I have TWO helpers!

Since you asked...

I have two people that help me. {And I'm not talking about my children or my husband-- although they all help me too, not necessarily the ways I always want to be helped but they do help!}. I'm talking about 2 women. They are both older than me but not "old".

One is named Annie. She babysits for me one day a week for about 4 hours. She is truly a gift and blessing to me, my children, and our family. I wish I could have her more often. She makes me a more pleasant mommy. The girls go to "school" for 6 hours every week. That's 3 hours on Tuesday and 3 hours on Thursday. While they are in school I am usually at home picking up {blogging or sewing} while the man-child is napping or fighting a nap. While I cherish those 6 hours of time I am never quite "alone" because the man-child is with me. Those of you who have been there and done that know that "alone time" is essential for a human being's sanity. Annie has afforded me alone time during the week and I'm grateful. I no longer have to take my children with me to Sam's. She's a sweet, sweet person who I consider a friend. I need to get a picture of her and John Martin because he loves her!! {and the girls do too!} Maybe next week.

The second person who helps me is named Melinda. She cleans my house twice a month, usually every other Thursday. She is a blessing to me, makes me a better mommy, and makes our house smell good and look even better. She also {inadvertently} forces me to pick up my house every other week so that she can get to the floors, toilets, beds, and counters to clean them. She first came the week before John Martin was born and has been a tremendous help ever since. I probably won't ask to take her picture... that might make her feel a little strange, can you imagine: "Excuse me, Melinda, do you mind to pose with that mop in hand while you wipe tee tee dribbles from our toilet?"

Both are worth the sacrifices I must make in order to have them. I'd rather be a happy mommy with a clean & tidy house than to buy a new pair of shoes or new outfit... or try to clean my house myself while shouting at my children "WATCH OUT FOR THAT PILE, DON'T WALK ON THE FLOORS THEY'RE WET, COULD YOU PLEASE GET OUT OF THE BED WHILE I MAKE IT?" or even worse, "Y'ALL STAY HOME, MOMMY'S GOING TO WALMART, I'LL BE BACK IN A COUPLE HOURS!"

Happy Friday, friends!