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Thanks for You!

There are so many people that come in and out of our lives. Some of those people change us forever. Many individuals are positive right from the start, while others seem to be more of a bother or interference. Even in those cases we're likely to learn some life lessons that will remain long after they've moved on to bother someone else.
I recently started a list of people that would qualify as life changing acquaintances or friend. It's kind of interesting to think about how our bosses, co-workers, ex-boyfriends, high school friends, doctors, colleagues and others have left a lasting impression on your heart and souls. All have had some beneficial significance in my life, but in a handful of situations I had to do a little digging to find the silver lining!
The person I'd like to highlight today is an individual that has been a shining example of a person who made my life better right from the moment I met her. Not digging for the silver lining with her. About 4 years ago my mother-in-law decided to take a breather from watching her 4 young grandchildren 5 days a week and needed some time off. We needed to find daycare for Fridays to help her out with that.
So with my 3 1/2 year old and my 6 month old in tow, I drove out Antoine Rd. to the Heinser Farm. From the minute I met Debi, I knew she was going to be a great fit. She was so calm; I'm sure it's stressful to have a person observe you taking care of kids. I mean with kids you never know what can happen to even the most prepared and well equipped babysitter. (Or parent for that matter.) She didn't seem nervous or like she was glossing over anything about how she did things. It was so reassuring. (You know me and my babysitter issues!) Without hesitation, we arranged our Friday- "Debi Days".
Owen needed to be convinced a bit more. After 3 plus years with Grandma's complete and total attention, it was hard to get used to a new routine. After 4 Fridays of crying; Debi let him know in a loving yet assertive way that he needed to stop. And he did! After that he knew Debi was going to take care of him by giving him boundaries in a caring way. He is secure child and I believe that his coping and compromising skills really developed at Debi's. Grandma giving in to every demand doesn't really bode well for a child in the real world. He met great kids that he considers his friends still today, and continues to enjoy the bugs, snakes and other wonderful things at Debi's house.
Sophia, the sweet fat baby, didn't need a minute of consideration. She loved going to Debi's house. She loved Ben and his crazy loud shenanigans from day one. I think that her strong mothering sense is part heredity, and part example from the great moms she sees in action. Debi is one of those moms. She's been watching Debi care for kids with patience and humor nearly all of her life. She learned to change diapers from a pro!
Debi has not only been a great role model for the kids, but she's a great friend to me as well. We have so much in common...our love of Riesling and Diet Mt. Dew, our crazy mother issues, our parenting styles, and our sick sense of humor. Actually, I may share that more with Ben than Debi, but she is good about putting up with it from both of us.
Today is Debi's birthday and I know that part of her day involved wiping up 8 cups of sugar water off of her kitchen floor. She was laughing about it when I picked up the kids. Although, it is hard not to laugh when your feet are stuck to the linoleum!
Seriously (she says I say that a lot so - I had to throw it in here somewhere) Debi, I hope you had a great day and thanks for being such an important and delightful part of our lives.