Grad girl...

We moved into the tiny tudor at the end of the summer.  Sara finished school last June- as in aged out and D O N E.  It's a new era, she is 22, on to bigger and better things- and it was time for a change...

We took a trip out to the PB Teen store and found the duvet she loved- this is what we are decorating the room around...

The console/dresser that Travis built her is the same deep pink as in the roses.  The walls are White Duck by Sherwin Williams and the interior doors are Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams.  I am thinking of painting the gallery wall in her room a smokey black as well...

image via Pinterest

Sara's gallery wall...

The sheets, sham and bedskirt...

I am also including touches of Gold and plan on painting a few things gold to put on the gallery wall, like the giant "S" I found in a garage sale years ago.  I also bought her the bunny lamp for her end table...

Once Travis finishes his turnaround schedule at work, he is going to build her a headboard.  I am thinking we will do a painted wood version of the PB Teen one Sara likes...

Sara loves momentos- pictures, announcements, invitations- all of it is part of what gives her room meaning to her.   She treasures memories and I knew that the graduation plaque by Tiny Prints was the perfect addition to her wall.

Personalizing a space is easy to do with pieces that commemorate special events in your life.  For Sara, her graduating was something we were told she would never do.   We knew that with the right environment, encouragement and support she would not only graduate, but she would do so much more.  When Sara looks on her walls and sees her diploma, graduation picture, and this plaque- it is a reminder that we are all capable, and with love we can accomplish great things.

Happy notes...

When Sara and I started painting signs for The Happy Soul Project it became obvious to me that aside from the painting, Sara's absolutely favourite part of the entire process was the wrapping and addressing of each sign.

"Where is it going?"

"Who is it for?"

"Do they have Down Syndrome too?"

The only thing that she loves more is when people post pictures to Instagram or Facebook of their child with the signs we make.  I think for Sara she enjoys the creative process, but the real joy lies in the giving.  And who can fault her for that?  Giving is a good thing.  So the opportunity to use some thank you notes by Tiny Prints was the perfect addition to an already perfect "job".  Sara loves to sit and write out a small thank you to each person who purchases one of our Happy Soul Project signs...

My main focus at this point is to ensure that Sara is doing something worthwhile, and that we are spreading the message that people with Down Syndrome are productive members of society.   Ocotober is Down Syndrome Awareness month, and while I think people are pretty aware of Down Syndrome, I think the emphasis needs to be more on acceptance.

Sara wants what any other adult wants- she wants purpose, a job, something to call her own and take pride in.  Painting signs does just that, and the thank you notes we send out mean so much more than the few sentences Sara writes on each one.

So thank you to each of you who have purchased a sign and given Sara a chance to spread a little happy...