Marsiana Peter and her husband, Rosento Roman, dreamed of a better life for themselves and their four children.

Peter and the children moved from Chuuk, Micronesia, while Roman stayed behind working at his job for an airline so he could financially support his family.

His wife came to Honolulu to set up a home and get the kids — ages 3, 4, 6 and 8 — settled. But a lack of reliable childcare and an unspecified health condition that developed with Peter left the family scrambling.

Peter was unable to work so she had to leave her job. Her employer liked her work ethic so much that he held the position open for her until her health improved.

Roman decided that it was best for his family for him to leave his airline job and come and help Peter with the kids until she got better. Now, he is having trouble finding employment for himself, and his wife, whose health has since improved, is working again.

She gets up every morning at 3 a.m. and rides a bicycle to the bus stop and catches several buses to get to work in Manoa on time from her transitional housing in the Kalaeloa/Kapolei area. Every day, Roman looks for work at times when his wife is home so they don't have to rely upon childcare.

"Christmas Day is on the day Jesus was born, so all we people from the Earth will be happy," Peter said. "I want my children to be happy on Christmas Day."

If adopted, Peter hopes for shoes for her children, herself and her husband. A gift card to Ross would go a long way to clothe the family, Peter said.