A Labor of Love x 6

My Six Monkeys....

Last year when I pieced together Dad's sports quilt, each of you expressed begged to have one of your own as you ooohed and ahhhed over his (especially that furry minky backing). So I started last spring thinking no biggy... I'm pretty organized, and got Vivie's done in a jiff, and then Monson's just in time for his summer birthday. And then I decided that it would be the best Christmas ever if you all got yours at the same time. Pretty pleased with 1/3 of them completed by summer, I knew it wouldn't be another one of those last minute Christmas projects.

And then the sort of unexpected move happened a little quicker than we wanted... and painting a house and organizing 6 kids into new lives consumed us all summer and fall. So the story goes... as it does with everything with so dang many kids with so many directions to run faster than my legs will take me!

I spent hours...and sometimes those hours turned into days... searching for the perfect pattern and fabric for each of you. Some of you even helped me in that search, not knowing it was for you. Each pattern fits your personality...the ruffles are so feminine like Lexie, Izzie's has a giant 'daisy' adorning it since her middle name is Daisy, McKenzie's intricate quilt was carefully pieced, Monson's reminds him who he is, where he came from, and what he can be, and Brayden's is all for the love of sports as it tells his story. It was like Christmas morn for me every time I'd get a package in the mail from the fabric store to see the little treasures that would eventually become a quilt.

And then I lied to you-- I couldn't possibly wait until you all settled in bed to start creating, because then for sure I'd never finish. So as you reminded me that you wanted a cozy quilt and wondered aloud when your turn would come, I told you they were for the NICU babies/moms. And you believed me. You even picked the fabric and pattern for yours, Kenz... as you helped me design it 'for one of the PSCU moms.'

I hand-stitched the last binding on the eve of Christmas Eve (and when I say 'Eve' I really mean when eve turned into 1:30 am)... pretty pleased with myself with all we had going on with the NICU project, etc.

One of my loves is the art that can be created with a beautiful textile and a needle and thread. I adore fabric and seeing all the little pieces stitched together to become one big beautiful whole. To me, these were more than just quilts I was creating... they are a symbol of my deepest love and awe for each of you.

These treasures were truly a labor of love, pieced and stitched sometimes when I was literally half asleep. On Christmas Eve when you opened your quilts, with each one went a piece of me. Each time you wrap yourself in your quilts, as you feel the warmth, remember the great love that went into each and every piece and always remember how much I love you.

XOXO forever,

Mommie

For those that are wondering, the girls quilts were all done with Amy Butler (midwest modern, belle and/or lotus), Heather Bailey (pop garden & freshcut), and/or Sandi Henderson (farmers market) fabrics. Monson's fabrics are from LDSfabric.com and Bray's is a complete custom piece with patches or fabric of his favorite sports teams. All but Lexie's are backed in a softer than life minky, minky swirl, or soft chenille corduroy, and all are machine quilted for that extra special finish.

"Merry" Mary Birch Project 2009

It has been a sweet experience to carry out our end-of-year service project at the Mary Birch NICU/PSCU. This year was no different and in many ways, more rewarding as we asked for help and were richly blessed with so many extra goodies and special handmade treasures, as well as funds to help with it all from YOU.

The project itself is such a feat to organize and coordinate... this year it proved even more difficult as the social workers weren't the easiest to work with. Due to the not-so-lovely Swine Flu, procedures and policies have changed quite a bit. My heart goes out to those families struggling through their trials and experiences especially this year. The moms stuck on bedrest for sometimes a month or more can't even see their children younger than 16 years old, as they're not welcomed past the reception area of the hospital with this ongoing epidemic.

I can't even imagine.

As if their experience wasn't tough enough already!

Most days, the only thing that kept me sane and upbeat was looking forward to the semiweekly visits with my three kids that were at home (My babies were in Utah with my mom). These baskets were extra special to those moms on strict bedrest this year. Even though we couldn't deliver them to the 4th floor as we have in years past, it was a blessing to spend hours putting it all together.

A Ginormous Thank You to ALL involved.

Truly, this year, it could not have been done quite as successfully without all of the love and care you helped put into this service.

I stand humbled, amazed, and impressed with all the lovely things you sent.

Erin donated luscious lotions for the PSCU moms

& Julie donated some magazines

Tina donated some boredom busters

Becky & fam hand made creative & darling journals for the ladies...

as well as a donation to help with other goodies

Ama crocheted darling sweaters & beanies fit for a NICU princess.

Trisha made chic burp cloths & gave gift cards for the coffee cart

Amy made yummy nursing/kangaroo hold/pumping covers

I made jewelry for all the NICU & PSCU moms and bling for the babies.

hand-stamped lovlieness (yes, another new hobby for me)

"every little girl needs some bling"

Kjristi whipped up some minky lovies

I made miniature quilts for the miniature babies:)

Brooke B. donated Mary Kay treats & baby beanies...

...and she also donated homemade succulent strawberry jam.

too bad my flash wigged out.

Lee & fam donated hand dipped chocolate pretzles galore!

Ama also crocheted around minky cozies for each of the babies

(Vivie is about to adopt one of them)

The McLaughlin girls helped make mini bows for the NICU baby girls

and we purchased all sorts of other goodies

from a most generous donation given by George & Char.

We are deeply grateful.

This is the letter that adorned the baskets:

As I was walking out of the hospital, I ran into Darling Dr. Daneshmand, my amazing Perinatologist, the one that delivered Viviana, and to whom we give credit to for knowing when to say when and saving her life as well as mine when I was in danger of being septic (the human side of that at least)...

We all adore Dr. Daneshmand. He couldn't be more loving and gracious. Recently, he started a foundation called Miracle Babies and asked me if I would be part of his organization. I'm thrilled to meet with him soon and perhaps be a part of blessing other families' lives year- round.

This service was priceless to many families...

For those that would like to know details, the social workers quickly jotted down some notes detailing the family dynamics of six of the ten whom received the baskets.

* PSCU 26 y/o single mom. Lives two hours away in Brawley. Separated from her 2 & 10 year old children, having a difficult time coping. She has limited support. Her income is also limited, and since she is on bedrest she cannot work. She has about four more weeks expected on bedrest and has already been hospitalized for two weeks.

*NICU family- mother was hospitalized in the ICU for 6 weeks & delivered her baby at 30 weeks. The father is unemployed because he had to care for his severly ill wife. The mom has improved and is now home, going back and forth to the NICU to visit their baby. They are under a great deal of financial stress.

*PSCU Patient is 30 weeks along and hospitalized until delivery. She has 2 & 4 year old sons at home. Her husband lost his job recently. The patient is having difficult time coping being away from her family.

* PSCU patient is on strict bedrest, 23 weeks pregnant with twins. She has multiple complications and is at great risk for preterm delivery. They recently moved here from Colorado and are overwhelmed and just trying to get through the days.

*PSCU patient is 23 weeks and will be hospitalized until she delivers. Her water ruptured at 18 weeks. She is very sweet and appreciative of any support.

*Baby Girl born at 25 weeks + 6 days. Father has to work two jobs. They have a two boys at home (one and six years old). Due to transportation problems and visitation policy, mom can only visit baby once a week on father's day off. They have no support system and financial difficulties. They are having a difficult time emotionally.

A December to Remember

We kicked December off with a piano recital.

Monson had major stage fright left over from last year, so he chose not to participate,

{and we choose our battles.}

Monson has been giving Lexie piano lessons of her own once a week... gotta love it!

Decorating the tree...

My dear friend gave this to me the year Viviana was born

the kid's favorite ornament...who would have thought.

it's the one our golden retriever, Scooby, used to chew on when he was just a pup many Christmas' ago

Bray always has a good cry remembering his dog when he puts it on the tree each year.

A Weekend in Coronado

Curt's work Christmas party involved a weekend away at Coronado. We couldn't find anyone to nanny our six monkeys with December being so busy for everyone... so instead of missing out, we brought them with us and had 8x the fun.

Also, 8x the noise & commotion.

Dinner at the Boat House

We stayed at the Glorietta Bay Inn & enjoyed the scenery and wonderful beach at the

Hotel Del Coronado across the street.

We didn't take them ice skating---the lines were too long and it was too expensive for all of us... but how cool to ice skate with an ocean view surrounded by palms!

and so the girls did some sand skating of their own...imitating the skaters.

It always ends in a wrestling match

...and two boys walked away with 5 lbs of sand in their hair... and proud of it.

Get your Gingerbread Creativity ON

We were invited to a Gingerbread house making night potluck...

super fun, super messy, super sweet...

Lexie's Kindergarten Performance

A 24-hour visit with Ama

Lexie's Polar Express Train Parade

Dressed in our Christmas Best

Christmas Eve Feliz Navidad style

We had the missionaries over for the eve and I prepared copycat

Cafe Rio Pork Barbacoa salad & fresh tamales... YUM.

Pops arrived in time for our program

Brayden put together an evening of music

...and stories focused on Christ & his humble beginnings with our traditional puppet show

and performances...

...and of course, Christmas Eve PJ's

and it wouldn't be complete without reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas just before the kids headed off to sleepy town. Pops had the honor this year...

Christmas Morn in all it's glory

waiting until Mom & Dad are up to open presents

and still waiting....

The aftermath... wasn't too bad

Lexie's new eyepatch

Pops playing barbies with the girls

A night out in 'Old Town

and my fave--my gift from Kevin & Brooke was a full-on detail of my ratty kid-abused car

Izzie waxed 'til her little arms grew muscles

Let's go fly a kite

and by the time it was all over the biggest complaint is that

'Mom takes pictures just like Pops' and it's annoying.

I agree--it's annoying, but the expressions and stories are priceless.

Can't wait for what 2010 holds!