God sent Blessings

So, I post my childcare add on Saturday, April 23, 2011.  Since this is Easter weekend, I am not expecting many contacts until the beginning or middle of the week.  Not my plan!  A fabulous gentleman and business owner called me on Monday mid morning.  He said I was what he has been looking for and he wanted to meet me and start my services that day.  WHAT!?  YES.  After doing so much cleaning in an hour which I had no idea I was capable of doing, including Raul and the cutting the forest in our backyard, we meet.  We exchange names again, hand shakes, business cards, and I give him my resume.  He has his four year old little girl with him and needs to pick up his five year old little girl.  The meeting goes great...at least that is what Raul and I thought.  Dad states he will be back a little after three o'clock with both girls and his sister will be picking up the girls a little after six pm.  I call the dad at 4 pm and leave a message; just to check on them and their safety.  Of course, I want to find out if they are coming back that day and to see whent he full-time satus will start with the girls.  No return call.  Late that night, I email dad, again to find out if they are safe and request that if has chosen to use my services or not, if he could just let me know.  No hard feelings whatsoever.  NO RESPONSE.  Once again, I was in depression mode.  Everything happens for a reason is what we kept telling ourselves.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011, I receive a call from a lady named Jennifer that has a 4 year old little boy and she needs help on the weekend.  He attends Stepping Stone School during the day.  Luckily for me, this a bonus for this mom because I used to work there.  AAAMMMEEENNN!!!!  We met that night and the girls and Matthew fell in love with each other.  Countdown to Saturday...we have begun!  Mom calls me Friday and says that there were a wierd turn of events at work and she just lost her job.  I thought she was going to say that since she lost her job, she would not need my services.  WRONG!  Total other direction.  She states since she ost her job, that she will not need SSS because she will not be able to afford it. She said that I am it!  She will use me right now for when she has picked up shifts.  Mom is contract on weekends so her shift(s) might be cancelled.  She will know at five o'clock in the morning.  She is cancelled.  That is alright, we try Sunday.  Sunday, Matthew comes over and he is ALL BOY!!!  What an awesome challenge.  (I told a friend that this might be practice for our furture!)  Talia usually like boys...more so than girls...but not today.  She did not want him to touch anyting of hers, look at her, want to watch the same show as her,...well, you get the point.  They started playing NICELY together around 6:30pm.  He leaves at 8pm!  I guess some is better than none.  We really did have a great day and lots of fun together.  Matthew kept calling me "chicken nugget."  I love it!  

While I was talking to Jennifer, another lady called me and said, "Let's meet Monday.  You are the best thing I have found."  Friday, April 29, I called this mom back and left a message for us to go ahead and set up a time to meet.  Awaiting call back from her stamped 10:05pm Sunday, MAY 1.  Have FAITH.

Thursday, April 28, around 8:40pm,  receive a call from Melanie.  Her daughter's name is Landry and she is (almost) 2 1/2 years old.  Not quite two-and-a-half...NO PROBLEM.  Why?  Becasue I am the boss and I can make the rules!  We set up a meeting at my home Friday, April 29 around 6:20 pm-ish.  I have her every weekend if dad, who works in the oil business, is not home.  Mom works at a day-spa during week part-time and on weekends.  Landry already has an in-home sitter for the week days.  I might aquire Landry on a full-time status sooner than later!  This precious little girl...no words can say.  Her and Phia got a long great.  Inplementing the concept of sharing into two 2 1/2 years at the same time is PRICELESS!  Also, Landry is #1 potty trained and Phia sits on the pot and wipes, but tinkle has not been made.  I THINK Phia went tinkle in the potty for the first time today, but I can't say for sure.  At least she asks to go potty for the real potty motions and NOT expect to take a shower.

I am just so thankful and grateful that Raul thought of this idea.  I have two fabulous families that trust me to care for their "lives" and am looking forward to meeting more sensational parents and children!  What is most important, with other children coming into our home, we are benefiting our own offspring in socialization, academics, various ages, and learning in general.  Thank the Lord I can help out families that need the flexible hours, make a little money doing so, and teach our children.  I will NEVER forget this huge blessing and positive experience that has been bestowed upon us.  Thank you!

Thank you and sincerely,
Sonja 

"Scheduling Flexible Childcare"

24 HOURS / 7 DAYS PER WEEK AVAILABILITY (OVERNIGHT STAYS WELCOME)
DROP-INS WELCOME
CONSTANT CHANGING SHEDULES OK
FOR AGES 2 ½ YEARS TO 6 YEARS

FULL-TIME RATE:
$30 PER DAY = UP TO 12 HOURS PER DAY**

PART-TIME RATE:
$18 PER DAY = UP TO 6 HOURS PER DAY***

DROP-IN RATE:
$4.00 PER HOUR

**DROP-IN RATE APPLIES AFTER 12 HOURS
***DROP-IN RATE APPLIES AFTER 6 HOURS
~~~ONCE MAX HOURS ARE MET FOR EITHER FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME, THE DROP-IN RATE APPLIES UNTIL PICK-UP~~~


HI. MY NAME IS SONJA AND I AM A 29 YEAR OLD MARRIED, STAY-AT-HOME-MOM OF TWO DAUGHTERS, AGES 5 ½ YEARS AND 2 ½ YEARS WITH A MINIATURE DACHSUND (12 LBS). I AM CURRENTLY RECEIVING MY BACHELOR’S ONLINE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. PROFESSIONAL RESUME AVAILABLE IN PERSON OR BY EMAIL.

IF YOU NEED FLEXIBLE CHILDCARE AT REASONABLE RATES, PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL FOR SCHEDULE INQUIRIES.

SONJA CASADOS, AAACC
512-203-8233
SCASADOS@LIVE.COM

Disclaimer: NO ACCOMODATIONS for children with FOOD ALLERGIES or FEVERS. RESPECT of the other children and families is appreciated. If child is ill, Dr.'s note is required to return. If child has prescribed medication, the doctor's information must be included in order to administer.

"Angels Among Us"

When Saul passed we received so much support and love from family and friends.  I remember every Friday while I was on maternity leave I met some friends at Starbucks.  It was their thing but the invite was extended.  I met a woman, in this group, that had lost a baby years before.  She was quiet about the past.  I remember seeing her other two children by her side and not understanding how life could blossom in such a way after going through something so trying.

I remember being told by my doctor at the time, the nurses, and other aquaintances that I was young; I will have more children.  Yes, that was true, but that is not what I wanted to hear at that time in my life.

My cousin lost a baby and joined a non-profit organization named "Angels Among Us" which is an infant loss support group located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  I read what the organization was about and contacted the owner to find out if there was a chapter in Austin.  She said no, and was very excited to hear from me.

We chatted the other night and I have decided to begin a chapter of the organization here in Austin and surrounding areas.  I am so excited.  Go to http://www.angelsamongusla.org/ to find out more about the organization.  I will let you all know when I have the chapter started here.

My long term plan is to open up a foundation in Saul's name for donations in order to assist families with financial help with bills, funeral costs, etc.

Please let me know your thoughts.  God Bless.

~Saul's mommy

The Connection...

So, Talia understands all about Saul.  We still call him Saul Baby.  The sweet thing is that anytime we pass a cemetary, ANY cemetary, Talia thinks Saul is there so she always says, as she is waving, "Hi Saul baby."  So the other day we passed a cemetary and I hear "Hi baby.  Hi baby."  I almost cried.  It was Phia.  I looked back and Talia and her eyes were bigger than normal.  She was excited too. 

He is talking to both of them!

Oh, by the way, Saul baby on Earth is a butterfly and in the Heavens he is the moon.  This gives Talia a visual.  She loves it.  She is amazed at, when she sees the moon, how Saul baby "follows" her.  When she can't see the moon, she calls out, "Saul baby, where are you?"

I can't believe that he will be 7 years old in a few weeks.  Awesomeness!

Bribery by a 5 year old...

Talia and Phia love to bring little dolls or toys with them when we go places.  I am not, however, alright with them bringing them into the store.  For one, they could get lost, stolen, mistaken that we did not pay for it, etc.  The number one reason I do not like toys to go inside is because I am the one who ends up holding the darn thing for one reason or another.  So it happened today.  But today was different...

Talia: "Will you please hold my little horse?"
Me: "No. You should not have brought it in the store."
Talia: "Please! You will be my best mommy."
...and the toy went into my purse!!

Sally...

So Talia, over the past year or so, sometimes says, "You can call me Sally" when she has a certain hat on.  I recently put her hair in pig-tail braids.  She says the same thing; "Just call me Sally when my hair is like this."  I am curious.  I ask her who Sally is.  I mean, the only Sally I know of is the Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas (Jack Skeleton and Sally).  Anyway, her response was "she is in Heaven."

So Talia has many angels...Saul, Sally, and others, I am sure.  I think it is awesome!

The Dandelions

I love the background to my blog page.  The girls LOVE dandelions and making wishes.  We blow them and make wishes everyday while waiting outside for the school bus.  I love it.  With Talia being older and bigger, she gathers more at once than Phia, but Talia always shares.  She makes sure they have an even amount...at least close to it.  They make wishes and then blow the dandelions.  I usually have a cup of coffee and it never fails; some "pedals" land in my coffee everytime.  It is worth it!  Then there is Phia.  "Try.  Try." she tells me as she just demonstrated how to blow the "pedals."  So proud of herself! 

Spring is GREAT!