I like to post pictures from each year so that I can look back and see the changes; especially at gotcha days and birthdays. Today, I thought it might be fun to look back at how Mark and I have changed through the years. I really hadn't realized how difficult it was going to be to find pictures of the 2 of is though! There just aren't many. I looked through 1000's of pictures and could only find a couple from each year. That made me very sad.

We had a wonderful day yesterday. Mark surprised me by taking the day off. It was a great gift! I had originally intended on walking into town (9 mile walk) with Elizabeth and Ri to pick up our car (windshield needed replaced). What a joy it was not to have to do that! Instead, I had the joy of sharing lunch with my husband and celebrating our 20th together!

So...Mark and I have never really been big gift givers to each other. So I got to thinking about this....20th is a VERY BIG deal!!! We were planning a get away when we took Erin to college... only... Erin REALLY wants Jacob (her boyfriend) to come with us. That kind of puts a damper on any romantic getaways, doesn't it? WE could say no, but it means a LOT to Erin....so...our plans changed. I still had dreams of a weekend away or something like that... but reality sometimes hits you in the face. With just having paid 2 semesters of college and needing to pay 2 more in December, with school fees/supplies/clothes/sports this month and with car repairs and a well that runs dry every day.... reality screams that a weekend away, despite the fact it is your 20th wedding anniversary, is not smart.

So what our we doing for our "gift" to each other. Well... the other day, when Mark and I were training for our "mini" triatholon (though it is NOT mini to me!!!!), Mark shared with me that he just paid for our entry fee. Then he told me that he thought that running the triatholon was the coolest way to celebrate our anniversary. At first, I was taken-a-back! What in the world was he thinking!!! A cool way to celebrate our 20th anniversary??????? WHAT!!! Did he really realize how that sounded? Did he know what I was going through trying to do this??? Did he understand that I really hadn't meant what I said when I said I wanted to do a triatholon one day??? Is he crazy??!@@! But then I got to thinking about it. How cool is it that when we met... on the very next morning... we ran 5 miles together. We were both very athletic and enjoyed doing that kind of thing. And now...20 years later... after 6 kids.... we are running our first EVER "mini" triatholon... and actually enjoying it. It has been something that has really blessed our marriage. He is right; I can NOT think of a better gift to one another.

Well, hope you enjoyed the progression of our marriage. It is a brief glimpse into a blessed gift.

well... you must forgive the "recent' picture. It is the ONLY one of Mark and I that I have for this year. It is a sad picture, but one that will just have to do for today!





(sorry, I couldn't find a picture with Mark and I during this year...guess our life was pretty busy!)

Well, today is a very big day around here....probably one of the bigger days. Our sweet little girl, Erin, turns 18. She officially becomes an adult. And... not that a child turning 18 is enough... but Mark and I celebrate our 20th anniversary. Twenty is a pretty big deal! So, again, I must say that today is a big day. Unfortuatnely, Erin is not around right now. She is celebrating her day working ALL day at a soccer camp. She probably won't get a break until near midnight. I will be lucky if I actually get to "verbally" wish her a happy birthday. It makes me very sad. To make things worse, we ordered her gift online to be sent to Houghton so that she could open it on her actual birthday (since none of us will be with her) and we just FINALLY got notification that it was out of stock and they would cancel the order. So, not only will she be alone, but her gift (the main one) will not be there. But... I did manage to have a couple things sent to her. Hopefully she will actually get those.

Erin is full of life! She is probably one of the most determined young woman that I know. She has been determined since before she was born. We knew that when I was delivering her. The doctor said it would be some time before she was born. He left the room and within a few minutes, the nurse was running after him. When he came back, he was shocked and told me to stop pushing (he had to get ready). I told him that I wasn't doing anything at all. Erin was determined to come on her own terms. She has never changed. She has been a go getter from the moment she was delivered. And her love for life and her intensity for life has always been incredible. SHe has brought us more joy then I could ever describe. I look for God to use her in mighty ways as she begins her journey as an adult. Heppy birthday baby girl!