Quote of the Week

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Maya Angelou

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Thank You for the Difference

I know that I've been really quiet this week.  It's been very hectic in my life at the moment.  I have many things to share today.  It's actually a bit of an emotional week for me.

A few weeks ago I got a call from my dad.  Normally a conversation with my dad is full of fun and laughter.  However, this was not one of those calls.  My dad informed me that he has prostate cancer and will be undergoing surgery next week.  While I believe the prognosis is good I am asking that you all please pray for my dad.  While this is all very difficult,  it is compounded by the fact that his wife has Alzheimer's and he is the one that takes care of her.  Now he needs someone to take care of both of them for a few weeks.  I am so lucky to have a wonderful husband ( who has a wonderful boss) who is willing to take time off work to be a Stay at Home Dad for a few weeks.  I will be leaving next Wednesday to go stay with my dad for two weeks to take care of him, as well as, his wife.  You can say a prayer for me too please!  I'm not sure I will be that great of a nurse, but I'm all he's got at this point.  So, he'll just have to suck it  up...LOL.  My dad is a very positive, upbeat person.  He has a great attitude towards all of this.  My quote this week at the top of my blog is in his honor:)

  Also, this is the first time I have ever been away from my kids for so long.  I think we will all need quite a few prayers over the next few weeks.  I am the one constant in my kids' lives.  I'm ALWAYS here. (A curse as well as a blessing:)  My hubby will do a fabulous job I know, but it will still be hard on everyone.  So prayers all the way around, ok?  Thanks!

I have a lot on my plate at the moment.  Being on THREE design teams and trying to get my sister's wedding invitations done before I go has been a bit stressful.  I am so fortunate to work with amazing people who have given me permission to do what I can and not stress.  I hate not fulfilling commitments.  I had to make a difficult decision.  I have decided to step down as a Design Team member for Stamptacular Sunday Challenge.  This Sunday will be my last project with them.  I am so thankful to Priscilla for understanding and being so kind.  My card today is for her.

 I owe a lot to Priscilla.  She is the first person to ever take a chance on me as  a designer.  I have grown so much in my crafting skills in the last year and I attribute most of that to her challenge blog.  It is truly one of the greatest ones out there.  You never know from week to week what challenge she has thought up.  I have stepped outside of my comfort zone many times using her challenges.  Just knowing her has helped me grow as a person.  I think she is AMAZING!  When I'm having a bad day or week I think about her and her strength to push on and just get things done.  To look at the bright side.  If she can go through all the things that have come her way and still keep a positive attitude than how can I NOT do the same.  If you are reading my blog for the first time you can read about Priscilla HERE.  She is a wonderful, inspiring person.  How blessed I am to" know" her and even better, to be inspired by her.

I will have several posts over the next few days and then a few pre scheduled posts for Whimsy stamps while I am away.  I am actually contributing to one of the challenges on the NEW Whimsy Inspirations blog.  This is  a challenge that is dear to my heart.  Please stay tuned for that.

My card today uses the Mojo Monday Sketch 127 and I got my color inspirations from the Curtain Call Color Challenge.

I realized as I was putting this up that I forgot to add the Kraft card stock to the back of my image.  So let's just pretend that this is all adhered to a Kraft base, shall we?:D  I have to pretend quite a bit in my life.  I'd love to pretend that my sister's wedding invitations are done, but that's a reality that's SLAPPING me right in the face.  My supplies have STILL not arrived.  Wish me luck with that please!

Hope you have a great day!  We just got a blanket of beautiful WHITE snow.  It's so pretty out.






What's In It?
Stamps: Love's Flower, Because of You VERVE
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, antique linen TH, Spring Rain PTI, ballet blue
Paper: Cosmos Cricket's Material Girl and Girl Friday, Vanilla, watercolor, white dotted
Other: Labels Nestie, sponge, rhinestone brad, dimensionals, Enchanted Evening satin ribbon, Kaiser pearls, scalloped edge punch

12 comments:

Georgia said...

Nikki, I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

j,j,andhsmom said...

Sending lots of prayers your way Nikki! I know the stress of a sick parent, so feel free to vent/air grievances if needed.:) Also, make sure to let your hubby know that I'm available to help with the kids if anything comes up...I'm close by and I'm always home! I'll be thinking about you!

Sally said...

Nikki,
I will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayer.. Your dad will appreciate you more than you will ever know. Hang in there hun. We are always here at the end of an email.

Sandy said...

Nikki,
Will add you, your dad and your family to my prayers. Several men I know have had the same operation, well for prostate cancer anyways, and they are all doing fine! I'm sure your dad will be too.
As for his wife, is there a residence for the elderly close to his home? They often save a couple beds for respite. Perhaps his wife could stay there for a few days to give him a little extra time to mend before he has to take over her care again:) God will give you the strength you need!
Sandy

Dotty Jo said...

Hi Nikki, my sweet Dad-in-law got the same diagnosis a little while ago so I certainly know some of the mixture of emotions that you'll be feeling right now. Big hugs to you hun, hope all goes well for your Dad. Jo x

Sharon Wheet said...

I just wanted to let you know that I love your card! great creation.

Stacey Schafer said...

So sorry about your Dad;s illness...sending warm wishes to you and your family:)

Your card is drop-dead GORGEOUS, Nikki! Love the details and collage-like stamping on your main image...super fab! Thanks for playing the Curtain Call!

Sprytebyrd said...

Oh Nikki! You will be missed! Your blog always makes me smile and I will def be checking in on you often! I will be thinking of you and your family and wish the best recovery for your Dad.
Big Hugs to you!
Dee

Stacie (craft-princess) said...

Sorry your getting nailed with all kinds of stuff at once...I know everyone will pull through...you sound like a strong family! :)
Even so...I'm still sending you lots of prayers...especially for your dad and his wife!

Hugs!
-Stacie

Meredith said...

Sorry to hear you're going through all this. I'll be keeping your family in my prayers! My dad had prostate cancer and surgery, he came through with flying colors--they can do amazing things in medicine these days!

Elaine M said...

Nikki - I've added your family's need to our prayer list and will have a mass said for him. May God's peace surround you all.
Elaine M - mtn.moven.faith@comcast.net

Janneke said...

Nikki, I am so sorry to read all this. I will thinking at you and your family.

And I am so sad that you leaving the SSCDT ... I am gonna miss you the last month ...

A big hug, Janneke