Christmas Project 2015

 While we were researching different charities in the area and trying to decide what to do, we got word of what our ward (church congregation) was doing for Christmas this year. There is another ward in the area that has several families in need so our ward teamed up to help them out. Our family, along with two other families, were assigned to help out a young woman named Maria and her 5 children. Our family assigned to be the group leader so I had the chance to speak and work directly with Maria. Maria is raising the 5 children by herself. Her husband is an active alcoholic and is not in the picture right now. She is working two hourly jobs trying to provide for her family. In addition to everything else, she was diagnosed with cancer 3 years ago and went through treatments for that. She is currently cancer free but enough time hasn't passed for her to be considered "in remission." She also said her father now has cancer and they have just started getting things in place for hospice.

Her and the 5 kids lived for 4 months in a one room hotel but are now living in a 2 bedroom duplex, which is where we met with her. She is darling and her children are just beautiful. Her home, while small, was clean and well taken care of. Despite her trials, she was upbeat and very sweet. At our initial meeting we had the chance to meet all the children and find out their interests and needs. This is what we learned about each:

Devanny (girl, 10)- loves purple, blue, red, and yellow, loves basketball, loves the Descendants, loves bold colors and sparkly clothes.

Tristan (boy, 8)- loves green, loves Minecraft, Legos, football and basketball.

Mylie (girl, 5)- loves blue, loves HORSES (I was excited to hear this), loves Anna.

Amiyah (girl, 4)- loves pink, loves Elsa, Minnie Mouse, and Doc McStuffins.

Michael (boy, 2)-loves blue, loves cars.

 Maria- loves country music, flannel pajamas, Deseret Book (a religious book store) and making photo books of her kids. When asked what she most wanted, she said "An hour to relax."

With the budget we had, we made up our shopping list, divided out the assignments, and then got to work shopping. I wasn't as good at getting photos as I now wish I had been but I did get a few.

 

 Elsa's Magical Lights Castle and Anna's Flip and Switch Castle for Amiyah.

 

 Schleich arena and two extra horses for Mylie. She likes realistic looking horses, not My Little Pony type.

Tristan had included an XBOX on his Christmas list and we decided this would be a good way to give Maria her 1 hour to relax she desired. We also bought each of the 4 older kids a game. Mike was happily put in charge of this purchase.

 We bought each of the kids a dressy outfit. These two dresses were originally $60 each and I got them for $13 each. I love a good bargain and the girls will look beautiful in them!

All the kids' dress clothes.

 

 Some of the clothes purchased for the kids at bargain prices. 

 The 3 younger kids were all in need of winter coats. Me and one of the other women in our group were able to round up all of these second hand coats for their family to use. . . many still looked new.

  

Most of the clothes purchased for each kid. I wish I had taken a close up of each of the pajamas. Mike bought those and they were all so cute!

We ended up with enough money in the budget to get the family a grocery store and gas station gift card.

The night before delivery, my wonderful sister came over and helped me wrap presents for 3 1/2 hours. Each of the 5 stacks is the kids clothes. Each received 4 boxes. . . 1 with a new pair of shoes, 1 with a dressy outfit, 1 with pajamas, underwear, and a winter hat with matching gloves/mittens, and 1 with casual clothes (2 pants, 2 long sleeved shirts, and 2 short sleeved shirts each).

Their clothing gifts along with their "fun" gifts. 

Loaded up and ready to go. My friend also loaded several presents into her car.

 We delivered the presents two nights before Christmas (or Lille Jul Aften as they refer to it in Norway 😊 ). All 3 families (minus Mike who sadly had to work) met up at her house to make the delivery. Our kids all went inside and played with her kids to keep them occupied while we made the transfer. The above picture is a storage closet she has in her carport where we stored the Santa gifts. The rest we took in and put under the tree. When it was time to go, we had to drag our kids away. They had such a fun time playing with her kids and we had a great time visiting with her. 

This morning I got this text from her: "Thank you sooooo Much!!! Merry Christmas, we feel so blessed and overjoyed with HAPPINESS."

That's what it is all about! Best of all, I have a new friend and hopefully her sweet little cowgirl Mylie and the rest will come ride our horses next week. Thanks for helping us provide such a memorable Christmas for this dear family. We love you all so much!!!!

For those interested, here is a list of everything we provided for this family.

Family

 Vacuum (she had been vacuuming the house with just the hose attachment of her old, broken one), grocery and gas gift card, XBOX One, Rock Em Sock Em and Spot It games.

Each kid

 2 pairs of pants, 2 long sleeved shirts, 2 short sleeved shirts, 1 pair of shoes, 1 pair of pajamas, 1 package of underwear, one winter hat with matching gloves/mittens, one church outfit, 1 XBOX game, stuffed animal and matching book.

Maria

2 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, pajamas, scrapbooking stickers, 2 country music CD's, Deseret Book gift card.

Devanny

Descendants backpack and necklace.

Tristan

Minecraft Lego set

Mylie

Schleich arena and 2 extra horses

Amiyah

Elsa and Anna castle playsets

Michael

Tonka truck and Tonka police car