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By:Renee R.

I started scrapbooking about a year ago. It changed my life. My husband and I were newly married, trying to make the most of our "blended" family: a classic "his, mine and ours" situation. We have custody of his 11 year old son, my 6 year old son, and our nearly 2 year old daughter.

Lots of memories, some wonderful and some not so wonderful, filled boxes and unsafe photo albums to the brim. I started with a book of patterned paper, my new family's first vacation pictures and 3 cookie cutters for templates. It was a humble beginning, like most beginnings are, but it got me to where I am now.

I am in the process of preserving my family's past: five albums in full swing keep me rather busy and full of inspiration. I can honestly say that scrapbooking is my PASSION. My husband good naturedly understands this and shares my delight in putting together perfect pages, and we both gloat when we're finished and we've got a masterpiece on our hands.

I think what it really comes down to is this: Scrapbooking has brought my family together. My kids love looking at and showing off the albums I'm making for them. My eleven year old step-son and I are building a bridge to each other, through the time we spend scrapbooking our pasts. (He even put a picture of ME and HIM scrapbooking together on his cover page in his album...JOY!) Most importantly, when the kids are in bed, and my husband and I are alone in our quiet house, it gives us a time to build our future through the pages of our pasts.

Tomorrow at dMarie Daily: A Scrapper At Heart!!, by BY, JENNIE, HAGERSTOWN, MD