A Little Bit of Germ-Killing (hopefully)....

Several months ago, I volunteered for a little "job" at our church. The "job" entails cleaning the nursery toys every other week (my friend, Cheri, does it on the opposite weeks). I volunteered for this "job" for several reasons:

1) MANY kids (aged birth to 3) utilize our church's nursery each week. It's nice to know that the toys are cleaned to hopefully ensure less colds, flu, etc.

2) We have utilized that nursery quite a bit for Luke. Luke does well in there, and we're very thankful for all that Debby puts into it (she's the nursery director). By me cleaning toys, it's a way I can "serve" in the area and help Debby out. She does so much already.

3) Since I am home full-time, I have the time to do this "job."

4) Luke can go with me for this "job," and the "job" can be done when convenient for us.

Anyways, this morning (Tuesday), Luke and I went to the church to clean the toys.

Luke does like being in there when I'm cleaning....He gets full reign of the toys in the four basic rooms which comprise the nursery. Usually, Luke does a good job with just getting a few things out to play with at one time. He LOVES to push around the little "sweepers" and the strollers. Luke does EXCELLENT at staying in the nursery area rather than roam the halls of the church, forcing me to chase him down. (I'm hoping it stays that way).

It's funny because just last night, Marc was asking me how long it took me to complete the tasks at hand. I said, "It doesn't take that long; however, it does depend on how much I have to 'clean up' after Luke."

Today was one of those "clean up after Luke" days....

First, here's the innocent look on Luke after I go in to check on him and discover him pulling out all of the blankets and sheets from underneath the crib....Truly, I can't help but just laugh. After all, he is cute.



That incident gets cleaned up from...Luke then heads into the "Bunnies" room (infants' room). I keep doing what I was doing.

I then walk in to check on him. I find the monitor on the floor (a definite "No-No") amongst the toys that are out.



I then clean up that mess. I then find him in the "hall" of the nursery....with the double-stroller out. Oh My!



Fortunately, that was the extent of the "disasters," and I truly wouldn't call those disasters.

Lately, it seems as if our finances have been so tight with my staying home. I won't lie on that one. But, Marc and I know that, for our family, this is the best thing.

But, I wouldn't trade moments like that today in the nursery for anything. Luke makes me laugh...He's quite cute. And, I know that, ultimately, we are doing the right thing for our family.

After leaving church this morning, the most wonderful thing happened in only God's perfect timing.

Luke and I, after leaving the church, went to Dillon's to grocery shop for the week. Upon entering the store, as Luke was getting into the cart, a woman approached me and said, "Hello."

Upon first glance, I couldn't place her, and then, my mind quickly started working :) She is a woman who goes to the church where Marc went growing up. She's a nurse, and she's cared for Marc's mom a time or two in the hospital.

She asked about how old Luke was, and then she asked about Marc's job. She then asked me, "Are you staying home now with him?" I replied, "Yes," and she said, "Good for you. I'm sure it's hard, but it's very worth it. Luke needs you at home. You guys have made the right decision."

That was the absolute best thing she could've said to me right now....I needed that reassurance from an "older" and "more experienced" mom.

Perhaps I should take my own advice and use my worry box on this one!

And for those of you who are my "friend" on Facebook, this is the exact situation I was referring to in my "Status Update" this morning.

This smile is SOOOOOO worth it.