Got a postcard in the mail today, advertising a parenting conference our church will be hosting in May, and it took me back for a few minutes to the time before we had any kids.  Ah, the freedom… umm, er, I mean… oh, yes, I remember.

Fred and I didn’t realize at the time how much of a blessing it was that we felt called to adopt first (and had no idea we’d probably be adopting “only!”).  Because by adopting, we knew we were in unfamiliar territory.  So being the nerds we both are, we scrambled around and got as much information as we could about what it would mean to rear children.  We spent time with all our already-parents friends, attended a few seminars, read numerous books… Oh, and I got a masters degree that involved 2 years of child therapy.  So yes, we were armed when the boys finally came home.

And not that we didn’t still struggle – of course we did! – but, wow, was it a tremendous help that we had already thought about the different scenarios we might encounter.  That we had already seen two-year-olds in complete-meltdown-mode.  That we knew our training and discipline philosophy (at least the framework).

Because once we had the boys, there was little time for anything other than getting to know their personalities and getting us all adjusted to living together as a family.  Very little philosophizing went on.

And today, looking back – and also looking forward to when the next kids arrive – I am so thankful for the “boot camp” we went through as a newly-married couple.  I was grumbling to a friend this afternoon about how one of our guys keeps having accidents, but when I got my postcard I was reminded that if that’s my biggest problem in child-rearing right now, I’m pretty blessed!  And it’s not because Fred and I are just “so good at parenting.”  We have had (and still have) a lot of great role-models and advisers to help us set healthy patterns or switch gears when we’ve needed to try something new.

I’m sure we’ve long-since saved the time spent up-front.  And the peace around our house is invaluable.  So “Thanks!” to those of you who read this blog and have helped us along the way!  I really appreciate you!