A few days ago I had one of the worst days ever. Seriously, it was bad. I won't bore you with all the gory details but let's suffice it to say that by the end of the day I was on the floor, one kid in each arm, a chorus of cries. Poor Pat came home from work a few minutes later to find the baby sleeping peacefully, the toddler eating dinner but his wife still blubbering over the sink.
But I rally quickly and the next day set forth with a plan to make it all better. My main issue was lack of child care as I am working and trying to go back to work on a more full-time basis now that we are in our new city.
We scouted daycares as soon as we found this house and discovered a great one just a few minutes away. But they had a wait list and it would be May or later before both kids could be enrolled. We tried to hire a nanny in the meantime but it was a miserable mess and I quickly realized that trying to work from home, hiding from the kids while they were cared for in another part of the house had failure written all over it. So back to plan A - daycare.
I found another daycare about 10 minutes away that could take both kids immediately. I took a tour and felt like it could be a decent short-term option. On the way home, I decided to stop at our favorite daycare where we were wait listed and try to persuade them with our super adorable kids. I think Syd and Fletch were feeling the weight of this meeting as well and they dutifully turned on the charm!
Miracle #1 - Lo and behold, they called this morning - space had opened up and they are able to take Sydney week after next! But space for Fletcher probably wouldn't be available for several months. I made the tough decision to enroll the kids in separate centers - Fletcher is young enough to transition easily but we didn't want to move Sydney twice.
Miracle #2 - I received another call from our favorite daycare this afternoon that they had space for Fletcher too! I'm tellin' ya - cute kids... who can resist!
Miracle #3 - And this one was over the top. Almost too much for me to handle in one day. I have also been praying about finding some friends here. Our neighborhood seems ripe for families with young kids but the weather has been lousy, rainy and cold since we moved in keeping everyone indoors. And I still have another whole week to make it through before daycare starts, with both of the kids. All day. And night. By myself. I know people do this all the time but for the life of me don't know how. But that's a conversation for another day.
The door bell rang. Standing there in front of me was a mom and her two cute kids, bundled in their little red wagon. She introduced herself, her 3 year old boy and 16 month old girl! Our neighbors! Only two doors down! I was so stunned and overwhelmed I had to ask her name twice. And she was easy and fun to talk to.
Immediately I knew she could be a friend - and I'm quite certain she pegged me as a clinger! Sydney was playing on the steps, in the bitter cold, no coat, nose running off her face. But I didn't care. Her chicken nuggets were becoming small hockey pucks in the oven. Let them burn the house down! A FRIEND! I was giddy!
And before I knew it, desperation all over my face - I blurted out, "I hope I'm not being too forward but could we schedule a play date with our kids this weekend?" Thankfully I didn't scare her. I bet we laugh about this encounter soon.
So we have childcare. For both kids. And new friends for all! A very good day indeed!
In all seriousness, it was a good reminder of God's goodness and faithfulness. It is my own faith-less-ness that sometimes gets in the way. He is good and I am so thankful and humble to be one of His!
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