There have been so many generous gestures extended to our family, I can't even begin to list all the help we have received. Every day it continues to amaze me.
Here are just some examples of the awesome and kind things people have done for us:
Our co-workers and friends planned a Bud, Spud n Steak fundraiser for us ( and so many people came out to support us, some we didn't even know!!!!) Thank you Michelle, Rachel and Caleb for all the planning!!
Mark's work charged a "diaper admission" to their Christmas party, and as a result we have a HUGE stack of diaper boxes waiting for us in Brandon ( so helpful, we go through what seems like a box a day with these guys!)
We have had many, many generous donations of clothes, baby items, car seat, from some super awesome friends! Those same friends went above and beyond with some very elaborate baby gifts and gift cards. We are so lucky.
Anonymous donations of diapers and wipes (several times I was greeted at my prenatal appointments with boxes of diapers waiting for me)
Offers of help from pretty much everyone we know: babysitting, house cleaning, laundry services, meals, diapers etc...
Two close friends have been doing house-sitting duties for us despite their busy lives, thus ensuring we are worry-free about what's happening at home in Brandon. Thank you Lisa and Caleb!!!!!
My parents have been very generous and accommodating with having us invade their space for 14 weeks. Meals are made, laundry is done and lots of help with the kids. Thank you!
Mark's family has been overly generous with financial support, which has been so very helpful.
Some of the baby gifts we have received have been extremely generous...it really amazes me. For example, this is a gift we received from someone I have never even met before (a coworker of my mom's) It included a large Walmart gift card and a special gift for Mark and I to use towards a night out together.
On top of all the help for the babies, alot of people have stunned us with treats for Mark and I! Just today, I received some gift cards for Starbucks, Boston Pizza and a clothing store, from a great friend of mine. Neighbours of my parents gave us Jets tickets on Valentines Day (and also helped with babysitting) so that Mark and I could have a fun date night together. An aunt of mine spoiled me with a spa gift certificate to help me feel as pampered and comfy as possible during the pregnancy. The 'ladies at my chiropractor"s office were so supportive, and Darlene gave me the Best Gift Ever for a pregnant lady: the Snoogle pillow!
There have also been quite a few donations to St. Boniface Hospital, made in memory of Benjamin. This is something that surprised us and warmed our hearts. It means so much that people are acknowledging him as our son. Thank you so much for everyone who did this.
There are so many more examples, too many to list!
We honestly never expected this much support and generosity. It is very heartwarming and comforting to know we have so many people that are thinking of us and supporting us.
So thank you all so much! It means alot to us and we will never forget it! We will definitely be paying it forward and have specific plans to do so in the near future, and hopefully for the rest of our lives. One thing on our to-do list in donating blood, something which Rhys' experience has taught us the importance of. We are also donating Ben's car seat to another NICU family that could use a helping hand. I can't take credit for this though, since the car seat was donated to us by my great friend Michelle T, who has given us her blessing to re-donate. Everyone who has helped us, has inspired us to be more generous, more charitable and more kind to others. This is something we really hope to instill in our children, and they will definitely grow up knowing about all the support our family has received.
THANK YOU!
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