Sunday marks 50 years since my parents' wedding day. It's only fitting that this week's Ten Things of Thankful highlights gratitude for their marriage.
1. 1963-1968: I'm thankful Mom and Dad decided to have me. I've heard I was not an easy baby, yet they endured my colic with patience.
2. 1968-1973: I'm thankful Mom and Dad made me a big sister. My little sister put up with my bossiness and remains a great friend. (I'm hoping I'm not as domineering now.)
3. 1973-1978: I'm thankful Mom and Dad gave me a baby brother. He's a great example of a hard worker.
4. 1978-1983: I'm thankful that Dad pursued a dream and moved the family into an earth-sheltered, solar-heated, unfinished house he designed. I could write many more posts about lessons learned from that experience.
5. 1983-1988: I'm thankful that Mom and Dad welcomed John into the family.
6. 1988-1993: I'm thankful that Mom and Dad helped us so much when I was pregnant with our youngest son. Dad managed for weeks on end, as Mom (and John's mom, too) watched our oldest two while I was on bedrest.
7. 1993-1998: I'm thankful that Mom and Dad supported our decision to adopt, and welcomed their new granddaughters.
8. 1998-2003: I'm thankful that Dad and Mom never made us feel badly about any of our choices, not even when we moved from 2-hours away to a 2-day drive away.
9. 2003-2008: I'm thankful for the way Dad and Mom worked together, creating their own little Eden.
10. 2008-2013: I'm thankful that Dad and Mom care lovingly for their mothers. Dad's mom lived with them prior to her passing, and now Mom's mom has moved in with them. They graciously, tenderly care for parents who can't care for themselves.
Happy 50th, Mom and Dad!
Thanks for my parents' example of a strong marriage.
1. 1963-1968: I'm thankful Mom and Dad decided to have me. I've heard I was not an easy baby, yet they endured my colic with patience.
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| I may look calm, but appearances can be deceiving. |
2. 1968-1973: I'm thankful Mom and Dad made me a big sister. My little sister put up with my bossiness and remains a great friend. (I'm hoping I'm not as domineering now.)
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| I couldn't find a photo from the time frame--I'm sure I have one around here somewhere--but I thought this one was good for a laugh. 1991, in case you're wondering. |
4. 1978-1983: I'm thankful that Dad pursued a dream and moved the family into an earth-sheltered, solar-heated, unfinished house he designed. I could write many more posts about lessons learned from that experience.
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| The yard did not look this good when we first moved in. Picture Scotch broom, lots of Scotch broom. |
5. 1983-1988: I'm thankful that Mom and Dad welcomed John into the family.
6. 1988-1993: I'm thankful that Mom and Dad helped us so much when I was pregnant with our youngest son. Dad managed for weeks on end, as Mom (and John's mom, too) watched our oldest two while I was on bedrest.
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| Leaving the hosptial--small, but mighty, at 6 weeks old. |
7. 1993-1998: I'm thankful that Mom and Dad supported our decision to adopt, and welcomed their new granddaughters.
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| Playing at Grandpa and Grandma's house |
9. 2003-2008: I'm thankful for the way Dad and Mom worked together, creating their own little Eden.
10. 2008-2013: I'm thankful that Dad and Mom care lovingly for their mothers. Dad's mom lived with them prior to her passing, and now Mom's mom has moved in with them. They graciously, tenderly care for parents who can't care for themselves.
Happy 50th, Mom and Dad!
Thanks for my parents' example of a strong marriage.
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A beautiful and moving list of thankfuls, and a great picture of loving and caring parenthood :)
ReplyDeleteThis is an absolutely gorgeous tribute to their marriage (and, as ever, lovely photographs). I'm fascinated by the earth-sheltered house, as it's something I've used myself when designing (in my mind) my dream home (I mean, I also had an underground grotto-pool, but who's comparing?)
ReplyDeleteThe pic of you and your sister is VERY funny. Glad you have such a good relationship now.
LOOK AT THAT GARDEN! Your parents really do have green fingers :) Awesome.
What a wonderful couple and example for you and your siblings.
ReplyDeleteI just can't imagine living so far away from my parents though, sounds very difficult.
Well, no matter what; Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad of Kristi!!!
Happy 50th Anniversary to your mom and dad. Loved being able to walk through the years here with you. Thanks for sharing and enjoy the rest of your weekend!! :)
ReplyDeleteA wonderful post and tribute to your parents. Happy Anniversary to your parents!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have your parents loving marriage as an example and guide for your own life and how wonderful to still have them in your life. I can just tell that they would be people that I would be happy to know and I'm sure that hey are so proud of you. A strong marriage is a true life blessing and is not achieved without a lifetime of hard work, please congratulate your folks from all your blog friends especially me.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful post, Kristi!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary to your parents! I am thankful that my daughter celebrated her 13th anniversary this week and that they have such a strong marriage -- plus I am thankful they gave me the best grandchild ever!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY 50th to your folks! I love the timeline idea for the post! Oh, that little tiny baby after all that bedrest! what a beauty! Your folks sound so cool and progressive with that house! I bet it was an experience being there!
ReplyDeleteOne of the best things parents can give their children is a great example. Your parents have done that and more! Happy 50th to them. And that garden...gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThis is just great! That really should have been one of my thankful things this week.. my parents hit 52 yrs together on the same day as our 19th anniversary.
ReplyDeleteBut, this is such a great way to show their legacy--lovely, lovely parents you have there!!
The house your dad built is amazing - he was way ahead of everyone!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely tribute to your parents.
What a lovely list!! My parents celebrated 49 years this August and they also care for their mothers, who are both in their mid-90s. I have always been so grateful for their example of a loving marriage, not perfect, but real and genuine, demonstrating that marriages that endure are accomplished by faith in God, hard work, deep and abiding love and forgiveness. What a blessing!! May your parents enjoy 50 more years!
ReplyDeleteGotta say I was totally cracking up at the picture of you and your sister...PRETTY sure I had the exact same hairdo in about 1988!! LOL! Love it!
Happy anniversary to your parents. The photos that you included this week are wonderful (I think my favorite may be you and your sister in the early 90's because I had that exact same haircut!). Beautiful list of thankful this week!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful things to be thankful for. I enjoyed looking at the photos and that house your dad built is incredible! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful list. My parents also made 50 years, for which we all felt very lucky. I'm now at 45.
ReplyDeleteOh, Kristi, this is just beautiful! Happy Anniversary to them!
ReplyDeleteLove all the pictures! I had a very similar 'do in the mid-80s.
Awww this is a beautiful post and a great tribute to your parents! Sounds like they offered a ton to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I'd feel the 2 Hour to 2 Day change in distance was likely the hardest of the bunch. When being so close to family and then having such distance from one another it can be a little rough at first. It's wonderful they supported it and the other big decisions you and your husband made.
Congrats to them on their 50th Anniversary!
Jak at The Cryton Chronicles & Dreams in the Shade of Ink