Nine Years Of Simon

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Happy Birthday to my favorite boy in the whole wide world! I love you so much Simon!


I spent a bit of time last night going through my layout files on the computer looking for stories to share today.

When I didn't see exactly what I wanted I turned to the physical scrapbooks lining the shelves here in my office. Flipping through those books was an immediate emotional time warp - taking me back to 2003 and 2006 and 2004 and 2002. I don't pull those albums out all too often, but man oh man they so full of stories and love and creativity and simple evidence of our existence.

I am so, so thankful that I've had the opportunity to do what I do: the photos, the words, the products, the documentation. I don't know if I'll ever be able to truly express how much scrapbooking has meant to me in my life.

It all started because of a tremendous amount of love for one little boy who made his entrance nine years ago today.

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

171 thoughts

  1. Lisa W says…
    01/21/2011

    Have a 'Lego-licious' Birthday Simon!!! :) Happy Day!! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. heidig says…
    01/21/2011

    How truly wonderful it is that you have all of these gorgeous pages to document Simon's life. He's one lucky little boy. Happy Birthday Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Lisa W. says…
    01/21/2011

    What a beautiful boy...so loving seeing him grow up in photo's and your awesome inspirational yum yummy scrapbooking technique's. Happy Birthday Simon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Kendra says…
    01/21/2011

    Happy Birthday, Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Lisa L. says…
    01/21/2011

    Happy Birthday Simon! You are one awesome boy!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Celeste says…
    01/21/2011

    Happy Birthday Simon! May you and your family have a very blessed and memorable day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Brene says…
    01/21/2011

    Happy Birthday Simon! The world is a better place with you and your family in it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. robin prophet says…
    01/21/2011

    Hi Ali, I am always so moved and inspired by your words and pictures. Happy, Happy Birthday to Simon!! I have 3 special needs grandchildren, one with Asperger's so I have some idea of the road your family has traveled. And you have traveled with such love and grace, seeing your blessings all along the way.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. nerdgrl says…
    01/21/2011

    Wow! Happy, Happy Birthday, Simon! Having a January birthday is awesome (I have one too!). He will treasure all those memories captured so spectacularly in the LOs. He's a very lucky little boy.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. AbbyS says…
    01/21/2011

    Happy Birthday Simon!!! Have an AWESOME birthday!!!
    Have a lot of fun & eat a lot of cupcakes! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Suz says…
    01/21/2011

    Happy Birthday Sweet Simon!
    You are now the same age as my youngest son, Ethan (who also happens to love Legos, Star Wars and Harry Potter!) May your day be filled with all of the things you love: family, friends, Legos, Star Wars, Harry Potter, bagels and cream cheese, tostadas, and birthday cake! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Felecia says…
    01/21/2011

    Maybe its because I have two boys of my own, growing so fast that I almost can't keep track...or maybe its because I remember seeing most of these layouts for all the time I've followed you...but this brought tears to my eyes. A beautiful reminder about why we scrapbook. Happy Birthday Simon!!! And Happy Anniversary on Parenthood, Chris and Ali!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Maud aka Sunny says…
    01/21/2011

    Your article, is one of my "little joy of the day" ♥

    It's primarily a message of "Happy B-Day" for your son, but also the 'simple' message but so *sigh* written by a woman, scrapbooker & MOTHER...

    I wish I could scrap much than I actually do... So that, I could tell me one day "wow", flipping the eyes clouded with memories, smiles, the album of a lifetime about my daughter Maxine.

    I'm already a mother blossoms each day more alongside her. I'd like to be the woman, who, with all her love & creativity transmits this fabulous present to her daughter, her family... *sigh* (again ;))

    Thank you so much Ali for your message & Happy B-Day to Simon.

    PS: Sorry for the 'approximate' translation...

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Alexandra says…
    01/21/2011

    Our very best birthday wishes to you, Simon!!
    Hugs and love from,
    Alexandra, Hannah and Wyatt :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. deb says…
    01/21/2011

    I looved looking at all those older layouts. I remember most of them. Think I started seeing your work about 2003 because I remember that one. Happy Birthday to your little man!! How wonderful!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Carrie says…
    01/21/2011

    What a beautiful walk down memory lane...

    I remember getting an email (through 2Ps) in December 2002 complimenting me on my scrapbook pages and sharing how you wanted to begin this hobby to document your new son's life.

    So, thank you to Simon... Mostly for being such a cool kid. But also for facilitating a treasured 8+ year friendship. Love you, A. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Jo says…
    01/21/2011

    Always a joy to catch up with Simon! Happy birthday sweet boy, Jo x

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Suzie Perrie says…
    01/21/2011

    Happy Birthday to you, Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Agnes C says…
    01/21/2011

    Happy Birthday Simon!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Maica says…
    01/21/2011

    Per molts anys, Simon.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Sally says…
    01/21/2011

    Happy Birthday from a frosty cold (-35 this morning) Northern Minnesota!! Hope you have a wonderful day full of wishes that come true. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Cathy says…
    01/21/2011

    So cool to see these. Happy day to the little dude! xoxo.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Liz Ness says…
    01/21/2011

    Yay! Have a happy 9th Simon -- and many, many more! =)

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Heidi says…
    01/21/2011

    I read this and felt a bit verklempt...topic to discuss, Simon's NINTH birthday and how TIME FLIES! Go.
    And for the record, it might seem that I would be crying at the gorgeous LOs, passage of time shown thru storytelling, or having an inkling of how much you adore Simon based on my adoration of a Joshua David (and a Samuel Joseph but my oldest came to mind first) in my own life but actually I cried (and then laughed at crying) related to your paragraph about how thankful you have felt to do what you do and how scrapbooking has changed your life. Reminded me of a cliche...way to keep your eye on the ball. Focus on the critical element/s is the difference between a strike out and a home run. Or at least I'd like to think ;) Kudos to you today, Ali for being a mom. For following your heart that is the difference between you being Ali Edwards, JD (or whatever initials may have followed) and being Ali Edwards, mom, storyteller and life artist. This day is as much about Simon as you if you ask me!!!! Cheers! Heidi

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Jan B says…
    01/21/2011

    Happy birthday, Simon! I'm grateful to him since he was your inspiration to start scrapbooking - because YOU've been a major inspiration to me - more than you can ever know. This IS an amazing hobby/craft/art. Sometimes I think we forget how important is really is - not JUST fun! :) Whenever I get that fleeting feeling that this is somehow a frivolous waste of time, I always think of how much it would have meant to me to have pages and pages of stories about my grandparents and parents - or anyone I love! SO worthwhile! Thanks for all you do, Ali. It means a lot. :)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Jan B says…
      01/21/2011

      ...and come to think of it - it would have meant worlds to me if, as a child, then a teenager, then a young adult and so on if I'd had these kinds of expressions of love directed towards ME to meander through from time to time. What a gift! ;)

Sign in or sign up to comment.