Future Focused

Today I have been thinking about a Mother's Day gifts for my own mother and mother-in-law.  I love and respect both of them and I know that they do a tremendous amount for our family. They both dedicate a day to watching our children...for free.
I started thinking about what kind of people my children would end up with.  Justin and I have discussed how many children we would like to have (Lord willing), and of course we both would have many, many children because they are amazing and bring so much joy and fire to our life.
I told Justin that 3 would be my top number only because I realize that one day, they will find a girlfriend/boyfriend and spouse and I desperately desire to count them as my own children.
I want to love them like my own, spoil them like my own, hug them like my own, and have a sincere and genuine relationship with them.
My hopes are pushing it....I know but deep deep down my desire would be for them to
call me,
come to me,
cry to me,
listen to me,
and personally that I would have the time to know them.

Sure for the first 18-30(ish) years my children will be my only, but once they date and marry, that number will quickly double.  I hope that what I do for them does not come off as annoying or intrusive but as loving.

To Bram's future wife:
Bram is our baby, first born, intelligent and right now a bit spoiled (we are working on it).  If his personality remains the same, you will hopefully show him how to loosen up and enjoy life, enjoy nature, to take a deep breathe.  He has a sensitive spirit and I believe that he is compassionate and hurts when other's hurt.  He is sweet and every day he touches my face and tells me how pretty I am.
I imagine you bringing a bit of uncertain spunk and spontaneity to his life.

To Lucy's future husband:
Lucy is still young but she is such a happy girl.  Her personality is starting to truly come through and she is a spit fire.  She can hold her own with Bram and knows what she wants.  I imagine her being dedicated, determined and also lively and fun.  I think she will need a man that can guide her and bring her back down to earth now and again.
What a beauty she is, just breath-taking.

To our future children:
First and foremost for we  pray you will seek out Godly women/men.
Obviously you will be wonderful inside and out...guaranteed you will have your daddy wrapped around your finger within your first minute of birth...seems to be the trend.

Do you think I am being a little too future-focused?  That my children are still too young?
Ask my mom who still remembers my brothers telling me that I had the "gift of blab" and standing on top of the furniture around 4 or 5 bossing everyone around (they obeyed).
Or ask my mother-in-law whom I'm sure has many wonderful memories of little Justin, but especially his head full of dark curls.
I think as my kids grow and I continue to parent, as long as I am consistent (still developing), loving, a disciplinarian, respected and respectful, understanding, available, trustworthy...what else will they portray about me to their future spouses.
I have never wanted to be a dictator over my children or push for perfection, just a good parent.

These will be the most trying, difficult, beautiful, tearful, joyful, and snuggly 18 years.  Pretty sure these past 3 1/2 years of parenting have come and gone in the blink of a tired eye.

(Yes, I someday picture Bram's 6'4 body cuddled on his mamas lap)

..................just being future focused on a beautiful May evening.