Reflecting.

Today I was given the challenge, "Using as many details as possible, describe what your life will be like in 10 years". It's a valid question...one I'd previously given little thought to. Oh I'd thought about it enough to know the important things, but I accepted the challenge, and after much thought and deliberation, this is what I came up with:

In ten years I will be just shy of 30 years old. I will have an amazing husband. Qualifications for my husband are not specific, as I love all kinds of people easily. But ideally he's got a good head on his shoulders, a good work ethic, and has a steady job- but is NOT a workaholic. It is critical that he puts his family as his first priority and loves kids. I will have three beautiful blond children by this time, though I'd maybe eventually like one more child or so. The blond part isn't necessary but would be nice, haha. The birth order or ratio of boys to girls doesn't matter to me, but if I have a son I will name him Luke. Not for any particular reason, I just really like that name. Haha. I will be raising my children in the Gospel and teaching them everything they need to know- spiritually as well as secularly, as this is pretty much the most important reason I am here. I cannot say for sure what choices my children will make as I am raising them, but good or bad I will continue to love them and be a good example for them to look to. As a side note... if I can help it, my children will NOT be picky eaters. This is probably my biggest pet peeve ever. They will be open-minded not just about food, but also about life. They will appreciate diversity and will be exposed to different cultures and ways of doing things as often as possible.

I will have earned my Elementary Ed and ESL certification a few years earlier, and I will be teaching 1st grade in an underprivileged school with lots of cute Hispanic children. Here I will teach them English and the value of education, as well as show them the potential that they all have and all the good things they can do if they just work hard. Ideally, I'll be living somewhere in the southern US, as I'd more easily find a job that I want there, I'd be close enough to my family, and the weather would be infinitely more bearable, seeing as how I hate the cold/snow. Location is flexible though...I moved around a lot my whole life, so I really wouldn't be opposed to trying out a few different places.

By this point I hope to have been abroad in a Latin American country where I have taught English and improved my Spanish. I'd like to do this as a student, but I most likely will not be able to fit it in with my program being infinitely long. In this case, I will hold off on the travel until my family is financially secure enough to afford it. But travel WILL be happening, if not in ten years, then further on down the road.

Well was that in detail enough for ya? I tried really hard to be specific. Family, church, job, and travel are my big four things I guess...nothing else is important enough for me to worry about yet. It was good for me to at least think about it and write it out though. I guess the important thing I try to keep in mind is that even if/when things don't turn out how I planned, they will still all work out for the best!