Being a parent

Well, admidst the chinese new year festivities which ends today, I have finally caught up with the boys' birthday prayer layouts which is something I want to do annually (last year I started making layouts - see them here). This year I got dh to write the prayers! I love it when he writes, both because it is rare, and because i love his thoughts and words. Credits: background papers both by Weeds and Wildflowers, Love and ABCD wordarts both by Emily Powers, cream heart by Mira designs, glitter star by Loreta Labarca, red letter f by suzy scraps, square stitches by Margote, grateful and heart shaped word art by Weeds & Wildflowers, circle stitching by Natali designs.
I have made them into templates for you, scroll all the way down!

Being the boys' parents has been so much pride and joy, and in equal parts worries and headaches, I'm sure you can all testify to! I always remember this article dh wrote for our church bulletin about 8 months after Jared was born, (I think he won't mind me sharing it with you! :P)
"I wanted to write this when my first son, Ryan, was born, but the thoughts and feelings were a bit overwhelming then. Things are still pretty chaotic but I might as well start.
I think few people would sign on for fatherhood if they knew the whole deal! It was daunting, the first year. Handling poo, diapers, rocking the baby in the wee hours of morning in an empty hall, crying fits (from mum (yin: that would be me!)and child). Imagine giving up most of your favourite pastimes (movies!) and instead being able to discuss breast-feeding intelligently with your female colleague. Talk about shifting paradigm.
When you have children, a part of you is constantly looking out for them, checking if they are safe or hungry or dirty or wet. They're asleep? - let's sneak off for some coffee! Even when you are apart, you'll think of them. I think I understand prayer a little better now. If I as a sinful man can look out for my kids, how much more our father God who love us and died for us. He is Omniscience and, before you even pray, is already looking out for you.
Psalms 139:13,14 : 'For you create my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.' "
Hope you are blessed as I am every time I read this.

I am also rushing out layouts from last year to put into a 20 page album, in time for the free offer shutterfly and CK sent to my mail box! Apparently it is a one time use coupon so I can't share it. The next few layouts are going to be ultra-simple and quick! And which can be lovely, I think :) These are both from walks and weekends spent outdoors.
Credits: Red background paper by Studio MGL, brown paper from Weeds & Wildflowers, leaf cut out from Vera Lim's the most wonderful time of the year, Priceless charm by PureScraps.
Credits: straight stitch by Loreta Labarca,ribbon and journaling tag by studio ellie, stitched flowers by creshens, soft dots and background paper all by Weeds & Wildflowers
Have made them into templates as usual:You can find the templateshere!

Here's the templates I used for the birthday layouts, combined as one double page. You can use them as single or double, quite versatile, isn't it? :) I've added two more photo mats to each side of this template, so that you can use them for Project 365 if you wish. This template is now available as a set in the store HERE