The next five years...

Last night Chris took me out on a wonderful date. Some sweet surragate grandparents watched Tucker for us and we tried a restaurant we'd been wanting to go to. (White Dog Hill in Clinton, it was fabulous! Choclate cake to DIE for. Literally die for!) As we sat chatting about our wedding and memories that surrounded that special day I asked Chris if where we are in our life/marriage/family/church is where he thought we'd be five years ago. Neither of us could've foreseen our inability to conceive a child and adopting our first baby. Living in Sayre wasn't on either of our radar. We both pictured somewhere a little larger, like Tulsa or Norman. If you'd told me we were going to move to Texas I'd never have believed you. As we discussed each of these topics the conversation turned to the next five years. Where we would be? If in Sayre, What ministry would look like after eight years in the same church? We have never had longevity in our ministry and thinking about the kids who will be in our youth group by then. Our now eighth graders will be seniors. Kids that were tiny when we moved to Sayre will be teenagers. We both think that we'll still be in ministry in five years and if so, we want to be at FBC Sayre. We truly believe there is no better church/pastor for us on the planet. Family. How many more kids we would have by then? I'd always thought two would be our number, but now that we're halfway there I can't imagine just having one more. I was one of three and have ALWAYS said if we had a third, a fourth would have to follow. But now I don't know. I think so much depends on if we are ever able to get pregnant ourselves. We definiately plan to adopt at least one more time, but if I got pregnant would I want two that way? I don't know. How many kids will our siblings have by then? What will that family dynamic look like? In five years, Tucker will be in school. He will be six years old. I can't even imagine that. He will probably be playing baseball and reading and doing all sorts of big kid things. I don't really like thinking about that. If the next years pass as fast as the first 16 months have, it will be here before I know it. Our waitress told me last night that she heard if you make it to seven years your in the free in clear. I wish that were true! But for both of our parents it was much longer before the called it quits. I think that scares us both a little. The knowledge that after 18 and 27 years two people can just walk away is unsettling. Last night just reminded me that our marriage needs to be a priority. Not just for the next two years, but for the next fifty or so. I truly am married to be my best friend and my perfect counterpart. I can't imagine my life without him as my partner and I wouldn't want to raise babies with anyone else. To say I'm thankful and blessed would be an understatement.