Mom's 'Bright Room' Complete!

For this last Christmas, Mom's gift from the kids was a room all for herself. A place where she could go to relax, rejuvinate and maybe even sew, if the fancy struck her. With Ian on his mission and Daniel moving into the 'Girls Room', that opened up the "Boy's Room" for her use. However, it was in no shape or condition to promote peace and serenity. It was more likely to prompt sneezing and a strong desire to escape. ;) So when Katie, Kira and I came down (for Katie, up) to help mom while dad was in the hopsital this last November, we set to work to transfor the room for our most beloved Mommy Dearest.

It took a whole lot of work and effort, espcially when we had to send one of us chasing after the little ones running around trying to get into everything that there were not supposed to. Funny how they love to do that so much. We had to empty everything out of the room first to go through the 'stuff' *cough junk cough*. It was slightly overwhelming for Mom to go through it all, but she was such a trooper!

Next we had to go through the food storage that is stored in the room. As we went through the food, Kira laid down the law for what can and cannot be stored in there. (Mom was a very good student and has kept those rules! Go Mom!) By the end of the purge and clean, there was not much left on the shelves which is alright because there are only 3 or 4 people in the house. :)

In the middle of the week, Mom had a huge balloon job and lucky for her, she had lots of extra helpers! We got most of the prep work done the night before, so the early morning job went very quickly and without too many hicups. :D

We were all happy campers to be done with the job and to go home. Katie was happy too because she was able to get some back up with the three little ones that she was taking care of. Oh and did I mention that she was 8 months pregnant? Impressive right? Thank you Katie!

The work continued on. We were washing the walls, which was a special experience all on in itself, and we decided that it needed a fresh coat of paint. I went out and found the right can and we had just enough to cover all of the walls! Aren't we so blessed right? :) The room looked and smelled so much nicer!

If you ask anyone they could probably tell you that we Graff women have good imaginations and that we also love to make things extra pretty. As we were painting we bandied a bit about painting the floors too because the floors were ugly. That got us chatting about other types of flooring. So Kira and Katie (I think) went to the Home Depot and brought home samples of different flooring options. We chose a nice light beige marble peel and stick tile and oh it looks so nice! It was a fun project too. It was nice to see the floor covered up!

Yeah Rose! Some parts were Jigsaw-ish, good thing she likes puzzles!

She was such a great, hard worker! Thank you Rose!!

And the finished floors!!!

All throughout the week of work, the kids got to play with all of Mom's Grandma toys and watch lots of cartoons. Lucky ducks! Our living room looked like this for the majority of the week.

And since we were working for the majorty of the time, they usually stayed in their PJ's.

Did I mention that Katie was 8 months pregnant?

Our week ended all too quickly and we didn't get everything done that we wanted, but such is life. We left mom to do some of the last minute things and when I came home, the room looked pretty darn good! After a week of being home I pulled Mom into the room one night and we went to work finishing up the last little frills and girly things that make up Mom's tastes. ;)

And here is the final product!

Wahoo! It's Done!

Well, mostly. ;) Now there are more fluffy pillows on the bed and we have plans floating through out minds about how to make it even better! Thank you everyone who helped with this wonderful gift for our wonderful Mother!

And now a word from that afore mentioned Wonder Mom:

What a wonderful gift. The first and best gift was having the support of my family. Kira rallied the troops, drop everything she had planned and drove from Utah with her kids. Lauren missed a crutial week of school, Katie left her comfy nest of a home at the end of her pregnancy. All of them came to give aid, comfort, strength and love. Sean, Colleen and Erin were hanging next to their phones and would have been here if Dad's condition got worse. I felt their love and prayers cross the distance between us. Their primary reason for being home was to be here while dad was in critical condition in the hospital. The rest of the activities during their stay was icing on my life.

Having a room that is light, clean, bright, beautiful, fun and (did I say clean?) cheery is such a spirit lifter. I love going in there. The bed is so comfy. Many years ago I bought some white lace linen pillow shams that I adored. I planned on some day having a vintage looking bedroom to display them. Well, someday has come! I think that room will be dubbed "The White Room". I am having so much fun putting things I love in there. Little things that make me smile. Like my happy plates make me smile. Nothing matches, there are old things- like my boo-boo bunny, a stuffed rabbit I had as a child, antique cross stitch sampler, to purple dragons, to vintage lamps, a metal mouse sculpture (Lauren doesn't like that- it looks too real for her), a picture of a sleeping child and books! But it all goes together- like the table set with all the happy plates- to one pleasing, relaxing space.

Thank you again, everyone for helping to make this happen. I am one lucky momma. Dad is home, getting stronger and better. He is a different man than when he left. He has promised to continue on this path to health. Ian is in Ghana sering a mission for the Lord, spreading the message of love and the restored gospel. All my married children are doing well and giving us beautiful grandbabies that I want to hug and squeeze and just eat up! Dan the man is transforming himself into a handsome, kind, honorable, sleek young man. His determination, will power and drive are inspiring. Wa is amazing. Her honey is home, we will be wedding gown shopping soon. She deserves all the happiness and joy Dylan and an eternal marriage can offer. Thank you all, as always, I love up up to the sky.......and back into my heart.