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Writer's pictureAmy Cunniff-Bleau

Jim & Zach



Previously, I shared the layout I had made taking an old picture of Dave and the current pictures of the boys and creating a memorial layout, which you can read about here: Daddy's Footsteps. What is important to note, is the very next layout in my album is the one of Jim and Zach at the same location - Castillo San Cristobal in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.


The truth is Caleb and Zach did not make memories in Puerto Rico with Dave. They have pictures and stories of his trip there, however, their memories were made with Jim.


Shortly after I had taken my posed photos, I turned around to see Jim lifting Zach on top of the fortress wall and then spotting him as Zach walked along the top. I love the photo of Zach waving to the camera with his cheeky grin. What an awesome sight to see!


I remember thinking two things when I saw this interaction between Jim and Zach. First, I, as the mommy, would have NEVER encouraged Zach to walk on top of the wall (even if it was probably 12-18" wide and did not have a steep drop). I would have kept his feet firmly planted on the ground! But Jim being the dad, hoisted Zach right up there and walked alongside him to make sure he didn't get hurt.


My second thought was, "This is what a daddy is supposed to do." After Dave died, Zach prayed for a daddy, and when I started dating Jim, Zach prayed I would marry him! To this little boy, Jim was an answer to prayer, and I was not going to spoil the moment by acting like an over-protective mother. After Zach's walk on the wall, I had them pose for the picture on the title page. I wanted to remember this moment, and more importantly, I wanted Zach to remember this moment with his new dad.


Some of you who may be reading this might not believe in a heavenly Father who is loving and kind or a God who wants to bring beauty from ashes and turn mourning into dancing. But I am here to tell you, that for every tear I've cried, He's brought joy and laughter.


Friends have argued with me by saying if God really loved me, Caleb would not have SMA or Dave would not have died. I point out the reality that we live in a fallen world. Death, disease and sin were not part of God's original plan. Jesus says in Matthew 5:45, ". . . He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous on the unrighteous." No one is exempt from the pain of this world, but like it says in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."


I don't know God's plan, but I know God's heart. I can trust that even in the most painful circumstances in my life, God is working for my good. How can I not love and trust him when I see his hand at work in my life? The layout above is proof of that! In a moment where sad memories were threatening to overtake me and drag me down, I literally turned around to see God's faithfulness in Jim being Zach's father.


Scrapbooking Tips:


I wanted my focal point of this layout to be this sweet photo of Jim and Zach, so when I found a Scrapbook Generation sketch that showed a two-page layout with a single photo on the title page, I based my design around it.


I double matted my photo with the lightest color first to brighten up the earth tones in the picture. I also picked the bright green because it complimented Zach's shirt.


When I am creating a vacation album, I like to use a primary paper collection to give the album(s) a cohesive feel. Using a single collection means that I have lots of small scraps. I created the grid background with die cut circles I made from paper scraps. Actually, this entire layout was made with scraps.


Following the sketch, I accented three circles with stickers and stitching to create a visual triangle. To learn more about visual triangles check out the post Going Home.


Scrapbooking Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazill

Pattern Paper & Stickers: Simple Stories

Letter Stickers: Doodlebug Designs







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