This makes me happy

Anyone who reads this blog regularly (yes, I'm talking to the three of you) know that Dave and I don't get out much, but would like to, but my hunt for a babysitter has been an epic fail. To be fair, Dave's parents are always willing to watch the boys, but they're not too close and nights are hard. So for, oh, three years I've been looking for a babysitter/nanny. It's become a joke in the neighborhood because there are a couple of babysitters that everyone uses and swears by. I met them. I didn't like either. And the true test is Jake, who also didn't like either. So I gave up for a while until this dinner pops up for Dave's mom that we really need to go to and really had no one to watch the kids. So I figured I'd start the hunt again and signed up for one of those caregiver sites. CRAZY. In one day I had over 100 responses to my post for "hi, looking for a babysitter for my two boys." (I have to take the post down, but I think I'm well over 200 responses.) It was insane! And people say the weirdest things! But like 10 women/girls sounded normal, so I met with them, and didn't like any of them (including the one who is now habitually texting me asking why I didn't like her). So I thought the site was just a waste of time, but then when I was scanning some responses just to kill time and one popped out. Jessica. (Cue "hallelujah" music.) In a sea of "please hire me I will die for your children and I will die if you don't hire me!!" responses, was this nice, normal "I really enjoy working with kids" response. We met her, Jake did not hide, and I liked her (!!!). Dave and I WENT. OUT. We did! We left the house. Twice now!! Anyway, I know she's as great as I think because Jake reports that Jessica: does things better than I do, NEVER yells or gets 'grumpy' with him, and can make Will stop crying better than I can. And he cried when he woke up Thursday morning because "Why is Jessica not in my bed?!?" But then it's little things like this.. I noticed this in the backyard. Pictures that she must have drawn with the boys. It made me smile so much. See, that's all I wanted, someone to play with my kids, and adore them as much as I do.