This summer was—dare I say it—magical. ✨ It was also completely crazy bus! And, just to keep things interesting, deeply emotional too. Basically, it was all the things wrapped up into one whirlwind season.
When I first decided to put together a mini album, I had no idea what I was signing up for. I thought it would just be a fun little side project, but it ended up being so much more. This album became my anchor! The way to process the chaos, celebrate the sweet moments, and remind myself that even when life feels like a juggling act, there’s still magic tucked in the margins.
This is exactly why I love memory-keeping the way I do. I don’t know how to not pour myself, my emotions, and all the little details into the process. Now that this project is finished, I can flip through the pages and see so clearly: in the chaos, in the emotions, in the busy-ness of life, we really do have it so good. Even on the hardest days.
Yes—even on the days when motherhood pushes me right to the edge. Even when home management and finances feel like a three-ring circus. Even in those moments where I feel completely unsure. These pages, filled with color and little bits of beauty, shine a spotlight on the laughter, the sunsets, and the love. And honestly? I couldn’t ask for more.
Let me share some of these pages with you! You’ll also find snippets of all my projects over on Instagram. I’ve been trying to remember to post more over there—emphasis on trying. Social media and I don’t exactly have a natural rhythm (but that’s a story for another day). 😉
Anyway, let’s dive into these beautiful pages!
I normally don’t start out a mini project, or really any project that I do with a “reason why”. Mostly because the reason I do all these projects is simply that I want to. It is fun, and I love it.
If you are interested in reading my journaling you can click on the photo, or zoom in and read it.
I first saw Denine over on YouTube HERE sharing her summer mini album, and I fell in love.
I must have watched that video 100 times or more. My favorite was how simple it was. It was amazing how she used a lot of her Ali Edwards products. I mostly loved the storytelling.
This summer, I wanted to capture the little moments—the everyday bits that make the season what it is. I decided to use the loose Scrappy Spiral Notebook pages from Heba to hold all of my stories, and then I just… went for it.
I tried really hard not to overthink the process. It was easy to pull together some of my favorite summer products, mixed in past Ali Edwards pocket cards, and figured it out as I went. Honestly, it’s been years since I’ve let myself create this way—messy, intuitive, and in-the-moment.
And you know what? It turned out to be the best thing I could have done for my creative heart—healing, refreshing, and inspiring in ways I didn’t even expect.
I did a lot of journaling in this mini album. In fact, I’ve noticed that this year I’ve been writing more in all of my projects than I normally do.
Over the years, my journaling has had its ups and downs. Some seasons, I barely add any words to go with my photos. Other seasons—like this one—the words just keep pouring out, almost faster than I can get them down on paper. And both are okay. Both are part of the story.
Here’s the reminder I want to leave with you: whatever you’re doing in your memory-keeping is enough. That doesn’t mean it won’t shift or change later, or that you won’t try new approaches in a different season of life. It just means that what you’re creating right now is exactly what it needs to be.
So never compare your projects to someone else’s. Lean into what feels right for you, embrace the way you’re telling your story in this moment, and celebrate it. Because this—right here, right now—is worthy of being documented.
I also did my best to not get caught up in the “perfect photo”. We didn’t get a finished photo of Kayla’s Senior Parking Space and I decided to use what I had, and not worry about it.
Every single moment doesn’t have been documented in the most perfect way possible.
I’m ending this mini album with the kids going back to school—because honestly, that’s what really closes the chapter on summer for us.
The weekend after they head back, I pull out the fall décor, we settle into our school routines, and those late nights (and even later mornings) fade away.
This year, having this album to capture not only our summer but also those first few weeks of back-to-school life felt like the perfect way to say goodbye to one season and welcome the next. 🍂
The very last page of this album honestly may be my favorite. It was fun to write a few details of this season of life and it felt like it wrapped up the album perfectly.
Now I’m ready for my absolute favorite stretch of the year—September through December. 🎃🍁🌻🎄⛄️
The heat finally starts to ease up, the nights get crisp, and that seasonal and holiday buzz slowly settles in. This is the time of year I live for, and I’m here for all of it—pumpkins, twinkle lights, cozy nights, and every little moment in between.
Thanks for following along with this project—I can’t wait to share what’s next as we head into this magical season together.
