Blog Archives - Strong Catholic Family Faith

An Indelible Mark

8/31/2016

This is day eight of my adventure in babysitting. I am glad to be back with Kate after a two week layoff. I missed her. I wonder if she missed me. Barb says she knows me. What does she know as I look into her eyes? Not sure. I don't think she will remember anything I do with her but I hope I am laying a foundation that will help her become a good and giving person. So I look into her eyes and let her know she is special. Just like Scott is doing in the photo. I think that leaves an indelible mark even if she doesn't remember anything.
~ Poppi

I miss her already.

8/18/2016

The adventure in babysitting is being postponed for a couple of weeks as Sarah takes some time off to be with Kate so I won't be posting anything until Sept 1. I miss her already. Wave bye.
~ Poppi

You Are Beloved

8/16/2016

This is day seven in my adventure in babysitting with Kate. She truly is a good baby. The picture below is a rarity in my experience. She does not cry that much. She seems to be happy with my care. I wonder if she knows she is loved. One thing I want her to believe is that she is loved. It is what God the Father said to Jesus at his baptism. These words came from above, "You are my beloved in whom I am well pleased." Kate, you are beloved, believe it. We all need to hear those words and believe them.
~ Poppi

Life is Messy

8/15/2016

This is day six of my adventures in babysitting with little Kate. Right now she is sleeping like a baby so to speak but earlier she vomited all over me. And she did it on one of my favorite Cardinal shirts. Life is messy and if we spend enough time with others we will probably get puked on. She didn't mean it. I think it's wise to assume the best in people even when bad things happen. Most people don't intend to be nasty. Try to forgive and move on unless it gets to be a habit. So I washed my shirt and rocked her to sleep.
~ Poppi

Day 5 - Adventures in Babysitting with Kate and Poppi

8/14/2016

This is day five of my babysitting journey with Kate. Things are going well. Though I had to deal with the first poop today. We got through it together. She sometimes smiles. I prefer to think she's enjoying my baby talk. A baby's smile is magic. We adults will do almost anything to see a baby smile. Smiles are free though. It is what separates us from the animals. It is a gift we can give one another. Give the gift of a smile today.

~ Poppi

No Masks

8/11/2016

This is day four of babysitting with Kate. I think we are beginning to bond except that she is getting tired of my singing. She's a captive audience. She is so honest. All babies are. I think we grown ups could learn something there. She expresses exactly how she feels. No masks no hidden agendas. There's something refreshing about that. The world might be a better place if we expressed our feelings more honestly. Below you can see she is not happy with me.

~ Poppi

Day Three - It's the Little Things

8/10/2016

Day three of babysitting for little Kate. Something we all crave is to live a life with meaning. We want to do something important, be in the news, get noticed but taking care of Kate has taught me again that it's the little things that really count. I was reminded of Brother Lawrence today who did the small things with love and lived in in awareness of the presence of God in all things. I plan to give my all to changing diapers and warming milk. Gotta go Kate lost a sock.
~ Poppi

Day Two - Here We Go

8/9/2016

This is day two of grandpa sitting. She is actually taking care of me. She has me on a good schedule. There is something about eating, playing, eating and sleeping that has a rhythm to it. We all need a rhythm in life. Structure is good. Babies need it and so do we. So far so good. No big poop explosions yet. More tomorrow. Kate is waving at you.
~ Poppi

Day One of Poppi's Adventures in Babysitting

8/7/2016

This is my first day babysitting for my granddaughter Kate. So far so good. How cute can you get.
~ Poppi

Poppi's Adventures in Babysitting

Author

Jim Kemna (Poppi) was the Director of Religious Education for the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri until he retired at the end of June 2016. Now Jim is becoming an active grandparent. He is babysitting for his one month old granddaughter Katie. Before retirement Jim was responsible for assisting his bishop in promoting the vision of catechesis throughout the diocese. See Meet the Project Team for more information about this author.

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