Average Everyday Miracles

A special announcement from our friend, Kari McKinnon Herlihy ❤️

I'm excited to share my book, "Just Breathe, Mama" with you at the 2026 BLANK NICU Reunion!

Books will be for sale for $15**. $5 from every book sold at the reunion will be donated to Average Everyday Miracles.

Join Mama on her journey through the NICU as she experiences feelings of sadness, fear, hope, and love while caring for her baby. Along the way, gentle wisdom from baby offers comfort and encouragement, including a simple reminder: Just breathe.

The book is based on our experience during our NICU stay at Blank NICU with my now 20-year-old sons, Lance and Liam. It was written for them and presented as a gift on their 18th birthday. Throughout the story, you'll find touches of Iowa and Blank, along with a few special nods to some of the staff members and friends who made a lasting impact on our journey.

Thank you for supporting this special project and helping make a difference, one book at a time.

**Venmo, Cash or Check only please

ONE WEEK AWAY! Who’s ready to join us next Saturday at the Annual NICU Reunion?

📅 Saturday, June 27, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Medical Center Education & Research Center (ERC)
1212 Pleasant St.
Des Moines, IA 50309

Enjoy a day filled with reconnecting, making memories, activities, food, and celebrating the strength and resilience of our NICU families.

☑️Please RSVP if you haven’t already at https://averageeverydaymiracles.org/reunion-rsvp
🛒 We’d also love your help in stocking the cart with goodies for current NICU families! This year, we’re specifically asking for canned soda and powdered drink mix packets because they go quickly! Dr. Pepper, Coke, Diet Coke, and Mountain Dew are our most popular sodas (but we welcome any brand), and we appreciate any kind of powdered drink mix packets (with or without caffeine).
You can check out our complete list of cart needs here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/283YAM5T2MV6S
If you’d like to make a monetary contribution, we invite you to visit our website to use Zeffy (0% Fees), PayPal, Debit, or Credit: https://averageeverydaymiracles.org/giving-back
📸 If you’d like to participate in decorating our Now & Then wall, feel free to bring 2 pictures of your NICU grad(s) (one from THEN, and one from NOW) to show off how much they’ve grown!

We can’t wait to see you all at the reunion!❤️

You're Invited!

Join us for the Annual Blank NICU Reunion as we celebrate our amazing NICU graduates and the families who have been part of our journey. ❤️

📅 Saturday, June 27, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Medical Center Education & Research Center (ERC)
1212 Pleasant St.
Des Moines, IA 50309

Enjoy a day filled with reconnecting, making memories, activities, food, and celebrating the strength and resilience of our NICU families.

☑️Please RSVP if you haven’t already at https://averageeverydaymiracles.org/reunion-rsvp
🛒 We’d also love your help in stocking the cart with goodies for current NICU families! This year, we’re specifically asking for canned soda and powdered drink mix packets because they go quickly! Dr. Pepper, Coke, Diet Coke, and Mountain Dew are our most popular sodas (but we welcome any brand), and we appreciate any kind of powdered drink mix packets (with or without caffeine).
You can check out our complete list of cart needs here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/283YAM5T2MV6S
If you’d like to make a monetary contribution, we invite you to visit our website to use Zeffy (0% Fees), PayPal, Debit, or Credit: https://averageeverydaymiracles.org/giving-back
📸 If you’d like to participate in decorating our Now & Then wall, feel free to bring 2 pictures of your NICU grad(s) (one from THEN, and one from NOW) to show off how much they’ve grown!

We can’t wait to see you all at the reunion!❤️