Forever Family Room Makeover

When the Groenendal’s decided to start their family, Jim had one wish: four children. After Laura’s third delivery by C-section, doctors suggested she should stop. Undaunted, Jim suggested adoption, and so the number of children began to grow from 3 to four, to the now 8 that constitute a loving mix of siblings.
The adoption of the youngest is almost finalized, and they decided they would like to leave an open bed for temporary foster babies awaiting a new home.
The children have a wide range of emotional and medical needs that the family is well equipped to care for, as Laura and her biological son are both EMT’s. The children have Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, global developmental delay, visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech delay, soft bones, scoliosis, genetic disorders and learning disabilities. Their home houses multiple wheelchairs and loads of physical equipment. They are well known at Rady Children’s hospital because of the plethora of appointments and emergency room visits. Several of the children are non-verbal, so constant communication is key to understand if they are in pain or need assistance.
The medical deliveries and need for storage are so great, that we realized the best way to serve this awesome bunch was to create as much storage as possible. Laura expressed the need for a nursery, as the baby was sleeping in their room and the couple’s bedroom became a repository for all his needs. The nursery would also allow this couple to care for one more child awaiting his forever home. Laura LOVES tigers, so the theme was pretty clear. EZ and OB, the only two boys who attend school, needed a room that matched their superpowers, which include superhuman energy and speed. They had a specific list of heroes spanning several franchises, which is just the kind of challenge that Project Lead Emily Dolton loves.
The nursery was the most challenging as woodland animals are more popular now, but Emily found a great fabric at Beverly’s Fabrics and with the help of the creative problem solvers that work at the store, she threw together two quilts and set the tone for the rest of the design. Those talented ladies help Emily through creative solutions so often that they instinctively ask if the project is for Cecily’s! Emily also reupholstered the rocker glider and ottoman. The Cary family donated a fantastic 4 by 4 canvas by the artist who performs at the San Diego Zoo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j78V96rvkYE) and Cherri Cary was instrumental in painting the canvases that coordinate with the tiger bedding. Author/Illustrator Salina Yoon (www.salinayoon.com) truly understands communication issues because she came to America speaking no English. She created a fantastic collage art tiger modelled from her board book Do Crocs Kiss? Salina graciously donated a few books to the nursery as well. The Erth Family donated two beautiful stuffed tigers. This room could not have been pulled off without fanastic volunteer Gina Clifton, a pre-school teacher who nominated this wonderful family. Rock Star Gina and her team of Mariah and Jorge put together 7 pieces of furniture and helped finish this beautiful sanctuary.
EZ and OB’s room could not have happened without the painting skills of Emily Dolton, Missy Johnson, Tori Johnson and Carson Williams. They created the superhero mural and Emily created hardboard murals of Spiderman and Deadpool. Christina McNally donated several home décor items to pull this room together, and Maria Nagy shopped for last minute items that Emily was too swamped to get. Christina Qwik donated the wonderful superhero metal sign. Furniture was assembled and art hung by the Bondurant Strong Family: Jody, Ndoto and Rick. We really need to thank Kevin Eastman, creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the San Diego Comic Art Gallery in Liberty Station for the signed TMNT posters (check out one above the closet). We also owe a debt of gratitude to Jim for stepping in and lending some craftsman muscle to ensure an important electrical outlet was able to be used within the closet.And thanks, once again, to Cityscapes Landscaping and General Contracting for installing a new three panel door.
Foster families prove that it really does take a village to raise a child and we know this devoted family feels blessed to be part of the Cecily’s Closet village!
The adoption of the youngest is almost finalized, and they decided they would like to leave an open bed for temporary foster babies awaiting a new home.
The children have a wide range of emotional and medical needs that the family is well equipped to care for, as Laura and her biological son are both EMT’s. The children have Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, global developmental delay, visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech delay, soft bones, scoliosis, genetic disorders and learning disabilities. Their home houses multiple wheelchairs and loads of physical equipment. They are well known at Rady Children’s hospital because of the plethora of appointments and emergency room visits. Several of the children are non-verbal, so constant communication is key to understand if they are in pain or need assistance.
The medical deliveries and need for storage are so great, that we realized the best way to serve this awesome bunch was to create as much storage as possible. Laura expressed the need for a nursery, as the baby was sleeping in their room and the couple’s bedroom became a repository for all his needs. The nursery would also allow this couple to care for one more child awaiting his forever home. Laura LOVES tigers, so the theme was pretty clear. EZ and OB, the only two boys who attend school, needed a room that matched their superpowers, which include superhuman energy and speed. They had a specific list of heroes spanning several franchises, which is just the kind of challenge that Project Lead Emily Dolton loves.
The nursery was the most challenging as woodland animals are more popular now, but Emily found a great fabric at Beverly’s Fabrics and with the help of the creative problem solvers that work at the store, she threw together two quilts and set the tone for the rest of the design. Those talented ladies help Emily through creative solutions so often that they instinctively ask if the project is for Cecily’s! Emily also reupholstered the rocker glider and ottoman. The Cary family donated a fantastic 4 by 4 canvas by the artist who performs at the San Diego Zoo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j78V96rvkYE) and Cherri Cary was instrumental in painting the canvases that coordinate with the tiger bedding. Author/Illustrator Salina Yoon (www.salinayoon.com) truly understands communication issues because she came to America speaking no English. She created a fantastic collage art tiger modelled from her board book Do Crocs Kiss? Salina graciously donated a few books to the nursery as well. The Erth Family donated two beautiful stuffed tigers. This room could not have been pulled off without fanastic volunteer Gina Clifton, a pre-school teacher who nominated this wonderful family. Rock Star Gina and her team of Mariah and Jorge put together 7 pieces of furniture and helped finish this beautiful sanctuary.
EZ and OB’s room could not have happened without the painting skills of Emily Dolton, Missy Johnson, Tori Johnson and Carson Williams. They created the superhero mural and Emily created hardboard murals of Spiderman and Deadpool. Christina McNally donated several home décor items to pull this room together, and Maria Nagy shopped for last minute items that Emily was too swamped to get. Christina Qwik donated the wonderful superhero metal sign. Furniture was assembled and art hung by the Bondurant Strong Family: Jody, Ndoto and Rick. We really need to thank Kevin Eastman, creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the San Diego Comic Art Gallery in Liberty Station for the signed TMNT posters (check out one above the closet). We also owe a debt of gratitude to Jim for stepping in and lending some craftsman muscle to ensure an important electrical outlet was able to be used within the closet.And thanks, once again, to Cityscapes Landscaping and General Contracting for installing a new three panel door.
Foster families prove that it really does take a village to raise a child and we know this devoted family feels blessed to be part of the Cecily’s Closet village!