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my memory-keeping framework

I thought it would be helpful (for me, at least) to write out my memory-keeping framework. I wanted to settle on an overall system to make sure that I’m capturing the big picture, the celebrations, and also the everyday details and stories of our lives.

I also think that setting these boundaries will give me the freedom to say no to new projects (like this or this – both of which I love). It’s taken me several years to develop, and I don’t doubt that it will continue to change, but for now here is how I’m approaching memory keeping.

Project Life

>This is our family album and the foundation of my entire system. All of our everyday life stuff goes in here. I don’t do individual albums for the kids but I will highlight them individually from time to time.

>Compiled in a 12×12 album, there is usually about a page per week, with a month encompassing two full spreads. Inserts are included for special events.

>At the back of each album I include a large envelope page for collected “stuff” that I want to save but don’t fit well into the spreads (such as birthday cards).

>One and only one album per year!

Week in the Life

>I just started this project last year (and am still completing my first album) but I know it is something that I want to do every year. I love the details it gives – way more than in Project Life – but it’s too intense to do more than once a year.

>Right now I am enjoying the 6×8 album format using Ali Edwards’ kit, but this might change in the future.

Holiday Mini-album (December Daily)

>I love the holiday season and the minibooks that I’ve created of them in the past are some of my favorites. These are stored with the holiday decor and pulled out after Thanksgiving.

>So far my format has changed each year, but I intend to continue putting together a holiday-specific album each year.

One Little Word

This is another tradition I’ve started this year that I love and intend to continue with. This album is more personal and for my own growth. The album is 8.5×11 and will hold 3-5 years’ worth in it.

5-year journal

I am in the fourth year of writing in my 5-year journal every night. This is where I write a brief overview of the events of each day. It forces me to be concise, but I capture the highlights. I also use it for reference when putting together my Project Life spreads.

Personal journal

I have opened a protected blog in order to write out my personal journaling. I try to do it at the beginning of each day, to get all of my thoughts out. This is just for me. I also have a prayer journal that I write in sporadically during my devotions.

Baby & Birthday Books

>The kids each have a baby book that ends roughly at age one. I didn’t want to stress about creating one myself, so I bought them each this one and just filled it up.

>They also each have a birthday book from the same author. They’re pretty cute and easy to keep up with.

Blog to photo books (planned)

I’ve also done a lot of writing about the kids on my blog. Birth stories, monthly updates during their babyhood, quotes, stories. My plan is to compile these posts into a photobook when I have enough of them. Right now I’m thinking every five years or so, but that may change. That way they will have something to take with them when they leave home.

Listing these all out it seems like a lot, but the only projects that are constantly ongoing are Project Life, the 5-year journal, and the personal journal; those are very much entrenched in my routine now. The others are either completed or sporadic. I think it’s a realistic framework to keep up with, and I hope it will only get easier as the kids grow up and gain independence.

Related blog updates: I gave “documenting” its own category which you can access from the header menu above. Trying to keep things organized around here! And exciting: finally after nine years of blogging, I bought kapachino.COM! It was time. From now on, kapachino.info will redirect here. Thanks as always for reading!

February 18, 2015
currently

print above by Maidae

Currently:

recovering from a(nother) stomach bug

eating the BRAT diet

revamping my natural makeup routine with some updated products

listening to Mr. Penumbra’s 24-hour Bookstore on audiobook

relieved that Meredith’s most recent phase of daily tantrums seems to be over with and she’s back to her sweet self

loving the happy and playful phase that Liam is in

relaxing during this week off of exercising

planning my new fitness routine

anticipating the weekend with no major plans

thinking about making Valentine’s cards like this

working on my vision board for one little word

designing blog business cards

posting a happy thing each day this month over on Instagram

what are you up to?

February 12, 2015
katy half marathon recap

So I ran another half marathon.

In hindsight: signing up for two of them within three weeks (never having done one before) was maybe not the best idea. Also in hindsight: donating blood the week leading up to the race probably didn’t help either.

Despite feeling burnt out and tired, I finished and I am reminded that I can do hard things.

It was cold that morning, and extremely foggy. My feet, hands, and ears were all numb when we started. In fact, I wasn’t able to feel my feet until around mile 5. That was uncomfortable. I also had no idea where we were for the first half of the course. Every now and then a landmark would suddenly loom in front of us and I would think, “Oh, we’re on the street by the mall,” or whatever. Weird. Water droplets kept forming on my eyelashes. That was weird too.

My friend Joanna and I ran together pretty much the whole way this time. My mile-by-mile breakdown is pretty simple:

Mile 5 – I can finally feel my feet.

Mile 5.5 – Short water break. Take off my outer jacket.

Mile 9.5 – I see my parents spectating and stop for a quick pic with my mom (above). Another water break and I eat an energy chew.

The rest of the way – I am pretty miserable with pain in my hips and legs.

Mile 11-ish – Turn on some music on my phone because it’s a long, boring stretch to the finish and I’m having trouble focusing on anything except the pain I’m in. The music actually worked though.

Being a smaller race (and in its first year), my family actually got to see me finish. My dad took the photo above of me crossing. It was a great moment to see Meredith sitting on David’s shoulders during the last few feet. She was watching all the runners with such an intense look of concentration!

As we were running, Joanna and I were comparing this race with the Aramco Houston Half we just did. I told her, “I am looking forward to seeing the kids at the end of this race.” She responded right away, “I’m looking forward to not running at the end of the race.” Amen.

So my total time was 2 hours 20 minutes, slightly slower than my last race, but I’m happy with it. I’m glad Katy (my town – it’s a suburb of Houston) has this race now, but the lack of spectators was sad and it could use a little more organization or signage at the finish.

I’m glad I’m done with half marathons for awhile. I’ll probably do another one, maybe next year, but for now I’m taking a week off and then going to revamp my fitness routine to include shorter runs and cross training. I’m definitely looking forward to doing some different things like yoga and strength. And I also can’t wait to have 2-3 hours of personal time back to myself each weekend!

February 10, 2015
project life 2015 : january

Welcome to my first Project Life post of 2015! Before I share my pages I have a couple things to share about how I’m structuring my album and how the process will go for me.

I know I said I was going to keep everything basically the same as last year, but I wanted to change up the title cards. When I saw these monthly calendar templates I knew they would be perfect, and I decided to add a picture of the kids in the same basic pose for each month. But these were monthly title cards and I usually complete a spread every two weeks. Sooo…I’m doing a mixture.

What I mean is, I’m only going to have a title card each month, and looks like I’ll only be blogging my pages once a month. But I am still going to keep up my habit of ordering photos and completing spreads every two weeks. I am also still using the week in review cards.

Am I worried about the times when the weeks won’t line up exactly with the months? Yeah it’s kind of bugging me right now…but I’ll deal with that when I get there.

So here is my first spread, which roughly encompasses January 1 – 18. Let me tell you, when I first printed my photos for this and laid them out, I hated the way it looked. There were a lot of bright colors and no white space and it was just ugh. January is also a suuuuper busy month for us so there was a lot to pack in.

Usually when I don’t love the photos I’ve printed I just throw them in the pockets anyway just to get it done, but I had such strong negative feelings this time, which made me sad because I loved the title card so much! So instead I turned several of the photos to black and white, then combined them in collages and re-printed them at home using my Canon Selphy. I was so much happier then. :)

Another trick that helped the layout feel less “busy” was that I cropped several of the photos down and adhered them to paper (like the two above).

Now onto the second spread, which is for January 19 – 31. I totally neglected my camera for a couple of weeks! I really had to think creatively to fill these pockets. Instead of shoving them all on one page, though, I was glad for the extra space to journal. It allowed me to include some tidbits that I otherwise probably wouldn’t have written about, like the books I read that month and a family outing that was especially fun.

The above is a classic “dad photo.” Anytime our family gets together he always takes group shots. I love that he does this but he is never in the photos and also they are usually dark, blurry, and/or far away. ;)

So that’s that! I am still having a lot of fun with this project and I love that there is room for experimentation but I can keep it super simple and still be in love. Next week I’ll be sharing more about my entire memory-keeping framework. Thanks for reading!

February 6, 2015
thirty-three

Today is my birthday! I am 33. I love the number 3 so I just know this is going to be a good year. And Meredith is excited because she thinks I’m the same age as her. ;)

I wanted to do a fun post to commemorate the day. There isn’t anything special going on because I have to work and am going to Bible study tonight; and in fact, it was a terrible morning, the worst in recent memory and I already cried once (ah parenthood!), but I am trying to move past that. Last weekend we went out to eat at Cheesecake Factory with my family, my work had a birthday lunch for me yesterday with cake, and this weekend we’ll be having a birthday dinner with David’s family. So that is all really fun.

Here are some things that were on my birthday wish list. I’m definitely not getting them all, but wanted to share regardless:

1. There are some makeup products I’ve been wanting to try. Using a gift card I purchased this mascara (I needed a new bottle and wanted to see if this measures up to my favorite) and got a sample of this tinted moisturizer. So far I’m loving it and I have the full size on the way. I have also been noticing in the past year that my brows are kind of thinning so I’d like to try out some sort of brow…pencil? I don’t know what you call it because I have never ventured into this arena before. Anyway, this is the one I think I’m going to purchase at some point.

2. I just really, really want to treat myself and wear amazing underwear. A set of these briefs is expensive but I’ve been saving up and I think I might take the plunge.

3. Knitting classes and supplies. I already mentioned that my mom is getting me this. It’s even more special because it’s something we will do together.

4. Earrings. I am a stud-wearing girl, but I seem to always be losing one earring so at the moment I only have a pair of gold ones that I love. I mostly wear silver though, so I really want some small studs like this.

5. Spa services. Pedicure, massage. Always appreciated.

6. A running jacket. This looks like a good one. Right now I’m borrowing one from a friend but I’d like to get myself fully geared up for year-round running. (I’d also like more tank tops and shorts for summer as well as a new sports bra.)

I didn’t want David to really spend money on me because we are trying to be smart financially, but he did get me flowers and a super sweet card and a Starbucks gift card. He can’t help but treat me a little bit and I love him for it! What I asked for from him is for us both to take this Myers-Briggs personality type test, and then to discuss our results in depth while on a date (which is happening this weekend). I feel like we know each other pretty well, but I think this will be fascinating and informative, while also helping us communicate better and strengthen our marriage. I asked for this for my birthday so he would be sure to say yes! To me it sounds super fun, but I know he might not think so. ;)

How do you like to celebrate your birthday? I used to try to celebrate all week (a la Gilmore Girls) but it’s gotten harder to do so as I get older and have more responsibilities. But I still do love birthdays. :)

February 5, 2015