Crystal Reyes' 9-year-old daughter is making her list for Santa and checking it twice.

But after the $1,200 a month rent for their 3-bedroom Makaha home, utilities, car payment and car insurance, there's maybe $300 a month left for food and any extras. When milk is $5 a gallon, the family of five is having a hard time making ends meet, Reyes said.

"I'm a little worried about this Christmas," said Reyes, 30. "I know they'll get something, but things are so expensive this year. I want to try and give them whatever I can."

Her boyfriend works at Pearl Harbor and is the sole breadwinner for Reyes and her three children, ages 9, 3 and 2. She stays at home with the two younger children and plans to go to work once her children all are school age.

"Honestly, what my daughter wants, I can't afford," Reyes said. "She wants an iPod. I tried to get one on sale on the Friday after Thanksgiving, but they were all sold out. If she got one, it would make her Christmas, big time."

The family has a Christmas tree up and some homemade decorations around the house, Reyes said. Her mother gave her the tree.

"Some months it is very hard, especially during the holiday season. I believe that good things will come to hard-working people," Reyes said. "My children will appreciate whatever is given to them for Christmas."

If someone decides to adopt the family, they hope they could get a Christmas meal to make it special. A 10-cup rice cooker also is on their wish list, and a gift card to a store where they can get some toys and clothes to put under the tree for their three children.