It's the most wonderful time of the year?

It's Christmas Eve, and although I still have a lot of shopping to do I am finding time to blog because I haven't in awhile and I miss it. These past two days I volunteered and The Salvation Army. And I have to admit that this is something I will be doing every year. I came home after the first night in such bliss I probably glowed. I talked D's ear off for the rest of the night. I was touched, sad, happy, mad, inspired.. I was every emotion you could possibly be. I was happy to go down and help out although there is something that bothers me. We had I would say about 30 volunteers all day. Which was enough but in my eyes not enough. Sometimes I think Christmas is the worst time of the year for the people who are more worried about receiving gifts then giving them. This year all I wanted was my Hope chest, I got it and that is probably the only thing I will get. And for once, I am happy. I need nothing more. I was disappointed. All the people in Utah and their were only 30 volunteers. Why weren't there more I kept asking myself. Because people don't care? This is what I think. But then I looked around at all the toys that were donated and I quickly remembered that people donated this stuff. D and I picked a little boy from the tree and bought him toys. My mom and I also but together packages for parents who have to stay in the hospital with their sick children who have cancer. I am also working on my packages for the american cancer society. I bought a bunch of wrapping paper and tape to take with me yesterday because people can't afford to even wrap their gifts. I have spent more money on people that I don't know then for myself or my own family. But I think that is the point of Christmas. Giving. I wish more people would realize this. I asked D the other night, think of one thing we absolutely need right now to live. Other than his job, we couldn't think of anything. We are perfectly stable with lots of things anyone would be happy to have. I look around my little apartment at everything and we look wealthy. Some families it's hard for them to put food on the table. They can't afford gifts for their children. It breaks my heart. Handing families those gifts for the kids, some would tear up. I remember one mom saying, I really need a coat for my son. She repeated this. When I looked in the bag there was a coat! I was so happy and so was she. She kept telling me God Bless you. She was so happy for that coat that she couldn't afford. Then there were some families who were greedy and this I hated. I handed the lady her bags for her kids. They all got scooters and lots of good things but she was unhappy because one of the kids wanted a bike.. Now lady I don't just have a bike for everyone. Do I look like Oprah? Your kid got a scooter so be thankful he even got that! Sheesh. There was a bunch of used bikes that people donated and I told her she could pick one from there but that wasn't good enough. She wanted a new one. I wanted to take all her gifts back and give them to children that would be happy to get them but I am too nice I told her she was out of luck and that I was sorry. So she left. Also I noticed people who came in and for the most part looked like they could afford their own gifts. I saw a lady wearing Ugg boots, bleach blonde hair, nails done, makeup on, nice jeans.. Like really lady. Quick getting your nails done for a year and that money will add up and you could purchase your own gifts. That made me mad. For the most part, a lot of these people were thankful and I was thankful that their were charities that did this for those kind of people. One thing I really liked about this was if one kid didn't get any toys but lots of clothes, I mean clothes are great because they probably really need that the most but what kid wants clothes for Christmas? I know I didn't. But because we had enough donations we had like our own little store so I was able to look at the age and go pick a cool toy for them. I loved being able to do that. I was known as the shopper. I just wanted every kid to be happy Christmas day. We were to the point where we were almost out of everything! And still had a line out the door. It was heartbreaking that I couldn't do anything about it. Luckily we received more donations the next day. So next year because I know what we ran out of this year I will be sure to buy things we really need. We were really good on toys and baby clothes. But what we need more of is Clothes for older children. Especially Boys! We need more boy everything, shoes, clothes, toys. We need clothes and shoes more than toys. Also more wrapping paper and tape. Diapers and wipes were a big one. Everyone make a mental note of this. (: I will be saving things throughout the year for next Christmas. I can hardly wait. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. I've learned it's truly better to give then get!

p.s. Me, Cass, my Aunt, Grandma, Grandpa, and My grandmas neighbor are in this video (:

xoxox