Our Anniversary

Sometimes you have one of those days you just can't plan out.  You think you are going to run a bunch of errands but a pulled back muscle slows you down.  You spend most of your day in a van with 6 kids who all have things they need.  Food for their pig, sewing help from a friend in Stanwood, an adapter for a farm animal waterer, swim lessons.  It is your 18th wedding anniversary but you aren't expecting to see your husband because he is a faithful provider, working long days 6 days a week right now.  So you chin up and get as much done as you can.  After 7 hours of running errands you make it home tired.  You have forgotten to be thankful that you have a family to care for. 

But then your prince shows up early, flowers in hand.

A sore back reminds you that sometimes the best memories are made from the simplest activities.  A ride in the van, sharing a couple of lattes.

Dinner at a fun restaurant.

Sharing a rib plate and an Italian trio and forgetting to take a "before" picture of dinner because everything looks so tasty you end up just jumping in.

You have 6 kids and you are on a date without them so what is the one thing you want to do?

Go shopping without kids of course.  You can pick up some toiletries, browse the movie section to see what you have missed out on and take time to notice the other shoppers for a change. 

Then you get to go home and find out your kiddos cleaned the house for you while you were gone and worked on a special message.

You are reminded that God designed your family perfectly.  He knew your husband while you were still a child.  He created each child just for your family and each one is a blessing who brings something special and unique.  And each one grows you and challenges you exactly how God planned.

To my husband and best friend- It probably is not apparent.  But I thank God for you everyday.  That you are a faithful provider.  A loving father.  My best friend.  And a man of God who I can trust to lead our family.  When we met that summer evening 20 years ago I never could have imagined the surprises God had in store for us!  It has been an amazing 20 years!    I can't wait to see what he has planned for our next 20!