Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Design Producers visit to
Ashley Furniture HomeStore, Killeen
Design Producers visit to
Ashley Furniture HomeStore, Killeen
This experience...all I can say is "wow".
I will never forget the moment I heard about the Ft Hood shooting. I had just driven by the Soldier Readiness Center on post when I left a friend's house. I was on the way to the house, getting ready for a shoot, when my client texted me and said "There's been a major shooting on post @ the Soldier Readiness Center. We're going to have to reschedule." My heart dropped & my mind went a million miles per hour. All I could think about were the soldiers and families I'd come across since my ex and I had met. For the next hour, I was on the phone, calling and texting to make sure the men & women that had served next to Jimmy were okay. It hit home. Ft Hood was my home I had known for the past 3 years, & these were my people, and to say it lightly, someone had done a terrible thing.
This tragedy first hit our community in a wave of shock. To say it affected our community greatly would be an understatement, but you can't bring a United States military community down. Months went by & our community united more than you could ever imagine during this tragic time. I first came across Patrick and Jessica when my boss had me check out Jessica's blog.
www.patrickjessica.blogspot.com
PLEASE check it out as my blabbing will never be able to express the story of this couple. Her blog is a storybook of romance, faith, courage, and triumph. I've truly fallen in love with their love.
A great friend & amazing paramedic, Kim Griffin, was one of the first responders on the scene the day of the shooting. She introduced Patrick and Jessica to my boss, Sandra- Killeen Ashley Furniture HomeStore's owner. Sandra was given the great opportunity to furnish Patrick and Jessica's temporary home on Fort Hood. At the time, I had taken on new tasks at work that dealt a lot with the community, and I hadn't a clue how much watching my owner give to this couple would bless me.
A couple months passed, and the big news came "Extreme Makeover is coming to Central Texas!". At first, the family was kept a secret to the public, but news broke out about who the deserving couple was, and our store was beyond honored when ABC Extreme Makeover contacted the store to help out with the Zeigler home. The girls became giddy dreaming of Ty's deep blue eyes and the guys were hot for the women designers! We could NOT wait. The morning finally came, the designers came in & spent a couple of hours picking out tons of beautiful furniture and accessories. They wanted every detail to be perfect, and as you saw on the episode, it was. It was an event we, as a company, will never forget. As well, store managers had the great opportunity to help out during a midnight decorating session. Ft Hood units, local businesses, and families from all over Central Texas came together to create a beautiful home for a beautiful couple. Again, no matter what tragedy, you can't take down a military community.
I had the wonderful opportunity to take a private tour of the home the day of the Extreme Makeover crew's wrap up after the reveal. The moment we drove up to the home, you could feel the love and pride, as you saw Old Glory proudly displayed in the front yard. This was the home of a true American hero. Below are a few images from the tour. It was a quick tour as so much was taking place with design producers & camera crews, but again, I could not be more thankful to be apart of this event. Enjoy the images.
I will never forget the moment I heard about the Ft Hood shooting. I had just driven by the Soldier Readiness Center on post when I left a friend's house. I was on the way to the house, getting ready for a shoot, when my client texted me and said "There's been a major shooting on post @ the Soldier Readiness Center. We're going to have to reschedule." My heart dropped & my mind went a million miles per hour. All I could think about were the soldiers and families I'd come across since my ex and I had met. For the next hour, I was on the phone, calling and texting to make sure the men & women that had served next to Jimmy were okay. It hit home. Ft Hood was my home I had known for the past 3 years, & these were my people, and to say it lightly, someone had done a terrible thing.
This tragedy first hit our community in a wave of shock. To say it affected our community greatly would be an understatement, but you can't bring a United States military community down. Months went by & our community united more than you could ever imagine during this tragic time. I first came across Patrick and Jessica when my boss had me check out Jessica's blog.
www.patrickjessica.blogspot.com
PLEASE check it out as my blabbing will never be able to express the story of this couple. Her blog is a storybook of romance, faith, courage, and triumph. I've truly fallen in love with their love.
A great friend & amazing paramedic, Kim Griffin, was one of the first responders on the scene the day of the shooting. She introduced Patrick and Jessica to my boss, Sandra- Killeen Ashley Furniture HomeStore's owner. Sandra was given the great opportunity to furnish Patrick and Jessica's temporary home on Fort Hood. At the time, I had taken on new tasks at work that dealt a lot with the community, and I hadn't a clue how much watching my owner give to this couple would bless me.
A couple months passed, and the big news came "Extreme Makeover is coming to Central Texas!". At first, the family was kept a secret to the public, but news broke out about who the deserving couple was, and our store was beyond honored when ABC Extreme Makeover contacted the store to help out with the Zeigler home. The girls became giddy dreaming of Ty's deep blue eyes and the guys were hot for the women designers! We could NOT wait. The morning finally came, the designers came in & spent a couple of hours picking out tons of beautiful furniture and accessories. They wanted every detail to be perfect, and as you saw on the episode, it was. It was an event we, as a company, will never forget. As well, store managers had the great opportunity to help out during a midnight decorating session. Ft Hood units, local businesses, and families from all over Central Texas came together to create a beautiful home for a beautiful couple. Again, no matter what tragedy, you can't take down a military community.
I had the wonderful opportunity to take a private tour of the home the day of the Extreme Makeover crew's wrap up after the reveal. The moment we drove up to the home, you could feel the love and pride, as you saw Old Glory proudly displayed in the front yard. This was the home of a true American hero. Below are a few images from the tour. It was a quick tour as so much was taking place with design producers & camera crews, but again, I could not be more thankful to be apart of this event. Enjoy the images.
Design Producer, Corey, looking over the blueprints.
Co-workers & myself surrounded by TONS of accessories designers picked out for the Zeigler house.
Welcome Home to a True American Hero.
Camera crew filming last minute details.
Ty's special project- master bedroom headboard. If you know me, you know I love "love". I teared up as Design Producer, Corey, shared The Zeigler's love story and explained the meaning behind the love letter headboard. Again, all I can say is "wow".
Living Room - check out that fabulous furniture!
We were thrilled they used our watch dog. He's hung out in the store for a while and always grabs customers' attention.
Design producers finally have time to breathe & relax at the dining room table.
Kitchen designed for wheelchair accessibility. So much thought went into this home
We had fun picking out the vibrant red accessories!
Patrick has worked so hard on his therapy, and now this can add a little "fun" to the ride. The technology was beyond my understanding, but so cool!
Last weekend, our new store, Furniture Zone & Sleep Shop in Killeen, held a Wine & Cheese Party for Central Texas citizens and business owners for our grand opening. The best moment of the evening was about 45 minutes into the party when I was standing at the front door greeting guests with a few of my co-workers. I heard my manager say "Come on in", and looked down the red carpet to not only see one but two heroes. There was courageous Patrick taking his first step down the red carpet with his beautifully, strong bride by his side. If ever you want to look up to a couple who can overcome anything, let this be your couple to admire. Watching Patrick and Jess walk into our doorway brought chills down my spine as it hit home how that man had only a 5% chance to live and he was now in my presence walking, talking, smiling, and in love. God works miracles, and there was one right in front of my eyes. We all shook hands, and right away I could see this couple was more than deserving for this opportunity. They spoke of their gratitude towards the community and their efforts; as well, they expressed how much they have enjoyed the first two months of their marriage in their beautiful home. Towards the end of the evening, a few of us hung out on the mattresses, listening to the Zeigler's talk about their new life together. Truly, this couple could not be more deserving. So down to earth, so loving, so humble and thankful. I have been blessed to, if even for a moment, be apart of this opportunity. Moments such as this make you 1) reflect upon the sacrifices of our service members, whether as a single soldier or as a family 2) thank God a little more for simple things we take for granted such as walking, talking, breathing, loving 3)& of course, have faith a little deeper that there's a Good Man in charge who can truly work miracles in lives and in communities no matter the tragedy. Wishing Patrick and Jessica many years of happiness and love in their new home.
Welcome Home, Patrick & Jessica.
