Somehow Sadie knows someone, who is friends with someone, who is married to someone, who works with someone, who used to babysit me, Sadie and Eliza when we were just babies and living in Norwalk, CA. Since this is where I was born, and we moved when I was 1 1/2 I was just a tiny baby. Sadie would have been around 3 or 4, Eliza around 2. Like I said, we were babies! This was so fun for me to read!
Ellen Fielder JohnsonJanuary 15, 2011 at 5:57pm
Re: hello
Joanie used to be married to my brother-in-law, Brian. They have two children together. Brianne and Jasmine. I was in Young Womens when your family lived in Norwalk. Your parents were such an awesome couple. Your mom should have been a model. I remember once she told me she married your dad because she wanted them to have his beautiful brown eyes! I think I was about thirteen or fourteen when I was asked the first time to babysit for you, Eliza and Lindsey. You were great! Lindsey was asleep so she was great! Eliza started screaming before your parents even went out the door! I wasn't worried though, I figured she'd calm down and we could play and have a great time. I shouldn't have underestimated Eliza. She cried and cried and cried until she finally fell asleep on the floor. She wouldn't let me pick her up, cuddle her, or even touch her for that matter! So I let her sleep and played with you. When it was your bedtime, you went down great and fell right to sleep. I waited a little while and made the horrible mistake of trying to put Eliza in her bed. She woke up and started screaming bloody murder! It woke you up, and I got you back in bed, but then Lindsey woke up. She was crying, and she didn't take a bottle, so I didn't know what to do with her. Eliza was screaming so loudly there was no way she would go back to sleep. Then you woke up again and said you couldn't sleep with all the crying. I was just totally beside myself. I got you back in bed once again. (Did I mention you were great?) But the other two just cried and cried. Finally, in despair, I went to the next door neighbor, whom your parents had said had watched you all before, and you were familiar with. It must have been some sight when she opened the door. There I was crying, holding Lindsay, who was crying, and Eliza standing at my side crying! She brought us in, and took Lindsey. Eliza calmed down and the baby did too. You were back asleep at your apartment, so I went back to check on you and your parents came home. I was so embarassed. I had been a complete failure as a babysitter! Your parents apologized for me having such a rough time, but I felt terrible. I remember your dad drove me home and I didn't say a word all the way there. When we got out, he tried to pay me, but I couldn't take any money. I hadn't done my job. He kept trying, but I just couldn't and ran in the house. I think I hid from them at Church the next day. I felt like such a looser. I couldn't even handle three little girls. Then, the next Friday, I received a call from your mom. She asked me if I could babysit for her the next evening. I said, "Are you crazy? You don't want me to come back. I did a horrible job." Your mom told me that she had confidence that I could do it, so it was up to me to decide if I had enough confidence in myself. So I went back and watched both you and Eliza. They took Lindsey with them. Things went great. We played and had a great evening. You both went to bed with no problems and things were nice and calm when your parents came home. Your mom even recommended me to others. I wound up babysitting for you regularly until you moved to Utah. I can't begin to tell you how much your mother's actions made a difference in my life. She gave me the opportunity to try again. She made me feel like I wasn't such a complete failure, and gave me another chance with her beautiful little girls. I have always remembered this experience and have shared it in several talks throughout the years. When I had my first baby, I knew I was going to name her after one of you girls. Just because of the impact that experience had on me. I bounced back between Sadie, Eliza and Lindsey, and finally decided on Lyndsay. (Sorry . . .) She is a reminder to me to give people opportunities to grow, and give people chances. I don't know that I would have called me back, but thanks to your mom, and her kindness and compassion for a 13-year-old girl, I learned a very important life lesson. I'll always be grateful to your parents.
How are you and your family? There are six of you? All girls? I have four girls and one boy. Lyndsay, Emily, Stacy, Corey (boy) and Kailey. I also have three sons-in-law, Jhonatan, Carlos and Adam, and five grandchildren, Gibran (9), Ella (5) Ezra (3), Avery (3), and Max (8 months). I love being a mom and have found that being a grandma is even better! I have more patience and see the "big picture" a little more. LIfe is great. The Church is true. Hope all is well with you and your parents.
Ellen : )
How are you and your family? There are six of you? All girls? I have four girls and one boy. Lyndsay, Emily, Stacy, Corey (boy) and Kailey. I also have three sons-in-law, Jhonatan, Carlos and Adam, and five grandchildren, Gibran (9), Ella (5) Ezra (3), Avery (3), and Max (8 months). I love being a mom and have found that being a grandma is even better! I have more patience and see the "big picture" a little more. LIfe is great. The Church is true. Hope all is well with you and your parents.
Ellen : )