Pay it Forward- Gina

This is Gina's story.

Location: South Plainfield, NJ

"I would like to nominate a family friend of mine since I was a child. 

Her name is Gina. 

Gina is an amazing woman and her family is too.
Unfortunately, she lost her husband on June 30, 2018. 
They were out to dinner when he said they needed to leave ASAP because he wasn’t feeling well. He ended up having severe food poisoning from seafood and died within 48 hours. This death was completely unexpected and left the family in utter shock and hurt.

As if that wasn’t enough for her to go through, she hosted Thanksgiving for her children and family members at her home this year. They smoked a turkey and she dumped the ash into the outside garbage, which then caught the leaves and the house on fire. 

She had thought she had given them enough time to cool off and were not going to be an issue in the woods on the side of her home. 

Luckily she was able to safely get herself and her dog out in time, but her house is a complete loss. 

She lost EVERYTHING. 

All the memories and things that her and her husband made. Just EVERYTHING. 

As I write this I am so upset about it. I feel terrible and we are going to do our best to help her get through another rough time.
With that being said I truly feel as though she is deserving of the best Christmas that we can give her. I would love to be able to surprise her and put a smile on her face."
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WAYS TO HELP:

You can purchase gift cards directly from Gina's Wishlist and have them sent to her daughter's home.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP:

Gina is in need of gift cards to rebuild her home. Kohl's, Target, ShopRite, Bed Bath & Beyond and Walmart.

If you'd like to send a letter of encouragement to Gina, please email me at JBHolidayPIF@gmail.com with the subject line GINA128.

Thank you for Paying it Forward.

Pay it Forward- Brave Grace

This is Grace's story.

 Get your tissues. 

This woman is BRAVE!!!

Location: Garden Grove, CA

"I would like to nominate a true GEM of a Momma. This gal is a single momma of four resilient kiddos who all have escaped a lifetime of watching their mom being abused and or being abused themselves. Her oldest is a freshman in high school and she has 3 little boys. Her youngest suffers from a rare genetic disease called: 

Tuberous sclerosis--also called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)¹--is a rare, multi-system genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and on other vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, eyes, lungs, and skin. It usually affects the central nervous system and results in a combination of symptoms including seizures, developmental delay, behavioral problems, skin abnormalities, and kidney disease.

 

It is just an awful sentence for her sweet Rocky boy. 

I actually went to high school with her and we reconnected over a blog she ran several years ago. I just loved all the things she had to say and all the positive energy she would put into the universe. Shortly after connecting the dots she started a handmade business making adorable moccasins to support her family. Lucky for me I just found out I was pregnant and was thrilled to support her and my little girls fashion! I followed her adventures and was devastated when one day her and her family vanished. From recent posts I just had the biggest pit in my stomach as I was terrified her safety. Months went by with no contact and then out of nowhere she appeared beaten and broken. Luckily her man messed up in public and the light at the end of the tunnel began to shine for her. It was no walk in the park, she and her children literally escaped with the clothes on there backs and nothing else. No clothed, food, money, car and her babies medication was left behind as well. As time went on she would begin to find herself again and start to rebuild, with each step forward life would drag her 50 steps backwards. The worst for me was when she went to use the money she received for her baby with needs her husband had taken the money and she had no way to pay for his medication. Her sweet boy suffers from daily multiple seizers and needs so much medical help. This monster was stealing all of this childs help !!! Seriously who does this?? 

This sweet mom had hustled from the beginning of her freedom. At one point she had 3, THREE jobs to make ends meet! One of her jobs was a night job cleaning a parking lot up after-hours in a not so great of town, but as a mom she did what she had to and was thankful to be doing it. She went on to get an apartment of her own for her and her kiddos and has not stopped hustling since. Besides giving life all its got I love that she has taken back one of her pride and joys and is starting up a new moccasin company. You see, this man stole her domain, her patents and her entire community of customers and destroyed it. I am beyond proud of what she is doing to prove to her children that they are now safe, loved and she will do all the things to provide for them. They live a life with zero luxuries. They could not afford new school clothes, school supplies or even halloween costumes. I can  not imagine what burden she is feeling this Holiday season as she can not give her children a Christmas they deserve. Her older daughter deserves so much as she has saved her mother life and has stood by her side as a solid rock. Her sweet boys don't ask for much as they no the answer will always be no. They don't complain when their mom is gone all day hustling so they can have a safe place to call home. I would love to rock their world this season and show them that the world is not evil like the once knew, that people are not monsters and that the world loves to give and encourage each and every one of us. 

ALSO! The other most amazing thing about her is she had helped around 75 other victims of domestic violence escape. She has called ubers for people, put people up in hotels, and given resources so that they no longer have to live like she did ! I mean seriously instead of focusing on her healing she is helping the world one person at a time.

Please read her blog www.shegotbrave.com as it only has a few entries and gives the full details of what happened to her as it is all too much for me to pit into words and she does an amazing job of telling her story. If she isn't a candidate maybe you can lead people to her mock business on IG called @anchoredsoleco"

This is a post taken directly from Grace's blog:

"When I was 8 months pregnant with Rocky, I locked myself in the bathroom to take a bath. I was upset over mean customers that had hurt my feelings at the time, and remember locking the door so that Franky wouldn't walk in and see me crying. A few minutes into my emotional break, my husband tried the handle to open the door. I called out to him that I would be out in just a minute and that I was having a bad day. He yelled, "You have no idea what a bad day is unless you don't unlock this door!" I told him I'd be right out, and he started cussing and calling me names. As he screamed at me, he suddenly broke through the bathroom door; sending pieces of wood and door jam in every direction. (Picture the Kool Aid man going through a wall, only not funny.) He grabbed a huge piece of wood and held it above his head and yelled, "You have 20 seconds to clean every single piece of dust in this room or this (motioning the wood in his hands) is going to go across your face!" I frantically climbed out of the tub and used my awaiting towel to scoop wood and debris into a pile. "ONE... TWO... THREE... FOUR..." and so on until he got to twenty. I did not clean up the broken door in time.

When I moved in with my parents last month, my stepmom told me to take a bath and have a glass of wine. I went upstairs and drew a bath, and stared at it until it was no longer warm enough to sit in. I pretended that I had relaxed, and left the bathroom wrapped in a towel- tears from that memory still falling from my eyes.

A few nights later, I decided that more than two years was far too long to go without a relaxing bath, and forced myself into the tub. I stared at the door the entire time.

Each time I attempt an unwinding bath, I make progress. It's so unfair that someone can take a normal activity and make you fear it.

Tonight I share a little more of my story from the tub. And this time, I'm not crying. And I haven't looked at the door once."

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What an incredibly brave mama! Let's help her have a Christmas to remember this year for her 4 children and their brand new life!

WAYS TO HELP:

You can purchase items from their Amazon wishlist's and have them sent directly to Grace:

Family Wish list HERE

Taylor's Wish list HERE

Warner's Wish list HERE

Franky's Wish list HERE

Rocky's Wish List HERE (chosen by the kids collectively)

OTHER WAYS TO HELP:

Grace has a new business where she sells adorable handmade moccasins. You can find her on Instagram at @shegotbrave and her business at @anchoredsoleco to purchase from her and support her small business. 

If you would like to send letters of encouragement, gift cards, etc. please email me at JBHolidayPIF@gmail.com with the subject GRACE127.

Pay it Forward- Jamie

This is Jamie & her kids. 

Location: Wylie, TX

"I am writing to you about a coworker and very dear friend of mine, Jamie. 
We have grown close over our two years of working together. 
Being a very closed off and private person, she is still shedding layers daily, letting me into her personal life. 

Jamie is 28 years old and a single mother of two wonderful children- Maximus, 3 years old and Hailey, 9 years old. 

They are her world. 

Coming into the medical field as a Medical Assistant fresh from school with no experience, the pay she is given is not anywhere near what she deserves. 

Before starting with our company, she was allowed food stamps to help provide for her family; however, with even the small income she collects, the government took away this crucial benefit. 

The struggle I witness her experience daily brings tears to my eyes. 

Gas, food, day care, rent and utilities, etc... they are literally impossible for her single income to keep up with. 

As we have continued our friendship, I have learned of the severely difficult cards she has been dealt her entire life. Growing up with little to no family and witnessing things unthinkable, adulthood has proven nothing better for her. 

Her son's father is currently in prison, due for release in April. A man that deserves no place in their lives. 

Her last relationship of five years was extremely abusive- mentally and physically. 

I would cry seeing her come into work bleeding, bruised, and gashed- heavy makeup trying to cover a beating from the previous night. 

Always making sure her children got to school safely and she was on time for work. She and her family are still being harassed by this horrible man.

She works endless hours trying to provide for these precious kids, still never coming out on top. I try to provide and help where I can, but Christmas will be impossible for her. 

RENT is impossible for her, even in a low income, unsafe complex.

She has been exposed to pure toxicity and danger her entire life, yet her heart is so pure and she exudes positivity. Hopefulness. Optimism. For a better life for her children and herself.

These children will have nothing they NEED for Christmas, much less anything a child would actually WANT. 

Jamie as well. I love her dearly and admire her strength, courage, and dedication. 

Her family just deserves a break.. from the poisonous people and lack of happiness they should be allowed. 

Please consider this beautiful family of three as I know they are truly deserving of a truly fulfilled Christmas."

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WAYS TO HELP:

You can purchase directly from Jamie's Wishlist and it will ship directly to her.  

OTHER WAYS TO HELP:

You can PayPal Jamie directly HERE. 

This money will go to food, clothing, rent, and bills. 

Maximus and Hailey are in need of clothing, the most simple toys, gift cards for food (Walmart)... her daughter loves unicorns and her son loves Flash and the Power Rangers.

If you would like to send a gift card or a letter of encouragement to Jamie and her kids, please email me at JBHolidayPIF@gmail.com with the subject line JAMIE126.

Thank you for Paying it Forward. 

Pay it Forward- The Cortez Family

This is the Cortez Family.

Location: Oceanside, CA

I am a 31 year old mother to 3 beautiful children (2 boys & 1 princess) & wife to a loving & hard working man!

It’s going to be a year this January since our lives changed forever! Holiday season 2017 we took our oldest son Isaac (now 6 years old) to the doctors for concerns about muscle pain in his legs. 

We had really high hopes that our son’s muscle enzyme count would come back normal! That evening the doctor called us to let us know his blood test results & his muscle enzyme count was VERY HIGH! 

As I was hearing this my son was sitting down in front of me playing with his toys. I tried sooo hard not to cry in front of him because I knew what the next step was. 

He was going to have to get tested for all the different types of muscular dystrophy. 

The waiting period to get the results was 3-4 weeks.

December was the longest month of our lives! During this time I was 3 months pregnant with our 3rd baby. 

I tried so hard not to stress myself out or the baby! 

January came along & I received the call I never wanted to get! It was the genetics counselor letting me know Isaac tested positive for Becker’s Muscular dystrophy (slow progressive muscle weakness-no cure).

Once again my son was with me at the time & I tried soo hard not to cry but couldn’t help myself with all my hormones being all over the place!  

By then we knew we were having a boy & him too would have to get tested for Becker’s!

Having to give my husband the news was the HARDEST thing I ever had to do! 

As I was standing in front of my husband about to tell him the words just  wouldn't come out!..only tears! 

That’s when he lost it!..he fell to his knees & started sobbing, crying like a little boy wanting to be held!..never have I ever seen him cry like he did that night! 

Our world had come tumbling down, all of our dreams & hopes we had for our little boy were gone! & to just think our baby on the way had a 50% chance of also having Becker’s we just couldn’t bare the pain! 

May 2018 came & our precious baby boy Liam was born..they tested him at birth & again we had to wait a month for the results! 

Once again I received that phone call I never wanted to hear..our newborn baby also tested positive for Becker’s. 

By now I was physically & emotionally drained! I couldn’t bear the pain anymore! I tried soo hard to be strong for my husband especially because he had fallen into some depression.

I had to quit my job & stay home & take care of our newborn baby because we can’t afford daycare! 

This holiday season we truly don’t know how we’re going to get presents underneath our Christmas tree for our little ones! Being a family of 5 with one income & going through with bankruptcy payments has been EXTREMELY DIFFICULT!!! 

My husband is a hard devoted working man! He brakes his back every day so that his children can have all their needs! 

He always places all of our needs first! We had to cut our cable to try & save a bit more for our utilities! Just this week I had to return a few items to the store & get the money back to use it for gas! 

I ask that you all keep us in your prayers so we can continue to have the strength & hope to carry on!🙏🏼💛

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WAYS TO HELP:

You can purchase items directly from the Cortez Family Amazon Wishlist   FULFILLED
and it will be sent directly to them. 

You can send them monetary donations HERE. The will go toward diapers, wipes, Christmas for their 3 children, groceries and bills.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP:

If you would like to send letters of encouragement, gift cards, etc. please email me at JBHolidayPIF@gmail.com with the subject line CORTEZ125

Thank you for Paying it Forward.

Pay it Forward- Kayla

This is Kayla's story. 

Location: Saint Joseph, MN

"I am a professor in Minnesota and I'd like to nominate my student, Kayla, who is a senior in college this year. 

I've had Kayla in class a few times now and also have gotten to know her because I've been helping her through the application process to graduate school.  Kayla is hard-working and does well in classes.  When she was first in my class, I would always hear her talking with her group about how she worked 3 jobs-- I couldn't believe it! I During the class, her group mates always ranked her high for participation, so I know that in addition to those 3 jobs, she was able to time manage enough to do her part in the group.  I thought that spoke so highly of her work ethic. 

This year, I've learned why Kayla has had to work 2-3 jobs simultaneously while being a full-time college student. Kayla's mother has been an alcoholic her entire life and during her sophomore year of college, kicked her out of her house.  That same year, Kayla's father was diagnosed with cancer.  Kayla worked with the state to be identified as a "self-supporting" student, which probably helped her to receive more financial aid.  But Kayla has used her money from her jobs not only to pay her tuition, books, and living expenses without much help, but she also was sending money to her dad to help him afford treatment and expenses!  

Kayla never asks for anything, never complains, and never asks for pity.  Her family does not value education and she has overcome so much to get where she is. She is one of the strongest people I have ever met. 

Kayla loves doing lab work and research, she is applying to Nutritional Science PhD programs in warmer climates (I don't blame her, its cold here!). 

Kayla also has POTS syndrome (chronically low blood volume) which stems from a heart defect.  

While she doesn't need treatment now for this, I feel like she also needs this money because she needs to feel secure in going to see a doctor-- she told me she often puts it off because of cost.  A few weeks ago she was coughing up blood and went to the ER after putting it off.  I want her to have this money so that she goes in for care right away instead of letting it get bad!  

This syndrome also limits how many hours she can work. 

This week, Kayla and I've been finalizing some of her applications to graduate programs -- typically students apply to between 4-7 and each application is about $50.  Today, Kayla said to me, "I need to wait to apply to some of these schools because the applications are so expensive, I can't afford to eat".  

This wrecked me.  

I know I can help her short-term with some of these items, but I immediately thought of your pay-it-forward initiative.  I found this so ironic as well because I am doing a research study on food insecurity in college students, through my research I've come to realize that many people assume because students in college are paying tuition, that they have enough money for other things.  

That is so far from the truth and Kayla is the perfect example. 

The last thing that worries me is that Christmas break is coming up, and knowing that Kayla often stays with friends, etc. she could use some extra money to help be self-sufficient with food purchases because she doesn't want to always have to rely on others. 

So here's what she needs: 

$200-300 to pay for the remainder of her graduate school applications (she has 4-5 left due in the next month or so...  they are $50-60 each). 

VISA gift cards or money to help pay for gas, her car insurance, and food -- at least for a couple months just to get her through this stretch where she is spending an additional $500 applying for graduate schools that she'd normally have for expenses.  Any additional money would help her pay for when she interviews at these graduate schools and making a small dent in her tuition for college, allowing her to focus more on her studies and just being a college senior, and less on figuring out where her next meal is coming from or how she's going to make a better life for herself."

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What an amazing young woman Kayla is! If you feel so inclined to help Kayla out that would be so wonderful! 

WAYS TO HELP

You can send Kayla monetary donations HERE which will go to food, gas, graduate school applications, health insurance and bills. 

There is also an Amazon Wishlist FULFILLED
for Kayla with gift cards, medication, etc. 

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

If you'd like to help Kayla out in any other way, a letter of encouragement, gift cards, etc., email me at JBHolidayPIF@gmail.com with the subject line KAYLA124

Thank you for Paying it Forward!

Pay it Forward- The Rawls

This is the Rawls Family

Location: Whiteville, NC

"When I was pregnant with my Son, who is now 19 months, I developed preeclampsia and was put on bed rest and taken out of work where I was a Medical Coder. After I had my Son I reached back out to my employer and they had filled my position without my knowledge and told me there wasn’t a job for me anymore. 

We thought it was a minor setback and looked at it as a blessing. 

That I would find another job soon, but it was the beginning of a nightmare. 

Fast forward to now and I haven’t been able to find a job that would work with a child care schedule.

My Husband is a Law Enforcement Officer (who also works his off days part time at Autozone Part Store) for the city we live in and risks his life everyday. 

They pay isn’t enough to manage a family of 3 on one income. We have gone weeks without actual food and grocery shopping. Our bills have grown into a massive pile of debt that we haven’t been able to manage.

A few months ago we made the decision to move closer to my parents and family. To have help. 

I had found a job making decent money to help match my Husband's salary, to get caught up and to make the payments on our “new house”. 

Just two months after moving in Hurricane Florence hit and our entire neighborhood flooded. 

Which has never happened. 

My husband worked 8 days straight during the storm leaving us behind. 

We had to evacuate and pray everything would be okay when we returned. We felt like a black cloud just continued to follow us around. 

That was back in September. 

We still don’t have heat/air or any repairs to our home haven’t even been started. 

Mold is in our laundry room and on some of our doors. We also lost my husbands Tahoe that we parked at my parents thinking they would be safe, but wasn’t. 

It’s been in the teens this week here in NC and I’ve had to send my Son to bed bundled up as if he was going outside.
Last month, My Husband decided the first of the year he was going to go off to truck driving school which in return would leave me basically a single mom, raising our Son and praying that he may one day be able to get a local job that would allow him to see our Son after he gets a year of experience. 

The job I got, that I mentioned happened before the Hurricane, they ended up letting me go as well. Since I got a job I had to put my Son in day care. Which made him very sick since he has only ever been home with me or family. During this time he also developed a dairy sensitivity which caused the day care to call me anytime he threw up and I would have to leave and go get him since my Husbands schedule and job demand didn’t allow him to. I have prayed endlessly that something would work out for the good, and allow me to provide for my family or my dreams of owning my own business would come true.

With every step forward came 10 steps back. I tried MLM and anything I could do on the side to help makes ends meet, but I haven’t had any success. 

I would love to give my Son the Christmas he deserves, buy him clothes that he hasn’t outgrown and a nice pair of shoes and thank my Husband for all his hard work and for his scarifies he has had to make for our family."

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WAYS TO HELP:

You can purchase items from the Rawls Family Wishlist - FULFILLED
and have it sent directly to them.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP:

Gift cards to Walmart to help with groceries and clothes will help tremendously. 

You can also send monetary donations directly to their PayPal to help pay their bills and lessen the financial burden this Christmas. 

If you'd like to send monetary donations or gifts, please email me at JBHolidayPIF@gmail.com with the subject line BRISTOL123

Thank you for Paying it Forward!

Pay it Forward- The Willhite Family

This is the Willhite Family

Location: Muskogee, OK
Nominated by: Bailey Blake 


"I would love to nominate my best friend Chelsey’s family. She was a 26 year old beautiful mother of two little boys, age 4 & 7. A wonderful wife, amazing friend, and awesome daughter. She passed away Nov. 10 2018 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was a faithful follower of you and she’s actually the reason I found you to follow!
Her husband was obviously the only one working the entire time she was sick. She fell sick in 2016 and battled Osteosarcoma until the end. 
She fought SO incredibly hard. Her boys deserve the world and while nothing in the world could make up for the loss of their mother or her husband's loss, all the help this Christmas I knew would be so so appreciated. 
Anything from gift cards to something in memory of Chelsey. 

The boys are 7 & 4. Their names are Keegan and Landen. 

Keegan loves nerf guns and Landen loves PJ masks. They both LOVEEEE all things sports! They are Oklahoma University fans but they love all things sports! 

Anything like grocery cards would be so so helpful also. I know they will be thankful for seriously anything to help in any area for the holidays. 

 I really really cannot thank you enough. I know Chelsey would be beyond grateful."

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I can't imagine the tough time these little boys and Chelsey's husband are having. 
I would love for us to rally behind this family and help bring a smile to those boys faces on Christmas morning!

WAYS TO HELP:

You can send gift cards to Walmart, Homeland, Target, etc.
Or gifts to Keegan and Landen including sports related items, OU fan gear, nerf guns, PJ Mask toys and anything to help with the holidays.

PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO JBHolidayPIF@gmail.com with the subject line CHELSEY121 with how you'd like to help and I'll get you the information you need. 

Thank you for Paying it Forward!

Pay it Forward- James Manny

This is James Manny. 

He was nominated by James's friend's mother, Holly.

Holly's daughter and James are friends. 

I know often times teenagers get overlooked at Christmas. 

Let's give this sweet young man a Christmas to remember. 

Location: Winona, MS.

"I want to nominate a young boy I know. He is 16 years old and is my daughter's friend. 
He hasn't had Christmas since his mother died when he was 13 years old. 
He also recently lost his step-father a few weeks ago to cancer. 
He lives with his grandparents and basically takes care of them, as they are not in good health themselves. He has never had much of anything and they barely have food at their house. I feed him a lot of the times when I cook for my kids. He doesn’t have much family left. 
He is trying to get into the military as soon as he is able so he can make a living for himself. 
They do not even have a tree or any decorations.
His basic needs are clothing or gift cards to get some clothing, as he owns very little. He would benefit most from a nice pair of shoes and some warm clothes. He doesn't have hardly any shoes or warm clothes. He is usually just wearing a white t-shirt every time I see him. 
I am sure he would be grateful for anything. 
He never asks for anything and tries to do everything with out asking for help. 
He is such a sweet kid and I would love to be able to see him have a Christmas again. 

Thank you so much for this wonderful pay it forward to help those in need."
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WAYS TO HELP:

Here is James's Amazon wishlist.  FULFILLED
You can purchase directly from his wishlist and it will be sent directly to Holly, to deliver to James. 

OTHER WAYS TO HELP:

If you would like to send other items like gift cards, letters of encouragement, etc., to James, please email me at JBHolidayPIF@gmail.com with the subject line JAMES1130. 

Pay it Forward- The Byrd's

This is the Byrd Family. They need some help this Christmas. Let's help make their Christmas a little brighter this year!

Location: White Oak, Tx

"I would like to nominate our three children, not myself or my husband just my children. They have endured more than I have ever expected this past year. I am going to keep it short as I am sure there are way more families that have lost loved ones and need more, however it weighed on my heart so heavy that I knew I had to at least try for our babies. 16 months ago, I quit my job (full time as a secretary) to return to nursing school to improve our income to get my husband home who has been away working for 8 years. We have 3 children - 10 year old (boy), 8 year old and 5 year old (girls), my husband has missed so much in their lives. 6 months ago he was injured in our home and we have gone without an income for the last 3 months, savings was depleted over the last year with college tuition and one income. I graduate next month with my RN and our children have suffered more than any of us. We are so close, however they have emptied their piggy banks to help us buy food (food stamps denied us because he is still "employed", they have eaten on the free lunch at school and have already told us that they know that Christmas isn't about presents so we can tell Santa that it's okay they don't wake up to presents. We asked them to write a letter to see if we could find an angel tree in our area but they know we are strapped for money so they told us they could just make gifts for each other to wake up to on Christmas morning. Many times our youngest, who does not understand, has asked for things such as a pudding or juice and our older two have told her before we could intervene "no sis we can't waste our money on things we don't need." It breaks my heart to know that our kids are having to grow up faster due to what we thought as parents was a great decision and now it's backfiring. I sat in my car the other day crying and screaming out to God and wondering why is this so hard? I have tried to donate plasma for extra cash but I am apparently anemic, I have picked up a part time job during nursing school that only allows 12 hours and our account is negative from bills so it gets eaten up every time I get paid, I just do not know why it is so hard when I am trying so hard. Of course, I would love for my kids to wake up to toys but even more important to receive clothes without holes in the knees or a special gift that they know we did not endure all of this for nothing. They are so special and they have hearts of gold. I am not asking for gifts upon gifts just a little something for each of them to show the spirit of Christmas is still alive even in a scary world. After writing this email, I realized that I am asking for gifts when actually I have 3 that have already learned the spirit of Christmas. Writing this email has actually blessed me and pulled me out of my funk. Thank you for doing this, I am moved to tears as I know so many families will be grateful for any help."

What beautiful children they have! I knew immediately we needed to help this family. 

After I contacted them and let them know they had been chosen, this is the response I got from them: 

"I am currently bawling my eyes out in the building where I attend nursing school. I just finished my final exam and walked out to this email. I have no words right now as I am speechless and so grateful. Just this morning my curly headed 8 year old was begging for a pair of matching earrings so she "could be pretty like her friends". Brandi you are helping to make her feel pretty and you do not even know it. For us, right now we are facing our electric to be disconnected but that is monetary and really the only thing I can think of besides encouragement, which is what this is by helping our kids. I haven't even thought of anything we could benefit from as our main focus has been keeping our kids from stressing. You just helped alleviate one of the biggest fears in my heart.Thank you from myself and my husband. I just read him the email and he is currently crying (a man that in 10 years I have never seen cry). We appreciate you more than you know. Thank you is not even enough."

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WAYS TO HELP:

I asked Cortney to send me a picture of their family and her response was "we don't have any of the 5 of us because we haven't had family pictures taken in years due to finances."

Perhaps a local photographer would be willing to donate a family session for them so they could get some family pictures taken? 
UPDATE- Meredith Smeltzer Photography has donated a family session to the Byrd Family!

Cortney also mentioned that she hasn't had her hair done since summer. 

We got her fixed up there!

Emily Pipak at Hair by Emily in Kilgore, Tx. is fixing Cortney up with a cut and color! 

I asked them to put together Amazon wishlists for their children. 

You can do directly here and purchase something from their wish list and have it sent directly to them!

James's Amazon Wishlist (10 yr old boy) FULFILLED

Emma's Amazon Wishlist (5 yr old girl) FULFILLED

Peyton's Amazon Wishlist (8 yr old girl) FULFILLED

OTHER WAYS TO HELP:

If you would like to send a card, letter of encouragement, make a payment to their electric company (it is facing disconnection on December 5th)-UPDATE THEIR ELECTRIC BILL HAS BEEN PAID! THANK YOU!,  please email me at 

JBHolidayPIF@gmail with the subject line: CORTNEY1129 

with what you are wanting to send/help out with.

UPDATE: Their electric bill has been paid off, but if you would still like to send something other than filling their children's wishlists (top priority), please send an email. 

Thank you for helping Pay it Forward!!

Holiday Pay it Forward 2018

In 2012/2013 I was writing my blog daily and documenting my 60 lb. weight loss, running journey and new mama journey.
I had a good amount of people reading my blog and I wanted to do SOMETHING to help less fortunate people during the holidays.
Pay it Forward was born.

I had my readers submit stories of families they knew of in need. Families who were good people but had fallen on tough times.
The amount of people nominated was overwhelming. I spent the entire month of December reading through heart wrenching families, trying to decide who's to feature.
It was hard. But more than anything, it humbled me and stirred something so deep inside me that I didn't know was there.

I wanted to use my platform for good. I wanted to #bethebridge and connect these people who NEEDED help, with people who COULD HELP!

So I posted their stories on my blog with ways to help and what happened next was a Christmas miracle.
My readers rallied together and sent these families PILES of gifts for their kids, gift cards to buy groceries, clothes to people who had lost everything in hurricanes and fires, paid off medical bills for complete strangers, bought entire Christmases for inner city classrooms, donated any and everything they could, sent cards and letters just saying they were praying for them in their time of need.
Many families didn't even know they had been nominated and would come home to mound of gifts, piles of gift cards and letters and just BLESSINGS.

It filled my heart with so much joy, that I've wanted to do it ever since.

The thing is, it's a lot to take on. It's a lot of behind the scenes and organizing work that I just didn't know HOW to do.
I still don't really know HOW.
I just know I HAVE TO.

Over the past 5 years since doing the Pay it Forward a lot has happened in my own personal life.
I've gotten divorced, started my life over from ground zero, had my 3rd child, gotten remarried and built a life I am proud of.
I am truly blessed and I feel like it's the right time to bring back the Pay it Forward Movement.
I call this a movement because thats exactly what it is.

I'm just creating the bridge to connect these people who can help with those that TRULY NEED IT.

HERE'S THE PLAN:
I will choose 20 families to feature on this blog from December 1st-December 20th.
I will post their story on my blog (right here) and will then give y'all call to action steps. Most likely it will be in the form of an Amazon wish list, etc.

You can then read through the stories and if you feel so inclined, send anything that family needs directly to them.
I will let you know how you can help the families nominated and what all they need.
Even prayers, cards and letters of encouragement and kind words would be AMAZING!

HOW TO NOMINATE A FAMILY:
I have received over 100 entries already. Please know this process takes awhile to sort through.
I do have some awesome friends helping me out!
But if you would like to nominate a family, you can send a SHORT email (please keep them short, as reading through them takes a lot of time!) with who you are nominating and why to
JBHolidayPIF@gmail.com
Pictures of the family would be great.

IF YOU WANT TO HELP:
Read the stories and donate!
Share the blog, share my Instagram (@justbrandi_) , share the stories!
Another way you can help is to spread the word. The connections we can make go far beyond my reach!

Thank you all for being part of such an amazing movement! It blew me away with the amount of kindness I saw last time, and I just know it will again!!! I can't thank you all enough!

Here is one of the AMAZING things we were able to pull together and accomplish 5 & 6 years ago:

Please direct any questions to JBHolidayPIF@gmail.com

How I Got My Baby Sleeping 8 Hours by 5 Weeks Old

*This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

Affiliate links included.

I thought once I had Trace I was going to forget all the essential baby stuff.

How did I get my older boys to sleep through the night almost 7 and 9 years ago??

Back then, I read a book (that wasn't NEARLY as controversial as it is now) called BabyWise.

I lived by that book! I took the eat, wake, sleep schedule they had and implemented it with the boys and they were both sleeping 8 hours by 7 and 8 weeks old.

So with Trace, I went back to that book. It was what I knew.

But I kept seeing all these people talking about this course called Taking Cara Babies that they were raving about. (code Brandi gets you 10% off)

I didn't need that. I was a BabyWise mom and I intended to do the same for Trace.

Then Cara reached out to me and wanted to gift me her newborn course (before Trace was even born). I looked into her blog and read what she had to say and was loving all the information I was getting, so I accepted.

I didn't take the course until I was in labor with Trace. They are in video form in small clips, like 10-15 minutes at most. 

So I watched the videos in between my contractions.

When Trace was born, I immediately started to implement her tips as best as you can with a newborn, very loosely. 

But when he turned 4 weeks old I was able to really start the course. 

It took a week of consistency and he was sleeping 8 hours at night. 

This is without interruptions, without waking up to feed at night, without waking up with a dirty diaper. I'm talking 8 solid hours of peaceful sleep.

So what did I do??

I followed Cara's tips, and I stuck with a regimented ROUTINE.

I am a BIG BELIEVER that routine trumps all.

I give him a bath every night. No, he's not dirty every night, he's a baby, but it's part of our routine.

Bath. - I stretch this out as long as possible. 

Lotion. - we talk and play and I rub his lotion on and get him in his pjs.

Bottle. - last bottle of the day I will get him to eat 6-8 ounces.

Rock. - I was adamant on still being able to rock my babies. I love it and I'll never give it up. I rock him until he's sleepy, then I put him in his crib, drowsy, in his Merlins Sleep Suit.

A few things to note:

-Trace has been bottle fed since day 1. I did not breastfeed at all. 

-He was swaddled at night until 10 weeks old, when we switched to the Merlin's Magic Sleep Suit.

-His room is DARK. We have blackout curtains that help a ton!

-He is my 3rd baby so things are much more laid back- I know every sound isn't cause for alarm, I'm not worried about every little thing, etc. I am much more relaxed with him than I was with my older two. I think there's a lot of factors that go into that as well. Age being a big one. :)

Here is what our typical schedule looks like at 3 months old:

8:30am Trace wakes up. He's been sleeping all night in his crib, upstairs in his room.

8:30am Trace eats 6-8 ounces. 

8:40-10:00am we play. Tummy time, Fisher Price Sit me Up seat, etc.

10:00am Trace is sleepy. I rock him, in his room, in the dark. 

10:00am-1:00pm Trace naps. (I usually work/workout)

1:00pm- Trace wakes up and eats. 

1:00-3:00pm we play. Tummy time, Fisher Price Sit Me Up seat, etc.

3:00pm-5:00pm Trace naps. (last nap of the day)

5:00pm he eats. We have lots of play time. 

7:30pm bathtime. I stretch this out as long as possible. Playing in the tub, splashing, etc.

8:00pm lotion, pjs routine.

8:30pm he eats. Rock and bedtime. 

I am a big believer in keeping a consistent routine. 

I also highly recommend sleep training ASAP. 

If you decide to try out Taking Cara Babies, use this link for 10% off!

I HIGHLY recommend TCB over Baby Wise. I would have done TCB if I knew about it with my older boys. 

Plus, it's in video form which helps with examples, etc. She shows you examples and visuals, versus with Baby Wise it's just a book. The video examples really help!

And here are a few of my favorite baby items. With my 3rd I really decluttered. I had no baby things from my older two, as we got rid of everything, so I had to start over completely. 

I also know that it's just STUFF. You'll have your few key items that you LOVE, but there's not a huge need for all the little stuff. 

Feeding:

Baby Brezza -worth it's weight in gold. We've formula fed from day one and this has been a LIFESAVER! It's like a Keurig for formula!

Tommee Tippee bottles

Baby Gear:

Rock n Play- he slept in this for the first 3 weeks of his life, before we switched him to the crib. He liked this over any other swing.

Britax B Safe Stroller/Car Seat

Angel Care Bath Seat

Ubbi Diaper Pail- doesn't need special trash bags!

Infantino Carrier

Infant Optics Baby Monitor

Fisher Price Sit Me Up Seat

Nursery Door Silencer

Boppy Lounger

Sleeping:

Blackout curtains

Halo Sleep Sack Swaddle

Sheep White Noise/Sound Machine

Merlin's Magic Sleep Suit