Shutterfly

Are you a Shutterfly user?

I've been using them for years. Years, I was shocked to discover. I mean, I knew I've been buying stuff from them for a long time, but I guess I never put it all together until I realized that I have albums that go back to 2005!

After my grandfather's death, I scanned all of the old photos I could find. I put them together and used Shutterfly to create a family album with everyone identified (at least as much as I could) for my father's Christmas present. My cousin thought it was so cool - yes, he brought it show his siblings at a family gathering - I made one for her mother. All of the photos are still safely stored at Shutterfly, as is the project. Anyone who wants one of these albums can easily get one delivered to them in less than a week!

Although I've done lots of cards, etc. using Shutterfly, probably the most important has been the "Life Books" for my kids. For kids in fostercare, photo books are extremely important. Can you imagine growing up not having a single baby picture? Or photos of yourself as a child? For a lot of foster kids, this is the case. They move around a lot, things get lost, they loose touch with people... it adds up to a big blank. When Lala was placed with me, I took photos all the time - but most importantly I took one every month for the first year. When I was told that she would be returning to her birth mother, I created an album of all the photos for her. I had another one made for me (can you imagine how much work that would have taken to do by hand? Yah, that's why WE don't have baby books!). I know her birth mother loved it.

When Lala came back to my home, the first thing we did was look through that book. It not only reminded her of who I was, but also comforted her. She understood that this was a safe place - a place that she knew.  The cuddler has one too!

I also use Shutterfly to send photos to both birth moms - it's quick and easy.

This year I'll be creating our holiday card using Shutterfly's "Keep Believing" template. With 5 photos available on the card, I can do the obligatory holiday photos, plus photos from our Adoption day. This will not be just the average holiday card, because it's also a family "birth announcement" too! I know if will look so professional that I'll probably frame one.

PS. Shutterfly has so many freebie offers throughout the year, I'm never without current photo cards.

PSS. Shutterfly is giving away 50 free cards to bloggers! If you want to sign up for this freebie, click here!