What's in a Name??

It all started 50 years ago...Well that's at least when it officially started. May 19, 1959. Reese J Goodwin married Charlotte Ann Owen and shortly thereafter began a family. It was 20 years before I came to join the family almost to the day, and now 30 years later, my mom and dad have made it to their Golden Anniversary.

This is an event my 3 siblings and I have been looking forward to for several years, and had been actually planning since around Thanksgiving 2008. The four of us knew we wanted this to be outstanding, something that would honor our parents in a way that they would know not only how much we love them, but how many other people not only love them, but honor them for the lives they have lead.

The party was great and we were so excited to be able to host it at my parents home. Their home has been such an accomplishment in their life. They are most happy when they are at home, and especially when they are working in the yard. While we originally planned for the party to be outdoors, we changed plans and did it indoors where we were able to show the video that was made (by my brother Greg) that chronicled the story of their lives as well as keep any weather worries at bay.

It was such an honor to be apart of such an incredible evening. My parents are amazing people that have lead their lives in a manner that would impress just about anyone. I can't even count how many times people came up and told either me or one of my siblings how nice it was for us to do this for our parents, and honestly we never felt that way. We felt like it was an honor for us to be able to throw the party, like we were the ones who had been blessed so much to have such amazing parents that it was the least we could do to show them how much other people admire and love them.

About 2 years ago I stumbled across a small porcelain box that had 2 gold rings and the word fifty underneath and knew immediately I was going to keep the box to give as a gift to my parents for this special event. Ever since I was about 16 I have had a small box with the words "wonderful things" written on top. Every few weeks I sit down and think of a few things that I am grateful for, or things that I just simply love. I write simple phrases on small pieces of paper and put them in that box and there they remain, until the next time I add more "wonderful things" or until I need a small reminder of the good things in life. When I saw this porcelain box I knew exactly what I was going to use it for. So, Nate cut out some cards using my new paper cutter and I made "50 Things" all about Reese and Charlotte Goodwin. They were a mix of memories, and qualities I love about them.

Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, we didn't have a professional photographer at the party to take new family pictures (and we haven't taken an actual family picture other than wedding pictures since before I got married...I know sad isn't it??) but here are a few that we took with our own cameras...I was happy to be able to get a picture with all my siblings as well as get a couple cute shots of the girls with some of their cousins!