Eye on the Prize

Yesterday I was thinking (always a dangerous thing) about the amount of time that it takes to adopt. In some ways it seems like an eternity. I mean in 3 years I'll be almost 33 (scary), and Andrew will be almost 7 (super scary and a little depressing). In other ways it doesn't seem that bad. Thirty-three is still relatively young. Lot's of people don't even have kids at 33, and while Andrew will be around 7, there will most likely won't be more than a 5 year difference between him and his sister. As I've also found, the older you get the faster time goes by. Before you know it another year has passed, and you're another year older. Sounds cliche I know, but it's true.

I realized that it's all about perspective. When I started college, I fully expected to be in college for four years. I knew that I wasn't going to finish in two years, or three years, or even three and a half years. I knew that I would be there at least four full years. So why all this college talk? Not to worry, I do have a point. College was a long term goal. It took time, and effort, and patience. But I knew that the end would come . . . someday. And while it seemed like it took forever when I was in the midst of all that work, now it seems like it went by in a flash. Four years flew by in the blink of an eye. I kind of think that while the next 2-3 years may seem like an eternity, once we reach the other side, I will look back and think that it has flown past.

I have no doubt that I could become so wrapped up in the waiting that I forget to enjoy what I have now. I know that I could easily become obsessed with watching the proverbial clock, and not appreciate the here and now. I want to enjoy my family right at this moment. When the time is right, we will add our daughter to the crazy mix. Not a moment too soon or a moment too late but at just the right time.

And while I'm on the subject of time going by, another school year has come and (is almost) gone. On Friday I will complete my 8th year of teaching. Yikes! Only 21 years to retirement (rule of 80 for all you Texas teachers). I'm just kidding. But I am excited about summer. Andrew is going to visit his new preschool a couple days a week. Which equals some shopping free time for Mommy. I'm not sure that I'll know what to do with myself. Maybe I'll organize the tupperware and clean the blinds and baseboards. Again, I'm kidding . . . kind of . . . okay, maybe I'm straight up dead serious (I need therapy). Andrew also has swimming lessons (which is always entertaining with a class full of 3 year olds) and gymnastics (also very entertaining). We're going to the beach with my sister, her husband, and their boys in a couple of weeks. That should be wild and crazy and may send me over the edge. Four boys on one trip equals insanity. Patrick has youth camp in July, and we may or may not throw another trip somewhere else in there. We shall see. And those are (some) of our plans for the summer. I know. You can hardly contain yourselves. Try to calm down a little. All the excitement may raise your blood pressure or something like that.

Anyway, whatever you and your kiddos have planned for the summer, I hope it's a good one. And take a moment to stop and appreciate what and who is around you. You know stop and smell the roses and all that jazz. And now this is getting borderline sickeningly sweet and sappy, so I'm gonna stop.

Please remember to keep the Davis family in your prayers as they go before the Supreme Court judge early tomorrow morning. As soon as they update on their hearing, I'll let you know. Thanks for praying.