Dad's Album—6 More Pages

Geesh I need to be better about blogging my pages as I create them. Then again I was kind of on a crafty binge over the weekend and I think I did most of these in the past few days.

This round of pages has been kind of difficult for me. Typically I love basking in the memories of dad, but this time has been hard.  Not sure if it's because a very dear friend of mine recently lost her father or if I'm just missing his wise counsel and his incessant teasing.  I loved that.

The first page in this crafting binge I created was about the Valentines that I created for the boys. Lets face it. I kind of felt like rockstar mom actually pulling off these beauties and it was only because of having time to kill while at the hospital that I made it happen.

 

Layout based on Let's Get Sketchy July Week 2 Sketch.  See this post for sketch!)

Next was another layout that was hard to do. It was one of those photos that I kept grabbing to scrap and kept putting back—because it was such a powerful and special moment. One I genuinely wish I could be a part of again. I miss dad's wisdom. 

 

(Layout based on Aquamarine #1 Mid Week Mojo sketch at ScrapbookSteals.com).

After dad's surgery he was on I believe the 4th floor of the hospital for the maximum amount of days he could be before his insurance co-pay would re-set. Thankfully he was able to have a great room with a view and plenty of space for visitors. Often dad would become discouraged and wish to be home, and his strength just wasn't returning as quickly as he had hoped, however, he did do his best to find enjoyment in simple things, such as what was on the menu for the day and entertainment coming from Sean reading his journal entries from his youth to us.  (Good times for sure!)

 

(Layout based on Aquamarine #2 Mid Week Mojo Sketch at ScrapbookSteals.com).

Once dad was moved into the orthopedic recovery ward on the bottom floor, I decided I'd be brave and share journal entries from my youth. WOW. I. WAS. ONE. HORMONAL. BOY. CRAZY. INDIVIDUAL.  That particular day Sean and his daughter Alyssa were there, mom, Maddi and Sarah and Mary. I was genuinely blushing due to the fact that I changed my crush every 3 days and liked some guys considerably older than me.  My girls thought it was a riot. Alyssa didn't pick up her cell phone once, she was so engrossed, and me? Well I was bright red from blushing.  Dad was quietly rolling his eyes in bed wondering what on earth he did wrong when raising me, I'm sure. :D

 

(Layout based on Sketch N Scrap Sketch #37 (LOVE!))

Moving along in the time line (I don't scrap in order if you can't tell!), I did this layout of the last photo I have of dad with most of our kids. I truly wish Maddi would have been in the photo, but alas, sometimes you can't force a stubborn teenager to do what you want them to.  ;)  

Our boys were SO excited to share their Thing 1 and Thing 2 costumes that I had made from them the Friday before. Don't judge that 3 days went by before I washed Aarons blue hair out. :D

(Layout based on Let's Get Sketchy July Week 3 Sketch).

Lastly I created another dear to my heart layout of another powerful moment. I will never forget this day—less than 48 hours before dads passing when he was talking on Skype with Rich. It may even have been their last conversation. The tears were truly pouring when dad was talking with him, filling him in on the details of his doctors visit and the anticipation that his life would not extend through the week. 

Dad in his infinite wisdom told Rich that he was not afraid and in fact was very much looking forward to meeting his Savior and his parents and his dear grandma. When he was talking with Rich he said how there will be times throughout life when the memories will hit and the heart will hurt (and boy was he right about that), but that we should remember the happy times we had and just have peace in knowing that we will be together again.

Even though it was a moment filled with tears, it was also a moment filled with giggles thinking about the happy times. The last decent conversation we all had together, prior to the confusion setting in.

 

 

(Layout based on the Paper Bakery Kit Club Sketch #8 challenge).

Thanks for stopping by! If I don't see you before stop by on Friday as I'll be participating in this months Blog Hop with Kiwi Lane.