A Special Room Made with Love

For almost eight years I dreamed of decorating a nursery for our baby. I had elaborate dreams of Pottery Barn furniture with silk drapes, monogrammed everything and a comfy over sized glider with ottoman. During my two stints of bed rest, I laid there registering for so many things. I had dreams for every detail. The sky was the limit. After all, I had waited so long to be a mommy. I thought I deserved everything and anything I wanted.

(potterybarn.com)

Shortly after we lost our second set of triplets, God opened my eyes to my worldliness. I had set my mind and heart on all the wrong things. I was so consumed with grief over our loses that I lost sight of everything that was important. Expensive furniture and over priced curtains are not what make a nursery special. The memories that were going to be made in that room would be what make it special.

Titus 2:11-13

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ

So, I set out with a tight budget and a mission to create a place that our baby would love. I started out by finding our crib on Craig’s List for $100. I knew that would set the style for the room.  The night we put it together was such a wonderful night. We laughed and talked for hours. That will be a day that I never forget.

My heart melts at the little precious items, all of Gracelyn's favorites, that are left in the crib each morning.

 

We just added some white wood blinds and some white curtains that we bought from IKEA to the windows. Matt had the best little helper to help him hang them. 

(don't worry that was clean diaper)

This is Gracelyn’s cozy reading nook. I bought this rocker at an Estate Sale years ago for $20. I spray painted it black and then distressed it a little. The little table was my great grandmother's. I painted it white and added a pink knob.

 The best part of the reading nook is the little person who enjoys reading in it. 

  

This is a bookshelf that I found at a dump years ago. I knew it had potential so I begged Matt to get it for me. At the time we lived in an apartment on the second floor. I knew he loved me when he agreed to carry it up both flights of curvy stairs. After lots of sanding and repainting, I think it looks beautiful. It is referred to as the “500 pound bookshelf”. It is very heavy. After several moves, the men in my life have begged me to “dump” it again. But, I never would. I knew it would look perfect in our baby’s room someday.

One weekend mom and dad were up for a visit and mom and I were looking for inspiration for the nursery online.  We found this sheep/lamb slip cover on PotteryBarn.com.  I purchased it on sale for $9. At the time, we did not know if Gracelyn was going to be a boy or a girl, so I did not know what to have monogrammed on it.  Therefore, I had what I did know put on it. I took a very light weight board and wrapped it in stuffing and stapled the cover on.

One afternoon I saw a sign for an estate sale and it was screaming my name.  Time I walked into one of the bedrooms, I saw this beautiful dresser.  It was already white and had these beautiful crystal knobs.  I snatched it up for only $100.00.  Once again, my sweet husband went and loaded it up for me....I love him!

Some of Gracelyn’s bibles.  The little blue one was my first bible.

Everytime I go into Gracelyn Faith’s room, I fall more and more in love with her special space.  I look at each thing…every detail of her room. Every item was handpicked or made with love. Each item has a story behind it.

Proverbs 24:3-4

3 Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; 4 By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

 

There are more special parts to her room.  So many precious hidden treasures that tell a story, but I will have to make a part two to this post.  There is a little sweet face playing peekaboo from behind my screen that I must go eat. 

~~Farah~~

Treasure Hunting

One of my favorite things to do is shop. I love it! It is such a relaxing, exhilarating, peaceful exercise for my body and mind. And the best part of all is my Little Sweet Cheeks loves to shop too!

(Making sure she had her purse for all the things she wanted to buy. )

We love to go to the Thrift Store and find all the hidden treasures that other people gave away. The other day, Gracelyn and I set out on a hunt and look what we found.

It is gorgeous, solid and just needed a little love. So, we snatched it up for $5.00 and brought it home for a little TLC. After giving it a good wash down, I recovered the seat with some fabric that I had left over from our curtains. I think it looks awesome.

Yesterday, I found the cutest little mirror. It was screaming at me to please help her look cute again. Poor thing was a hideous brownish gold color. I felt sorry for her, so I bought her for $2.00 and gave her a new ballerina pink coat. She thanked me by sitting oh so pretty on Gracelyn’s shelf.

Don’t be afraid of your local TS. Go on a hunt and see what you can find. I think I might just ask Gracelyn if she would like to go hunting again today after nap....I'm sure she will say yeah. 


Happy Hunting!
~Farah~  

Little Miss Turns One

Dear Sweet Gracelyn Faith,

 You turned one on Thursday, September 30 at 8:38 am. I cannot believe it has been a year since God blessed us with you. You are an answered prayer. A gift. A blessing that is unexplainable. My love for you is indescribable.

Over the weekend we celebrated your life with a Cupcake & Ice Cream Parlor Party. Many of your family members and friends joined us as we gave God the glory for your sweet life and choosing us to be your mommy and daddy.

Planning and decorating for your party was such a gift. Planning, making, and preparing each detail was such a joy. To me, God is in the details. I pray that you always see and appreciate the little details, their beauties, in people and this world.

Your ice cream cone cupckaes were a hit. Your cousins Josiah and Tyson loved them.

 A "sweet" party was so fitting for you.

There was a lot of pink used at your party. 

I made a slideshow to play during the party.  It was such a fun way to show your first year. 

I made your birthday banner out of burlap...super easy and fun.  You got very excited when you saw it.  I left it up for several days after your party for you to enjoy.    

You loved your strawberry cake with strawberry icing.

                                     
You helped me make your cake the day before your party. You loved getting your first lick of icing and cake.. 

Gracelyn, you are so loved by so many people.  We all thank God for you. 

Your contagious laugh and a smile light up a room.

It is so difficult to try and sum up a year into words when there are no words to express how wonderful it has been. Our lives are so fulfilled and overflowing with laughter and love. Gracelyn, you bring a joy to us that we never thought we would have. You are so loved. You are so treasured. And we are so thankful for you.

Each night I go into your room while you are sleeping and say a prayer thanking God for giving me another day with you. Each day has been such a gift. One that I look forward to every morning. Thank you, Gracelyn for loving me unconditionally.

May God bless you with many more healthy years.
Mommy