Best family ever...

I love my family.

And when I say love I mean like I really, really love my family.

If I had to rate how cool my family is on a scale from 1 to 10, I'd give them an 11. We are that seriously rad.

Now don't get me wrong, we are far from perfect. To say that we have always had it easy would be a completely and total lie. We've had our rough patches. We've had our fights. We've had our days and weeks (okay... okay... and months and years...) were just being civil to each other is a true gift from God. But years and growth and maturing and forgiving and forgetting have brought us to where we are today. And I'm happier and healthier because of everything we've gone through together.

There are so many reasons why I love my parents. I can't even list them all, they are far too random and ridiculous to even put into writing. But they are really some of the most amazing people I have ever met. They are hilariously funny. They are spontaneous and silly. They are the type of parents who embarass you because they are so in love (and lovey dovey) but at the same time make you proud that your parents are still that infatuated with each other. They ride quads, drive race cars, and go on ridiculously random trips back East to go to drag races and visit Gator Land. They are the kind of parents who drive their ginormously awesome motor home to your house the first they get it just you can take a ride, and who always have their doors open to us for dinner, ice cream, games, or just a random night of hanging out when there is nothing else to do. They love our child so much it amazes me, and I'm pretty sure that my mother is crawling out of her skin with hysteria if she is away from Swee'Pea more than 48 hours at a time. They aren't afraid to get on the floor and play with him, and already my dad is dreaming and scheming of the day when Swee'Pea will join Gatlin Racing in the Junior Dragster division. They give advice when it is solicited, and know when to mind their business when it is not.

And my brother. Oh, my big little brother. He is one of the most kind-hearted people I have ever met. He is always quick to give me a hug and a kiss and tell me that he loves me whenever we part, but at the same time is willing and waiting to pulverize any person who hurts or betrays me. He is sarcastic and witty, and although he knows how to push all of my buttons, life is much more fun when we join forces to push our mother's. He adores Swee'Pea and drops by just to play with him or bring him a random gift he has thoughtfully picked up. He is a hard worker, a hilarious character, and one of the sweetest guys you will ever meet.

I couldn't be happier with how our family has grown and changed over the past few years. And adding Popeye and Swee'Pea to the mix has made it even more fantastic. I can't wait for the day when a sister-in-law will (hopefully!) be added to the family... and of course, many, many more grandbabies as well.

Thank you, Lorie, for the beautiful pictures of my beautiful family!