Been Gone Way Too Long

Hi everyone...it sure seems like forever since I've done a blog post.  I hope that each one of you has had a fabulous summer filled with lots of special memories.

The past several months have been extremely tough having to go through major back surgery and recovering from that.  At one point, I even questioned whether or not I had done the right thing.  The pain was worse than childbirth, and every little thing I did sent me spinning in agony.

However,  I went to the orthopedic surgeon the other day for my three month checkup after surgery and I am happy to report that from the xrays he said that I am healing perfectly.  For the first time in 6 years I am able to walk without any assistance or devices and all the hard work and suffering is finally paying off and coming to end.  I am blessed beyond measure to have been given my life back and my little ones are so happy to have their mommy back, too.    I am still doing physical therapy and dealing with residual pain which will last for awhile I'm afraid, but I thrilled, to say the very least, that all went well with the surgery and I am up on my feet now.

Recently, my good friend Gina came to visit me and we had a fantastic coloring session together.  It had felt so good to be able to sit up and to color, especially coloring with my dear friend!!! although I admit, I felt like I had lost a lot of my coloring skills while taking my mini hiatus!

She definitely helped jumpstart my mojo, and this week for the first time in a very long time, I made a card for my daughter who just turned 13!!  My little girl is no longer a baby *tear*
 

For my card, I used the Pure Innocence stamp called Heart Stripes which I had colored while Gina was up for the weekend.  The papers are from Recollections that I picked up with Gina from Michael's called The Neapolitan Collection which are just the cutest papers I've seen in a long time.  I may go over and get another stack just because I love it so much!  The hearts on her dress and in her hair were originally colored in Copics but then I added some EK Success dimensional polka dot heart stickers to give it a little oomph!  The die behind her is inked in some Studio G chalk in and embossed with the Swiss Dots folder.  The sketch is from MFT from their Wednesday Stamp Club which you can view here.

I just want to thank those of you that have kept me and my family in your prayers during this difficult time as well as for all the emails and cards that have been sent.  Your love and support has made my recovery process a little easier to bear and I believe has enabled me to heal a lot faster...and for that, and your friendships, I am eternally grateful.   

With hugs,
Sara

Challenges:
SCS - MFT Wednesday Stamp Club - Sketch #88
Card Makin' Mamas - Hearts
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Crafts and Me - Add A Flower
Simon Says Stamp - Put a stamp on it