Atticus' Room

It was very important for me to get Atticus' room just right. He was so blessed and loved and received so many wonderful things: letters, posters, cars, pictures, BYU gear, paintings, books... the list could go on for a good long while ;). I had a hard time choosing what one's were my favorites. Which ones meant the most to Atticus and reflected him best. And which ones would bring me the most happiness and peace when I saw them. I think, after much deliberation, organizing and placing, then organizing and placing again, we got it just right. You can't help but walk in his room and be happy. There is a very special feeling in his room and I LOVE it. Like love love love it.

This is the view from the hall. Isn't it perfect? I get to see it every time we leave or come home. Every time I go to change the laundry, or get "Captain Distruct-o" out of the bathroom, pulling the toilet paper off the roll, again!! It makes me happy.

I framed and hung Atticus' and our favorite pieces of artwork and crafts. Well I didn't hang them. Lance did!! Thanks Lance! We also had the framed pictures on display at the viewing and service.

Framed artwork: left to right, top to bottom

1. My favorite art portfolio piece

2. Atticus' favorite art portfolio piece 

3. Atticus' first drawing of "people"

4. Atticus' favorite flower

5. My favorite craft from his first year of preschool. Really cute story behind it: The kids were "planting gardens" and Mrs. Gavaghan told them to crumple up the tissue in small little balls to "plant in the dirt." She noticed that all the kids were quickly finishing up and starting to play except for Atticus. He was very dedicated and focused on doing exactly what she said and was getting the tissue paper in as tight little balls as he possibly could. She said it was really sweet, then thought, "Bless his heart, at this rate, he'll never get to done!" So she asked if she could help him and he, "supposed it was okay!" That's my boy! Everything was done to his perfection!! Man I love him.

6. Atticus' first preschool "report card." He was one smart cookie! I remember telling everyone when I was pregnant with Atticus that I hoped he would have Daddy's brain and Mommy's heart! Atticus was a perfect little man. An old soul in a darn cute little body!

I have little nightly routine that I do almost every night.. I turn on his little lamp and kiss one of my favorite pictures and say, "I love you sweet boy!" Now, don't go thinking I've gone crazy, I realize he's not there! But sometime I just need something tangible to give me a boost.

 I love that I have so many handprint and footprints of him.

I loooooove this...

This shelf has all of his favorite things...

-CARS cars... check

-Hot Wheels tracks... check

-BYU gear... check

-Favorite books/games... check

-Baseball gear and trophy's... check

The sweet hand print (top shelf, right corner) was done the Saturday before he passed away. A volunteer w/hospice came to the house and did it. His little hand print is in THE PERFECT position. There is just enough room for me to squeeze a finger in there! Lets just say I held that little hand and cried my eyes out lots and still do. It took me just a minute or two to realize how special that little hand mold is... it's his LEFT hand. He sucked his LEFT thumb. Realizing that made me love it that much more.

I LOVE his 'CARS' shelf. I cannot tell you how many HOURS we spent playing cars. A few months before diagnosis, his love for cars expanded to not just 'CARS' cars but Hot Wheels too! In fact, the long Hot Wheels 4-track was probably his favorite toy from his 4th birthday.

His paintings. I can't remember if it was the night of the day we had our zoo adventure or the night after, but as we were getting ready for bed he said, "Mom, wouldn't it be cool if a lion painted me a picture? I have a picture from a sea lion and an elephant... He could just use his tail for a paint brush!" I told him that was a GREAT idea and I'd see what I could do but it might be a little tricky since their, ya know, kinda ferocious!!

 SO... should anyone come across a friendly lion who happens to enjoy painting, ask him if he'll paint a picture for Atticus!!

Today is all happy thoughts about my sweet brave little soul. He truly was a remarkable little boy. So full of life. So full of energy. So full of love. One of a kind. I'm pretty lucky to be his mom.

I love you buddy!

xoxo, mom