Second Donation Drop Off

I wanted to share some pictures from our second donation drop off earlier this week. Thank you so very much to our friend, Mat Anna for the GORGEOUS blanket/pouch sets. Aren't they beautiful?!?!

My little boy, Cameron loves helping make the angel boxes

for the babies like his little brother, Nathan.

Donations

It's turning out to be a pretty good weekend. My friend, Wendi stopped over with her boys for a play date today and she brought a ton of fabric for us. (Thank you!!!) I received an email from MatAnna, over at Lost Innocents, letting us know that she has been working on some beautiful new sets for us! She sent pictures and they are just amazing! (How cute are those ducks!?!?) I also recieved a donation in the mail from the Ackley family, which will allow us to purchase our new memory boxes!!!! (Thank you!!!) We're still in need of funding for other items so take a moment to check out our fundraiser page. I know money is tight for everyone but remember that every dollar amount helps... even if it's just $5 or $10! http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?url=memoryboxes&fundraiser_id=9948

Beautiful Donations

I received an email a few weeks back from Mat. Anna, over at Lost Innocents. I had come across her blog awhile back and really found the resources and advice helpful.  (There is a link on the resource page.) She sent me these pictures the other day, of a set that she made to donate to us. Isn't it beautiful!?!? I have no doubt that a family will be blessed and thankful to cuddle their little princess in this absolutely beautiful set.

Two matching blankets

Baby pouch

Two matching dolls

Baby pouch

Baby pouch with dolls

Matching set

Fundraiser

We've opened an online fundraiser page for our second memory box donation. I know that times are tough and everyone is in a financial crunch. However, every dollar donated will help. If you are able, please consider donating... even just a few dollars.

We are raising money to purchase the most expensive items, that we are in need of. Some of those items are: the memory boxes, resource books, clay molds, disposable cameras, teddy bears, printing costs for brochures, cards, ect. The cost for one memory box, is between $50-60. However, for the family who receives it... it is priceless. You are ensuring that they have a beautiful place to store the cherished keepsakes and memories of their precious baby.

If you don't want to donate through the fundraiser, we have a wish list (in the left hand column) that you can use to purchase/donate items directly through Amazon's website. I would sincerely appreciate you sharing the links (and our website) with friends and family. Even if they don't donate, they will have access to the resource links should they ever need them. Thank you!

Fundraiser Page: http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=9948&url=memoryboxes

Seasonal Sales

As the summer season fades away, I've noticed that many stores are putting their seasonal clothing on clearance. Please take a moment to browse the infant section for preemie and newborn items that we may be able to use, such as receiving blankets and outfits. Here is a beautiful preemie dress that was recently donated. Isn't it gorgeous!?!?

Updated Needs

The "How You Can Help" page has been updated. We have about 10 empty memory boxes available. After that, we are hoping to have the funds to purchase new boxes. We have been waiting patiently for these boxes to become available in the United States and they finally are. The minimum order is 20 boxes. They are more expensive than the "photo boxes" that we've gotten from the local craft stores, so any amount is helpful in getting us to our goal of purchasing them. Our hope is that these beautiful boxes will be durable and spacious enough allow parents to add additional items to their memory box and that it will serve as treasured space for their keepsakes and memories.

A Bittersweet Day

I had a wonderful meeting this morning and I'm proud to announce that we finally have our first hospital! I'm so excited about our partnership with Randolph Hospital. They were so grateful and excited about our memory boxes! Just talking with them, I could feel their passion and love for the families that they serve. I just know that this is going to be a fabulous collaboration, with the end result being such a gift to their patients. While it is always our hope that the memory boxes are never needed, we hope that our partnership with Randolph Hospital will be a successful one for many, many years to come!

Today has been a bittersweet day. I was so excited as I left the hospital but I couldn't help but think of how different my life was a year ago. A year ago, today, I laid on an exam table staring at my son's lifeless little body on an ultrasound screen as my OB sadly told me that he no longer had a heartbeat. I was induced on July 20th and he was born on July 21, 2011 at 2:32am. We're having a cake made for him and plan to release a sky lantern on Saturday for his 1st birthday. I will be working on assembling the boxes to see what else is needed before the first donation drop-off. Other than having him here, I can't think of a better way to spend his birthday than assembling memory boxes.

Thank you all for your love and support over the last year! It has been sincerely appreciated.

First Memory Box

Our first complete memory box has been assembled and is on its way across the country. I received an email from a friend on Friday afternoon about a couple who delivered their baby boy early Friday morning. He was born still at 18 weeks gestation. Since their baby boy has already been delivered, I know that the memory box won't make it in time for hospital use. However, I pray that it will still bring some comfort to them as the prepare to make burial arrangements.

I went to bed last night with a heavy heart. Each time I hear of another loss, I can't help it... it takes me back to July 21, 2011, the day I delivered Nathan. It breaks my heart to think of another family having to go through that. I got up this morning and drove across town (since our post office isn't open on Saturdays) and dropped it off. It is a gray, rainy-looking morning here in North Carolina... which seemed to fit my mood and mindset. On the way, I spent most of the drive praying for the family. Right before I got off the highway, I turned on the radio (which I keep on K-Love) and the Casting Crowns song, "Praise You in This Storm" came on. It is a song that has helped me on my journey... so I kinda felt like it was a small message from God and Nathan saying, "We're here with you and we understand what you're feeling today." That made me smile... something that, 9 months and 1 week ago, I didn't think would ever be possible again. I will never stop missing him but I can feel a difference in my grief. I know that God is healing my heart and I'm thankful for that.




I wanted to include this story and picture of the memory box, so that you can see what exactly you are supporting. I want you to see how you are helping and making a difference... one family and one precious baby at a time. Thank you, thank you, thank you... to EVERY single person who has supported us either through prayer, making and donating items or with a monetary donation.

(A bereavement pouch, hat and blanket are included in this box so that

the parents may choose to have an item to bury or cremate their baby in,

as well as, be able to keep an item that their baby was held and loved in.)

(One teddy bear for the parents to keep and one

teddy bear to be buried or cremated with baby.)

Flower Fundraiser

We are holding an online flower fundraiser! (I also have catalogs, for those here in NC.) You can purchase flower bulbs to plant in your garden this spring and 50% of your purchase will help 'You are my Child' in purchasing memory boxes. We are gearing up for our first donation this summer and are hoping that you'll help! You can order anytime now through April 13th, when the fundraiser ends. Orders will be shipped in April or May (based on the weather and appropriate planting time in your area). The bulbs have a 100% money back guarantee! Shipping is a flat rate of $5, no matter how much you purchase. Please help us spread the word about our flower fundraiser by passing this link onto family and friends. Thanks!!

http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/campaign?campaign_id=10289

Still Here

I realize it's been awhile since I posted so I wanted to post an update to let you know that I'm still here. Originally, when we started YAMC... the goal was to have the first memory box donations ready for delivery on Nathan's due date. Since Nathan is my first loss, I had NO clue how difficult the day would be.

I'm taking a step back so that I can collect myself and get to a place where I'm okay with doing this project. In order to allow this project to reach its full potential and goal of helping other families... I must first take care of myself. I'm still collecting donations and items (the handmade cards actually came in the mail last week)... I'm just postponing the first donation until after the new year.

I want to thank everyone for all of the support and love that has been given to us over the last five months. It's bittersweet to think that Nathan should be in my arms right now. However, when I see the future for YAMC... I can't imagine a better way for his life has such meaning and purpose. Please continue to keep us in prayer as we navigate into a new year without our precious boy. I wish nothing but love, peace and health for your family in 2012.