the rough season (updated)
It has been a slightly rough few days, but not because of Christmas. I know everyone expects the holidays to be hard for someone that recently lost a loved one, and I do totally understand that idea…but that hasn’t been the case for me. Christmas was a good day and no harder than any other since losing Misty. For me, the hardest part of this season has been Olivia’s birthday present: her new room.
Olivia turns 2 today and I decided it was time to redo her room. She had a cute room before, but as she is getting older, it was becoming less functional. I spent some
time planning a new room for her that will provide space for her to play, read and learn, rather than just sleep and get changed. I spent a bunch of nights up late, sketching out where new furniture was going to go and what the room was going to look like – and buying stuff online. This was the hard part. If Misty were here, this past week would have been potentially the highlight of our married lives. She loved Olivia more than anything and doing something big like this for her would have just made the year.
Nevertheless, the room is done and today we had a party for my little lady. Unfortunately, I cannot find my wide angle lens for anything. It would have let me get a nice shot of the whole room from one of the corners. Instead I just have a few shots that show you little areas I wanted you to see specifically.
Oh and before I get into pictures, I would be remiss to not mention my Extreme Toddler Room Makeover team. Kelsey gets the prize for spending 2 entire days (like 12 hours each) with me painting and the such. Colleen gets a kudos for helping me create the color scheme and overall design. Genevieve, Taylor and Kyleigh were the first rate production crew you wish you knew. My dad was the hero with the hammer and drill and mother-in-law with the sowing machine. Seriously, this was just a reminder that I’m really blessed to have such great people in my (and Olivia’s) life.
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Basically, everything is changed in the room. We went from a crib to a toddler bed, replaced or painted all the furniture and went with a brown and pink color scheme. The strange pink thing hanging from the ceiling is “daddy’s chair”. I wanted to have a bean bag chair to sit next to her when she is on her new pink comfy chair. There was no good place on the ground, so I hung it.
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I wanted to show you this because it’s my favorite part of the room. The first two angel figures (from left to right) were from Misty’s collection and the second two are more recent. The meanings of each form a timeline of Misty’s life and death: Love, Courage, Remember, Shining Star. It’s a artistic way of representing Misty’s life and legacy for Olivia.
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Olivia now has her own little play room, with a dining table (with tea and toast set) and her own bookshelf and toy chest (on the left – out of the picture). She loves being able to get her books off the top shelf with the little step stool. If you can’t tell, this furniture is really small…it’s pretty cute.
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And I’m far from being one to create a “shrine” for someone…but I thought it was good for Olivia to have a couple pictures of her and mommy. These are called standouts and they are glossy prints mounted by the lab onto a 1.5 inch foam-board.
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That’s all for now (till I find my wide angle lens and can take a good picture of this room – I’m so annoyed about this. I lose everything). You can see the rest of the pictures HERE. I am home from work this week, but my focus is on Anthem of Hope, Olivia, and cleaning. So, I might not be around the blog much this week. But, I’ll be back. Thanks for reading…really.
UPDATE:
Sunrise, thanks for your concern. Apparently a couple people are also fretting because my inbox has a few messages to the same extent. The bean bag is attached to a hook that is rated at 65lbs, so unless you are planning on hanging from it with olivia…I don’t think its coming down :)
(note: smilie face means I’m joking around…not being jerky)
Also, to the person who emailed me “from a monthers perspective”. I’m am olivia’s “mother now…and I do have that perspective much more than you’d think. The bag weighs like 1 lb…I’m not too worried about it. Thanks for your concern though!
Oh yeah…and the wall outlets have plugs in them…they are just clear and you can’t see them :)
36 Comments so far
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So pretty! You guys did a wonderful job.
I love the photos and I’m sure they will be important to Olivia as she grows up.
Hey Darren. The room you made for Olivia is really, really special. I’m so glad you continue to talk and keep your late wife in your conversations. That is really important. Olivia will be thankful when she is older and can understand more thoroughly. I’m sure it makes your heart very heavy at times, but your wife is so obviously important to you… It is only natural and very special that you keep her around daily. You are a very dedicated father and husband. You make many proud.
It is just so precious. I love it. Very cute indeed. And she will love it for years to come. Glad you explained the thing high in the air…I was wondering. =)
I am so glad to see the pictures on the wall. Sweet and Olivia will treasure those.
You are an amazing Dad…Olivia’s room is beautiful!!! Plus it gave me some great ideas for updating Ella’s room : ) She’s almost the same age..
Great job Darren and “team”. It looks awesome!!!
The room looks fabulous. the bean bag chair hanging from the ceiling makes the room…
The room looks fabulous! What a wonderful, lasting present to give to your little Olivia.
I especially love the photos on the wall and the method in which you had them printed. Very cool!
Take care,
V
Lovely room, but the hanging bean bag chair seems a bit dangerous. If it falls on her, she could be suffocated. Sorry for the unpleasant comment. I also think that it could be quite scary seeing that hanging at night. But the colors are precious, as is everything else.
Olivia’s room is perfect! I am sure she will spend long hours serving tea to friends, making up wonderful stories with her books until she can actually read and wondering about her wonderful mommy. You can look forward to the most precious things that will come from her heart.
Did you remember to ask God where your lens is? You know he knows! I continue to pray for your peace that surpasses all understanding and God’s blessing over all the good work you do. Love, Brenda
Hi Darren!
Thank you so much for sharing your pictures and your thoughts with all of us, you are an inspiration and God has used you in many ways you are probably unaware of!
The room is beautiful, Olivia is an adorable little girl! You’re in my prayers always. May God bless you!
Emma! I’m still praying for you girl! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
The room is great ,i know who to call when i redo my girls room everyone did a great job. Ilove the pictires,if misty where hear that looks like a room she would creat.kiss olivia for me,Afrika
super cute! LOVE the picture of her cake.
Wow…what a wonderful job you and your “team” did. I’m sure Olivia loves it. And I absolutely love the Willow Tree figurines and their meanings. What a great representation of life, love, and legacy. You have a God-given talent, and kudos to you for not wasting it.
Hi Darren,
I absolutely love Olivia’s new bedroom. It is beautiful and you took such care to make it each part of it very meaningful and special. What an amazing Dad Olivia has. It is really beautiful. I left you a question on facebook about it, but now I have my answer. And you really thought of such wonderful ways to keep Misty in Olivia’s heart. Beautiful in every way.
Your the best Darren!
Love Lavenia
It is SO beautiful….. every little girl’s dream. I got tears seeing the big canvas photos of Misty you had done. What an awesome idea…. and the angel collection… love it.
You are one amazing Daddy.
You are a wonderful father. :) It is just adorable. Perfect for Miss Olivia.
Happy Birthday to Olivia!
This is a really precious room! I can only imangine how excited Livi is, but wait a minute…you are probably thru the roof with just as much excitement, if not MORE so! Anyway gotta say I Love it and you once again brightened up my day. Thanks!
Beautiful, Darren. What a blessed girl she is! What a loving Daddy and family/friends to do such a great project for the big girl. I loved the pictures. And WOW what a cake!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVIA!! Darren and team the room is great, any little girl would be proud to call it their big girl room. Suggestion, your next big project should be a storage area for all your camera equipment. With a little cutie like Olivia around you can’t miss any pictures cause you don’t have the right lens :) Have a blessed new year. I know Livi will cause she has you for a Dad.
The room looks beautiful! You are an awesome dad! Olivia is such a lucky young lady!
Thinking of y’all always,
Becky
A special room for a special young lady. Happy Bday.
Hey bro the room looks good .. Happy New Year and God bless… Tbone out
PS: Happy Birthday Olivia
The room is awesome. I love the colors you chose. The angels and large photos of Misty and Olivia are beautiful reminders of her that Olivia will surely come to treasure. I think that the fact that you want a chair to sit in next to Olivia is just another thing that shows what a loving, nurturing, and hands-on daddy you are to her… she is so blessed. You’re also smart, so I never thought about it being dangerous. Happy Birthday to Olivia and Happy New Year… I’m sorry that it’s been a rough time for you, knowing how much Misty would’ve loved doing this for Olivia… I’m praying and thinking of ya’ll often.
Love,
Stacia
Happy Birthday Olivia!
What a beautiful birthday present your dad put together!
Enjoy every moment in your new room : )
Wow! Awesome job :-) Looks amazing!
The room is adorable! A man of many talents you seem to be. Great job to you and the team. Olivia is a very lucky lady.
LOVE it! I wish you could come design my Emma’s room. I do NOT have an artistic eye. LOL Great job and Happy Birthday Miss Olivia!!!
I love her room! Especially the hanging beanbag. When I was little I used to imagine walking on the ceiling…it would have been pretty awesome to imagine sitting on it, too.
Happy Birthday Olivia!!! Darren… Wow, you did a wonderful job redecorating her room. It was so well thought out with the lovely pictures of Misty and the symbolism in the figurines. And, a fun place to learn, play and sleep!
Brenda (from San Diego)
That is absolutely beautiful. You are an amazing father. Your daughter is positively gorgeous and your story broke my heart…I hope you don’t mind but I mentioned you, Olivia and Misty in my blog some days ago. Perhaps a couple of weeks ago actually. God bless and yes, Happy Belated Birthday Olivia!
lol…was actually trying to work out what the hanging pink thing was. that’s a really funny and cute idea! yeah, was a tad concerned about safety but you’ve already addressed that so that’s cool.
my husband and I don’t have children yet…we’ve been married for 4 months now and I kind of want to just cherish finally being together first before that next huge step. But I’m secretly hoping for a girl so we can enjoy pretty things together :)
The room looks lovely and the best part is that it was made with daddy’s love! You’re a great dad and an inspiration Darren! I love the angels the most!
Sorry forgot to wish a happy birthday to your little lady! “HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVIA!!”
Best room EVER!!!!
the room is precious. olivia is blessed to have a father like you.
thinking of you and your family.
rebekah
Dude, I had a birfday on the 29th and you didn’t do me new room. Not fair! ;o)