the beautiful yellow tulips and blue irises that came in the mail from my husband today.
2. I am grateful that the day was relaxed enough for me to be able to rest a bit.
3. I am grateful that I have nothing scheduled or required to do this weekend.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. making a cherry pie craft at school
2. playing with nathaniel outside in the yard (pulling his wagon)
3. watching a little tv with mom
Since I am a guest designer for My Mind’s Eye this month, I wanted to make sure to post a copy of each of my layouts here, too. These all use the amazing My Mind’s Eye products.
Journaling Reads:
My wonderful David, this was a long week for you. Your first week at your new school. Your first real teacher. Your first time managing yourself for most of the day. Your first time riding the school bus. Your first light up shoes and water bottle. And your new schedule. You’re doing such a brilliant job of it all. I am so very proud of you my son. 08.10
Details:
Journaling Reads:
I read a lot of blogs and I have to admit that I don’t often take the time to comment when the content really speaks to me. Partly, it‘s because I use an RSS reader so it takes several more clicks to actually be able to leave a comment, but mostly it’s cause I am lazy.
The thing is, just like most people, I imagine, I love getting comments on my blog. I love reading people‘s opinions, advice, thoughts and kind words in response to my words or photos or art. One of the reasons I blog is to connect with others and comments are the ultimate way for me to see and cherish that connection.
So I want to thank each person who takes the extra time to make sure to visit my blog each day and leave a few words. I know time is very precious and we only have a limited amount of it so the few minutes you share with me are most appreciated.
This is also a reminder to me to take a few minutes each day and leave kind comments for others, too.
Today was much better. Since I was done with my last minute layout project, I felt a lot more relaxed and finished a whole bunch of personal todos and I did almost all my work catching up so it was a good good day!!
While I worked in the morning, Nathaniel looked at his book. You can’t see it well in the photo, but it’s there hiding behind the pillow.
Today was the short day at David’s school and Jake’s parents came here early to come with me to the bus. And, of course, we practiced smiling some more. This looks like progress.
But then I get this.
Ugh. 4 days to picture day. We’re not doing so well. Then the kids did some playing in the backyard with their grandparents. And some hugging.
Jake’s mom had gotten me some gifts for my upcoming birthday and David helped me open those.
Nathaniel came to help, too. He likes to do whatever David does.
Some hugs and goodbyes and they are off to dinner with Jake and then the airport. I have still a good 30 items on my todo list and my class started today, too, and I have too many unanswered emails still. So off to tackle some of that!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that life will go back to “normal” tomorrow. I will finally hopefully get to establish the fall routine. Let’s see if I do.
2. I am grateful that the kids got to spend so much time with their grandparents and they all got along wonderfully. We’re blessed with great grandparents on all sides.
3. I am grateful that I got so so much work done today. It’s a big load off my shoulders.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. coloring my apple for school
2. watching a movie with papi
3. making a banner in art class (even though I didn’t get to finish it)
This is using the A Million Memories September Kit.
Journaling Reads:
The way your eyes shine and your face smiles big and wide always makes me so happy to see. I hope that you’re always happy to be together. I love you.
Details:
There is so much buzz around Little Bee that I just couldn’t decide if I wanted to read it.
I knew it was going to be sad. But several people said they loved it. Others said they couldn’t get through it.
I finally decided to pick it up and see.
I read it in one day. It was a quick and painful read. And there were parts I loved. But overall, I wasn’t sure how much I liked it. The characters, I thought, weren’t very well developed. The story was very unbelievable in parts and got more so towards the end. I have no doubt the horrific events are similar to ones that actually happen and it did make me cringe, feel the horror, and devastation. But I don’t like reading about such terrible things and maybe that makes me ignorant. I am ok with that. I would have liked some more warning. I know the publisher didn’t want to disclose but I think that was a ploy and unnecessary in this case.
All in all, I cannot say I recommend it even though I am glad I read it.
Fair warning: a lot of photos ahead.
I’m still under some kind of crazy off-schedule schedule where I get nothing on my todo list done. Nathaniel woke up at 4am again but then I just ignored him and he went back to sleep until 7 but by then I was awake so I couldn’t fall back asleep even though I refused to get up from bed. Didn’t start the day on the best note.
We dropped David off to the bus and then I had to finish a deadline so I worked while Nathaniel played. He’s loving the play table and being home without David for a bit.
I worked, he napped, I worked more, we ate and then it was already time to pick up David. When we got home, Nathaniel started taking the “outdoor” toys out.
And David decided to have fun with them, too.
We then practiced the smiling. He looks sweet here but oh so fake.
The kids were in such a good mood. Nathaniel kept hugging David.
And they would fall on the floor together.
And then he’d start to climb all over him.
David made a happy granparents’ day card at school this week.
Who knew my birthday was also grandparents’ day.
Then Jake’s parents came over and since they’re leaving tomorrow, I wanted to get som shots of them with the kids. Nathaniel and Meme first. Look at that smile.
And lots of love.
Then it was David’s turn.
I tried to get all three but it was quite the challenge.
Then it was Papi’s turn. Love the smiles here, too.
David wouldn’t give a non-fake smile so I told Papi to tickle him.
And then snapped this, too.
After the kids went down we went to see Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. It was absolutely fantastic. Now it’s 11pm and my class starts in one hour! You can still sign up!!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a few awesome hours at the movies. Laughter and happiness.
2. I am grateful that my tight deadline assignment is finished and will be mailing tomorrow.
3. I am grateful that after tomorrow I can begin the business of establishing a new routine for the year.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. making my grandparents card
2. wrapping presents for mommy with meme
3. learning a new song at school (it’s about going in and out of bluebells, he said.)
Thanks to my little boy, I woke up at 4:15am this morning.
I spent the whole day in a daze and exhausted. This also meant that I was much crankier than usual. As I am sure it’s true for others, too, I tend to be quite negative when I am cranky. A few hours into my day, I was already tired, whiny, and angry. And I still had quite a few important to-do items on my list.
Mid-morning, my older son called me from school to say that he’d lost his backpack and, with it, his lunch. I could tell he sounded really sad. I told him I’d be right there with another lunch and snack for him. I raced over there. All the way there, I was worried about the bag and its contents. Now we’d have to buy a new bag, lunch box, water bottle, jacket, and book. Not to mention an afternoon trip to Target which I really didn’t want to make.
When I got there, I knocked on the door and gave the teacher his new lunch. And then I looked around and found his bag on one of the hooks one class over. I then knocked again and took the new lunch back and drove back home. On the way back, I was annoyed that I had to make the trip there for nothing and thought about all the time and effort I wasted.
Then I stopped myself.
I obviously needed a good talking to and there was no one else to give it to me so I gave myself a short, snappy lecture. I told myself that for the rest of the day I didn’t get to be cranky. Instead of looking at it negatively, how about turning it around and finding the thing to be grateful about?
For example, I could be grateful that I was home when the school called and grateful that we live close enough to school for me to be able to deliver him another lunch. Grateful that we had some more of the same food he loves. Grateful that I had a spare lunchbox. And on the way back, I could be grateful that I now wouldn’t have to make a trip to Target or spend any more money. Or that David now gets to eat his original lunch. I could even be thankful that I now had tomorrow’s lunch mostly packed.
For the rest of the day, I forced myself to change perspective and turn my negative conversations around. It didn’t make me any less tired but it did make me enjoy my moments more. And considering how precious each moment is, I figured it was the best gift I could give myself on a day like this.
The following is cross-posted from the Weekly Gratitude Blog. I will post there every Tuesday and decided to post those posts here, too. For those of you who read both blogs, I apologize in advance. Some weeks the content might be different and other weeks, exactly the same.
Last night I had trouble falling asleep. Possibly because I’d made a list of 42 to-do list items. And then Nathaniel decided 4am wake up was as good a time as any. He wailed and wailed so I finally gave up and just woke up.
big mistake.
it meant that my whole day was exhausting. It also meant that this little one napped at 7am to 9am and then not again.
Then David called from school and said he lost his backpack and had nothing to eat. So I packed another lunch and rushed to his school. After I delivered it, I then found his bag so I brought it back home. Then I had to drive to Michael’s to buy a punch I needed for an urgent scrappy project I am doing. I scrapped a page. And I can barely hold my head up.
Then we picked up David from school and practiced smiling some more.
Yes, not really getting close. Honestly, I am too exhausted to write more. More tomorrow, I promise.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that my husband agreed to pick up some medicine for me instead of making me drive all the way there with two kids.
2. I am grateful that I found David’s bag. It would have been a shame to have to buy a new one this early in the year.
3. I am grateful that it was less stressful at work than I anticipated so I can do my work slowly and carefully.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. going to PE and racing like cars at school
2. watching more of scooby-doo two
3. getting to put a piece of paper in people’s cubbies at school (each of the kids have cubbies)
After three nights of only few hours of sleep, I finally felt way too exhausted and worn out this morning, so I spent extra time on the couch as the kids played at their new table.
I love this table and I think they do, too. Legos, logs, trains, it holds them all.
And Nathaniel grabbed David’s legos the moment he left the room, of course.
Then we practiced smiling some more. We’re still working on that. We need more work, don’t you think?
Mid-morning, Jake’s parents came over while Nathaniel napped, they took David to the children’s discovery museum which he loved. And I got to stay here and work on my art book which was also great. When they came back, Jake and his dad went to meet with a neighbor and Meme and David played some more dodgeball.
And Nathaniel watched nearby.
When Jake and his dad came back, we went to the Elizabeth Gamble Garden over in Palo Alto. We walked around as I snapped hundreds of flower photos. Yep, got many many many to post. And I snapped one of my mother in law. Isn’t she beautiful?
And here’s the little boy, trying to touch (yank) one of those pretty flowers.
After we came home and put the kids down, I got back to work on my art book which I wanted to finally finish. So I did that and I am now off to bed. I need another six days of rest but this week promises to be super hectic and then my birthday is in six days. Oh well, rest is not crucial, is it?
Happy Monday!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for some wonderful play time in my art book.
2. I am grateful for a wonderful leisurely stroll in the flowers gardens. Flowers make me happy.
3. I am grateful for this amazing, full, and wonderfully joyful weekend.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. Going to the discovery museum
2. Going to the flower gardens
3. watching Scooby doo
There are many many photos today. We’ve had a very full two days so feel free to skip this and the next post.
Today was my husband’s birthday. 3-6. I wanted to make it extra special. So it started with my giving him his present the night before at 1am. I made him this book of stories from all of the people he’s had in his life. (more on the book later this week.) I had been working on it for months and I was worried he wouldn’t like it or it wouldn’t work ok. But he loved it. The only bad side effect was that he couldn’t fall asleep after getting it so he ended up staying up until 4am. But we let him sleep in, in the morning. We got up early and set the table and waited for him.
When he got up, I made pancakes and the four of us sat and ate. Amazingly, this was the best photo I could get of the three of them.
Before we began, David gave his card.
the inside of which he wrote all by himself. And on the back it says “2010.”
He then opened his friend Kendall’s present which was a boba fett sweater. I have no idea what that means but Jake was really happy and that’s all that matters.
As we finished having our little family breakfast, Jake’s parents showed up. David rushed to open the door and Nathaniel followed him.
I’d asked Jake’s parents to get a cake on the way and some candles. That’s a lot of candles, eh?
We ate some cake and then it was time to open more presents. David was all too happy to help open them.
Once Daddy’s presents were open (and there were many), David, Meme, and Jake went to Target to get David some legos and a playing table (I’ve had enough of having legos on my dinner table.) We then took a little break and went to a late lunch at a nearby cafe. When we came back, Jake setup the table and Meme gave David another present, too. So they went outside to play with it. David threw.
Meme’s jacket caught.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel woke up from his nap and saw the Lincoln logs Meme bought so he had some fun of his own.
Look at the way he’s crossing his legs, my little boy.
I made the house and he attacked it with vigor. It took many minutes to make and seconds to come down.
And David put his new legos together in split seconds too.
After a bunch more playing, it was finally time to put the kids down. They had dinner, bath and bedtime. We had reservations at Gary Denko (a fancy restaurant) in San Francisco so we got dressed and left for the city.
Our delicious dinner lasted a long time and we finally made it home around midnight and I basically crashed in bed. An amazing day and one I will remember for a long time.
Happy Birthday, my love. You make each of my moments brighter.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for my husband. Love and adore him.
2. I am grateful for all the friends and family members who contributed to his book and enabled me to give him such a wonderful gift.
3. I am grateful that today went smoothly and with utmost joy.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. My new legos
2. playing dodgeball with Meme
3. eating ice cream at the cafe
4. daddy’s birthday!!
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projects for twenty twenty-six
projects for twenty twenty-five
projects for twenty twenty-four
projects for twenty twenty-three
projects for twenty twenty-two
projects for twenty twenty-one
projects for twenty nineteen
projects for twenty eighteen
projects from twenty seventeen
monthly projects from previous years
some of my previous projects
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