Walk Walk Walk .... RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

October has become my favorite month.  It welcomes the holiday season, which everyone loves, and it is also Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month (P.A.I.L.).  Its strange to think that I love it, but I can't change that I am part of that community so I might as well participate in it so I am not alone in my grief.

This year I did something different than last and attended ALL the local Walk to Remembers.  At first I was a little apprehensive thinking it was going to be too much emotionally, but as each weekend passed with another Walk to Remember I realized it was the best idea and hope to be able to do it again next year.

The first Walk to Remember was in Orange County.  I can't say which was my favorite since they were all so wonderful in their own way.  I loved Orange County (minus the Santa Ana winds... YIKES).  Carly Marie was there!!! Might have been the best part.  I am not one to care about celebrities, but I guess she isn't like a movie star.  Someone at her booth suggested I wait for her to come back and I am so glad I did.

I instantly got teary eyed... She was just wonderful to meet.  To find out more about Carly Marie check out http://carlymarieprojectheal.com/ 

 

Something else I loved about this Walk was the book Special Delivery.  It is a free children's book to help children understand infant loss... Get your free copy at http://www.specialdeliverybook.org/    



The next Walk to Remember was at Loma Linda Children's Hospital.  Many of my friends from my local support group was there which made for a nice Sunday Afternoon.  I think my favorite part of this one was the Dove Release. I am not sure why... I just really liked it.

 
 

The last Walk to Remember was one near and dear to my heart. Some really good friends came along to make the day extra special... and of course my brother to help with the booth (Thanks Crockett for giving up a Saturday morning for me).

 

Unfortunately, my camera died so the other pics are on my phone and others phones and all over.  Next year I will charge my battery between each Walks just to be sure : )

 

Last the RUN part... The first three weekends were full of Walks and the last was a Half Marathon in Boulder City, Nevada.  I trained for this race, but I have come to a conclusion I am not a runner... But then again who is.  I still want to thank my team and especially Dan and Dennis for coming to run with me the last half mile.  I ran with wings and a halo to stick with the P.A.I.L. theme.

 
 

In some ways I am glad the month is over and the rush is done, but in other ways I am a little sad since its done... but lets hope next year is similar... except if I run that half I better do better!!!!





Making Memories of our Angels

I recently was given the opportunity to speak at the Loma Linda Always in My Heart support group about Making Memories of our Angels. I was so honored to even be asked. 

I met one of the nurses who runs the support group and she noticed that I have pieces of my own angel all over my house, which gave her the idea.  Not until I sat down to brainstorm what to take and talk about did I realize that Brianna is sprinkled all over my house.  There is a little bit of memories of her in 7 of the rooms in our house, which include all the common areas except the loft. (Now I gotta put something in there).

 

 

Here is the little table that was set up with the ideas. 

 

Blankets for Brianna recently published a new brochure for bereaved parents along these same lines that gives them idea of making memories of theirown angels.  It is something I think is really exciting... yet sad at the same time thinking about the parents that actually need to make memories of their babies.

 

If anyone would like a brochure email me (Laurel@blanketsforbrianna.com) and I will get one or as many as you need in the mail to you.  I, also, plan to make a page on the www.blanketsforbrianna.com webpage spelling out each idea for making memories of our angels.

 

Some of the ideas in the brochure and featured on the table are ideas such as baby books that are specific for parents with a loss, photobooks like on Mixbook or My Publisher where you write your own story and include your own pictures*which usually have deals on Groupon or Living Social, DIY ideas like the pillow and picture on the black block, items you can buy like Origami Owl or Willow Tree figurines, things for bereaved parents from other bereaved parents like blocks from Maura's Mission or Molly Bears.... the list goes on and on. 

 

Here at Blankets for Brianna we just hope that people who have suffered a loss feel free to remember their angel as much or as little as they want.

 

My experience with the group was touching.  I thought I would just go and talk about stuff... literally the stuff on the table isn't hard to talk about; however, they went around the circle and had everyone tell their story and then I told mine. Listening to these mothers grieve for their babies and then talk about Brianna was NOT EASY.  I talk about her lots, but wasn't expecting to that day even though that's why I went.  I think it threw me off.  Brianna is such a huge part of my life. I miss her every day.  I think the hardest part is not knowing what type of person she is... is she funny? friendly? compassionate? loving... a little bratty : ) Is she loud like her momma or quiet and reserved like her dad.... Hopefully I will know someday.

 

Thank you again to everyone who continues to support this organization, whether by making blankets, delivering blankets or sending monetary donations.  We are always accepting of anything and receipts can be provided. Thanks to you all who love Brianna and Blankets for Brianna. 

Every Angel a Missionary

I believe that learning does not end here on earth.  After we pass on to our next estate, I believe there is still so much to learn and do and work for.  That is part of what I always believed about Brianna and what has always helped me.  I always looked at her as a missionary.  She is teaching the gospel to people who may not have had a chance here on earth to learn about it.  I always say "she is teaching the gospel and singing with angels."

I have the opportunity to train and run a half marathon in October. The money raised will go to pay for missionaries here on earth. I think that is a perfect charity.  I am so happy to train and run again. Its been a long time since I have been physically able to run/jog, and it feels good to be outside in the fresh air. As long as we aren't in the triple digits temps... : ) Plus, I even posted today that my best ideas come to me when I am jogging since it gives me time to think.  So I should be getting a few good ideas in the next few months.  Countdown to the half marathon is October 26th... Yah.

Its possible that Blankets for Brianna will have a booth at the expo the day before.  I am happy to promote this organization and happy to meet new people who may want to donate and work for us. 

There are always happy things going on here.  I love my job at Blankets for Brianna.  Every day I am amazed at all the people who support and love us.  Thanks to you all.

Superman??

Blankets for Brianna has brought me so much joy in this past year or so. I hope that the mothers and ladies and families who receive blankets and beanies and other baby items from this organization find comfort and peace when their babies, either in the NICU or those who are already angels, are wrapped in them. 

We are here to leave a lasting memory of these sweet babies.  That being said sometimes I feel like Superman.  Now now... I know. Superman is way more life saving than Blankets for Brianna.  But I love being that person people turn to when they have no other place to go. 

A little background, I work in emergency services, but nothing has been as personal as this.  I get late night emails or random phone calls from friends or friends of friends or referral to us.  These people know someone suffering either a loss or a sick baby.  Blankets for Brianna is able to send care packages to these mothers.  Mothers who may not have had their babies at a hospital that currently has a stock of blankets from Blankets for Brianna.

The care packages sent to these mothers include:

• A labeled handmade blanket
• A  beaded bracelet for the mother to wear that says their child's name in Morse Code. 
• A journal (Once Brianna was born, I used a journal to write her letters, others may use it to journal their thoughts and feelings.)
• and a sympathy card to the mother.

We haven't received a thank you or correspondence when these packages are received, but I am sure these mothers are grateful for the memory of their babies that they are able to keep at home. 

I know I say it all the time, but thank you again for all your donations whether monetary or blankets and other items.  You guys all make this organization run.  Thank you to everyone for your love and support. I love you all.

A whirlwind of a year

Today marks the one year since we have received "official-hood" here at Blankets for Brianna.

Thanks to you all we have accomplished so much.  We have shared stories, experiences, tears, and laughs.  Every single item given to hospitals has been donated to this wonderful organization that is not only in memory of this precious angel Brianna, but other angels just like her.

We cannot begin to thank you all enough for the generosity and support.  We have donated blankets every single month since we started. 

Here is a quick little wrap up of all we have done in the past year. 

Brianna born	January 13, 2012
Opened Blankets for Brianna Facebook	February 23, 2012
Letter received from Secretary of State to say the name Blankets for Brianna available	March 13, 2012
Delivered first package of blankets to Parkview Community Hospital (where Brianna was born)	April 4, 2012
Articles of Incorporation endorsed/filed	April 11, 2012
IRS Employer Identification Number received	June 11, 2012
IRS Form 1040 and California Franchise Tax Board Form 3500 filed	July 30, 2012
IRS Form 1040 and California Franchise Tax Board Form 3500 accepted effective April 11, 2012	September 2012
California Registry of Charitable Trusts confirmed	October 8, 2012
Current Board of Directors	Laurel Taylor, Tiffany Hazelaar, Stefanie Muhlhauser
Total Likes on Facebook	547
Number of Hospitals donated to	43
Number of States donated to	11 (California, Texas, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Virginia, Illinois, Oregon, New York, DC)
Number of Countries donated to	4 (USA, Germany, Rome, England)
Number of Blankets donated	833
Number of Beanies donated	239
Number of other items donated	Booties- 8 Gowns- 9 Teddy Bears- 5

    To follow this charity... Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BlanketsforBrianna . We post updates on items that are donated to us including pictures, and updates on hospitals that these wonderful, beautiful items are donated to.  You can also message the Board of Directors with questions, comments and ideas to better the organization.

 

Thanks again and we love you all.

Living this mortal life...

I was recently reading an article in the January 2013 Ensign magazine called Whole Enough by Michele Reyes. http://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/01/whole-enough

The article is about a women who lost most of her left arm in a car accident when she was 17, and she talks about being worried about her ability as a mother and if she would be able to take care of her children with only one arm.  Something that stuck out to me in the article was she said

“I once thought I was one of the people who most looked forward to the Resurrection and the idea of being made whole.  But now I am not in so much of a hurry.  Increasingly, I feel the Atonement working in my life now.  I have realized that the healing power need not begin only when the Resurrection occurs.  The wholeness has already begun…This realization has been just as meaningful to me as any miracle of physical healing.”

Although Michele is waiting for the Resurrection to be whole again and receive her arm… Mothers who have lost children are waiting too, but their reason to be whole again is to be reunited with their children.  When she said she was most looking forward to the Resurrection, I thought of myself.  Obviously, we are living in the last days, and so it’s possible that Christ will come before we pass away.  If that happens, Brianna and all our sweet angels will be resurrected and that is something that I cannot wait for.  If we pass before, I will still get to see her in the spirit form. 

So prior to reading this article, I was counting down the days until I get to see Brianna again, whether by the 2^nd coming or by my own passing, but as time goes on I am grateful for the Atonement and the life that I have here on Earth.  I know that I will see her again and all the other loved ones I have that have passed on before me.  I have a lot to learn in my mortal life and shouldn’t rush that along.  I know Brianna is working hard on the other side.  I will continue to be patient in getting to see her again and be grateful for all the experiences and opportunities I have here.

Until we meet again…

 

Forward with Faith

I should have posted this at least a week ago, but I procrastinate and in the new year I have already noticed that hasn't changed much.

So its 2013... I saw so many posts about how people are so happy to be done with 2012, how it was such a horrible year and nothing could have been worse.  Each and every post I read, I was becoming more saddened by people's 2012's. In all that happened to me last year, I did not have that same feeling of what-a-horrible-year and how I was so happy it was over.

Last year was hard.  Last year I cried lots, I slept less, I worked more, yet I learned more, I met more amazing people, I served more, I grew up more, I loved more, and I got more Faith.

I have so much to be thankful for and I am sure we all do.  Its whether we actually pay attention to what those things are and whether we cherish those things that makes the difference.

I love my life. I woudn't trade it for anything.  I miss Brianna, but I would hope that she is missing me too.  She is busy doing her thing in heaven waiting for me and I am busy doing my thing here until I get to see her. I just hope she is proud of me.

And thanks to all of you.  Without you, I couldn't do even a fraction of what I do.  Thanks for the support and love and help throughout these few months.  You are all so wonderful.  I look forward to what the future holds for me, for Blankets for Brianna and for all of us. We all are due greatness no matter what type of years we had last year.