Are you ever truly ready?

Ryan and I have been married 2 and a half years, almost exactly. We are getting asked about children more and more. So....how do you truly know when the time is right to have children? Or do you ever know? Or how do you know if you're ready for children? Or do you ever know? I always hear the "you'll just know" but I honestly hate that statement. I am fully aware that children are a life changing event but unlike finding your wedding dress I find it really hard to believe that "you'll just know."

Over the last couple of months every time I see a baby, I get that feeling again. That feeling like maybe it's time. But it doesn't take long for that feeling to cease and for me to move on to something else. I start to think about that 1 more trip we can take that would be easier and more romantic without children or I start to think about how much more money we will have if we wait a little longer. I start to think about how we won't be able to just pick up and go again. I start to realize that sleep won't be as plentiful and nothing will be quite as easy as it once was.

After reading my sister in law's recent blog post today (see here), I realized my thoughts over the last couple of months go right along with what she is mentioning in her blog. "The more I have the more I think I'm almost where I need to be. If I could only get a little more...." Funny how different people's lives and different situations can actually all relate.

I do know that in every stage of life, there are reasons that stage is amazing. And they weren't amazing because I was "ready" for them, or prepared for them at all really. When you're young you are so innocent and have no real responsibility. Your hardest decision is which crayon to use on your next masterpiece. Going from elementary school through high school is such a care-free stage. It has its hard times (like the "mean girls" that shoot you a dirty look or the F on your test that you forgot to study for) but in the long run, it's definitely a stage I wouldn't mind doing again. I think you learn to appreciate it more even after it's over. You make tons of friends along the way, go to camps, start to choose your own classes, attend dances and can participate in extra curricular activities. Once you graduate from high school and head to college, you have the freedom to make your own decisions. You have no curfew and no one to truly answer to like you did while living with your parents. As long as you come out with a diploma, the GPA isn't quite as important as it was in high school. Once you get married, you then get to share your life with someone you choose; therefore, someone that really understands you, brings out the best in you and someone that you genuinely enjoy being with. You now get to have your own space. You can decorate it any way your heart desires & make it your home. If you want a bright pink room, have at it! Up until now, with no real preparation every stage has been wonderful and they've been that way for completely different reasons. I say all of this because I know the baby stage will be the same way. "And then there were 3" will be just as amazing as saying "I do" and I know that. It's just a matter of really comprehending it. It's a matter of realizing yes, it may change our lives and we may not be able to prepare for it but it, too, will make our lives just as amazing as all the years leading up to that stage, that moment.

So are you truly ever ready? Probably not. But if we wait for all the stars to align perfectly and for our bank account to be overflowing, it will never happen. When you don't have 1 thing (like a child) then you find ways to spend your money on other things (dinner out, shoes, trips, etc). Don't get me wrong, I hope this post doesn't make it seem like I'm not looking forward to children. I know having children will be a wonderful time in our lives, if not the best time in our lives. But being the planner that I am I have always wondered if there was some way to know if you're truly ready. After reading several blog posts today and doing a lot of reflecting, I now have shed a little more light on the situation.... :)

I'm going to continue to enjoy today, the present. And ready or not, when children bless our lives, I will enjoy that moment. Thanks, Cilla....