Today I am thankful for the “other woman” in our life. Our sitter/nanny, Denise. I’ve written about her many times before, but she really is the reason I am even halfway sane. And today is our last day of Denise for a few weeks. I’m in a bit of denial. I miss her already.

Denise has been working for us for well over a year now. And beyond relieving me, and allowing me to do a lot of work, and a little bit of running errands, and an occasional kid-free run, and even a few “date-nights,” I believe that Denise is a key ingredient in our trying to create a loving and stable home for our girlies.

And, quite simply, the girls adore Denise. I do, too. I never worry when I need to walk out the door if she is here. She is always creatively engaging the girls intellectually, physically, and emotionally. Any mom knows that entertaining two girls, for hours on end, is one demanding and challenging job. It only makes me appreciate her, and the job she does, even more.

And as much as we love her, she loves the girls, too. It is always nice to hear good “reports” on your children, but when someone else tells you how “spectacular,” “funny,” “sweet,” – just generally “how great” your girls are, and really mean it…that is priceless. Denise is worth every penny, and more.

Today (and everyday), I am thankful for Denise.