"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."-Matthew 6:34
That is exactly what I tried not to do when it came to finding someone or some place to keep Trace. Back in May when I started looking for childcare, many of the places I looked for had 8 months to 2 year waiting lists and they were pretty expensive as well. I was wondering what in the world I was going to do. I would visit places and tell them when I was due and they would look at me like I was crazy because they said I had waited so late. I prayed and prayed that we would find somewhere for Trace to stay but never was too worried about it. Friends of mine would ask me where Trace was going to stay and I would tell them I had no idea. They would be freaking out for me.
I put him on two daycare waiting lists. One place couldn't take him until January and the other place he was 17th on the list.
Finally, Trace came and people continued to ask me where he was going to stay when I returned to work and I would continue to tell them I have no idea. I had somewhere for January but needed somewhere for him to stay in December. I thought maybe I can ask my Grandmother and friends to keep him for the 3 weeks I will be working in December.
Then one day Bobby came home from work and told me about a lady that he worked with who told him about her daughter's caregiver. She (Natalie) suggested we call Muriel (caregiver). Muriel kept Natalie's husband when he was a child and is now keeping their little girl. I was kind of skeptical at first because I didn't know Natalie and so I didn't really know how reliable the source was. Of course, I thought my standards could have been higher than hers for childcare. But open minded, we called Muriel. Muriel said she would be more than happy to meet with us and asked us to come while the children are in her home so we can see how she interacts. She keeps a 2 year old girl and a 1 year little boy. She had also committed to keeping newborn twins in January. Her husband wasn't sure if she should take on a 5th child (Trace). We met with her anyway in hopes she would change her mind. We loved her from the first day we met her and she said she would at least keep him in December until the daycare could take him. The daycare where Trace was on the waiting list was $150/month. Muriel charges $80/month. WOW!! Big difference!
Trace started with Muriel December 1st. He loves her and she loves him! Her and her husband just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and they both keep the children. She has been keeping children 27 years and has kept around 54 children during that time. I would say she is pretty experienced.
She is AWESOME! Everyday I pick him up she has written down his day. i.e. when he ate, bm's, laughed, smiled, talked, etc. She takes him outside everyday for around 40-45 mintutes with the other children and in the spring time will take them on walks.
After the first day with Trace she said she would hate for me to put him in a daycare and that let's play this by ear to see how well they adjust to each other. Today, I have good news because Muriel committed to keeping him FOREVER!!! I AM SO EXCITED!
God is soooo good! I knew there was nothing to worry about and that he would provide for us and put Trace in good hands. It means so much to be able to leave your child somewhere and not have a worry in the world about what he is doing and if they are taking care of him like you would. Murield and Chuck are a God send and we couldn't have asked for a better situation.
God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!
