Babysitting Odyssey

{baby07} Altizer FamilyThe opportunity arose for my cousin Karen and her husband John to tour Israel and I was honored to be asked to baby-sit their four boys at their home in NC. Realizing that I needed help, I asked my friend Emma Isitt from Oregon to come with me because of her zeal for working with children and like-minded desire to encourage them in righteousness.

We were blessed with safety on the drive down and were warmly welcomed when we arrived. The days that followed were filled with wonder, excitement and discovery! It truly was a joy because of the Godly training the children have received in displaying good manners and playing together kindly.

{baby07} Biking OutsideThe time passed quickly reading stories, flying kites and playing invisible baseball with our big helper Josh (6), giving horsey and piggy back rides to Caleb (4), and holding the sweet twins Jonathon and David (2) who loved “helping out” and playing peek-a-boo.

It was amazing to see all the character qualities the boys demonstrated. They greeted us with enthusiastic good mornings when we finally let them get up. Josh was diligent in his school work. Caleb patiently waited for meal time and contentedly played by himself. They all exercised responsibility in cleaning up their toys.

{baby07} Getting ready for bed{baby07} Caleb in the swing{baby07} The twins Jonathan and David

One evening we were having a marvelous time playing Bible charades. It was all very exciting from Goliath crashing to the floor off of his step stool to rocking back and forth in an armchair on the stormy Sea of Galilee. To everyone’s great disappointment, bedtime came which meant clean up time. So to break the monotony of normal bedtime routine, we announced “Grand Inspection”. If their rooms passed inspection they would get a “Grand Surprise”. The anticipation mounted as everyone enthusiastically put away their toys. With imaginary magnifying glasses in hand Emma and I inspected every nook and cranny. When they passed with flying colors, we gathered in the kitchen to announce the “Grand Surprise” (drum roll please) ICE CREAM!!! (Cheers and wild clapping!) What fun!

{baby07} Enjoying a peanut butter and jelly snadwichThis was just one of many enjoyable moments during our learning experience together. Investing in children is so much fun and also a chance to be a Godly example in the small areas of life.

{baby07} Emma with the boys{baby07} Everybody!{baby07} Dressed up for church

11 Comments

  1. James January 19, 2007 at 1:00 pm #

    Sounds like you had a blast with all those little boys! Good pictures; gives a great feeling for what it was really like 🙂

  2. Jenny Wilkes January 19, 2007 at 2:08 pm #

    What a good report! I’m glad it went so well. What a joyful looking bunch of boys. After reading your post I could not figure out who had more fun, those little guys or you and Emma:o) It was good to hear your voice the other day even though it was only for a few minutes. Have a blessed day!

  3. Robert January 19, 2007 at 10:08 pm #

    Esther! I’m so glad you were able to fill all of us in on your adventures! Excellent post and very entertaining … good stories and great pictures!

    Those boys are sure getting big fast. I’m glad to hear of the good character qualities they are demonstrating. I know you and Emma were a big encouragement!

  4. Joshua January 20, 2007 at 8:51 am #

    Wow – Sounds like there was some ‘life focus’ training going on for these fine young men! Great report and wonderful pictures! Glad to hear of another successful Staddon ministry venture.

  5. Daniel January 20, 2007 at 9:05 am #

    Those twins look soo cute! I’m glad (or at least I hope) you were able to tell them apart-they look so similar. (I guess that’s why they call them twins, huh) 🙂

  6. Ana Marie January 20, 2007 at 9:13 am #

    I enjoyed reading about your babysitting adventure, Esther! Your service was certainly a blessing. What a joy to be with well-mannered children!

  7. Esther January 20, 2007 at 10:16 am #

    Thanks everyone for your landslide of comments! It WAS a blast and I thank the Lord that it all went so smoothly. I know the boys had fun but they couldn’t possibly have had more fun than Emma and I. Yes, Robert, they are growing up fast not only physically but definately also in the ‘life focus’ training that they are receiving. Like Daniel said, the twins are not growing out of their cuteness! Yes, I often had to look twice before I called them by name. I’m looking forward to the next time.

  8. Grandma "Vickie" or "Mickie" February 9, 2007 at 11:47 am #

    Esther & Emma…
    Thank You! Thank You! for taking such good care of my grandchildren while Karen and John were gone.
    They are such good kids, but they are kids and do have there moments from time to time. Glad you’ve had the experience with dealing with “boys” and I know that they were in good hands…yours & Gods.

    This is not my personal email but my friend will pass along anything you send for me.
    God Bless You
    Love
    Aunt Vickie

  9. Esther February 10, 2007 at 1:50 pm #

    Thanks for the comment Aunt Vickie! Those phone calls you gave us during our time with your grandsons were very nice. The whole time I felt like I was in God’s good hands too. The way He delayed winter until we got back home was such a blessing. Emma was at our house for a week afterwards and the day she left the snow hit. We have had snow on the ground ever since! Our God controls the weather!

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  1. roetroet - July 2, 2007

    roetroet…

    Thank you for your great post, i am always looking to improve my home for my familiy, and your post have given me some insperation, thank you very much …

  2. StaddonFamily.com » Blog Archive » Snow Much Fun! - December 21, 2009

    […] morning and Karen had a feast prepared for us, which energized us for an exciting snowball fight. Their boys, Joshua, Caleb, Jonathan, and David had lots of creative ideas for a snowman: upside down with two […]

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