A Baby-Sitter's Dream

A few weeks ago, Courtney and Katie asked if I had a free Saturday to spend with their families as a sort of good-bye before I made the move to Birmingham in August. If you've been reading this blog for any period of time, you know by now that I absolutely ADORE these families. God really blessed me beyond measure when He placed them into my life. There was no question that I would be finding a Saturday to enjoy some quality time with their families.

Yesterday was the big day. Due to the intense heat, we decided to spend it at the pool. I was super excited to see the moms and dads and of course all of their precious little girls. I pulled up and Courtney met me at my car with a little scarf to tie around my eyes. As she tied, she explained that Ella and Emma Kate had prepared a little something for me and they wanted me to be blindfolded. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes already. The two little girls that I met before they were even a year old...barely doing much more than sitting up and clapping their hands...had prepared something for me.

We made our way to the pool house and Courtney told me to take off the blindfold. I did, and what I saw brought me to tears. Literally. Moms, Dads and children from four of the Atlanta families that I have been so blessed to know were there. In all there were 9 children...8 girls and 1 lucky boy named Will. Thank goodness Gabrielle ran up to give me a hug. Had she not, I probably would have stayed right there in the doorway and cried for a solid 5 minutes.



The whole pool day would have been enough, but in true "above and beyond" fashion, they showered me with flowers and gifts as well. My favorite of all was the scrapbook that they made me. Pages from each family with pictures and some of the sweetest words ever. Words like "you've made our marriage stronger"..."we're thankful for the Godly example you set"..."we pray that our daughters grow up to be just like you"..."our children always have so many fun stories to share about their time with you." Are you kidding me? I don't measure up to any of that! But...I'm going to be reading that little book every day!

As I was reading through the scrapbook this morning...because you know my emotions were too messed up to be reading that thing yesterday...I found myself thiking...you just don't know. You may think I'm helping you and your family but that is only the half of it. I LOVE baby-sitting. I LOVE the kids. I LOVE the hugs. But, by giving me the chance to take care of your children, you are equipping me with all kinds of skills that I hope to be able use with my own children one day. As if that wasn't enough, the example you set and the advice you have given me about marriage and family and life is enough for me to be able to write a book and make a lot of money. So don't kid yourselves...I am the one that has been blessed these past two years!

OK...back to the fun that was the pool party. Out of the 9 children, 6 of them can talk. I probably heard Miss Lindsey 600 times yesterday and I LOVED it! There is just something about hearing a little boy or girl say "Watch me, Miss Lindsey"..."Catch me, Miss Lindsey"...and my personal favorite, "I love you, Miss Lindsey." We swam, jumped, ate, giggled, splashed, and played games for 4 hours. I was in heaven. The love I felt was overwhelming. I just can't comprehend it all.

Yesterday was a day that I will NEVER forget. A day filled with laughter and smiles and surrounded by some of the people that I love the most. It's true that I will be moving in 6 weeks, but the faces that make up the DeFeo, Douglas, Marshall and Moraitakis families will not be forgotten. The children that make up these families are truly a dream. They are full of spunk and love. Pretty much any time that I am taking care of any of these children I think to myself...how am I so blessed to be able to do this? These kids are great and their parents are incredible too. I'm beyond thankful for the chance to do life with these wonderful, Godly families.


I don't know who will have the pleasure of being the new baby-sitter for all of these families when I leave, but I do know whoever they are, they will be abundantly blessed. They will feel like they are one of the family. And...if you are one of the families in Birmingham that I'm going to be baby-sitting for...get ready. You have a lot to live up to!