In five years we have:
-lived in FL and AL and in six different houses/apartments. Four years and five months were spent in our house in Huntsville, so you do the math at how much moving was accomplished in the other seven months of our marriage.
-a collective amount of nine changes in employment, not including four jobs that I never accepted because something better came along just after I was offered them (yes, we sound like complete LOSERS who can’t keep a job!)
-raised a spastic Rat Terrier named Sanibel, named after our favorite vacation spot Sanibel Island, FL
-mourned the loss of our second child through miscarriage, but rejoice often that we will see our Heaven baby one glorious day
-had our only two memorable arguments over pizza and pancakes
-enjoyed discovering and making memories in a new city on our own
-poured our hearts into the lives of many youth at Lindsay Lane Baptist Church and loved every minute of it
-been forced by circumstances to be fully dependent on God from our first year of marriage. Incredibly thankful to be learning this so early in our marriage.
-spent many moments in prayer seeking His will for our marriage
-greatly rejoiced because of the joy that comes from obeying the Lord
-seen MANY prayers answered, big and little
When we got married, where we hoped to be in five years:
-two kids
-after no more than 5 years of living in SW Florida, finally back in Birmingham with family. Huntsville was never on the radar.
-I would have 5 years of teaching 4th grade under my belt at Mirror Lakes Elementary School in Lehigh Acres, FL (this is one of those jobs I never had the opportunity to start because we moved before the school year started)
-Brent still with Ferguson
-a toy yorkie named Lola Mae (yes, I had my dog’s name picked out before my children’s names and Sanibel was named Lola Mae for less than 24 hours until Brent knocked some sense into me)
Where we are:
-living in Birmingham
-landlords and renters
-Brent working as a banker
-I have 4 years of teaching experience at 4 different schools. Two of those years were at LLCA, a fantastic school. I’m totally spoiled now and don’t think I could teach anywhere else! I am now teaching 2 year olds at a church daycare.
-Lily has thankfully adjusted well to all the changes that have taken place in her life in the past 5 months
-Sanibel is living with my parents because, although we love her very much, we aren’t paying $500 dollars just so she can live with us
How we dreamed of celebrating this anniversary:
-a week long vacation on Captiva Island at South Seas Resort where we honeymooned
Where we want to be in five more years:
-Honestly, we have no clue. We are open to whatever and our “yes” is always on the table for anything the Lord chooses to do. We try not to make plans because, as you can see, they aren’t going to happen quite like we expect.
-We are passionate for orphans, so adoption/orphan care of some sort
-More kids either biologically or through adoption, or both 🙂
-We are currently praying about and hoping to go on an international mission trip next May with an organization that cares for orphans. We want to go for three reasons: we are commanded to care for orphans and want to go to them and meet them face to face, we’ve never been on one as a married couple, and we want to see if full time mission work is something the Lord has in our future.
-We love being back in Bham with family, but we are ready to go when and if He says go.
I recently found the audio of our wedding and listened to it. The pastor that married us prayed that we would fulfill the unique plan that God has for us as a family. It is a blessing to hear that prayer and then look back on five years of that prayer being answered. I love Brent with my whole heart. God chose him for me, that we would glorify Him as one. He is literally the most selfless person I know. He loves me as Christ loves the Church and he is a fantastic father to Lily. Looking back on our marriage, it is obvious that the Lord has been at work in every detail to conform our lives to His will. By His grace, we are focused on His plan alone and we are excited for what the next 55 years will bring. He is working in our hearts, constantly preparing us for our future. May we be used to make Him known!
Happy Anniversary Brent! I love you always!
A Merry Heart 
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