This year has been one for the books. From struggling with daddy having to miss work and take a huge loss in order to help take care of a mommy that went into premature labor at 34 weeks with our second under 2, to recovery complications related to an emergency c-section three weeks later and being sent home with a botched incision that had been left open, home repair emergencies, a faulty furnace being installed that put two babies under 2 and their parents in the emergency room due to a carbon monoxide leak as it was left unsealed, and a lost family member being found and hospitalized with stage 4 cancer that also needed our help... Christmas has found us unprepared and financially struggling.
As a child, we went without Christmas often in our house. Due to separated parents and a single, low income, we also often went without food. Growing up, I had vowed to do all I could to prevent my children from being in that place. So this Christmas comes as a surprise.
I'm not asking for much, and I don't expect anything, but if someone out there would like to help bring the joy of Christmas to our two littles this year and prevent those feelings I remember all too well as a child, we'd be forever in your debt. It's harder and harder for everyone it seems this year, and I know we aren't the only ones struggling.
James is 2 and his brother Alex is 6 months old. They're both the happiest, brightest boys in any room. James loves dinosaurs and snuggling his little brother. We were working on his big boy playroom before all of the home and family emergencies hit back to back, so that's why there's a gym-play couch on the list for he and his brother to jump on safely in the hopes of helping with all of that two-year-old energy. It's really the wish gift of both of them for this year, and what we had originally planned on all year round before this all happened. However, any necessities are key and would go so far with either of them. Diapers, wipes, the formula on the list, anything is gold. We also added a 'kiddo fund' to help with their food needs.
My pride takes a huge hit asking for someone to help us, I've always taken immense pride in doing everything on my own and have since I moved away from home at 17. Putting myself through school and never expecting a helping hand molded me into a mother that went above and beyond when providing for her children -- especially at Christmas time. However, I'd rather put aside my pride and ask for help than risk my children losing out at all.
I've included photos that I took and edited myself of my two bright boys, and thank you for your consideration.
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