Corned Beef Hash
Serves 6

2 cups Roughed Chopped Boiled Potatoes
2 Cups Finely Chopped Cooked Corned Beef
1/4 Cup Chicken Stock
1 tablespoon Chopped Parsley
1 Tablespoon whole grain mustard
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme
1 small onion minced
3 cloves minced garlic
Black pepper and salt to taste
4 tablespoons of Butter

Method:
Mash half of the potatoes with a fork in a bowl until smooth.
add the remaining potatoes, corned beef, stock,parsley,mustard,thyme,onion,garlic
and salt and pepper.

Heat butter in 12" cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corned beef mixture and cook while stirring constantly, about 2 minutes.
using a spatula press mixture into a flat cake and continue to cook until browned and crusty on bottom, about 5 minutes.
Flip and cook until brown on other side. remove and serve on warm platter.

Lasagne
Serves 10-12

For the Sauce:
1/2 cup olive oil
1 1/2 pounds hot italian sausage
2 pieces celery minced
1 large onion minced
6 cloves minced garlic
1 medium carrot minced
1 cup red wine
2 28 ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes in juice, crushed
2 bay leaves
Kosher Salt
Fresh Ground Black pepper

For Lasagne:
2 cups whole milk ricotta
2 cups shredded Mozzarella
1 1/2 cups finely grated parmesan
8 ounces of lasagna noodles, cooked

Method:
To make sauce: heat oil in a 6 qt saucepan over medium high heat. Add sausage, cook while stirring until browned. Break up any large pieces.
Drain off fat and add celery, onion, garlic and carrots, cook for 5 mins, add wine and continue cooking until reduced by half. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and turn heat down to medium, cook until thick about 45 minutes.

To make lasagne:
Heat oven to 350 degrees. in medium bowl mix ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan., set aside.
Spread a half inch of sauce in the bottom of a 9"x13" baking dish. Top with 1/3 of the noodles, 1/2 inch of sauce and 1/3 of cheese. Repeat until noodles and cheese are gone, 2 more times and bake until bubbly and browned; about 50 minutes.

Chef Boyce has four restaurants in Huntsville: Cotton Row, Commerce Kitchen, Pane e Vino and James Steakhouse.

There will be a lot of unopened presents under the Letson family Christmas tree this year. The family's beautiful little girl Taylor was taken from them late Wednesday when she was hit by a car on Narrow Lane in New Market. The youngest of three, Taylor's big sister says she's lost the light of her life.

The Letson home is void of Christmas cheer. Gone are the sounds of seven year old Taylor singing her favorite Carrie Underwood songs. Instead, the family's home is oddly silent.

Amber Letson says her little sister followed her everywhere. She says Taylor had an inner light that everyone noticed. "She loved to sing and dance. She was very outgoing and was just bright."

Letson remembers, "If you were having a bad day she would come and she would say something and it would just make it all better. She could always make you smile and laugh."

Letson says she is trying to stay strong for her family. Taylor's aunt, Deanna Letson says Wednesday evening her niece was hit and killed by a car as she played in front of her home, in what they're calling a tragic accident. Amber Letson says her parents are heartbroken.

Trying to hold back an unending flow of tears, Letson reveals, "I think they're trying to hold it in so everybody doesn't see how damaged they are but, its not working very well. They can't eat, can't sleep. They just lost their baby."

Even the youngest members of Taylor's family are feeling the tragic loss. Four year old Gavin Young is Taylor's cousin. When asked about his cousin the little boy explains, "Taylor is in heaven with the angels and Jesus. She's flying and playing ring around the rosie."

As most are counting down the days till Christmas and enjoying time with family and friends, those who knew and loved Taylor are looking for answers in this senseless tragedy.

Harley Marty is a close friend of Taylor's sister Amber. Marty says although it was only an accident, she's hurt and angered that the second grader won't get to experience so many things. Marty says, "Taylor had her whole life to live. She never got to experience her first true love, drive a car, never got to go to prom. Everything was taken in the blink of an eye."

For Amber Letson, the thought of never seeing the little girl who idolized her is more than she can bear. "She'd always be like Amber, will you come stand by the road and help me look both ways before I cross? I'd always be there right by her side. And this time I wasn't at home to be with her."

The driver who struck and killed Taylor has not been charged. The Letson family is asking everyone to pray for him as he struggles to accept his role in this tragic accident.

Taylor's visitation and funeral will be held at Vahalla Funeral Home and Memory Gardens in Huntsville.
Visitation is Thursday from 6-8 p.m.
Taylor's funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Christmas Eve.

If you'd like to help the family, you can send donations to:

The First Church of the Nazerene
9640 Meridian Street
Huntsville, AL 35810


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Huntsville, AL-

Andrea and Amber Morrow were twin sisters.

Andrea was killed in last Friday's deadly crash on Cecil Ashburn Drive in Huntsville.

“She was always smiling,” Morrow’s friends said.

Amber is still recovering from the accident at Huntsville Hospital.

Greg Parker happened upon the scene of the accident moments after the crash. He tried to help save Andrea’s life.

“It really was a traumatic thing for me seeing what I saw there, and being there,” Parker said.

Marilyn Morrow, the mother of the twins, doesn’t have insurance.

When Parker found out that the Morrow family was in need of financial assistance, he gathered with the community to help organize a donation drive-through at the Hampton cove Lowe’s (where Marilyn works).

Hundreds came out to donate to the family.

By 7:30 the group had raise over $16,000 dollars.

Britney Mowry also died in that crash.

Parker wants her family to know that the community is ready to help them in any way.

“We would love to help any way we can. If we can be of assistance, the neighborhood mourns for both families,” said Parker.

You can donate to the Morrow family at any Red Stone Federal Credit Union. The account is called the Morrow Family Fund.

The Christmas 2011 countdown is on. If you haven't finished your Christmas shopping at this point, your probably not looking for that perfect gift, just something that will get the job done, take little effort and get there on the 25th. Lets head to the computer and start clicking.

Lets start with the first letter of the alphabet and go to Amazon.com.
A gift card from Amazon is about as close to cash as you can get, because you can by pretty much buy anything with it.
Choose the E-card, which is free. Select a design, a dollar amount, the recipients info and when you want it sent, and you're done.

Justgive.org offers gift certificates. You buy the certificate online. The person who receives the gift will be able to select from over a million local and national non-profit charity organizations. This is a cool way to give and feel good about doing it.

For the music lover I-tunes has a gift certificate you can printout and deliver yourself, or you can send it via email.
For the movie lover Netflix offers 6 months and 1year subscriptions, so every time your loved one watches a complete waste of 2 hours movie, they'll think of you.

Here's another gift that just keeps on giving. Club-offers.com has over 150 gift of the month clubs. You can choose from cheese, flowers, wine, fruit, chocolate, pizza, even steak.

And, if all else fails..... There's nothing like receiving called cold hard cash.
Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas.....

New Market, AL - They walked the short distance from the Letson home to the spot where 7-year-old Taylor Letson's life was taken. Dozens gathered for a candlelight vigil to remember the young girl, full of spunk and personality.

"All I could see was her out there in her Carhart jacket and her Justin boots stomping around in that mud with us,” says Taylor’s aunt, Deanna Letson. “She would have been having a ball. She was playing while we were crying. That's Taylor.”

With tears flowing on nearly every cheek, friends offered prayers on the family's behalf. With a gentle tone, voices blended with the comforting words of Amazing Grace. "Words can't express how grateful we are to everybody for everything they've done," says Taylor's aunt, Sherye Letson. "We really appreciate it"

Emotions were high on this somber occasion and though she feels the pain of loss, Taylor's aunt, Deanna says she was holding on to a sense of comfort while the candles burned. "This isn't real and I want her back," she says. "But, then it was just appreciation and gladness knowing that she's with Jesus."

Madison County, AL - The race for Commission Chairman is shaping up in Madison County as another candidate throws his hat in the ring. Long-time politician, Wayne Parker says he will join Dale Strong as a candidate to lead the County.

While Strong points out his experience and leadership as his best qualities, Parker says his goal is to continue the successes of chairman Mike Gillespie. Both candidates say they look forward to the race.

“I think it's good for the folks of the county to be able to have a choice,” says Parker. “After 50 years of two chairmen, I think that's good.”

“I'm excited about Wayne Parker getting in the race. I think the big thing we're gonna do, is we're giving people an option,” adds Strong.

Strong and Parker are both seeking the Republican nomination in the March 13th primary.

LEBANON, Mo. (AP) - Wal-Mart is pulling a batch of powdered infant formula from more than 3,000 of its stores nationwide. The retailer says it's taking the step after a newborn Missouri boy who was fed the formula died from what preliminary tests indicate was a rare bacterial infection.

The government hasn't ordered a recall of the cans of Enfamil Newborn powder.

The manufacturer says its records showed the lot tested negative for the bacterium before it was shipped.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

FLORENCE, Ala.  -- University of North Alabama Head Football Coach Terry Bowden has resigned his position with the Lions after three seasons at the school to become the head football coach at the University of Akron.

“Today I have accepted the position as the Head Football Coach at the University of Akron," Bowden said. "I am very excited about this new opportunity, and at the same time saddened by the fact that I’m going to be leaving so many wonderful people in the Shoals community. I am so grateful to Mark Linder, Dr. William Cale and the Board of Trustees at UNA for giving me the opportunity to re-enter the coaching profession."

Bowden returned to college coaching at UNA in 2009 after a 10-year absence from the sidelines. He led the Lions to a combined 29-9 record that included one Gulf South Conference championship and three consecutive NCAA playoff appearances. His 2009 squad went 11-2, won the GSC championship and reached the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs. In 2010 the Lions were 9-4 and reached the second round of the playoffs, followed by a 9-3 record in 2011 that included another trip to the second round of the playoffs. The Lions were ranked 14th in the final NCAA Division II poll this season, marking the seventh consecutive year that the Lions finished in the division's final Top 25.

"I want to thank my coaching staff and all of the support personnel for all they’ve done to help us have three great seasons," Bowden added. "Thank you also to the UNA alumni, faculty, students and fans who supported our program with such great enthusiasm. But most of all, I want to say thank you to all of the wonderful players – the great guys who played for me at UNA and made us all proud to say we were UNA Lions. I know that UNA Football will continue to go on to bigger and better things, and I will always feel like I am a part of the UNA family.”

"We wish Coach Bowden well and appreciate the job that he did here at UNA in maintaining a high level of success," said Linder. "We have our process in place and will move as quickly as possible to find our next head football coach," Linder said. "The position will be posted on the UNA Human Resources website and will be open until a quality applicant is selected."

Bowden addressed his supporters in a YouTube video that you can watch here.

All this has transpired since Bowden signed a one-year extension with UNA three weeks ago.

UNA Media Relations Contributed To This Report

by Greg Privett

PRICEVILLE, Ala. - You can count on a pupil population explosion at Priceville High. So, Morgan County's school super is understandably excited. "It's a great gift at Christmas," Bill Hopkins, Jr. told WAAY 31 FirstNews.

Hopkins is feeling the Christmas spirit because the town of Priceville just gave 36 acres to the school board. The land in between North Park and the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge.

But, there's a catch. The school district must build a new high school.

Priceville is the county's boom town. "With that and the subdivisions about to be built in the area," Hopkins said, "We know we're fixing to have a huge problem because it is at capacity. And it's only going to get worse."

Right now, Priceville High is full with 450 students. Expect that number to soon soar to 600.

"We're growing and we just need a better building," Priceville parent Stephanie Collier told us.

Her husband Jerry agreed. "I think it's a long time in coming," he said. "I hope they get it. I'm tickled to death myself."

The high school is crowded. "Kids, they push each other in the hall," Stephanie said. "There's not enough room."

If Priceville High gets a new campus, Junior High students could move into the existing high school building.

Securing the land is a big first step. Still, there are lots of details to work out.

Superintendent Hopkins is simply proud he's getting support from the town of Priceville.

"It shows you what the city council and their leadership feels about education in Morgan County."

Huntsville, AL-A Huntsville organization is helping some senior citizens have a merry christmas.

Seventy Eight year old Emoleen Polk is ready for the holidays. Thanks to Home Instead Senior Care, seniors like her will have a merry christmas. "I don't have much of a Christmas with my family and everything and it's really nice to be able to have Christmas" Polk said.

The program is called "Be A Santa to a Senior". Home Instead has put christmas trees in Kroger stores in Huntsville and Madison. Shoppers go to Kroger and pick an ornament on the tree then they purchase the items on that senior's wish list. Organizer Julie Smith says its a good feeling getting seniors will be adopted.
"Oh it means so much, when you look at the wish list that are on our trees, you see that all they want is socks or wash cloths or maybe soap" Smith said. "This really makes a difference in their lives, they really just want the basics items and it means a lot to them".

Smith says this is her fifth year being involved in the program. She says she gets a kick out of helping people have a brighter christmas whether its clothing or a blanket, it doesn't matter as long as it puts a smile on someone's face.

Fort Payne, AL-Federal agents have arrested dozens of Hispanic illegal immigrants in Dekalb County. Officials have been targeting several towns and rounding up people to deport them.

More than forty illegal immigrants have been taken into custody. Federal agents from Immigration Customs Enforcement known as ICE have been rounding up illegals at
mobile home parks. Some residents who live close to where the raids were conducted had mixed feelings about what the federal authorities are doing. Jean Nelson is the manager at Dallas Place restaurant in Crossville. "They have been here so long and they have families and when they get deported their families get left behind" Nelson said. "And I have problems with that and I feel bad for them".

Officials from the Southern Poverty Law Center are calling the raids a violation of civil rights. Mary Bauer is the centers legal director and she is investigating to make sure
authorities used proper procedures. "They stopped Latinos asked them about their status and went into their homes without permission and in general really terrified a community that has already been terrorized by this law" Bauer said.

The ICE raids were conducted in Fort Payne and in Collinsville.

Huntsville, AL-

Santa Clause has been listening to the Christmas wishes of children for decades.

This year alone he has seen thousands of children in Huntsville.

How can he possibly remember every child's Christmas wish?

"Once they tell me, the elves know and they help me keep up with it," Santa said.

Thank goodness the secretive little elves are there to help remember everything! But Mrs. Clause doesn't let the elves do all the work

"Mrs. Clause is in charge of dolls. Every night when I go home the first thing she will ask me is; ‘how many little girls wanted dolls,’” said Santa.

Mrs. Clause also works hard to keep Santa feeling great all Christmas season.

She makes sure he takes his vitamins and drinks lots of hot coco. But Santa has another trick for staying healthy.

"Truthfully, I believe it is because I wear gloves. I wear a pair every night, then I go home, wash them and wear another pair the next night.”

It's a common misconception that Santa Claus’s favorite toothpaste flavor is peppermint.

Santa says his favorite flavor is actually orange flavored.

"I'm kind of partial to it. After Christmas we've eaten so much peppermint throughout the year, we like a change."

And his favorite food… you guessed it! He loves the cookies you leave out for him, but he does enjoy when a house mixes it up a bit.

"I'm looking for a child that says their favorite cookie is something besides chocolate chip. But I get a lot of chocolate chip cookies, a lot of milk and a lot of coco,” Santa said.

After Christmas, Santa says he usually likes to unwind on a vacation in Hawaii!

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Two Republican legislators are proposing the state sell up to $100 million in bonds to buy electronic tablets or similar devices for Alabama students in grades nine through 12.

Sen. Gerald Dial of Lineville and Rep. Jim McClendon of Springville said that would allow the students to get digital textbooks, which are cheaper than printed textbooks. Dial said the
savings on textbooks should be sufficient to pay off the bonds.

The two legislators said the pen-enabled tablets will hold all the textbooks a student needs. The tablets could also be used by the students to do their homework and to take tests, which will reduce the amount that schools spend on paper.

WAAY 31 FirstNews has learned that a 7 year old girl hit by a car Wednesday evening has passed away.

According to HEMSI Chief Operations Officer, Don Webster, the girl died at Huntsville Hospital.

Investigators say the accident on Narrow Lane in New Market happened around 5:00 Wednesday evening.

Alabama State Troopers are handling the investigation.

Nearly nine months after their home was destroyed by a tornado...and exactly one year after they lost their oldest son to Cerebral Palsy...Kevin and Tiffany Moss received a special gift Wednesday.

Members of the Huntsville Rotary Club came knocking on their door to tell them that they will spend about $30,000 to help the family furnish their Harvest home. 
 
"Anybody can have a house, but not everybody can have a home. And with the help of you and so many others, you've been able to help give that to us. So, thank you so much and Merry Christmas to all of you," said Tiffany Moss.

Wednesday marked the one year anniversary of the day she had to say good-bye to her oldest son, Chase. He was just 14 years old when he died. His younger brother, Andrew, wears an angel pin in memory of him.

Andrew said seeing his mom light up when hearing the good news was certainly a blessing. "I thought that people just loved us and stuff," he said.

Turns out, Tiffany's husband, Kevin, was in on the surprise. And, he said, it was hard keeping it a secret. "It's all worth it to see her on this date," he said.

So now, for the Moss family, December 21st is a day of new meaning. 

"To be able to give my kids the stability of a home is more than I could ever ask anybody for," said Tiffany Moss. "It's amazing to know good people are still out there. So, I feel blessed and very fortunate for my family."

Huntsville, AL - Needy children in the Valley need your help to ensure a Merry Christmas. The Downtown Rescue Mission is preparing for a big Christmas Celebration on Friday Morning.

More than 250 kids are expected at the event where volunteers will help serve pizza and cupcakes. But, organizers say they are running short on gifts. “We are still in need of more toys. We're always in need of more toys. Specifically, this year, we have a need for ages 0-2 and 9-12,” says Lisa Young of the Downtown Rescue Mission.

If you would like to help these kids, you can find more information at the Downtown Rescue Mission’s website at downtownrescuemission.org

The mission is located at 1400 Evangel Drive in Huntsville.

Huntsville, AL-

Gene Pospicil is a CFP (certified financial planner) at Financial Strategies Group in Huntsville.

He is looking forward to taking his grandchildren Christmas shopping.

"One of them hates to go to the mall. So what we are going to do is sit down, make our list, and go! We are only spending 30 minutes. That’s it. We're done," Pospicil laughed.

Unfortunately, not all of us have the luxury of shopping with a certified financial planner that can hold our hands through last minute shopping panic.

But Pospicil says it's easy to stick to a budget as long as you plan ahead.

"Do your impulsive stuff while you are sitting at home (making a list). Then the shopping part is where you go out and do what you said you were going to do," said Pospicil.

After you set your budget remember to take advantage of sales and coupons, resist the urge to buy more gifts then the ones you've planned to buy, pay with cash when you can and consider alternative gift giving options.

"One of the most valuable gifts my wife has was a vase that was made by my son," Pospicil said.

Pospicil also says that when it gets down to crunch time, it's easy to run up large credit card bills.

If you have to use a credit card, figure out how much you're going to charge and how quickly you can pay it back.

“You don't want to pay $10 for something, and it ends up costing you $200 because of credit card interest,” said Pospicil.

For more money saving tips, visit SmartAboutMoney.org.

Another Wal-Mart is in the works for the west side of Florence.  The new location would be built adjacent to a historical site, and that's raising concerns for many residents in the area.

Brynn Burbank, a Florence High School student, said that preserving historical sites in her home town is very important.  That's why she, along with many others are planning on voicing their concerns about a new Wal-Mart location to the planning commission on Thursday night.

"Preservation of a historical site is important no matter how old you are or your position in the city," said Burbank.  "It's important and everyone should come to the meeting."

Wal-Mart is proposing its second retail complex to be built on the west side of Cloverdale Road, north of Cox Creek Parkway.

The land is adjacent to the historical General John Coffee Plantation and cemetery.

"There's not only one cemetery out there, there's two. It's the Coffee family cemetery and the Coffee slave cemetery.  One is marked which is the family's and the other isn't marked," said Burbank.  "If it was your family's remains, you wouldn't want them in a Wal-Mart parking lot.  You'd want their cemetery to be respected."

The new shopping center would only be about 3 miles away from the existing one, but officials said that the new Wal-Mart would reach shoppers from rural parts of the county and Tennessee. The proposed plan includes three retail outlets.

Susan Lough's house on Kensington Drive backs up to the property.  She said she's worried about the value of her home decreasing.

"I can't imagine a Wal-Mart being in my back yard.  All the traffic and the noise and the lighting," said Lough.  "Getting in and out is going to be one of the main problems, so I think they need to put up a red light at the end of the road if this goes through."

Both Lough and Burbank are planning on attending the meeting Thursday night at the city auditorium at 5 p.m.

If passed by the planning commission, the city council will have the final approval.

A milestone in the fight against AIDS and HIV; The FDA has approved human testing of the first and only preventative HIV vaccine. Researchers from the University of Western Ontario say the vaccine holds tremendous promise and has already proven to show remarkable results in preliminary tests, without any adverse side effects or safety risks. They say the vaccine has the potential to save millions of lives.

Mary Elizabeth Marr is the executive director of the Aids Action Coalition in Huntsville. It treats AIDS and HIV patients from 12 counties across northern Alabama. Marr says, "This has the potential to somebody do what we are all working towards. That is having a vaccine that will prevent HIV in its entirety."

But, a useable vaccine could be years away. Meanwhile, despite years of education and prevention awareness campaigns, HIV infections are on the rise. Marr says, "46 percent of all new infections in the country are in eight southern states and Alabama is one of them."

A new Duke University study shows nearly half of people living with HIV nationwide, live in the South. Alabama ranks in the top ten for states with the highest AIDS death rates. "I have never, never spoken to an HIV positive person who said they expected it. Everybody says I didn't think it would happen to me," explains Marr.

Marr says that feeling of exclusion is dangerous. "Bottom line is that is doesn't make any difference whether your poor, black, white. That you are male or female or even that you and a male having sex with other males or a female having sex with females. It makes no difference. If you are having sex without using protection and your partner is knowingly or unknowingly infected, you have a high probability of contracting the virus."

Marr says she's observed a taboo around the topic of HIV and AIDS, and sex in general. She says letting go of the taboo and talking honestly with your children is a vital step in ending the growing epidemic. "Its important to understand that this can happen to anyone," says Marr.


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Fort Payne, AL-Officials are seeing more black bears at a national park in Dekalb County this year. A 230 pound black bear was hit by a car at Little River Canyon National Park Monday night.

Incidents like this are rare, but it's not the first time black bears have been sited in the area. Park Ranger Larry Bean says it's not uncommon to see them since rangers use game camera's to capture pictures of the wild animals. Bean says people who visit the park shouldn't be alarmed. "Don't be afraid of bears they don't go out and hunt people" Bean said. "We've had no bear Incidents here. But bears are attracted to food so don't leave food out at your camp sites or cabins".

Officials say it's becoming more common to see black bears at Little River Canyon. This year, 50 bears have been spotted. The bears should be in hibernation now, but since the weather has been warmer some are still roaming around the park.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The state Revenue Department has changed its position on parts of Alabama's new immigration law. It now says several common transactions at county courthouses are no longer considered "business transactions" where people have to prove their legal residency.

The department sent a letter to county officials saying proof of residency isn't needed for registering and issuing decals on mobile homes, applying for homestead exemptions on property, applying for current use valuation on property, or issuing titles on motor vehicles or mobile homes.

The change comes after a federal judge blocked county officials from requiring proof of residency to get mobile home decals. An attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center says she's glad to see the department narrow its interpretation and it's another indication of the folly of the law.

by Greg Privett

DECATUR, Ala. - "A house!" Yolanda Yarbrough says excitedly as she pulls a house-shaped ornament out of her Christmas storage box.

Yolanda now has a real home for the holidays. But, the ornament is an important symbol.

"That's my house!" 8-year-old Yadaesha boasts. "My house" -- proud words for the Yarbrough family.

"To be honest with you, i wanted to shout 'Glory!'!" Yolanda explains. She's talking about how she felt a few months ago when she got the key to her Habitat house. "I kissed the floor," she tells WAAY31 FirstNews. "I kissed the floor and thanked God."

Yolanda has good reason to be thankful.

"I stayed in the coma for seven days and miraculously i came out of it." Five years after a near-deadly car crash, Yolanda has her own home.

Habitat for Humanity of Morgan County build it. Yolanda worked for it. "I made it like a job," she explains. "I was on the site when i was needed -- at all times -- early and I stayed late."

She also pays for her house. "Exactly, on time," she tells WAAY31. "Like everybody else."

The family's Christmas tree is up. The family table is set for a warm holiday meal. But, Yolanda says her biggest blessing this Christmas is a home for the holidays.

"I can say I have my own," she says. "I can say i have something that I can give to my children. That's a blessing to me."

"I feel happy," Yadaesha says with a smile. She's waiting for Santa's first visit to her family's new home.

But, she already has a gift. "I have a wonderful Christmas," Yadaesha says. "My wishes came true. And I love my family."

Home for the holidays is a home from now on. "My first Christmas is going to be beautiful," Yolanda says. "My kids love it. I love it."