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Friday, April 16, 2010

Passing The Time

One of my favorite hobbies is scrapbooking. Sometimes I go months without working on it, but this week I've decided to dive back in. I find that it's a great way to pass the time because I tend to lose hours and days working at my desk in my scrapbook space, which doubles as one of our guest rooms. (Yes, I have to keep it pretty tidy so our guests will have a place to sleep!)

My sister got me into scrapbooking about ten years ago but I would say I became a serious scrapper around 2004. Since then I've done an album for each year from January through December. Big vacations usually get their own separate albums. Just yesterday I finished my 2007 album and I started working on 2008 today. It is definitely hard to keep up, but I do enjoy it so much.

I remember a few times several years ago when I made attempts to get involved with other groups of scrapbookers. In some instances it wasn't long before I felt like the odd one out. I'm sure you can guess that most of these were mothers who made it a point to declare that the reason they got into scrapbooking was for their kids. I always noticed that even the scrapbooking magazines I subscribed to were full of babies and kids. This used to bother me a little bit, because I knew that surely there were single people and couples without children who also took up this hobby. I totally understand that my frustration came from a place of hurt and longing. I just wanted a hobby that I enjoyed and I didn't necessarily want it to remind me that I didn't have children and may not have them to share my albums with one day.

Indeed, children are fun subjects to photograph and create cute pages about. If you look at my scrapbooks you'll see that my favorite subjects are my nephews! But I also love to make pages about family birthdays and get-togethers, family histories and stories, and our vacation memories. I finally asked myself one day, "Why am I doing this if I'll never have children?" The answer was simple. I did it because I liked it. I did it for myself. I did it for my husband and my family members who enjoyed looking at the albums I created. And that was enough for me.

My husband and I love looking back at those memories. Truthfully, it helps us to realize that our years of infertility and miscarriage were not wasted years. We did do some living along the way! We traveled, we laughed, we grew, and we changed, and we had fun. Sure, there are some not so happy memories in those pages. We lost loved ones and we had hard times, too. But all of that is part of our story and reminds us of how far we've come.

So I'll continue to record our memories in my scrapbooks because it's something I truly enjoy. And if our children someday enjoy looking at those albums, well, that will just be icing on the cake.

16 comments:

The Blessed Barrenness said...

As long as you enjoy it nothing else matters and you're going to have such a great record of the years in times to come!

Rebecca said...

I loved the way you put this

"Truthfully, it helps us to realize that our years of infertility and miscarriage were not wasted years. We did do some living along the way!"

such a beautiful perspective

Jo said...

First of all, I love scrapbooking too but am not very good at it. I have made Xavier a scrap book that is all about his journey from an embryo into a one year old boy. The only thing is I am not an artistic type so I think it is pretty plain and boring. But of course the sentiment is nice and thats the most important thing.

Second I am so glad you feel your years of dealing with Infertility were not wasted. Unfortuneately I fear I really wasted all my time being sad and getting so fixated on the task at hand that I put my life on hold and almost forgot to keep living. I finally figured out this is what I was doing and made a pact with myself to try to live life more even though it didnt include a child yet. I made plans, enrolled in a course, planned a holiday and BAM right then was when God granted us our pregnancy. I'm sure He must do this to remind us it is all in His time and not ours! xoxoxox

Michele said...

I totally get what you're saying. There were so many times my friends would get together to scrapbook and I'd feel so left out without having photos of children to work on. I started making cards to fill the time so I could still attend. It helped, but still made me sad and jealous of those ladies who talked non-stop about the multiple events they had pictures of.

It will be so fun to fill those new 2010 books with pictures of your little one.

Unknown said...

You're my scrabooking hero! It's so important to do something that YOU love... it's helps you be you! You've got a very special treasure in your many scapbooks that I wish I had. I feel like I've forgotten so many memories because I don't have that reminder. Love Ya!

Indy said...

Awww...very sweet.

I wanna see your scrapbook too...post a pic!

Birdie said...

I'm glad you have a fun hobby that you really enjoy!

gg said...

i think you ought to call them "adventure books" instead of scrapbooks. :)

Connie said...

Love it, GG! :)

One of my most prized possessions is the books you've made for me! I'm glad I "created that monster". You are amazing! Can't wait to see them next week! XOXO

Anonymous said...

Just popping in to say Hi. I have been reading up as much as I can. The fundraiser is over and now I can get back to a life!

Erin said...

I love coming and reading your perspective on life. It makes me smile and rethink my own frustration and sometimes bitterness. No, the years are not wasted though it may feel like that at the time. They are filled with you becoming the person you need to be. So great!

Journeymark Cards & Gifts said...

Yay!!! I am so glad you started scrapbooking again. You know how I love my hobbies, and I have to say, scrapbooking is so hard for me. I am very proud of you for organizing the wonderful memories for each year. What a beautiful gift this year will hold???!!!! :)

Love you!
Jessica

TRS said...

I sure understand feeling like an outsider!

I went to a scrapbooking party once ( actually, someone selling supplies, disguised as a party... you know those?)
And I just couldn't get past watching people cut up pictures! (The photographer in me!) It's as horrible as seeing someone write in a text book. Eeek!

Also, stopping by to say that Kikr is making progress with the emotional and physical loss of her short pregnancy. I told her that I mentioned it here... and that you and I'm sure countless readers of yours were praying for her. She told me she knew she was lifted in prayer, she felt it.
So thank you so very much for holding my friend up.
She'll be stopping by soon.

Much love!!!
TRS

Renovation Girl said...

I LOVE scrapbooking (used to sell the products!!) and just wish I had more time to do it. I spent the day today trying to get my craft room organized. I love your take on the importance on scrapbooking. I started before I had my son and I love to look at our life as a family-pre-kids. :)

Jenn said...

I have never been into scrapbooking but I do enjoy looking at other people's creations. Glad you have this hobby!

Amber said...

scrapbooking is definitely such a fun thing to do and will definitely be something to look back on years to come