I have a project

This weekend, my brother's friend and his little sister stayed the night with us Saturday night. Darien, my brother's friend's sister, did not bring any long pants with her to wear either on Saturday or Sunday. So, when Mom sent me to the store Saturday night, she told me to take Darien along and buy her some jeans and some long lounge/pj pants.

While we were at the store, she informed me that she really only had about 2 pairs of jeans that she could wear (when her mom came over Sunday night, we found out that she has a few other pairs of pants besides her jeans that she can wear). Anyways. We ended up finding her a cute pair of jeans, which are a little big in the waist, but if she wears a belt, they'll be fine. And she also picked out a pair of 'High School Musical' *gag* lounge/sweatpants.

We didn't even spend $20 on her pants, but I felt like I'd done a really great thing that day. I know that Jeff (Nick's friend) and Darien don't have a lot right now because their mom (a single mom) is struggling to make money right now. So, when I was able to give Darien those pants, it made me feel very good.

I decided later that night that I wanted to get those 2 gifts for Christmas this year, since I'm not sure what their money situation is going to be like by that time. My mom said she wouldn't mind pitching in, too. We usually buy gifts for the 'Giving Tree' at our church, but she said she'll just take the money she'd normally spend on that and put it towards gifts for these kids. Since the 'Giving Tree' is designed to help 'needy' children get Christmas presents, I don't feel that we're depriving anyone of anything. I might still even get a gift for the 'Tree,' anyways.

I could tell that I was very passionate about this little 'project' when, after I told Jake my plans, he told me that he would be willing to donate some money to the cause, and I almost got a little teary-eyed when I read his text message. I'm really glad that I'm doing this! :)