Life Is Still Good, Just Different

I'm back tonight after an unexpected twist in my life.  On Monday, April 11th, I got up, saw the Get Your Diva Challenge posted on Splitcoast, and posted a comment that I couldn't wait to play.  I got ready for work and was about halfway through my day when I got the news that my Mom suddenly and unexpectedly passed away at age 66.  After that, the days have been a big blur. 

My birthday was on April 10th, and I am so lucky that she and Dad called me that night just to wish me a happy birthday and chat for a few minutes.  I did get to tell her "I love you" one last time, not knowing at the time that it would be the last time I'd ever talk to her.  An autopsy was done, but we are still waiting for the results. 

One of the most bittersweet things for me is my dear little 7 year old.  I asked her how she was feeling on the day of the funeral, and she told me that she felt sad that Grandma had died and that she wished Grandma could have lived long enough to see her get married and have kids so she could be a Great-Grandma.  I was blessed to have such a wonderful mom, but it has been so hard to accept that she's gone.

When they visited last December for Ariel's Sunday School program, we made lefse.  I have always regretted that we never got pictures of my Grandma Vangen (Mom's mom) making lefse.  We decided kind of spur of the moment that we would make a batch and am I ever glad that we took some pictures.

Here's Ariel taking a turn at rolling.  Mom was always so patient and encouraging.

OK, I'm moving on to some cards now so that I can try to stop crying.  Tears are good though, right?

I couldn't even stamp or knit all of last week.  I shuffled through my papers, I sorted my yarns, and I just couldn't do anything.  I finally decided that I just had to push myself a little bit to do something, and it did help me feel a bit better as I worked on these cards.

The first VLV card for April is based on a great sketch by Amber.

Here's my card.  I used papers from K & Co.'s "Julianne" line.  The sentiment is from Verve's Plain Jane line "Proverbs 31:28."  This card is going to be going to my Dad.  It's not too flowery, the colors are soft, and Mom loved flowers, so it's fitting for him.

The second VLV card for April is based on a great sketch by Andrea.

Here's my card.  I used more "Julianne" papers along with another Plain Jane called "Every Season."  The sponging is in SU! Old Olive ink. 

The third VLV card for April is based on a great sketch by Teresa.  (OK, seriously, how do these lovely ladies keep these awesome sketches rolling out week after week?!)

Here's my card.  I used dp from The Girls' Paperie "Kitch" line along with a new Verve set "Love Deepens."  This set is sooooo lovely.  I'm just wishing my Mom was still here as there are so many cards I would have liked to have made for her with the different sentiments in this set.  This card is going to my cousin, Ann, who has just been a rock for me throughout these last weeks.  I used a MFT large scalloped border die along with a Prima flower and an old button I found in my buttons from Grandma.

The fourth VLV card for April is based on a great sketch by Shannan.

Here's my card.  I used dp from MME's "Quite Contrary" line, SU! scalloped border punch, another button from my stash, and the sentiment is another one from the new "Love Deepens" Verve set.

Thank you for stopping by my blog!  My posts are probably going to be somewhat sporadic for the time being, but I'm hoping that my faith can sustain me and help me to remember that Mom is in a better place.

Blessings,
Sarah