Scrapbooking

I have been scrapbooking semi-consistently for about 2.5 years now. I've realized a few things:

1) I'm actually not really a "scrapbooker" - I would classify myself as a "Memory Keeper"

2) There is no right or wrong way to keep memories

3) I love that I have taken over 1,000 pictures each year of Jessica's life. I hope it continues as baby #2 is on his way...

4) I love journaling with my pictures

5) I love putting a bunch of pictures on one page...

6) It's okay to have times when I am scrapbooking a lot and times when I am not

7) Some scrappers say there is no such thing as "caught up" - while I am not caught up with my scrapping, I definitely think there is nothing wrong with wanting to be caught up and with trying. So far I'm about 1/3 done with the year 2009. :)

8) Having an organized scrapbooking room is WELL WORTH the time, money, and effort to get it in that shape

9) A picture is definitely worth 1,000 words BUT the journaling helps bring out the important ones

10) I'm a better mom when I'm scrapbooking. Sounds funny, but I am. I feel better knowing that I'm doing something to document my family's life

11) I have trained my daughter to "pose" for pictures. The minute SECOND she see's me with my camera she starts smiling and saying cheese. After I take the picture she is always asking, "Let me see! Mom, let me see!" haha...

I'm Back (I think...)

Judging by the date of the last post, it is obvious that this is LONG overdue! I will keep this short and simple but here are some bulletin updates about our lives in the past few months:

• Jer is still working at Avant Assessment full-time and the MTC part-time
• We find out at the end of this year if Jer is able to get a job full-time at the MTC
• Jer got a raise at Avant Assessment
• I was able to quit working part-time and just focus on being a stay-at-home mom
• Jessica has turned 3 years old as of the 11th of January - I can't BELIEVE she is three now!!!
• We are expecting a baby boy in April! (Hopefully he doesn't take after his sister and come the month before - we are praying for an April baby not a March baby...)
• Jer was in a car accident in November and walked away with only a broken wrist and bruised legs - it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because the totaled car allowed us to pay of our current car loan, buy another car out right (which eliminated that previous car payment), buy a new bed (which we DESPERATELY needed), and pay off some other debts. Plus, it was a blessing to see how the Lord was protecting Jer since (literally) he didn't die and was not disabled. I'll have to post pictures of the car - the Lord truly was watching out for him!
• We celebrated our 5 year anniversary last May - Jer surprised me with a trip to Disneyland! Just the two of us. It was perfect!

That's only a brief, brief, brief overview of our last few months. It's been a hectic, busy, yet wonderful ride! I hope to post more often now, especially with our growing family.