Sunday, July 26, 2009

Christmas in July

It was such a pleasure planning, making, worrying about, organizing, instructing, and loving this project. I certainly could not have done it on my own, so many people helped and I am SO grateful for their generosity. If I do say so myself the packages turned out darling and had more in them than I anticipated. I had enough to make 40 packages when I originally planned on 25. Once again I am overwhelmed with people's generous hearts and caring excitement. Chris and I delivered our bundles on Saturday, July 25th. While it wasn't near enough it was the best we could give. We'd love to send these families on a cruise or to a spa but how impractical is that! We made these bundles with sincere love, complete understanding, and knowing that everything will work out, even if it's saying goodbye. It was healing to give back and hopefully this is the first of many more projects. Our holiday at a glance.

Christmas in July started a bit early, on Wednesday these cute 8-11 year olds went down to the hospital to show the staff what they had worked on and to see and understand what really goes on in the unit. These girlies made: all the blankets, donated all the stuffed animals and headbands for the girls, and made 10 sets of thank you cards. Thanks girls and thank you Eve for organizing these activities! And thank you to Nicole and Ashley for accommodating and speaking to these girls. And THANK YOU Heidi for sharing your experience, I know it wasn't easy but it was PERFECT!


39 stuffed animals












Aren't these so cute? They were just as soft as they were adorable! Not too big, the perfect size for a perfect, little body!



Each baby girlie will look precious in these headbands! There were 26 total.














I ended up with 36 sets of thank you cards. Each set had 5 cards, that's 180 cards! They were all SO creative and I know they took hours to make. I was not blessed with creativeness and so I really appreciate those cute girls, and my amazing friends: Karen, Chris, Kristin, Lindsey, and Renae!!









My super cute friends, Jen and Natalie made 25 of these darling packaged, super cute cd's. Those are Jersey's shoes she got for Christmas and never got to wear. The songs they selected for this cd aren't coincidence. These songs played a major role in those 6 weeks we had with our girl. I feel like they were inspired to chose the songs they did.






These cute tags adorned the outside of each bag. Not only are they SO cute but they briefly share Jersey's story and darling face. Thank you Shanen and Mom for helping me with these, they were perfect!
















It wouldn't be Christmas if there wasn't something yummy to eat. My fabulous mother-in-law, Eve, made 40 soft, delicious sugar cookies, enough for each family to have 2. Thank you !















Each basket also got an eye mask. My mom and I spent an entire day, and I mean a good 12 hours sewing these adorable, pain in the rear cuties. We ended up with 32. Thanks mom, I know it was a very looooooooooong day!




That's my cute sister who's modeling. She and my mom helped package up all these fun things.



I ended up with 85 beanies, 85! That's a ton! Thank you Chris's sister, Carissa's friend,Kristin, Jamie, Mandy, and Jesse! They came in many different sizes from teeny to large.


That's my friend Jamie, she's responsible for at least 25 hats, sorry girl, I forgot to count! I appreciate you learning for me and then spending a zillion hours crocheting them! Your flowers are better than mine by the way.





I have the sweetest, most generous, concerned friend, Mandy, she has a heart baby too. She's sent us fun packages in the mail, things for my blondies and even a precious bracelet for me. She writes me often and is always up to date on my blog. When she read about my project she wasted no time and made 14 darling sets of bows for the girlies. I've never met her, she lives in South Carolina but I hope someday to meet her and darling little Evie. Thanks girl, they were perfect!



Because it's MY project I felt it appropriate to include something about Christ so each package had a small picture in it. It was a good missionary opportunity.












Natalie, my sister, and I assembling the packages. My mom was in charge of organizing everything in the bag and then Natalie and I tied the ribbon and tag to finish it.


Girl package. Boy package.


















25 assembled packages.

26 comments:

aleisha said...

amazing

The Kemptons said...

I am so glad it all worked out. Everything looks wonderful. Great job Heidi.

Kippy said...

Wow, what a gift. You are inspiring and I can only imagine how much these will be appreciated. I want to help next year.

Brittanie said...

Wow Heidi! What an amazing project! I wish I could have been a part of it! The next time you do something like this you'll have to let me know so that I can contribute. I'm sure the families were so happy to receive them and felt your love and empathy.

I'm going to be in AZ for a few days next week - if you can I'd love to get together. Maybe Monday or Tuesday morning? Love ya!

Mindi D said...

Awesome. You made some families smile i'm sure! Good job!!

Netso said...

Oh Heidi, They turned out so cute!! I bet that was one of the best days of your life. Your little Jersey is so proud of you I'm sure. And that was pretty cool Chris went too. I don't know if my husband would be that supportive. Great job Girlie :)

Nicole said...

Heidi,
They were perfect! My family on Friday was so thrilled that they pulled it out and showed everything to me. I'm sure Jersey Pants was smiling and twirling around enjoying the fact that you were sharing her story and giving such a generous gift to others on her eight month birthday. You are such a wonderful example of strength and service.

Ashley said...

Wow Heidi! That's all I can say! I wish I would have helped. The families who get those will be super lucky!

Heather said...

You are simply amazing and I know that the lucky families receive your well thought out and from the heart gift are blessed because of your efforts. Way to go Heidi.

Shanen said...

Oh Heidi, that brought tears to my eyes. They turned out amazing, and it was so many hours put into it. I met that was a wonderful experience for you guys, and all those families that are receiving this wonderful gift. You should be proud of your efforts. Everything turned out perfect.

snydersinc. said...

Wow...just...wow. You are amazing!

Em said...

This is wonderful!!! I've wanted to do something like this for a long time, and maybe this is what I needed to get my butt in gear!!!! I know each and every family will feel the warmth from the love these little gifts were made with!!!!

Alisa Larson said...

You Rock! What a selfless act and I'm sure it makes you feel so good since you know how all the recipients are feeling. Good job!

Brody Purser said...

Heidi,

You are so amazing and such an inspiration to me! Thank you for letting me be a very small part of this. I loved finally meeting you and talking about the music on the CD. You are such a great person and Jersey's story has touched my heart in a wonderful way. Love, Natalie :)

P.S. The packages turned out adorable!! I am sure the families that received them, just loved them.

Evie's Story said...

Beautifully done Heidi! You just amaze me and I'm thrilled that your amazing idea was met with such support. I know what a ray of sunshine these were to each hurting family. One of these days we will meet and you will HAVE to show me how to crochet the darling beanies! I would love to learn to make those for my lil' ones. You have talent girl!! So glad Christmas in July was such a success! You have a beautiful heart!!

Greg and Heidi said...

I have been showing off your beautiful package to my visitors! Everyone is so impressed as am I. Love the CD. . . I hope that was healing for you and Chris! You deserve ALL the comfort in the world. Your family and Jersey girl are an inspiration to me!
Thanks for the love-
Heidi

Greg and Heidi said...

PS: I want that sugar cookie recipe!
Heidi

The Talley Family said...

Those turned out beautiful. I LOVE the idea of the CD's. What an amazing person you are to do all of that.

Unknown said...

Anderson Family, you don't know me, but I have been reading your blog, after seeing your story before your girlie was born. You are an amazing family! I am a neonatal nurse, and know how much pretty packages mean to a family in crisis! What a great way to work through your grief! These packages are beautiful!

Eve said...

This project was a great experience for me, the other leaders that worked with me and our sweet achievement day girls. It was special to think of the babies and parents as we worked on those items. I was glad the girls and other leaders had the opportunity to actually see where their efforts were going. The best thing about it is that each item is something that is very much needed by the babies and parents. It feels good to see this accomplished! I was grateful to be a part of it. Eve

foreveryoung said...

Amazing. Thanks for letting me be a part of your project!

Jen H. said...

It turned out perfect! Thanks for letting me be apart of such a inspiring project!

Kristin said...

Wow that was amazing! I can't believe how much you did. I really didn't do anything in comparisson. My name should not be on there! You are one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing, how motivating you are!

Brooke and Brett Martin said...

Heidi, these are the sweetest most thoughtful packages I have ever seen. What a little angel you are to all of these grieving parents. Inspiring...keep it up.

Dennison Family said...

Those packages are AMAZING and SO adorable! I'm sure the Heart unit was so grateful to get them! Way to go you! so much fun stuff! IT really would be christmas in July to get one of those! Way to GO!!

Jen Olson Brown said...

Thank you! You are an example to everyone who reads this! I am sure those families and children are so grateful! Good for you to include a picture of our Savior. It is times like these that people need to know of Him!