A Beautiful Life - Stephanie Vest

Submission #9 - Another pretty pink LR

From Kellie D. in Jefferson City, MO:

"I fell in love with Stephanie in 7th grade. We were placed next to each other in Mr. Gerling's Social Studies class, and I had know idea from that day on that she would change my life forever!  Stephanie has been a friend I will honor,  love,  and cherish for the rest of my life!!  Because of her and her story I am a better person!  So,  painting my laundry room seemed the best way to honor her and her beautiful life.   I am reminded everyday that life is so short and to live life to its fullest,  because you don't know what God's plan is.  I  love listening to my 10 year old daughter,  Shelbie, bring her friends into the laundry room and  tell Stephanie's story to them.  It is truly one of my proudest moments!  It motivates me to keep up on the laundry  so it stays clutter free!  The finishing touch to the laundry room is a picture of Princess Gracie!!  I look into her eyes, and I can see her mother's beautiful soul!!  I look forward to watching her grow into a beautiful woman just like her mommy! Pink Laundry - In honor of my beautiful friend Stephanie Vest."

 

 

 

 

submission #8

Debra N. in Missouri:

"Stephanie and I were pledge sisters at SMSU and I was blessed to have had her in my life! Being a Sigma truly taught me the meaning of sisterhood and friendship and to be able to call her a sister of mine is a true honor.  My husband and I had the pleasure of knowing both Stephanie and Eric and we shared some fun times together in Springfield, Daytona and STL when we lived there.  We loved having them at our house when they would come in town for weddings and always welcomed their beloved dogs Harley and CoCo. 

When we learned about Stephanie’s condition our hearts were broken for the Vest family, but we felt confident that Stephanie & Eric would definitely fight it with courage, strength and determination!  I absolutely fell in love with her laundry room and was hoping to transform mine after the holidays.  The weekend before Thanksgiving, my daughter and I left town to visit a friend for the weekend.  When I came home from the airport, I arrived to this beautiful laundry room that my husband Shawn and my son Logan had completed while we were away!  It was truly amazing.  He pulled out pictures, turned them into black and white and put them in an amazing 9-photo frame!  He spent all weekend on the laundry room and I could not love it more.  I pass by it everyday on my way out the door and it provides me such inspiration to live each day to the fullest and to appreciate the little things in life!"

 

 

 

 

 

Submission #7 - another inspiration

Jennifer H. from Missouri:

"I have followed Stephanie's blog since her sorority sister Jennifer Wilson shared it with me. Stephanie has made a lasting impression on my life even though I never physically met her. I am reminded to be grateful for each day on earth and to live each day as if it were my last, because you never know what life holds. When I feel life's trival pressures, I am quietly reminded to breathe deeply and remember the blessings in my life. The beautiful pink sunsets in KC have touched my heart as I know Stephanie had a part in creating these and reminding us she is an angel watching over us in heaven.  Not only has Stephanie inspired me to be a better person, but it's through her that I was blessed with a new, special friend. I googled Stephanie and found a young mother's blog who had posted about Stephanie as well. I was drawn to leave a comment on this new blog I found and a beautiful friendship emerged and developed, all because of Stephanie.
 
Although I haven't painted our laundry room, I changed the theme on my blog to a hot pink and black/white theme with sparkly accents. (see attached photo)  This is a constant reminder of Stephanie's grace and how she touched my life and so many others through her amazing story."

submission #6

Siobhan K. from Japan:

 

"We are a military family currently stationed in Japan.  As much as I would LOVE to paint our laundry room pink, I think it might cause an International incident (but don't think for a second I am not totally doing this when we move back to the US)!  :) 

 

So, I got thinking...what could I do to honor Stephanie? 

 

Since I make handmade cards on a regular basis, I took at look at my supplies and came up with something I think she would have loved!  Here is a Stephanie Vest inspired Valentine's Day card.

 

God Bless"

prayer requests

Hello faithful Prayer Warriors-

Just wanted to share info about two other Kansas City moms who could use some encouraging prayers today, tomorrow and beyond. Check out their stories on the following blogs:

http://shawndraturner.blogspot.com/

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/amyroberts

And in the words of Eric Vest, "Make it a great day!"

Submission #6 - Just gorgeous!

From Christine S. in Oakland Township, Michigan:

"I got to know Stephanie’s story thru a friend/co-worker of my husband, Debra Nault.  I was so moved by her story.   I kept close eye on her website and was so AMAZED by her zest for life, her faith in god, her strength and her wisdom.  Even though I sadly never got a chance to meet her she has truly changed the way I live my life.  I have a better appreciation for every moment I spend with my kids and my husband.  I have learned to have more fun and to do things that are out-of-the-box.   The moment I saw Stephanie’s laundry room, I fell in love with it!  Over a couple of months, I transformed my laundry room from blah white walls to my new favorite room in my house.  I love the energy that it brings to my home and to me but most of all it will always serve as a inspiration to me to live my life to the fullest as I know that Stephanie did."

 

 

 

Laundry Room #5 - The warriors are amazing!

From Jill H. in New Jersey:

"I was a TriSigma with Steph. When I heard of Steph's battle and her fabulous and fun laundry room, I felt God literally calling me uplift Steph and join with others in this unique way. When I started painting, I was 8 months pregnant with my fourth child. Imagine my husband's surprise when I announced one day that I HAVE to paint this laundry room right now. (Meanwhile, I hadn't prepared the baby's room and the baby is a boy!) I had baby Patrick on Eric's birthday as a matter of fact, and while I was in labor (it wasn't too bad), I uplifted any pain or uncomfort to Steph up in Minnesota. My sister Kristin got to go to KC and attend the funeral and brought me the cool bookmark-shaped keepsake. I added it to the collage in the laundry room. My goal is for my 3 daughters (and one son) to walk through that room and know that God has a plan for all of us and that we have a special angel who is fun and fancy and full of God's light and love watching over us. It also helps us remember to pray for Eric and the kids every single day."

 

   

 

submission #4

From Belinda M.

"As soon as the pictures were posted of Steph and Eric's laundry room, it was an inspiration.  I enlisted the help of my husband and his artist friend, and within a week, had my own tribute to Stephanie.  I still have plans to frame her story and hang it in the room, so everyone who sees it (and everyone who comes to my house has to see my lovely laundry room!) will hear her story, and be touched by her courage and grace.  Not a day goes by that I don't remember the lessons that Eric and Stephanie's story have taught me."

It's not a laundry room...

From Catherine H.

"I was a freshman with Stephanie at SMS in 1992. I knew her, but I wasn't close to her. I dated one of Eric's fraternity brothers and saw her frequently with Eric.  After following Stephanie's story for months, I went shopping for my little girl and was so drawn to this outfit. It was after she had it on that I realized that my draw to the zebra pattern and the vibrant pink beneath was because of the constant thought of Stephanie and Eric and the incredible journey we all went on with the family. I spent very few minutes of each day not thinking of her and her family. I'm glad you are keeping the blog alive with memories and ways she unknowingly touched so many people.  Here is a picture of how she touched my family...."

Submission #2 - keep 'em coming!

From Amy in Kansas:

 

"Hello there from Southeast, KS. I did not know the Vest family personally, I was introduced to their blog by Macy's mother Debbie. I followed Stephanie's courageous story from the beginning. Painting my laundry room pink was just something I knew I had to do. I can't really explain how I knew it, I just did. I had so much fun picking things out and waiting for them to arrive. I didn't paint the ceiling zebra, but decided to use it as accent. Everytime I see something now that is zebra, pink or sparkly I think of this wonderful woman and her family. Thanks Miss Steph!! Everytime I do my laundry, I smile."