They're our children

LODI (CBS13) – A daycare run out of a Lodi home has been shut down after a social services investigation revealed a number of disturbing violations.

The license for the daycare run by Dorothy Bernhoft has been suspended following a surprise inspection at her home. Investigators listed a number of incidents of alleged mistreatment, including:

•“infants without supervision buckled in car seats in darkened closets with the door shut”
•“one child was in a toilet commode with the door shut”
•“four other infants were buckled in car seats that were in a dark bedroom with the doors closed”
•“… radios were playing, making it difficult to hear infants”
Bernhoft has handed over her license to authorities. Police have not filed any criminal charges in the case and did not comment Thursday on the matter.

Jack Chandler has lived next to Bernhoft for more than 10 years . He told CBS13 he knew she was operating a day care but would have never guessed what state officials allege

“She is the nicest, kindest lady I ever saw,” he said. “I’m really shocked. I couldn’t even guess that. I mean you don’t usually get too shocked you know with things these days, but that’s completely shocking to me.”

Its scary when you think about it isn't it? I hear about how difficult it is being a stay at home mom from friends, and I don't doubt it, don't know if I could do it (despite my jealousy for the quality time I miss.) But as a working mom, you have the added tasks of finding quality childcare in your absence with but no choice other than to trust the person who is caring for your child during the day. It is difficult to leave my kids every morning and I trust our dear friend who watches them explicitly. Reading an article like this makes me even more thankful than I already am for Sam. She truly is a God send to Brandon and I. My kids love her dearly, and she loves them as if they were her own children. In fact, this past Sunday while I was singing for the worship team, she volunteered to watch them while Brandon did the morning's Call to worship. Upon finishing, I found both kids in the nursery with her, Zechy sound asleep in her arms. I would be lying if I said my heart didn't spark with jealousy when a innocent church-goer mistook her for his momma. But in all reality she really is THE BEST!

Not only do I NEVER worry about the welfare of my kids, I know that they are not only safe with her, but well looked after. Hannah sings her abc's and counts to 20 and is starting to be able to spell her own name thanks to the daily lessons with Sam. Zechy sings like a maniac and I absolutely love when I come home to beautiful "kerprises" hand made by my children. Just Last week Hannah had placed a flower pot she painted and a cross she sticker=coated on my night stand for me to find when I got home from work. Oh and not to mention the endless days Hannah comes home with her hair tied up in gorgeous braids. How Sam gets away with this I will never know for I am lucky enough to drag a comb through her mane! I get picture texts throughout my work day, and art to decorate my desk area. She takes them to children's hour at the library every Tuesday, has taken them to the children's museum, has bought them shoes she found on clearance, gets them to eat cauliflower (how I will never know), feeds them breakfast every morning including sausages and chocolate chip pancakes to the point where they prefer I don't cook them breakfast in the morning (what would be the point, they still eat for her?!), gets Zech to take a nap that is longer than 30 min. (a feat I struggle to master on my weekends), plays outside WITH them, and is, to say the least, AMAZING!

Sam is creative, fun and outgoing. Energetic and charismatic with an incredible love for the Lord that she passes on to my kids as well. Hannah loves to pray over her food "Thank you God, for our food, AMEN" (Sam taught her that.) Oh and did I mention that Sam's daughter Ashelen is Hannah's all time very best friend?!

I joke about Sam being my sister wife. But really she is that dear to me. There really are not enough good things I could say about her. I wish there was more that I could do for her because she is always there for me and my family. I only hope she knows just how much we appreciate her!

My first Mother's Day gift Made by kids (and Sam)


Holiday Turkey Hands and the sticker cross I talked about


Zechariah's Valentine's Place mat (that she had laminated for us!)


Hannah's Place mat (also Laminated!)


(Zechy's zooprint)


(Hannah's zooprint)


The incredible-could-not-live-without-her SAM!