An ode to the woman half-raising my child

She is fabulous. Seriously. The same woman who produced this masterpiece:

Also produced this:

Lily Rose at the zoo, age 2 1/2

And this:

Olive Magdalene - age 6 weeks

In all seriousness, I just have to brag on our sitter, Sara, for a minute.

This woman makes it so easy to go to work in the morning. Well, let me clarify. She makes it easy to leave Seth; I'm often dragging my feet to her door because I'd much rather hang out with her and our kids all day than go to work.

Sara is one of the most vibrant, passionate, patient, tender, wise, godly woman I've ever been privileged to call a friend. How very blessed am I that she has had such a huge - HUGE!!! - role in shaping Seth for the first impressionable year of his life.

I don't know what I'm going to do without her once we move to Nashville. I tease her that I'm going to hire her as my cyber-nanny: I have NO doubt that she can parent Seth over a webcam. None. Lord knows I am going to MISS her wisdom on a daily basis and having her mommy-know-how just around the block.

I am disappointed in myself that I can't seem to find the right words to praise this woman for the work she does, seemingly tirelessly, with so much love.

Maybe this will help.

Proverbs 31, select verses

10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. (And speaking of food....oh, can she cook! You've not lived until you've tasted her Fettuccine Alfredo. Mmm!)

15 She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household...(check! 7 am, waffles, bananas, and toast with apple butter to her charges

16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. Ok, no garden. But look what she did with that pumpkin!

17 She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. Um, hello. Lily, Olive, Brady, Seth. That's probably 75 pounds. All day.

18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. I can't tell you how many times she has made herself available to me. night or day.

20 She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy. She may not have an abundance, but what she has is yours, no questions asked.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. Duh. Olive is a ladybug!

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. Unwavering in her faith. She knows Who holds her future, and she smiles about it, no doubt.

26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. I benefit from her wisdom as much as Seth does.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Did I mention she watches four children, ages 2, 1, 10 months, and 6 weeks?

28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

29 “Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

All I know is that when she stands one day for her reward, it will not just be her own offspring that rise up and call her blessed.

Miss Sara, we LOVE you! We're so glad you, Dan, and the girls (and the hairy boys, too!) are part of our life.