Thankful On Paper - Marin

 Today I am participating in Rachel's Thankful on Paper series. 

Today I am thankful for Marin.  She's that cute girl up above with the funky cat eye glasses.

I am exhausted, as I usually am on Thursday's, and so that makes me even more grateful and thankful for Marin because tomorrow is Friday. 

And what happens on Fridays? 

Marin comes and she takes care of my 2 children.  She will play with them nonstop.  She will feed them (she's not the best cook, as she'll admit, but she can make the important stuff like a PB&J).  She will read to them, craft with them, take pictures of them.  She will focus on them.  And she will will love them with all her heart.  And in return they love her.  

And you want to know where I found Marin?

At Target. 

See, you can find anything and everything at Target, even babysitters.

Over 3 years ago I was going through the check out line with Taylor, who was just a littler over 2 at the time.  Our cashier started talking to her, asking her questions about the Princess stickers we were buying.  She actually got Taylor to respond and speak.  I was in shock.  I don't know what came over me but I asked her if she ever babysat.  She said "No, but I'd love to".  Taylor was like I said, 2, and Syd was about 6 months old.  I needed someone to come to the house for 4 hours a week while I worked from home at my part time job.  I gave her my phone number and told her to call me.

My mom was with me and she just about died of horror witnessing this.  As we walked out she said "I can't believe you're soliciting Target employees to babysit my grandchildren."  I couldn't explain it, but I just had a good feeling about her.  I went with my gut and I haven't regretted it once.

I quickly taught Marin everything she needed to know about caring for two young children, including changing diapers.  She learned plenty from on the job training.  Within 9 months, she has secured herself at least 5 other regular babysitting jobs, which were coincidentally for all of my friends.  She had enough work to actually quit Target and be a sitter full time, as she goes to college.  After a while I had to have her stop coming to family functions and birthday parties because just about every mom in town was trying to hijack my sitter.  I joke with her that I should get a commission for each new family friend she picks up.

So Marin, thank you for being you.  Thank you for loving my kids, caring for them, sparking that sense of creativity and fun in them.  And thank you for being you, crazy pink hair and all.  Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that.  Marin now has pink hair.  And she is in the Roller Derby.  Hey, babysitters come in all shapes, sizes, and colors right?