Happy 40th Anniversary Mom & Dad!

March 7th, 2010 -- 40 years since Mom and Dad said "I do". I do to putting you through college, I do to having five kids on a teachers salary then putting you through more school so you don't have to raise five kids on a teachers salary, I do to moving 12 times that I can count, including one brief stay in a motor home while waiting for a house, with those same five kids! I do to hearts with holes in them and surgeries (plural) on your daughter. I do to 3 kids in college at once, and out of five kids not one marrying somebody from Washington! I do to a grandson with cancer (were hoping just the two times is all!) and a two granddaughters with major surgeries under their belts (Sydney and Aftyn). I do to losing 3 parents and helping the one left behind. I should go on and list 40 things I appreciate about them but, let's face it, I'm tired and it's getting late, so how abouta (as Zoe would say) I name four and you times that times ten!
1. They have always shown love and affection for each other---some of my friends parents never held hands or snuggled on the couch, but growing up we always saw that and it was comforting to know how much they loved each other.
2. They compliment each other, where Dad is loud, Mom is soft, where Mom is shy, Dad is outgoing, where Dad is impulsive, Mom stops to think (perhaps moving the family to Guatemala for medical school isn't a great idea Kent---you know the typical stuff like that!)
3. They share their talents, if someone asks for help on a car or home repair project Dad is there, Mom has played the piano and sewed for countless people over the years, and lots of "Louise come look at this oozing rash or come take so and so's blood pressure" ....
4. They raised us to know that we are loved, we are children of God, and we are blessed to be family. They were right.




*Note to Brenda, the photographer isn't very good, she admits that, but puuhhlleeaassee can't they both look and smile at the same time??*