Little Hands Big Hearts

My mom. There is so much that I can say about her. She is truly and honesty the most wonderful person in the entire world. So caring and thoughtful. So gentle and kind. Growing up, I was never ever the type of kid/teenager that would fight with her parents. The truth is, you can't help but love them. You can't help but agree with them {most of the time ;)} because they are usually always right! They are the first people I call when I have a tough decision to make or need help with something because they always know just what to say. They don't make the decision for you, just give you the best advice possible and let you make the best decision you can. I'm a lucky girl. I have wonderful parents.

But let's get back to my mom for a sec.

My mom owns a daycare. She always has and it has always been wonderful. How could a kid not love growing up with so many playmates!? I still talk to all the "daycare kids" that I grew up with. It's actually how I met my husband! They have all become family to us and through the years, our "family" has grown and it's all because of my mom. She's like a magnet that everyone is drawn too. Okay, I think you get the picture...

On Sunday, my mom hosted her second annual Little Hands Big Hearts food drive. She has all of her daycare kids over and they bring boxes of food for local families in need. All the kids take the time to decorate each and every box that is collected just to put a smile on the face of those that receive them. They have stickers and wrapping paper, drawings and ornaments... they are adorable.

Last year, my mom and the kids collected 55 boxes of complete dinners* and an additional 7 boxes on miscellaneous food items. That's so wonderful, but my mom was determined to beat that this year. And did she ever.

This year, with the help of friends and family {and my brother-in-law's fire company!!!} the Little Hands Big Hearts food drive collected over 176 {!!!!} complete dinner boxes* and an additional 11 boxes of miscellaneous food items.

And it's all because of you, mom.

*a complete dinner box includes a 14-16lb frozen turkey or ham, stuffing, mac-n-cheese, a canned fruit & veggie, pie crust and filling, cranberry sauce, instant mashed potatoes, gravy, olives, and pickles.

Here are some pictures from our wonderful day...

My BIL's fire company delivering the boxes in the fire truck! So cool =)
Loading them on the truck.
All of the wonderful helpers of the day...




My parents beautiful Christmas tree {minus the ornaments... they're not on there yet!}
All the kiddo's decorating the boxes =)


Time to put the food in!

Adrianna and Ben helping...
All the wonderful kids that donated their Sunday to help families in need =)
And the Snowman & Santa that we were using to keep track of the number of complete dinner boxes* that were collected! Apparently one more was delivered after I took this picture, but how awesome is this!?!?!?!
Mom, you're such a wonderful example for Kristi, Kacy, and I, all of our children that are lucky enough to call you "GG", and all of the people who's lives you touched over the years. We are all so blessed to have you in our lives and love you so much! Thank you for being you <3