My Memories Suite Software v3

 For those of you not familiar with this software, head on over to their website and check it out. From the My Memories website:

"MyMemories Suite v3 software is a complete digital scrapbooking solution that provides a comprehensive powerful set of creative tools no other scrapbook software can offer. With its intuitive workspace and enhanced time-saving features, this application is perfect for a beginner to create a complete album in minutes, or to empower the design pro to build a scrapbook album masterpiece. "

They offer an easy-to-use digital scrapbooking software that you can use to create beautiful scrapbook pages in just minutes. And sharing your pages is as easy as a click of your mouse. You can build a page from scratch or use one of their many pre-designed templates.

Following are a couple of pages I made with the software:

 

The above page was made using the May Flowers Quickpage that I downloaded for free from the My Memories website. I added my pictures from my daughter's birthday. Then, I added the Happy Birthday and 2012 text. Lastly, I added brads in each corner (these are included in a ton of colors and styles within the software).

 

 

A new feature that was added when they created version 3 was the calendar template. You can easily create customizable calendars. This feature is included with the software. The above calendar was created using elements from the Eskimo Kiss free download (no longer available). 

I added the calendar template, used a paper background, and then added embellishments - snow border on the bottom, icicles on the top and snowflakes throughout. The options are really endless here for making a calendar.

 

 

Remember this Important Dates Sign I made last year? I created this with the My Memories software as well! There is just so much you can do with this software!

 

From downloading the software to creating a page, My Memories Suite v3 software is easy enough for a beginner but has enough elements to make even a seasoned scrapbooker happy. They offer so many free and inexpensive downloads on their website.

 

Remembering Mom on her Birthday

I have so many thoughts and emotions swirling through my head and heart today. Today is what would have been my mom's 60th birthday!

For those of you who are new to my blog, my mom passed away when I was 8 years old from breast cancer. She was only 32 when she was first diagnosed. This year has been particularly hard for me because I am now 32. My son is the same age I was when my mom was diagnosed. It is hard to imagine what she must have gone through. Now that I am a mom myself, I can not even begin to imagine what that would have been like. And the thought of it terrifies me.

My Mom and Me

I guess what amazes me even more than the fact that she got breast cancer, was her upbeat attitude about it. I know I have a skewed perception of what she was going through since I was only a child, but if I remember nothing else, I remember her always being there for me. And even going above and beyond in so many ways. She sewed clothes for me and my dolls. She was my Brownie Troop leader, she attended my brother's sporting events. If it were me, I don't know that I would have even been able to get out of bed.

My Mom in High School

On anniversaries like this, I often find myself playing the "what if" game. I know it doesn't get me anywhere and it is hardly productive, but it is hard not to. What would my life be like if she hadn't died when I was so young? Would I live in Arizona? Would I have chosen a different career path? Would we be best friends? Would I be a better seamstress? Would I know how to crochet and knit? Would we have had a falling out in my teen years as so many kids and their parents do?

My Mom with me and my two brothers

Would I be a different person? Obviously the answer is yes and no. I would be a completely different person than I am now, and I would also be the same. These are the thoughts that go through my head. Are they logical? Probably not.

I was talking with my husband today about it being my mom's birthday. My son (age 5) overheard our conversation. Here is what he said,

     Thomas: "Did your mommy die?"
     Me: "Yes."
     Thomas: "But today is her birthday?"
     Me: "Yes."
     Thomas: "Are we going to celebrate it?"
     Me: "No, we aren't."
    Thomas: "But every year when someone has a birthday they grow and grow."

How do you respond to that? It breaks my heart each and every day my children have never met my mom. And there are fleeting moments, when I will look at my son or daughter and see my mom's face staring back at me. I try to make it a point to talk about my mom to my kids, but I hardly knew her myself.

Favorite picture of my Mom with her brothers

She looks so happy!

I miss my mom. I wish I could give her a hug. I wish she could come over and take care of me when I am sick. I wish she could hug and hold her grandchildren. I wish she could have met my husband and seen me get married. I wish I could have her over for a weekly dinner. I wish for so many things.

But most of all, I wish my mom a Happy Birthday up in heaven! I know she is smiling down on my brothers and me right now.

I love you, Mom.