Beyond Christmas, The First Christmas Tree

First I want to say thank you to all who are helping this family have a wonderful, joyful, Christmas this year. Thank you for donating and your time!

Yesterday a friend and I dropped off the donated Christmas tree along with some lights and trimming. Our family was very happy and excited, they were patiently waiting until the oldest child got home to set up their tree! I had bought a poinsettia and a friend of mine donated some groceries which we also took. They were so grateful.

I just recently found out, they have been homeless for a long time. The oldest just went back to school yesterday. It occurred to me that it made sense now why she needed the household items. I think we are making a real difference in their lives. I know they have touched mine FOREVER. It makes you step back and realize how resilient we are as human beings.

Lots of people ask me what do they need, so at this point I would say household items and non- perishable food. If you want to donate please contact me at kelbel2265@yahoo.com, or twitter me at kelbel2265. Thank you very much!

Beyond Christmas, A little update

Thank you to all the wonderful people who are generously giving their time and donating wonderful items to our Christmas Family.

Here is what I have so far:
I have a Christmas Tree with lights. - Will pick up in the next day or two.
A winter coat has been purchased for Tylan
Both the boys have hats and gloves.

Other items that are still needed are shoes for the boys, some non-perishable food items (canned goods, boxed goods) and household items (such as towels, blankets, pots pans, cleaning supplies, anything you can think of that makes a house a home.)

If you need to contact me please email me at kelbel2265@yahoo.com or Twitter - kelbel2265

Thank you all very much, bless you!

Our "Adopted" Family is Hoping to Get Their Christmas Wish

This year I have started a little project called "Beyond Christmas". The idea is to help a less fortunate family have a great Christmas, then follow up with them a little later next year.

We have been blessed with a lovely family, Marquieta and her two small sons, Cyheim 7 and Tylan 3. Marquieta's story is a tragic one. When she was twelve years old she was on safety patrol for her school, when a young man who had stole a car pinned her between the car and a brick wall. They tried very hard to save Marquieta's legs but they were crushed too badly. She now has two prosthetics that help her get around, but most recently she has been in a lot of pain, unable to get outside and travel with her sons.

She mentioned to me that the boys birthdays were also in December. At that moment I knew I needed to help. My husband, kids and I went out and bought them a cake and some presents. We delivered them Sunday, my daughter helped to take them in with me. The family was very gracious, the little ones were thrilled beyond belief.

Marquieta had told me previously that the boys have never had a Christmas Tree, now thanks to some wonderful, blessed individuals they will. I'll be picking it up in the next few days.

I plan on delivering everything we collect on Christmas Eve morning. The deadline will be the 23rd if you are interested in helping this lovely family.

Here is some of their needs:
- Cyheim: 8 pants, 7/8 shirt. 13.5 or size 1 shoes, undergarments, socks, PJ’s would be nice
- Tylan: 4 pants, 4 shirts. 10 or 10.5 shoes, undergarments, socks, PJ’s would be nice
- Tylan needs a Winter Coat
- Both boys like Spongebob a LOT
- They enjoy the usual boy gifts, footballs, trucks, etc.
- They need blankets and household items.

Marquieta had mentioned the boys could really use new shoes and that Tylan has been asking for a tricycle.

So far hats and gloves have been purchased. Anything household, like towels, blankets, pots pans, you name it would be very appreciated.
They also could use some non-perishable food items as well.
If you have any questions or need directions to my home to drop off donations please email me at kelbel2265@yahoo.com. Thank you and bless you!

Beyond Christmas, help a family get their Christmas Wish

I have a little campaign that I have been working on called Beyond Christmas, recently we adopted a local family for Christmas, here is a little of their story:

Marquieta is a single mother and amputee, she lost her legs in a tragic car accident when she was 12 years old. She is now 39 and the mother of two sweet little boys, Cyheim who will be 7 on the 17th of December and Tylan who will be 3 on December 6th. According to Marquieta, the boys have never really had an enjoyable birthday or Christmas. She also mentioned they have never had a Christmas tree either.

I would like to help this family have a nice Christmas this year.

Some of their needs are:
- Cyheim: 8 pants, 7/8 shirt. 13.5 or size 1 shoes, undergarments, socks, PJ’s would be nice
- Tylan: 4 pants, 4 shirts. 10 or 10.5 shoes, undergarments, socks, PJ’s would be nice
- Tylan needs a Winter Coat
- Both boys need hats, gloves, scarves
- Both boys like Spongebob a LOT
- They enjoy the usual boy gifts, footballs, trucks, etc.
- They need blankets and household items.

I’ll be taking the boys a gift each for their birthday and a cake, this weekend.

If you are interested in helping them receive their Christmas wish please contact me at kelbel2265@yahoo.com. Any and all donations are welcome. Thank you!

The Hottest Toys for Christmas and My Kid Wants One! UGH

"Mommy, Mommy! Did you see that!?" I look over at the TV and notice the Zhu Zhu Pets commercial in the background. "Yes honey those look awfully interesting" Well since then that is just about all I hear about.
Has your kid seen the hottest toy since Cabbage Patch Dolls? Well in fact they are pretty cool, but when I went to look for them, they cannot be found. If you want to pay 400% over cost you may buy them on Ebay.com but if you have a budget, as we do, 50.00 for a electronic hamster is high.
I recently read an article online that states that they are one of the hottest toys this season, and even better the stores are not ordering enough so there is not enough to go around. Now as a parent who wants their little one to have the one item they REALLY want under the tree I called in the troops and asked my family to help out.
My brother Gregory has been on the Zhu Zhu hunt. He has found several Zhu Zhu items, while some are still eluding him. That's ok. One little girl is going to be VERY VERY happy with the items that she gets!
This is what Christmas is about though, FAMILY. It's not about items, it is about family, and taking a moment to show each other love and affection. It seems like we have commercialized it soooo much that the meaning of it is gone. Jesus, Mary and Joseph... we need to remember why we have Christmas at all.
Thanks to my brother for helping to make a little girls Christmas wish come true! She loves her uncle cheesehead.

Really Christmas Trees Already! UGH

As I went into a store yesterday to buy some Halloween party favors I noticed that the rows of ghoulish favors and wicked treats were being taken over by bright red stockings and Santa Claus shaped candies.

OK REALLY? I am just disgusted that every year the retailers start Christmas earlier and earlier. I really love the holidays, oh sure there are things that make the holidays difficult, but for the most part I remember why we have the holiday and try to cherish it.

When the retailers are setting up their displays and sending out their Christmas ads on Nov. 1st it really takes away from the holiday.

Why can't we wait until a few days before Thanksgiving? Let me have my Halloween before I'm stringing lights in the frozen tundra and hanging up the stockings.

HOWL - O - WEEN!

Last night was Trick or Treat at the Tibbs house. Grandma and Grandpa "skitty kitty" from Springfield came up to join us for the festivities. All day we heard "is it 5 yet?" When the hour finally did arrive the little ones "helped" us in the kitchen and then proceeded to require several, "you have to eat good before you go Trick or Treating" comments before they would actually eat the Mummys, ham sandwiches, and Dad's world famous chili. Finally it was time to get to it, bust a move and collect the sugar laden goodies from the neighbors. They went to a few houses in the neighborhood that actually had live haunted houses. Of course they were terrified. Anyway, the goodies were collected and some eaten. Dorothy, Toto, and the army man had terrified their way through the neighborhood and came home, tired, sugared up and ready for bed. 1 Halloween down many more to go! Hope you had a good one!