On Saturday, November 17th, Livia Grace was granted her Make~A~Wish.  This process had been in the works for two years.  Not her specific wish, but the wish process.  In the beginning, we couldn’t decide on “the wish.”  Jake and I are her voice, so we wanted to make sure this was going to be something for her.  Our wonderful wish granters gave us suggestions and we pondered over the decision for a long time.  The positive in that, was that our wish granters, Angela and Ann, have been in our lives for a long time.  We thought about a trip, but the biggest hang up for me was that once a trip is over, it’s over.  Yes, memories and pictures are made and they last a life time.  Jake and I decided that we could do a trip anytime.  We wanted something that was going to benefit Livia for a long time.  So, we decided on a play/safe/therapy room.  What does that exactly mean?  We wanted a space in our home that Livia could have to play, have some sensory therapy, and be completely safe, all at the same time.  We luckily have a spacious, 2 story home.  Stairs are becoming an issue for Liv, so we knew the room needed to be on the main level.  In the front of our house we have a dining room and an office.  We decided to turn the office into her wish room.  Once we confirmed this is what we wanted for Livia, construction started to take place.  

The staircase was open on both sides, so a wall was built and a dutch door was put in.  For those of you that don’t know, a dutch door is a regular door that is split horizontally.  This offers an option to keep the bottom half shut while the top half is open.  We did this because we needed a place that Livia could play, and if I couldn’t keep my eyes on her I knew she would be safe in that specific space.  Then came the list.  I was asked to make a wish list for the items that we would like seen in that room.  They told me “the sky’s the limit.”  Not that Livia would get everything on the list, but not to hold back when making it.  I put a lot of therapy equipment like a swing, trampoline, sensory light panels, therapy balls, body massager, etc.  I also asked for a special brand of books called “indestrutibles.”  These books are tear-proof, chew-proof, rip-proof, washable, and non-toxic.  One of Livia’s most favorite things to do is to look at books.  However, she tears them or chews on them in the process.  I thought these books would be perfect for her.  I wanted her to have an iPad.  There are so many educational aps as well as games and movies for when we travel.  My thought with an iPad might also facilitate communication.  I so badly want her to communicate with us.  Verbally, she can’t anymore, but maybe by pointing.  The iPad was something I questioned asking for, but went for it anyway.  A few more things went on the list, but then it was time to submit it to the wish granters.  They then take the list back to the main chapter and were our advocates to try to get the items purchased or donated.  One of our wish granters knows an interior decorator, Mary Sweeney with Mary’s by Design.  Mary generously donated her time and talent to come to my house to talk with me about color’s Livia liked and what we envisioned for the room.  It was something I’d never done before.  Mary was so nice and easy to work with.  She then took over the decorating, organizing paint and carpet all while in the process of moving her store location.  Very generous.  Then more people came in to do work.  Doug Olson did most of the construction.  He is greatly involved with Habitat for Humanity.  Marv Riggins was another gentleman that did some of the handy work and repairs.  New windows with special tempered glass were donated by Window World of Rockford .  Blinds from Eddie Z’s were installed by Accurate Blinds Installation.  Paint was done by Doug Hermanson with Hermanson Painting and Wallpaper.  In the middle of this, we were told by our wish granters that a local photographer heard our story and volunteered to take family pictures of us to put in Livia’s new play room.  I was thrilled with this.  We were told that this photographer was the best in town and she and her son had won many photography awards.  We were given a few dates to choose from and told we needed to go to Kane photography.  We had the pleasure of working with Matt and Marie Kane.  They really went over and above what we expected with the pictures.  One of the ideas we had for one wall was to have some silly faces.  Livia loves expressions and people’s faces.  This wall is probably my favorite part of the room.  Livia has been jumping on her trampoline, looking at the photos, and giggling!  This is just what I hoped for.

 We also have a friend, Lindsey Ellis, Expressions by Lindsey, who had taken some pictures for us.  She also generously donated some pictures.  These pictures, along with the Kane photos are like gold to me.  These will forever be precious memories that I can keep.  I can’t thank you enough for this generous donation to Livia’s wish.  You have blessed our family with a gift that really means something!