Love From Ruby

So I mentioned that I was working on a couple projects, and I’m excited to announce one of those projects today. It’s a new site called Love From Ruby.

Whenever I get in a blogging slump, I sew for others and I always feel better. It makes me happy. I enjoy sewing and I enjoy giving. Time is quite limited these days so that sewing happens late at night more often than not. I’m not so concerned about having time to do what I want, so much as I am concerned about spending that time doing something worthwhile.

Since Ruby was born, I have been and continue to be emotionally invested in the Heart world. My eyes have been opened to so much pain and anguish that people have to go through. So much sorrow, yet so many miracles. I’m anxious to help families who are going through struggles, because I can relate, though some in just a small way, to the fears and the roller-coaster ride being a Heart Mom entails.

I am SO excited and feel very passionate about this new site! I’m continually working out my ideas and details are still being polished, but it’s started, it’s up, there are posts there and will continue to be posts there.

While I will still keep Lemon Squeezy Home going, I could not get thoughts of creating Love From Ruby. It would mean so much to me if you stopped by to find out what it’s all about.

Here’s what Love From Ruby is all about, taken from the About page on the site.

Welcome to Love From Ruby! My name is Christie and I’m happy you are here!

My daughter Ruby was born with a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot in June of 2013 that required open heart surgery to “fix” her heart.  It forever changed who I am, along with my whole family. If you want the full story on Ruby’s heart, click HERE.

During Ruby’s surgery, we were met with an outpouring of love from so many people.  Family, friends, and many total strangers.  The love and support shown to us ranged from prayers said in her and our behalf, gifts sent, money donated, instagram comments, emails, and comments onmy craft blog letting us know they were thinking of us.

Some sweet friends of mine created a support system that day by using the hashtag #loveforruby.

As messages of love and support flooded our inbox and instagram feeds, I was overcome with amazement. We were so incredibly touched by the kindness we were given. It was truly a blessing during such a trying time.

On the one year anniversary date of Ruby’s surgery, my family brought gifts to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Primary Children’s Hospital in Utah. It was such a great experience for us–one that I would like to continue. I had made a last minute plea for baby legs and was so impressed by how readily people were to help me donate gifts. After my post I had a few people ask me to let them know when I was doing this next so that they could also help and donate. I kept having recurrent thoughts about starting a blog where people could come and buy affordable heart products, find free heart journey related prints and other items, along with a place to donate things they’ve made or bought to give to these heart families. I didn’t want it to be just once a year (though that date will still remain a delivery date for gifts).

And so, Love FROM Ruby was born. Inspired of course by the love shown to us by so many…love for Ruby. And for my whole family.

What we are doing here is just trying to bring some type of comfort. Comfort to families who would rather be anywhere than in the hospital with their struggling Heart Warriors. Comfort for the siblings who have parents absent because of these long hospital stays. Comfort for those parents and siblings who would rather do anything than visit the grave of their sweet Angel baby. We know well that we cannot heal broken hearts.  But any good that comes from our efforts will be time and effort spent well.

Click HERE to know what you can do to help.

 

Happy Congenital Heart Defect Week–February 7-14!  Stay tuned for some very special posts starting this Sunday.

Thanks for reading!