Babysitting

A few years ago I was sick of babysitting. I was tired of coming home exhausted running around after screaming children. I collapsed (somewhat dramatically) on the couch the second I walked in the door. I proceeded to tell my mom that I never wanted kids of my own because it would be too much work. She laughed at me, knowing how much I love children and want to one day be a mother to two little girls and two little boys. Then she told me that by babysitting, I was often learning things that would help me when I became a mother. I was developing patience with children, and most of all, I was learning to enjoy those precious moments with the kids that only last for so long. When I become a mother, I want to cherish:

Those minutes when all they want to do is sit on your lap and cuddle

Their tiny, adorable shrieks of happiness

The times when they are sound asleep and I have a few moments of peace and quiet

The days when they just want me to dance with them and spin them in circles over and over again

The times when we'll play peekaboo until my voice starts going hoarse

Jumping up and down on the bed until we break it

Feeding them their favorite snacks (while they let me)

Spending hours at the park

And so,so much more.

Take some time and play with children. They teach you to enjoy the little things in life. They teach you about true love, and they teach you how to believe. In what? I don't know. I think it's different for everyone. Jack and Ava are teaching me to believe in so much.

While I'm talking about children, I want you all to pray for one special little girl.

Some of you know her, but to those of you who don't, this is my little neighbor girl, Layla. She is 5 months old, and earlier this week they found out that she has a lump in her chest, that obviously should not be there. She's gone in for xrays and ultrasounds, and is being taken to Children's Memorial Hospital to have a biopsy done. Please keep her and her family in your prayers these next couple of days as they find out what is going on with her.