So much to be thankful for....

I have been wanting to post for sometime.  I had a few things that I thought were post worthy, but must have not been since I never sat down to actually type them up.  So here I am now.

Now all I really want to say is thank you. THANK YOU. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the people who have donated time, money, talent, support and whatever you could to this project.  My heart continues to be touched and I know that without all of you this would never be possible.  I could never make as many or as beautiful items as have donated to Blankets for Brianna.  In fact, I can barely make anything.  I have taken on the administrative roll of contacting hospitals and delivering blankets.  On a side note, I can still help anyone who is interested in doing that in their own area.  

I am so thankful for the people that I meet.  I have never met anyone who isn't just the most kind hearted person.  I meet lifelong friends from people who donated 2 blankets to people who continue to contact me with multiple items.  Blankets for Brianna even came up in conversation yesterday to the service writer as I was getting my oil changed.  I don't know what impact this little organization is making, but my heart is touched.  My heart is softened.  And for that I thank all of you. 

I do wish that we would hear more about how these blankets and other baby items are received.  Here at Blankets for Brianna we donate directly to hospitals and from there they are given to families.  Most of the time the families do not contact us.  But, I am not sure why they would.  Remembering back to my own child loss, I don't think I would have contacted an organization.  So I don't hear really anything about families who receive our items, but I did get a glimpse into one family.

Blankets for Brianna has been delivered to Dixie Medical Center in St George, Utah a couple times.  That is where my parents live.  My dad recently had a friend pass away.  My dad went down to the mortuary to make sure that this friend would be getting Veterans honors during his service and such.  I am not sure how it came about, but my dad saw a small blue gown on the counter.  He asked about it to the man at the mortuary.  It belonged to a sweet angel baby who was going to be dressed in it to be buried. My dad checked the gown and it had a Blanket for Brianna tag.  My dad never met the family of course, but to relay that story to me was so special.  I don't know if that is all the boy had to be dressed in or that it was special and dear to their heart, but either way it was what he was going to be buried in and that warmed my heart.  I wanted to share with all of you to know the impact your small blankets and gowns and beanies or whatever is donated brings to these precious families. 

So all in all, THANK YOU!!! Thank you to everyone who makes up this wonderful organization.  THANK YOU!!!!

Happy Birthday to my Angel

One of my favorite quotes that has to deal with infant loss... "Some people only dream of angels, but I got to hold one."  Happy Birthday Baby Girl...

Last year we did something a little different for Brianna's birthday. Something we couldn't do this year. I had been trying to think of a way, a perfect way, to celebrate or remember Bree, but I was kinda at a loss.  I finally decided I would order those specialty cupcakes and take them to the Doctor's office and the Hospital where Bree was born along with some blankets from Blankets for Brianna. I got a couple quotes... For what I wanted it was going to be $80. EIGHTY Dollars.  I was thinking $40, so was a bit surprised when I found out the true cost.

I thought that was extremely ridiculous.  I decided then to use the money instead to get a pedicure or to do something for myself to make myself happy on this special day.

I started to think that was ridiculous.

Then I realized the perfect solution.

I have a dear friend who helps run a charity called Faithful Servants.  Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/faith.servants?fref=ts&ref=br_tf.  They are seriously the most amazing organization I have ever heard of.  They do anything and everything they can for everyone, person, animal.... you name it.

Faithful Servants feeds about 30 homeless people every single Saturday.  I decided that's how I would use the money I was going to buy cupcakes with.  I am sure cooking and serving the homeless would make Brianna way more happy than just taking cupcakes to nurses who don't need it. 

I don't cook much. I am still learning.  I was thinking it would be a cold day so I decided to make Taco Soup (kinda like chili) and cornbread.  I also made birthday funfetti cupcakes. 

 

 

Well the day came... January in California.. turns out its not so cold.  It was hot, I was sweating.  But the Soup was still a hit.  It was the best experience.  I didn't say why I was there, but had Bree on my mind the whole time.  The all time best part of the afternoon was taking the cupcakes around to everyone for seconds since there were so many and getting to say hi and chat a little with these humble, grateful people. 

 

 

A huge SHOUTOUT to Kendra for gathering up about 6-7 young women to come help serve. You ladies are lifesavers and was so nice to have familiar faces around.  Thanks for keeping me organized too. 

 

I wish I could afford to do this every weekend, but for now I will just hope to serve again and maybe even cook again.  For those of you in the Perris area, contact Faithful Servants at their Facebook page.  They are always in need of donations of any sort.

 

 

 

Bree's birthday was the following Monday.  We, of course, stopped by to visit her and drop off flowers.  Visiting a cemetery is pretty much the worst! Especially when it is for a child of your own.  I really hate it! Spending the day with my family was the best though, with Brianna in all my thoughts.

 

Later that week, I mailed blankets and such to Parkview Hospital where Brianna was born.  No one got fancy cupcakes though.  Next year I hope to celebrate her birthday in a similar way.  Hopefully, I can make it a tradition.