In My Next 30 Years...

January usually brings about a time of resolutions and reflections. However, the year of 2011 has brought a lot of reflection to both Nathan and I as we are both turning the BIG 30 this year-Nathan of course will be 30 before me :-) When we first got married, we set goals and label them as, "within 5 years", "within 10 years" and "by the time we're 30". I think that it goes without saying that life does not happen according to our plan but according to what God has planned for us and, BOY! His plan was certainly different than ours!

By the time we are 30, Nathan and I had plans to be out of debt. We were going to be finished having our children (2 or 3-which would be small at this time because we did not want to start until at least 3 or 4 years of marriage and I obtained my degree). I was going to be working as a counselor or therapist and Nathan would be self employed (doing real estate or some business that he could run from our home).

Instead, Nathan and I have worked hard to cut down our debt and although not paid off completely, we are in a good spot for us and our family. Times can be tight and we often make sacrifices, but we are hard workers and have a plan.

We have been blessed from the beginning of our marriage with the gift of a growing family. Little did we know that God planned to give us such blessings right away :) But we have 3 beautiful children that light up our lives (and make it VERY interesting) each day and whether we are finished completely is still to be decided! We never expected to have (what is by my standards) a big family, and it is not for everyone-but we love our family and love to be surrounded by our loud and crazy life.

As for being a counselor or therapist, I do that everyday! I spent much of my life deciding that I did not want to be a teacher. Many individuals in may family are teachers and I wanted to get out and do something different. Until, I thought, that just maybe, Special Education would be something in which I could be interested. It is an understatement to say that I like teaching. I love my job. Yes, there is a ton of paperwork, often difficult issues to deal with and there are days that I feel as though I will never be finished and I am EXHAUSTED-before I even get home! But I love it-I am constantly surrounded by kids who I don't just teach, but teach me in return. As for Nathan and his job, I cannot speak for him, but I know that God has a plan and puts us right where we need to be at the correct moment. I am excited to see what lies ahead.

I am so glad that God has put me where I am in life. He knew the plan that was laid out for me, and the journey is just beginning. So, in 2011 (AND my next 30 years) I will continue to work hard, love my family and keep my eyes open for what God has in store (in the good and the bad).