Happy Monday!

Have you ever heard the expression "Hindsight is 20/20."? That is one of my favorite quotes ever, because it is so true. When you think about decisions you have made in the past, it's very easy to beat yourself with "what-if's" and "if-only's"...this weeks challenge is about Hindsight, but on a much more positive note..we challenge you to...

Create a layout about a choice you have made in your lifetime that you may have questioned in the past, something that your response has always been: "I'd do it again."

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@ Nineteen
By Kimmi

Journaling:

At nineteen, I got pregnant. It was always one of those things that I questioned in my life. I was married, but I was unhappy. I was scared that it was all a huge mistake, that things wouldn’t get better, only worse. I went through a very difficult pregnancy, emotionally and physically. I went to most of my appointments alone and I had only my friends at work to talk to. I asked myself if I could change the way things were, If I could go back in time and leave before I got pregnant, would I? The answer was always no. There is nothing, not all the tears and pain, not all the hurt I went through, nothing that would make me want to change the way my life played out. People can say what they want about the decisions that I made, but I wouldn’t change it if I could. I have no regrets when it comes to you.

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No Regrets!
By Mia

Journaling:

In 2001, I made a decision that would change my life, the biggest decision I have ever made. I came home to the Philippines without finishing my college degree. Many have questioned why I did it but I know I did the right thing. I would have never had the life experiences that I have had since then. I wouldn't have met the people who are some of my closest friends. I wouldn't have spent the last year of my Dad's life with him. I know that I eventually would like to get my degree, but if you ask me whether I would change my decision, I wouldn't. I have no regrets.

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No Doubt
By Leslie

Leslie Says:

Without a doubt I knew what my layout was going to be about. I had the perfect picture to display how I truly feel about my decision to start my family. Even if I didn't get to choose the "when's, where's & why's..." as that was in God's control...I knew this is what I wanted and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Journaling:

(no doubt) if I oculd go back & do it all over again - I would do it in a New York minute!! Of all the decisions I've made in my life - the one to get married & start a family has to be the BEST one. Through our ups & downs; our ins & outs...we are the very essence God created. Family. the best decision ever. No if's ands or buts about it. I love you, my family. ~July 2008

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U Bet
By Dena

Dena Says:

I stumbled across this picture of Zoe and I. She had just turned 2, I was 24 and looked about 12. It kind of struck me how young I was and how fast time has flown since then.

Journaling:

So many decisions in my life brought me to you! Yes, I was young and a bit scared too, but every wrong or right choice I have ever made has brought me to you. Would I do it again? U bet.

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No Regrets
By Kimberly

Journaling:

Things may not be as I would like them to be today because of my decision to care for someone I loved and needed me.

Jan of 08, I quite my job rather suddenly to care for my terminally ill ex mother in law, who I refer to as Mom LaVonne. During her growing tumor and treatments she was in need of a place to live where she could be cared for and taken care of 24/7. I offered my home and to care for her. She told her sons that she wished to come home and stay with me and with great honor I took this responsibility on.

I have had the desire to be a Mother for as long as I can remember…Being a mom has been my biggest joy in life and I cherish every stage and age to the very most. What was enlightening for me while caring for Mom LaVonne was the simple truth that as a Mom, I chose to be a mom…my children didn’t choose for me to care for them. Yet, here is this woman who I love, who was in need of someone to care for her and take care of her every need, and she chose me! Talk about a pivotal point in my life…and for this…It wasn’t me who was a blessing for her, but it was me who was blessed by her choosing me.

I will forever cherish the time I had with Mom LaVonne in her last days. We watched movies, read devotions, prayed, laughed, cried…and shared intimate secrets. Her trust in me was key and not something I took lightly. I spent every night with a baby monitor next to my bed to hear her breath…yet caring for her was NEVER a burden to me.

If I knew then, that because of making the choice to care for her during her last days would be so costly on my personal life, I would still say yes to caring for her. I will always cherish our time we had together…and pray my children to know with out a doubt my love for them runs deeper than the oceans.

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As you know, we are being sponsored monthly be the oh-so-generous Scrap N' Art Magazine! They are sponsoring us here at The Design X every month! We will be giving away a VERY GENEROUS prize pack each month for those of you who have played along!

Here's how it works:

There will be approx. 4 challenges a month. All YOU have to do is play along with at least one challenge during the month to be eligible for the Prize Pack!

Hint: The more challenges you play along with, the better shot you have of winning!

At the end of the month we will put your name in a hat (one time for each challenge participated in during the month) Ex: if you do two challenges, your name will go in the hat two times. Make sense? Still with me?!

(NOVEMBER PRIZE PACK PIC AND DESCRIPTION COMING SOON!!!)

You know the drill!

Once you have completed your layout, please leave us a comment in this post with a link to your layout by Sunday at 7PM PST to be eligible for the November Prize Pack! We can't wait to see YOUR takes on the challenge! We hope that if you've never joined us for a challenge here at The Design Experiment, that you are inspired to do so today!

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Here are the people eligible from Challenge #34 for the November Prize Pack!

Arlene
Lori B
Sandra aka nachtschwinge
sam
Lucy Edson
jeanie nieva
Gracie
Freethinker

If you participated in Challenge #34 and don't see your name here, please let us know!