Favorite part of Christmas!

Every year since I can remember my family has done a secret Santa kind of thing. My dad would pick a family or 2 and we would gather all the stuff we thought they would need or want, toys for the kids, groceries, etc.... We would then leave it all on their doorstep late at night and then knock and run. The kids actually would stay in the car or a secret hiding place as we were too little to knock and run fast enough, so that was my dads job. But, we would always get to see one family member open the door, and see what the knock was for, and all of a sudden you would see the whole family outside in their pj's and robes in complete awe and that "Santa" does exist. It is usually always done anonymously. This year was a little different. My moms friend told us about a family of 6 little girls who are being raised by their great grandmother for one reason or another, and the mom not being able to take care of the kids. So, here is this 76 year old woman taking care of 6 girls between the ages of 3-11. We were so excited to do this little family because we have 6 girls in our family, so we each took a girl (we did it in order of birth- so I was paired with the 2nd oldest, Amy got the oldest, etc....) It was so much fun shopping for the girls... but the best part was when we pulled up to their house- they all came pouring out of the house and started giving us all hugs and were soooo excited!!! It reminded me of Extreme Makeover Home Edition, where when a family finds out that they are getting their house done, they all run outside happily and in pure joy and excitement. As I was shopping for my girl, I was having a hard time, because I was like some girls are boyish and HATE the color pink like I did when I was younger, and others LOVE it. Then my sister turns to me and says, Bertie- I'm sure these girls are not going to be picky at all- they are going to be so excited and love anything you give them. And I thought, that is true.. I'm too used to living in a world, where people complain if something isn't just right, they send it back if they just don't like it, etc.... instead of just being greatful for recieving something and actually REALLY, REALLY needing it! After we gave them their presents, we went outside and played games with them, we played freeze tag, red rover- red rover, and duck duck goose. It was a lot of fun- and I'm sad my kids weren't there to be able to see the joy you can bring someone by giving:) And I'm so greatful to my parents who taught me very early on, what giving can do for someone else! Here are some fun pictures of that day!


These are some of the new sheets/comforters that I picked out for my girls.
Here is my mom with the amazing Great Grandma who will do anything to keep these girls together!!


Playing freeze tag, and Amy got frozen so Nina had to unfreeze her by going through her legs.


Here are all the girls singing one of their church songs they have learned for us... it was so cute! After they sang us a song, we all sang them I am a Child of God.


Here we are all before we have to go. The girl that we had is standing in front of us or by us. It really was such an amazing time to spend with these girls who are so precious in the sight of the Lord and deserve so much! I'm so glad I had the opportunity to do this, this year:)