Mr. and Mrs. Jones

Today is my parents' 30th anniversary!

Aren't they adorable?
This is them celebrating their 30th anniversary on a romantic trip to Key West, FL.

The cute couple on our Montana vacation last year.

Their legacy thus far...

Still no idea where my red hair came from.

These two cats look perfect together.

This was on their 25th anniversary trip to the Bahamas.  It's obvious that they love each other.

Cheers to my mom and dad!


But our story really begins on Saturday, July 10th, 1982 when this man took

this foxy lady to be his wife

Told you my mom was a babe.  She looks exactly the same as she did 30 years ago.  And Dad looks like a handsome devil.  Not too bad.

Next thing you know, they have 3 awesome daughters.

Throw in a couple dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, etc. along the way.

They gained their first son, Daniel, on September 11, 2010

Which brings us to today.  30 years later and these two cats are still crazy about each other (even though sometimes they drive each other crazy, but Dad blames that on living with all girls up to this point).  Jim and Julie are both over the moon about becoming grandparents for the first time...okay so they might be too excited.  Mom has loaded up on baby stuff since before we found out that I was pregnant (and when I say before, I mean years before, not even weeks).  Dad started a baby pool beginning on the day Dan and I tied the knot.  But Dan and I couldn't be more excited to have these two as our child's soon-to-be grandparents.

They set the bar pretty high as far as expectations for parenting and marriage go.  Although not perfect, they come pretty close.  They have taught me that family, above all earthly things, is the single most important possession we have.  The only thing above family is faith.  God has blessed me with the most amazing family ever and it all begins with Jim and Julie at the helm.

Don't get me wrong.  Some days I wonder where my family came from.  My parents are ridiculous beyond compare.  But these are also the days that I almost die from laughing at the crazy moments I have with them.  My parents definitely taught me to have a sense of humor when it comes to all relationships.  Dan and I have used this advice and some days we don't stop laughing.  I get daily texts from my family reminding me of how ridiculous they are as a bunch.  My parents always have smiles on their faces (except when my sisters and I got in trouble when we were younger) to let everyone know that no matter what the world throws at you, you need a sense of humor, love, and great family and you can get through anything.  Anyone who knows my family will tell you that we live by these principles and these all come from our parents.

Their example of committed love is the best thing any girl could take from this world.  It not only serves as an example for Dan and I in our marriage but it gives us an example of what great parenting looks like.  If we can learn to parent half as well as our parents did us, then I think our kid has a fighting chance.  My sisters and I are beyond blessed to have these two as our parents.  Nothing makes me more excited than to know that these two are going to be the best grandparents in the world.

I'm one of the few people in the world that can confidently say that my parents (and family) are my best friends.  Without them I wouldn't be who I am today or where I am today.  They made me everything I am and loved me throughout everything I did.  They came to my sports events (I wasn't very good but they were still there), math team events (that I was good at!  Yeah for nerds!), cheered me on through school, helped me with my homework, stayed up late with me finishing college applications and scholarships, helped me raise animals, provided an amazing life for me, taught me how to drive, work hard, make friends, and love.  They laughed with me, cried with me, supported me, pushed me to do my best, and even disciplined me when I needed it.  They were the first people to accept me for who I was (their perfect miracle child) and make me feel loved and adored every step of the way.  They always made me take responsibility for my actions.  They taught me self-respect, self-worth, ambition, and more.  They also taught me how to be a generous and selfless person.  Ask anyone and they will tell you that my parents are the most giving and generous people they know.  To me, nothing is more biblical than learning from your parents how to be a servant on a daily basis.

My parents are the epitome of what great parenting looks like.  So I know that I don't have to go far when I need advice on how to parent.

Congratulations to my amazing parents, Jim and Julie Jones for 30 years of awesomeness.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for our family for the next 30.

Love you Mom and Dad!