It Was A Cold Day In Chicago....

On the coldest day of the year our hearts were warmed by the culmination of The Blanket Brigade Project.

This morning, four adults and six kids in three vehicles ventured downtown to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital to deliver blankets.

TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN blankets from twelve states across the nation made by boys & girls and men & women ages one week (he had a little help) to ninety years old. Blankets made by siblings, parents & children, bible studies, classrooms, coworkers, scout troops and families.  What an AMAZING thing you all did!

After dropping off thirty-seven blanket filled garbage bags at the loading dock, we were greeted in the lobby by two fabulous ladies from public relations.  They did a short interview with Mallory and me and took some pictures for their Facebook page (go "like" them if you haven't already) and their website.  Although we weren't able to personally meet with kids, they should be taking some pictures of patients with their blankies.  Keep an eye out for yours on their Facebook page!

I'm not sure exactly what words I can use to describe the way this project has blessed our home this past month.  The stories of how these blankets were made and the love and time put into them make up for every late night spent tagging and bagging the blankets.  Watching Mallory excitedly tell everyone she came in contact with what we were doing and spending so much time working on tags and carrying blankets from school or church into our mini-van made me the most proud Mommy in the world. In the past few weeks I've seen friends that I haven't seen in YEARS because of a blanket pick up or drop off.  The blessings have been countless and abundant!

"I can't wait 'til next year", has been a phrase I have heard QUITE a few times over the last couple of weeks. After our experience today I can honestly say that Blanket Brigade 2014 is not a bad idea!

Thank you, thank you, a HUNDRED times - THANK YOU to all who helped and participated.  God has certainly blessed our family with the most amazing friends and family we could ever ask for and you all proved that by pouring your love into this project.  God Bless you ALL!

TWELVE states represented!  Amazing!

Some pictures of the last day before delivery

We were absolutely amazed by the variety of the blankets and the fact that we had so few doubles

Getting ready to load up the van

Mallory thought this was pretty silly!

Three cars and we JUST fit them all in

Car #3

We did it!

Danny, Jamie, Maggie, Charlie, Alana, Austin, Jackson, Me, and Mallory

Mallory placing her hand on the "signature" hospital hand

Getting our picture taken for the hospital's Facebook page and website

Last Call!

Our home is filled with blankets that have been tied with love, tagged, bagged, and ready to be delivered to Lurie Children's Hospital on Monday!

If you're still wanting to participate, make sure to take a pic of you with your blankie to add to the blog. We are very close to 200!

Many, many thanks to all who have helped and participated. This project has been a true joy!

An Update and Some Thanks

On Sunday morning Mallory's goal of 56 Blankets was met.

It's now just 3 days later and our current total is 87 blankets.

87!!

Mallory and I LOVE the pictures of all of you with your proudly made blankets.  We both get so excited every time we get one.  She loves to sit on my lap and go through each picture on the Our Progress page on the blog.

There are a few people I want to thank....

A friend from church works with the Service Club at Palatine High School.  On Sunday, Andrea gave us TWELVE blankets that her students made for the Blanket Brigade! Thank you, Andrea and thank you, PHS students!

All twelve blankets from the Service Club

I also want to thank my cousin and his wife for allowing us to store the packed up blankets in their spare bedroom.  Blankets were starting to take over our basement!

Thanks to Jon, Christy, and Lucy!

The following are some fun pictures I have received of some "Blanket Brigading"

St. Paul Satellites made three blankets

A friend of mine from grade school has some BIG plans in the works!

Siblings working together

Stephanie got her whole family involved

Kids of ALL ages are helping.  Little ones love picking out fabric.

Our delivery date is the morning of December 30th.  
There is still plenty of time to participate!

In Honor of Linda Frahm

The world lost a special woman last weekend.  Linda Frahm was a colleague of mine when I worked at Lion's Park Elementary School.  I'll never forget learning of her breast cancer diagnosis upon arriving back to work from my honeymoon almost five years ago.  Since then, Linda fought her battle hard and did it with grace, perseverance, and faith. A woman dedicated to her family, her faith, her students, her coworkers, and her friends, she will be sorely missed.

This morning I received the following message from my friend Danielle who is also a member of this special group of people I like to think of as the "Lion's Family". 

Logan and I jumped on the Coil gals Blanket Brigade benefiting the children at Lurie Children's Hospital last week. In honor of Linda Frahm we made two more blankets tonight, to donate in her name. While tying each knot I had the chance to reflect on what a talented, courageous, and strong woman she was. I chose owls to represent the wisdom she shared and cats to represent her family (and their pets).

Thank you, Danielle!

What a sweet and thoughtful gesture.  I know Linda would be both honored and thrilled to know that two little patients at Lurie's will be snuggly in her honor.

We'll miss you, Linda.
XOXO

Another Special Blankie

A good friend of my friend Sarah, who lives in Maine, delivered a 1 pound, 4 ounce baby in September.  Viviana, "Vivi" was born at just 22 weeks, 6 days and has been in the NICU since birth.  Sarah got her whole (big!) family involved to make a blanket to bring to sweet Vivi in the hospital on behalf of The Blanket Brigade.  Her boys LOVED it!  They asked if there are other patients they can make blankets for!

Way to go, Sarah & Family!

God Bless Vivi!

Now that's what I call, "Teamwork!"

Sweet Vivi continues to improve

Can't wait to see pictures of her homecoming!

Blanket #39 is a Special One

When my friend called me to tell me this story, I got the goosebumps!

A note from the Yellow Room:

We were so excited to make our blanket for the blanket brigade. As we were praying for the recipient of the blanket, a student said,  "My friend is in the hospital". We were able to donate our blanket directly to a 4 year old who is suffering from epilepsy. The blanket brigade has given us an opportunity to care for one another. We now pray for this little guy on a regular basis.

Mrs. Cimarusti and the friends in the Yellow Room at St. Paul.

I love that a sweetie in Mrs. Cimarusti's class shared his love for his friend with his classmates.  We pray for the sweet recipient of this blanket in our house too!  Thanks, Mrs. Cimarusti!

Women's Bible Study

Mallory and I emptied the donation box at St. Paul on Friday after school so imagine our surprise when I went into school to drop her off at Sunday School this morning and the box was overflowing!  She and I were both so excited!  Turns out there were FIVE blankets from the Tuesday Night Women's Bible Study!

Helping Daddy carry the blankets to the car

Five more BEAUTIFUL blankets

THANK YOU, LADIES!

Mallory's Pre-School Class Made a Blanket!

When Mallory's teacher asked if I would come in today to help Mallory's pre-school class make a blanket for The Blanket Brigade, I OF COURSE said, "YES!"

Mallory explained our project to her class

The kids took turns coming to a "grown up" to help tie knots. Watching those little hands working so hard on the blanket was very INCREDIBLY heartwarming. There are many ways to have your kids help you with this project! We started the knots and had them play a little "tug-of-war" with each one to tighten them up.

The Blue Room's blue blanket.  I love those proud, little faces!

"Ta-Daaaaa!"

 

To wrap up the project, Mrs. Morris let each of the kids feel how soft and warm the finished product was and said an echo prayer for the blanket and the child who will receive it.  Yup.... cue waterworks from this proud mama.

1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, 

but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Donation Box at St. Paul Lutheran School

Hey Comets! Starting today we'll have a donation box in the lobby at St. Paul School.  Many thanks again for your donation!

As of today (December 2nd) we have 15 blankets!  Take a peek at the "Our Progress" tab to see all the smiley faces making blankets for the kids at Lurie Children's Hospital!

Don't forget to fill out a tag to add to your bag! There are tags and pens in the bucket attached to the donation box.