Friday, September 5, 2008

What Was I Thinking?

Right now a five month old's forehead is leaning on my right wrist, he's giving me a hickey on that same wrist and his left hand is trying to help me type. At five months he weighs more than my two year old and is almost as tall as my kid at one year old. What was I thinking?

I'm just trying to keep the kid from making everyone in my apartment building go deaf.

A couple of weeks ago I took up a babysitting job. The mother has three boys, ages 5, 3, and5 months (almost 6). Now that school started, I don't really watch the 5 year old anymore. The 3 year old and the baby either come to my apartment or I go to their house with my three kids.

Now why would I do such a thing to myself, you may ask? Why would I voluntarily surround myself with more children when I already don't have enough time in the day to do all the "things" I "need" to do. Like blog? Or cook? Or write? Holy cow. When was the last time I wrote something. . . . Well, I did do research two nights ago at the library. But that doesn't count. I went there with the intention of writing and when I got there I realized I'd forgotten my thumb drive. No way was I going back home for it. Then I'd never get out. Anyway, I don't have time to do anything, remember? So why would I volunteer for this? It pays.

In Logan, if you babysat it was because you knew the person and their kids, you were friends and you were expected to just be nice. Plus, it was likely that in a matter of weeks the situation would be reversed and you would be the one that needed a babysitter everyday for a few months. I babysat kids for free all the time in Logan and other people watched mine for free all the time (thank you Sarah, Sarah, Amber, Jess, Brooke, Tracey, girl that moved in across from me whose name I can't remember and her mom, etc. etc.).

Here in Cleveland, you get paid! That's right baby! Money coming my way! Now of course I'm still willing to babysit for free. I'm nice after all. (Because being willing to babysit for free makes you nice, it's the only requirement.) But hey, if they're gonna offer, and you're gonna watch their kids two or three times a week for lotsa hours at a time, I'm not about to say, "Oh no. Don't worry about it. I just love kids and yours are so easy!"

Now what am I going to do with my new-found riches you may be wondering? Save. Yep. I'm being an "adult" and making an Amboy account with it. But then guess what I'm doing with it!!! I'm going to pay my way to Utah for the next LDSStorymakers Conference. I've been to them all since I first discovered the Storymakers in 2005. I was really bummed that I wouldn't be able to go anymore with us being so far away, but when I was offered this babysitting job it was like fireworks were lit up in my head. I could have done cartwheels in my living room, I was so excited.

So half my earnings are going in the account for the trip and the other half are going to bills and such. I'm not sure how long it will take to earn enough, but I'm excited that Nathan has agreed to my plan. Of course, I have to take the kids with me. Nathan will be getting ready for his finals right during the conference. So this means I have to earn enough for not just one plane ticket and the conference admission, but three airplane tickets and conference admission. Luckily, I think my in-laws might be willing to take the kids during the conference (right guys? you know you miss them and want some real quality time with them).

So here I am with five kids in my apartment all under the age of four. Pray for me.

9 comments:

Leanne said...

Oh Kellie...I'm so glad I'm not it your shoes! I hope you don't go crazy, and let me see you when you come!!! I babysat a girl that was Reubens same age at the time they were both 3 I nearly killed myself...good luck!!

also known as shell said...

you are so my kind of girl

I love Carcosonne too and hate to cook but love to eat

twinners :)

also known as shell said...

uh and another twinner fact about the two of us...

I watched kids for 4 years while I lived in a condo.

7 kids total. One was my own.

So I'll totally be praying for you :)

Anonymous said...

Wooo hoooo! you are definitely in my prayers!!!

Amber Omer said...

You are a brave & amazing woman! I look up to you so much! We miss you guys like mad!
Dave and I keep bringing up the idea of me working from home some way or another (or bringing in some $$ cha-ching with my own abilities) but it never happens. Someday maybe. But with a fun goal like yours, I bet that helps motivate! The conference sounds like fun! We want to plan a time to come out and play and visit...i'll email! :)

Tracey said...

Wow Kell, that sounds pretty intense, you are one brave soul...I will definitely pray for you! I sure hope you can save enough to come out, it would be a fun little getaway for you. Sounds like you have already had some pretty crazy times there in Cleveland! We miss having you guys across the way...some pretty interesting people moved in...we don't see them much.

Tracey said...

by the way...NO...UNFORTUNATELY we are not getting a house. We are still trying to find a job and get out of here. Not that we don't love Logan...we're just ready to move on! We're not having much luck in the job department though, so it may be awhile. Pray for us, and we'll pray for you...deal?

The Powell-Mirci Family! said...

I'm so glad it's working for you! When bed time comes I bet your mouth just waters! You and your husband are so cute together (kids too!) How long have you been married? You seem to be involved with a lot of stuff. Good for you for keeping it diverse. Maybe that's what might keep me sane!
TTYL!

Kellie said...

thanks for the prayers, all! Diane, we've been married 6 yrs. We have too many interests to narrows our hobbies. sometimes that's good, sometimes it's not.