another surprise by freebie
As if I didn't have anything better to do in the week before we left on our trip, I spent quite a bit of my free time getting together freebies to entertain the blog crowd while I'm gone. This one just has one example layout because frankly, my attention span was way too short to try to do another layout.
This one uses Summer Sorbet by Eve Recinella.
The template was actually based on a really old layout I did. I wasn't going to post it, but what the heck. I've actually posted it before, about 15 months ago, but I'll repost it again rather than make anyone search for it.
And here's the journaling:
Yesterday, you lost a tooth. You were bubbling with excitement about the tooth fairy and giddy with anticipation of getting another dollar to add to your spending money.
You went to bed just like you always have, and I tucked you in, just like I always do. It wasn't until I was getting ready to go to bed an hour later that you came to me and asked if we could talk.
"Mom," you said with silent tears running down your face. "Jackie told me there isn't a tooth fairy. She saw her mom putting money under her pillow."
In that moment, I had to make a decision. Do I tell you the truth? Do I continue to perpetuate a dream? But you hadn't asked me if there was a tooth fairy, you'd just told me what your friend said. "Honey," I said, "Sometimes we have to believe in the spirit of something. If you believe, than it's true in your heart."
And then you looked at me. I saw your struggle to believe.
"Mom, I'm scared," you said.
"Scared of what?" I asked, as I was truly confused.
With a sob, you told me, "I'm scared of growing up."
Now I felt tears fall. Oh baby, I'm scared to have you grow up. I'm sure this isn't the first time you've been told that there's no tooth fairy, no Santa Claus. You are just weeks shy of being ten years old and until yesterday, you had always believed in the face of all other evidence to the contrary. Somehow, on this day, you had the maturity to realize that maybe the world isn't as innocent as you've always believed. You realized that growing up means letting go of your childhood dreams and wishes.
I hugged you as you sat on my lap, for what will most likely be the last time. I told you I loved you, and you told me that even though growing up is sometimes not fun, it means getting to do some fun stuff. And then you told me something that showed me just how very mature you are.
"Mom, I waited to talk to you until you were going to bed so that Chesney won't know."
I thanked you, on behalf of your little sister, and gave you a hug and sent you to bed. Then I went to my own bed, told your dad, rolled over and let my tears fall. It's time for me to let go of my little girl, and I think it's OK if we both cry a bit over that. I had to mourn the loss of your innocence and faith. We'll get through this next stage together, and I expect we'll shed a few more tears. But at least we'll be together.
Everything on that layout is by Tracy Ann Robinson, except the stitched circle by Shabby Princess.
For me, that layout is what scrapbooking is all about. Telling that story, with that photo, puts down on paper such a moment in the relationship between my middle daughter and I. That's why I share templates; I want to help you get your stories down.
So here's the template preview:
And you can download the template here. Scrap those stories.
And if you do a layout that really speaks to your heart using one of my templates, I'd love it if you'd send me a link. Either leave a comment, or click that "email me" button in the sidebar. I want to see all those stories getting scrapped!
P.S. Same disclaimer as last week -- I am not actually where I can access the internet at the moment. I've had at least six weeks of no trouble with template downloads, so I feel pretty confident putting this up here. However, if there is a problem, I will fix it when I get home and repost the template. Everyone will get it, I promise. Just know that if there is an issue, it will be awhile before I can fix it.
Thanks for the remembering us while you're off having fun. :) Love the LO and have a great story in mind for it. Just gotta find the time to get it typed. It is scribbled in my inspiration notebook so I won't forget the details.
Posted by: Robyn | June 07, 2007 at 11:28 AM
TY for the template! I was looking for one for a lot of journaling :)
Posted by: Meg | June 07, 2007 at 01:49 PM
The journaling on your layout is beautiful, I love that story.
I still can't believe you are doing all this on your holidays, you are unbelievable, sure you're not the fairy godmother?
Awesome template, thanks for sharing.
Posted by: IkeaGoddess | June 07, 2007 at 03:18 PM
Wow. That made me tingle all over, reading that (and not just because I have a going on 9 yo dd, who believes in everything still!)
Thank you for sharing that again, and for the template.
Posted by: sarebear | June 07, 2007 at 04:43 PM
OMG what a great LO I'm scared is!!! Both are cute but the journalling in the second one had me in tears too!!! What a great memory to share!!! Thank you so much for sitting this up!!! Hope you are having a great time!
Posted by: BettyJoR | June 07, 2007 at 06:50 PM
Great template
Posted by: Kathy | June 07, 2007 at 09:21 PM
Love the journaling ... my eyes started to well up with tears and my boys are grown!
Posted by: Pam | June 07, 2007 at 10:04 PM
You are so awesome to remember your blog readers while on vacation! I can't wait to see all your layouts when you get back!
Posted by: Susanne | June 07, 2007 at 10:13 PM
Oh tears here too...thanks for the amazing journaling!!! (and template!)
Posted by: Krista | June 07, 2007 at 10:35 PM
Very nice template - I like the room for a nice big picture, and lots of journaling! Your layouts are beautiful. Thank you for this very nice gift.
Posted by: Nancy P | June 07, 2007 at 11:06 PM
thanks so much!
much love,
mel
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: mel | June 08, 2007 at 03:48 AM
Thank you for the awesome template! I know exactly what story I wanna tell, and when I'm done, I'll be sure to send you a link. Thanks again!!
Posted by: Patty | June 08, 2007 at 08:57 AM
This has touched my day thank you for sharing. I've always told my daughter the same, even for Santa, easter bunny and others. They grow up too fast.
Posted by: Sansai | June 08, 2007 at 12:36 PM
thank you very much
Posted by: Mara | June 09, 2007 at 04:52 PM
Mother of two girls ages 22 and 16 with tears streaming down my face. My 16 year old faced a hard step in life today and your story really touched me at a moment when I needed boulstering. Get ready for the next part Mom, it doesn't get easier just sweeter.
Thank you for the lovely template, I am going to give it a try.
Posted by: | June 26, 2007 at 02:10 PM