Kate's Paris Themed Room

One of my best friends posted pictures of her step-daughter, Kate's bedroom a few months back and I couldn't believe what I was seeing!!

A Paris themed room that any teenager, or adult, would kill for!!

I asked her if she would mind me sharing and she said no.

Lucky for you all!!

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Cathy had a baby girl about 7-weeks ago so when they were planning for her nursery they decided to give Kate's room a makeover at the same time.

She and her husband had just returned from a trip to Paris so decided that would be a fun theme.

Kate picked out bedding that she wanted but Cathy took a little bit of the creative responsibility to make sure the room went beyond her teenage years.

Here's what they ended up with.

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While visiting Paris, Cathy and her spouse rented an apartment.

They took several pictures outside the apartment's windows.

 So they decided to incorporate those into the look of the room.

They live in Las Vegas, so they worked with Screaming Images there in town to have them take them pictures and turn them into wall murals.

How cool is this picture of the Eiffel Tower behind the bed???

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Keep in mind, Screaming Images even came and installed them in the room.

This is not something you would bring home and attempt to do yourself.

As they were picking out the images they decided to make the panels on the closets look like windows to make the room feel bigger.

They decided to keep everything black and white to compliment the grey walls and keep a calming effect in the room.

Since the Eiffel Tower was such a big image on the wall they knew they needed a headboard that they could see through so it didn't cover up the image.

They found this one at Pier One on sale, and the wrought iron goes with the Tower structure.

The comforter duvet was found online at Wake Up Frankie and the bedskirt is from Target.

Next they decided to include a vanity in the room for 14-year old Kate since she would soon be sharing her bathroom with the new baby.

They had a hard time finding an afforable one and finally settled on one they found on Ebay at a local Las Vegas consignment store.

It was green, so they painted it an antiqued cream white.

The shelves in the room were already there and just got a fresh coat of paint.

They had originally purchased a red chandelier for the room but when it arrived it was broken.

They tried to exchange it but it was discontinued.

So, they went to Plan B.

They found this chandelier and the lamps in the room at a local consignment store.

I think this is the cutest and most original idea for a teen's room I've seen in a LONG time!

I'm so happy to be able to share it with all of you!!

It's totally one of a kind!

Weekend Recap

Another weekend is almost over....

And, the weather today here in Charlotte has been miserable, it has literally rained all day long.

But before the rain, we enjoyed nice weather that made for great patio time.

Brad recently made us this table.

That deserves an entire post of its own.

Even Shelby has enjoyed the patio

As I mentioned in a previous post, we started Shelby on rice cereal a couple of weeks ago.

Well, we went in for her 4-month appointment(2-weeks late) this past week and the doctor gave us the green light for veggies then fruits.

So, we busted out the baby food maker that my cousin so kindly handed down to us!

After a trip to the Farmer's market Brad was in the kitchen making Shelbs some carrots!!

Excited baby girl!

(Who is in the 90th percentile for height!)

I don't think she likes them as much as the cereal but she eats them.

In other Shelby news, this is becoming a regular thing.

It really bothers me too having been a thumb sucker who had to wear braces for 3 1/2 years because of it.

Let's hope this is just a phase.

We went out on Saturday night.

We left Shelby with her first real sitter!

She did great for the most part.

Thanks again to Kristan for watching her!!

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We went out in celebration of Brad's cousin Katie getting engaged to her longtime boyfriend Tim.

It was Brad's brother, Jeff and his wife Robyn.

Us...

And, Tim and Katie.

Their big day is next May in Virginia!

We had a great time!

Can't wait to do it again!

Then, this morning we got up and went to church and Brad is cooking up some chicken soup for dinner.

How was your weekend??

A Girl and her Dog

I've waited for this moment for a while.

For Shelby to TRULY notice and acknowledge Buddy.

How exciting!

I've noticed her looking at him in the past couple of weeks but nothing like last night.

She actually reached out and tried to pet him!!

YAY!

My hope for them has always been to be best friends and I think it could be happening!!

Check out a few pictures I captured...

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Shelby saying HELLO Budster!!

She laughed when he started to lick her hand.

(He's licked her hand before but she wasn't really aware as to what was going on)

Just look at that face!!!!!!!!

Makes my heart melt into a million pieces seeing these 2 together!

Oh, MY GOODNESS!

I know there are many more of these days to come as she starts to eat food.

Yes, I was okay with this.

I know some people might cringe.

As Faith wrote in her recent blog.

Buddy was my first baby and will always be.

I love him just as much as I always have, so it makes me super happy to see him love Shelby.

Check out this video for yourself.

Sorry for my high pitch 'baby' voice at the end! 

HA!!!

More Than I Expected - Billy Graham Library

For those of you who are new here you might not know that I was raised fiercely religious.

As in Jimmy Swaggart, Assembly of God religious.

In case you aren't familiar with either, Google them.

You'll learn real quick.

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In saying that, when I heard about the Billy Graham Library opening here in Charlotte I wasn't overly excited to visit.

In fact, it's been open for several years and I had never visited until this past weekend.

It's not that I don't respect and admire Billy Graham, I just didn't feel like going and being bombarded by volunteers and such.

Well, I'm here to tell you.

It's nothing like I expected.

I left being uplifted, and respecting Billy Graham more than I ever thought I would.

He isn't just a money grubbing evangelist like a lot of people might think.

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The Billy Graham organization is first class all the way.

AND...

AGAIN, that's coming from someone who is VERY JADED, when it comes to televangelists.

In fact, I would take more visitors here when visiting Charlotte.

So, enough gabbing and onto the photo tour.

As you may have read in my last post me, Shelby, Mom and my Aunt Jane went.

On the grounds is the library.

Garden to die for.

And, Billy's childhood home that originally sat on Park Road here in Charlotte.

We toured through the home first.

There were very few things original to the home but it was still neat to see.

Aunt Jane loved all of this!

Shelby?

Well, it was her first tour ever and I think she liked it too!

Then we toured the library which was WAY MUCH MORE EXTENSIVE than I ever dreamed!!!!

It was free to get in(donations accepted) and it wasn't just 1 or 2 rooms but 13 exhibits!!

The museum took you in a time capsule of sorts.

A camp meeting held way back when in LA.

The museum showed you Rev. Graham's scope in radio.

And, television.

As one of our friends said.

No matter your faith, it's still pretty amazing to see the impact the Graham organization has had (and still does)

 He's met with Presidents.

 A check from President Nixon, repaying a $5 loan.

 To me one of the most moving parts of the library, was the exhibit where Rev. Graham's speech and prayer to the nation after 9/11 aired.

WOW!

I was in tears.

 Especially, giving the events of this past week.

His words were powerful.

God has really used Rev. Graham to the fullest.

 A true man of God.

As was his wife, Ruth and his children are.

They are continuing the Graham legacy to this day. 

 Did you know that Rev. Graham has visited nearly every nation spreading the Gospel?

 Really Remarkable!

 If you're ever in Charlotte I suggest you visit.

I can't wait to go back at Christmas time!