Digital Image is the easist to learn and still powerful enough to create any layout you like.
PSE is a powerful program but not as intuitive and if you are not looking at designing then DIP is generally considered the most convenient option - and there are a ton of tutorials.
Take a look at our article here:
http://scrapbook-bytes.com/cgi-scrip...icle_146.shtml that compares software and talks about the process of making a page. Each software also has a tutorial that walks you through creating your first page. As the mother of 4 - 10, 3, 2 and 7 months I know what those time pressures are like
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