Note to self.

Layout circa 2004.

Yesterday I took a cue from Ali Edwards (yes, another one LOL) and I took a look back at Hannah's baby layouts. Thinking about what I like about them, what I'd like to do differently in William's album. And it was pretty clear - over and over again, I'd like to see more of the story. I remember feeling like I had this big stack of cute baby pictures and "nothing to say." And to a certain extent, that's still true today, especially with the event photos that I take every year. I've come to accept that sometimes it's okay not to have any words. Like at the pumpkin patch or Easter egg hunt. Unless, of course, something newsworthy happens that year.

My scrapbooking process almost always starts with the photos. The exception to that might be when I'm completing an assignment for a class, or if I'm particularly inspired by a product or a layout I see somewhere. But for the most part, I begin with my photos. Not just because some of them are really good, or because I'm emotionally connected to them, but sometimes I think partly because of the sheer number of them. But what if... What if I start with the story? How many stories remain untold, because I "have to" document all the major annual events of our lives?

I think it's time to start writing!

Time for a new routine.

Image by livinglocurto on Flickr.

Lately I've been re-prioritizing my life - I do that, occasionally - and now comes the tricky part: trying to fit it all in the hours of each day. I'd like to work out first thing (after breakfast) in the morning... It's funny, but I've found it true, that a smart workout really does give you more energy for the day! (That's been my mantra lately... work smarter, not harder.) So including drive time to the YMCA, getting William settled in the nursery, etc. that's about an hour there. After that, I'd spend an hour or so at home doing housework; why not, I'm already sweaty, right? ;) Ideally, I can work in a practice session on my horn. Warming up for the day. If there's any time left before lunch, I can read a book or catch up on the message boards for my online class over at Big Picture Scrapbooking. Lunch, then, with William and Chris. Love this time in the middle of the day to refresh and reconnect. Then William goes down for his nap, and I can grab a shower (feels so good!). Then it's playtime for Mommy: scrapbooking, yay! At 3 it's time to wake William up (I hate doing that!) so we can pick up Hannah from school. Snacktime at home, and William sits on my lap while I do Facebook and Farmville on the laptop. Gotta get my daily fix. :) Then what - oh yes, practicing my horn, can't forget that. Supposed to be practicing 3 hours a day on non-rehearsal days, but I'm still working up to that. Dinner with the family, all of us at the table together - a good thing. More practicing after dinner, I guess. Bathtime, storytime, bedtime for the kiddos. Then it's Mommy & Daddy time. Lately that means watching 24 or House on DVD. Love Netflix. Bedtime, and it's a little earlier than it used to be, since I stopped drinking caffeine (been a couple months now - go me!) and stopped taking afternoon naps. (Let's just say I was a big believer in the old advice to sleep when the baby sleeps. lol)

Wow. That's a lot in one day.

I think maybe I'm gonna need to get up earlier. :P