I love my job!

One of the biggest blessings in my life right now is my job. I get to work for several different families watching there kids. For the past year I have been working with kids more and more, and I don't mean kids as in five plus years but two and under. Throughout the school year I worked for a Mom's Day out program in the one year old room. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about being in that room because I didn't really get to play or talk with the kids much. How boring would that be?!? I was use to being able to play sports with the kids that I watched and carry on conversations with them. Well, it wasn't long until I realized that I got to be with the best age group. I may not have been able to talk with them or intense games with them but that wasn't for long. Throughout the year the kids became more and more independent and started learning new words. Before I knew it they were putting words together and asking me questions that actually made sense and fit into the situation! To some reading this, that might not be a big deal, but to be around a child that doesn't really make much sense because they don't know what words to use and how to put them together and then have them start making sense, it's amazing! To watch them learn and discover things and develop in different areas of life is a such a blessing to be able to take part in. I am only 20 and have no kids of my own so for me to be bale to take part in this in somebody else's child makes it all the more special. The parents were awesome in letting me watch there precious child for hours at a time a couple days a week.

About half-way through the year I started watching one of the kids before and after MDO and got to know her even more. Sweet little Mallaney. Mallaney always keeps you on your toes and is so much fun to be around. With dance parties, reading, sidewalk chalk and more, there is never a dull moment. I was just reading her mom's blog (which is all about Mallaney of course) and thinking back on all of my time with her; I wouldn't trade it for anything! I am so proud of Mallaney for so many things but most recently becoming a "big girl". She is now potty trained!!!! This is pretty big for me, I can't imagine how her parents feel. No more diapers!!! Well, for another couple of months until their next one is here.

Another little girl that I watch is such a big girl because she has been helping out with her new baby brother. Ava Grace is so sweet and can always bring a smile to my face. A couple of days ago I got to bring her to the pool for the first time. It was so much fun to watch her splash around in the baby pool and be so brave to go to the big kid pool. In fact, most of her time was in the big kid pool. She even put her face in the water! Of course, this scared me at first because I wasn't sure if it was on purpose or not, but when she pulled her head up with a huge smile on it, I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear.

Towards the end of the year is when I picked up another amazing job. Little Naomi is the youngest of the three girls I watch and is almost two. She has been so much fun to watch run around and her love for dogs always makes me laugh inside. She could see the biggest most ferocious dog and still, with a big smile and arms in the air, yell out "puppy!!!!!!". When we are walking and somebody says "hi" to her, she might ignore them. Even when she just gives the person a blank stare, when she sees their dog next to them, she lights up and yells out "puppy!! keeses!!!" (which of course means kisses).

I could go on and on about these precious kids and tell story after story about them, but I won't keep you reading too much longer. I love my job and I love these kids. They are a handful and ware me out, but I love them non-the-less! I love being a part of their lives and I am so blessed to be. Anytime they come up in my conversations, I light up and usually end up talking about them for quite some time. I can't help, they are great kids and I am so proud of them. They may be little, but they are BIG blessings from above.