Scrapbook Madness...the beginning.

When I decided to write a post about my early attempts at scrapbooking, I realized that I had forgotten to include a very important post on my blog...about my BRIDAL SHOWER!

My bridal shower was on March 6, 2010. It was thrown by three of the most fabulous women I know (my two aunts on my Dad's side and a dear family friend), and I am so incredibly grateful for their generosity and kindness...I am a lucky, lucky gal! The decorations were gorgeous, the food was wonderful, and I was completely shocked by the number of guests who showed up to celebrate with me! Seriously. I'm not kidding. I went into shock later that evening when I came down from my adrenaline high. But it was totally worth it.

So. My shower. I mingled, drank sangria, oogled over the fabulous decor, ate as much as my plate could hold, and then it came time to open gifts...oh boy. The gifts took up an entire wall of the house. I know that I am prone to exaggerating at times, but I AM NOT EXAGGERATING ABOUT THIS. The entire wall. Of the house. Gifts. For those of you who don't know me very well, I have a hard time opening gifts in front of people. It just stresses me out. I'm always concerned about showing the proper amount of excitement and thanks, and end up completely preoccupied with the details and unable to enjoy the moment. Luckily, I had the sangria to loosen me up a bit, but I was still silently freaking out. Too much attention = panic.

I could go on and on about the wonderful gifts I received from the wonderful women in my life. I really could. There were so many creative and thoughtful and AWESOME presents...it really has inspired me to put more emotion behind the wedding-related gifts that I give people from now on. But the gift that really brought me to tears, and I mean instant tears, was the scrapbook. Yep, you heard me, a scrapbook.

My mother-in-law, queen of all things crafty, had started a scrapbook for me. But not just any scrapbook...a scrapbook of our engagement/wedding/life/etc. She had completed the first couple pages, including our engagement photo, engagement story and the announcement we submitted to the local newspaper. The rest of it was blank...for me to complete as our life together progresses. It was absolutely beautiful, heartfelt, and it took all of my willpower to keep from sobbing hysterically. Have you ever seen the movie UP? The one with the old man and the balloon-house and the small mailman? The first 15 minutes of that movie, when it tells the story of the old man and his wife, makes me cry every time I see it...and I love it. The scenes involving the scrapbook that the wife starts as a child, and then leaves for him after she dies is about the most heartwrenching and touching thing ever. EVER. EVER. EVER. And yes, Clint has watched this movie with me multiple times and deals with my bawling magnificently. So when his mom asked his opinion on making me a scrapbook for my bridal shower, he knew it would mean the world to me. He recently remarked on how I have a scrapbook like the one in Up, and it will be full of our whole life together...which resulted in instant tears from me. Yep. I know. I'm a sap when it comes to us, what can I say?

I finally brought out my scrapbooking supplies this week, while Clint has been away at work. It's easier to do when he isn't around...mostly because I get all emotional when I'm looking at it and he walks by. See above: sap. I'm trying to get a bunch of photos together to make prints and start working on page layouts, and I can't wait to share my progress!

I'm hoping to have a lot of our pre-wedding event pages done in the next month...stay tuned for more!