July 4th?

The fourth is going to be quite interesting for me this year. Both J and I have to work, which isn't too bad in and of itself. J has to pick up the kids at 6 pm from the police station, then when I get off work we're going to go to a friend's house to celebrate. No alcohol involved (YaY) just fun for everyone. There is going to be tons of people and kids Christopher's and Kayla's age, which will be good for them - they don't get enough time to play with other kids or kids at all since the ex-wife won't take them anywhere.

I'd imagine school is like a haven for them. After all, they take to it like a duck to water, and Kayla actually has a better relationship with her teacher than she does her own mother. I'm not sure quite what to think about that, but oh well. It's the mother's loss - not Kayla's.

All that being said, I am completely looking forward to having the kids this weekend. I miss them when they're gone and wish we could have them more often. Kayla's smile is completely addictive and Christopher's happy-go-lucky attitude will always make you feel like life is a bowl of cherries. I truly feel lucky to know them. I just hope I bring some kind of happiness to their life as well. ..

Work has been interesting here lately. Tons of people are starting to look for me when they come in. It's become a game between the kids to see who can get a sample first from the "Sample Lady". All the kids rush to me when they come in and parents don't seem to mind. They all seem to like me and instinctively feel that their kids are safe with me. To drive the point home, one girl who I see often, managed to get 'lost' yesterday. Rather than get worried as other kids do or cry, she simply came to me and asked me to help her find her mommy. She seemed confident in my ability to take care of her until her mom was found.

I can't explain how much that does for me. I love that not only the kids trust me, but the parents do, too. I love that people smile really big when they see me now, rather than try to avoid me. It's encouraging to know that people, even if they are just customers, like me.

J is going to make me crazy!! He's wanting so much to make my computer faster that he's messed up the sound. YaY for me. But he is adorable in his desire to do something for me, and I admire his constant working on it. Every day after he gets home from work, even though I know he's tired, he spends a ton of time on the computer. He's a good man, J is.