Happy Birthday, Maricel!

We love Maricel, we really do. She has been nothing short of a gift to our family this year. She's amazing with the boys, she keeps our house running smoothly and her presence allows for Adam and I to go out together a lot. As we ran a few errands and had dinner together tonight, we commented on how much we will miss having this luxury. The ability to go out any night of the week and not get a babysitter. Being able to go for runs/walks together and have breakfast out. Being able to go see a movie whenever we feel like it. Honestly, once you've lived with a wonderful helper, Sundays (her days off) seem difficult. It's fair to say that we usually get hawker food or pizza on Sundays and it's the only day off for our washing machine too.

Having Maricel around means that instead of cooking, cleaning and prepping for the next day, we can be with the boys. Swimming, playing games, bathing them, reading stories, etc. We can just enjoy all of those things because we don't have to worry about everything else. It's as wonderful as it sounds. Sure, our experience with a not-so-good helper last year was tough and made me want to rip my hair out or cry on several occasions.... but having a great one like Maricel is simply wonderful.

Her birthday was this week, so on Sunday evening, we threw her a small surprise party with her closest friends at our condo and her sister. She was completely surprised and overwhelmed....just what we had hoped for. It's the least we could do to show her just how much we appreciate her and will miss her.

Of course the Weaver's were there :) 

The lady in front of Adam is Jill's helper. She's lovely. 

Feeling grateful to have had Maricel in our lives this year. She's smart, kind, genuine, loyal and honest. And most importantly, she has taken excellent care of our two most precious little beings. It'll be a tough goodbye but I'm feeling so thankful that she's moving onto a lovely family at our school.

Wishing her a year of happiness and new adventures.