Thursday, August 20, 2009

Everybody Needs a Woody and Marion

I absolutely guarantee you that nobody in the world has in-laws as amazing as mine! Meet Woody and Marion:


Monte's parents who have been so amazing since the moment I met them on Monte's birthday last year (July 24, 2008). They have been kind and loving, they have welcomed me into the family, they have watched our kids so that we could go on a honeymoon as well as a separate vacation to Florida. They invited Colin and I down to their home in Arizona this past March when the transition into being a wife and step-mom on top of just having miscarried my baby was proving to be overwhelming. They continually call to check in on how things are going. They are happy to have me drop by spontaniously when I'm in the neighborhood (did I mention that they live in Minnesota during the summers?).

Why, you might ask, am I telling you all of this? Well, that is because Woody and Marion have topped the charts of amazing in-laws yet again! They graciously showed up at our house today and helped with huge amounts of yard work: lawn mowing, weed pulling (in MASSIVE flower gardens), dock-fixing, and apple orchard cleaning to name a few! They have helped with a huge portion of our fixing-up-to-sell project and I am so grateful for their generosity! I understand that they're family, and in some people's lives family is just "supposed to" do things like that. Not in my life. I don't believe in passing my work off on my family unless they have volunteered themselves. Marion had previously volunteered to help me weed the flower gardens (because, let's be honest, I really don't enjoy flower gardening!), so I decided to take her up on the offer. They came out today so that Woody could come along and offer some additional help. So, during the moments of almost-sunshine and times of pouring rain, they worked side-by-side with me and the kids and accomplished far more than I ever expected!

I write this post entirely to say that I am so grateful for my in-laws and I wouldn't trade my relationship with them for anything. With all of the in-law horror stories you hear prior to being married, I was a little nervous to meet Monte's parents. I can honestly say, though, that they are on the complete opposite end of that spectrum - they are completely phenomenal in-laws!

Woody and Marion, thank you so much for everything you do for our family. You are greatly appreciated and unconditionally loved!