Happy Monday friends! We had a long weekend (kids were off from school on Thursday and Friday) so it feels good to get back to our routine. Although, my kids probably don't feel the same way! Teehehee!
I've had a lot of emails asking how Alison is doing (you all are SO sweet)! I will update you all later in this post. I just want you all ot know how MUCH I appreciate your kind and encouraging words...and your prayers! (((Hugs)))
Over the weekend, I got quite a bit of stamping time in. Oh, how good it was to get all inky again!! Here's one of the cards that I made...
You might have noticed an absence of Paper Smooches cards on my blog this past month. Kim was gracious to give me the month of October off as I thought I would be helping my daughter recover from her surgeries. It worked out well (even though her surgeries got postponed until November) because I have been driving all over the state going to many, many Dr. appointments. So it felt SOOO good to get my Paper Smooches stamps out this past weekend!
I paper pieced the trees (from the Warm Hearts set) using papers from the Wonderland Paper Pad (Studio Calico). I embossed the Holiday Cheer sentiment (from the Christmas Sampler set) and for a finishing touch, I stamped the little snowflake (from the Warm Hearts set) next to it using Versamark ink. For embellishments, I added some wood snowflakes (Studio Calico) with Red Crystals in the center. In the background, I added a piece of burlap trim and row of machine stitching. The red fiber is some Sweater Trim (from Stampin Up!)
Update on Alison...
Her new surgery dates are approaching quickly, and they couldn't come any sooner. This month has been very, very hard for Ali. Her medicine has become not as effective and she started having several seizures a day again (they were being held back to one every 10 days or so). So her Dr. added in a third medication. These are SO hard on her. It takes weeks to finally get to the dose they want her on and the time it takes to acclimate to it seems to get longer and longer. She has missed so much school this month due to just not being able to even function. Her frustration level is so high (as you can imagine) and is really starting to despair. I think that is the part that worries me the most. The medication stupor (that is what I call it) is temporary and is actually better than the ongoing lasting effects of the seizures, but it has been horrible for Alison to deal with.
So, we will be leaving on November 5th for Seattle. She has several appointments that week. Her first surgery will be Monday, November 12 and the second on the 15th. If we (DH & I) had any lingering doubts about this being the right course for her, they are gone now. We can't stand to see her like she is right now...it breaks our hearts. SO, we are hopeful and praying that these surgeries are a success!! My heart so yearns for her to have her life back.
Unfortunately, this time I will be going alone with Ali. Urs (DH) has to stay with our boys (as we will be gone for three weeks). Thank goodness for Face Time! :-)
Thank you all for your kind words and prayers!! Our family appreciates them SO much!!
~Laurie
