Blankets, Blankets, and more Blankets

Last spring our stake Relief Society presidency challenged the sisters in the Naperville Stake to collect 2009 blankets.

The deadline was the General Relief Society Broadcast on September 26.

The collected blankets would be divided up and donated to three charitable organizations.
#1 Project Linus
It is their mission "to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”

#2 Newborns in Need
This group is "dedicated to making a baby’s introduction into the world one complete with basic necessities and as stress free as possible for the family" by providing baby necessities, bereavement support and premature baby support.

#3 LDS Humanitarian Services

Each organization had different requirements for the blankets that could be donated which was good because as you'll see from the pictures blankets were donated in every size, color and material conceivable. Most were handmade; crocheted, knitted, tied and quilted and some were purchased, but all were given with love.

The atmosphere Saturday night was electric as the stake Relief Society gathered together for dinner, in what had to be one of THE BEST attended events in years, before the broadcast began. Want to know the secret to ensuring great attendance at an event like this? Issue a challenge and watch the sisters come together in service, unity, fellowship and excitement.

As we walked into the gym all of the blankets were displayed on and around the stage.

On the right side of the stage were the recieiving blankets which were being donated to Newborns in Need.

The three playpens were completely full with stacks of receiving blankets in front of each playpen and there were more blankets displayed on easels behind them.
The remainder of the blankets were being divided up between Project Linus and LDS Humanitarian Services. Alaina and her friends tied some fleece crib-size blankets at Girls Camp and then tied several more at home and they are somewhere in that pile of blankets.

It was really overwhelming to walk past the stacks and stacks of blankets. Countless hours were spent in this service opportunity and I know our stake Relief Society presidency were so grateful for the support the sisters of the stake extended as they embraced this opportunity to give of themselves.
By the way ...

The final count...

...

...

3009 blankets, quilts and afghans

Happy Birthday Emily

Twenty-two wonderful years and many more to come!
Emily, you have filled many shoes in your life and you have done so with grace and loveliness and joy.



You are the oldest daughter, the middle child, the little sister, the older sister, the sister-in-law, the wife, the friend, the confidant, the musician, the cleaner and organizer, the listener, the stylist, the student, the cheesecake baker and the couch-potato (after all the hard work you do, you deserve a break).



We love you and we hope you continue to strive for excellence in your life and in all that you do.

A GREAT idea for school art projects and papers

I've discovered a blog called The Idea Room that I quite enjoy visiting several times a month. You should take a minute to go check it out. It is well written and has helpful pictures and tutorials along with clever ideas for everyday living.

In the process of looking for organization ideas for my "Everything Room" I found this post about organizing all the art projects and papers that come home with your children from school.

School Work Binders

This is a brilliant idea and one that I would have embraced, if I'd known about it / thought about way back twenty-something years ago. It has all the hallmarks of an ideal organizing system. It is easy to use, it involves the children, while still giving mom control over the amount of stuff and is an ideal way to keep things sorted by year, plus it's super easy for the kids to pull their own binder out and revisit their past.

I have three boxes of things in the basement and although most of the papers were labeled, not all of them were and invariably, due to the boxes being looked through or moved, the pages get out of order. I doubt I'll change over now. In fact, next time you all are here visiting we should maybe go through those boxes!