Margaret's Stocking

I know, I know, I drop a bombshell and then disappear from the blog.

It's hard to know how to follow a piece of miserable, earth-shattering news, you know? I have pictures from before Margaret died that I still haven't shared here, because every time I think about them I just start crying again. Maybe I'll be able to eventually.

But for now I thought I would share the fundraiser we're doing in her honor, even though this basically just entails copying and pasting from my Instagram. The laziest form of blogging... But since the majority of you follow me on some form of social media, you've probably already seen this. If not, we would be honored if you would join us.

I bought her a stocking.

Usually our babies use the "baby's first Christmas" stocking for that first Christmas season, but it didn't feel right, knowing that her first Christmas is in heaven instead of with us. And I really, really didn't want to see an empty spot where I know her stocking belonged. 

So I bought a Margaret stocking, and the kids immediately wanted to know what we were going to put in it... Maybe that's where you can help?

Every year we pull a star off our parish giving tree and give a gift to our local pregnancy center, which helps expecting mothers and new mothers, well after the baby is born. They provide free ultrasounds, parenting classes, car seats, baby food, diapers, clothing, and so much more. When we missed our chance to grab a star this year, I told the kids that maybe we could see if other people want to donate to the pregnancy center along with us?

I'm going to post several links if you feel called to donate in Margaret's memory. They can use physical items (particularly diapers in size 4&5, wipes, baby food, and winter clothing up to size 2), gently used baby gear (no used car seats or cribs for safety reasons), and always monetary donations. If you make a donation of any sort, please leave a comment and I will write it on a slip of paper to put inside Margaret's stocking. I think the best gift we could give her right now is to help other babies in her honor ❤️

To give directly to the pregnancy center (and receive a tax receipt), click here for their website, where you will find a donate button. (Here's a direct link to the donate button).

To purchase something off their Amazon wishlist, click here.

To send money to me so that I can add it to the lump sum we're donating, click here for PayPal and here for Venmo.

If you are local, you can drop off physical donations directly during their open hours. If you are not local, you can have items mailed directly to their address, which is listed on the website.

As of this moment, we've already collected more than 200 donations, including $2800+ via PayPal and Venmo, which we will be giving to them this week.

Thank you for your generosity, and for your continued prayers ❤️