40th

We spent Thanksgiving with my parents in North Carolina this year. The kids and I had just over a week on the farm with Mom and Dad, as Mom came to get us while Michael was away for a conference and had to teach a couple more days before coming. It was wonderful to be with them for that time and help out a bit as we prepared for Thanksgiving.

What my parents didn't know was that we were also preparing for a surprise 40th Anniversary party for them, that Saturday. Their actual anniversary was November 1st and while a little belated, we just couldn't let this anniversary go by without getting to do something special to encourage them. We had to tell them it was happening the evening of Thanksgiving because my grandmother was coming from Minnesota the next day and staying with them for a couple weeks, but they were still SO shocked and surprised to hear about it all. We had a lot of help from some of my parents' dear friends to organize it all and we hosted it at their church. The event went splendidly and they were so encouraged by the group of people that came - some of their closest friends and my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins were all there. We missed my sister and her family, though. Cindy has a new job as a photographer at the Biltmore Estate, in Asheville, NC and was scheduled to work the whole weekend. We need to get down there and visit them!!!

All in all, God blessed that time greatly and it was beautiful.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!