Sean, my bro!

I have a brother... his name is Sean.
I like him... A LOT.

We were both blessed with a twisted sense of humor.  When we talk on the phone, 80% of our conversation is laughter.  We just get each other.

I love that he and Wes are friends.  They just don't "get along" for my sake, they genuinely like each other. They talk, laugh and enjoy making fun of each other.  They are more like brothers.

He has 3 beautiful children and I love them like they are my own. Well, almost.  I am not offering to help with college or anything.  

He also has 2 step-kids so when we all get together... we have 10 children.  There were other children on this statue but when all of our kids starting running at it, all the other kids fled in fear.  We can be a bit overwhelming to some.

I hate that he lives 7 hours away in Oklahoma and we only get to see each other a few times a year.   The highlight of our summer is when the kids come down to stay with us for a few weeks.  It makes me sad to think that one day they will be in college and have jobs and won't be able to come see us.  : (

We keep hoping that he will move closer so we can bar-b-q and hang out more.

We have been talking about this for at least 15 years.  I don't think it's going to happen.  But a girl can dream, right?

When Hurricane Ike came a few years ago, we fled to Oklahoma and stayed with them for a week. While all our friends and neighbors suffered without power, we were having a blast at Sean's house. We played games, went to the zoo and of course, gathered around the table for food and fellowship.

Oh, and some wrestling...

All 10 kids piled into one room to sleep.  I am pretty sure we were violating some fire codes here.

We went to visit him a few months ago.  We had a great time.  We laughed until our sides hurt, ate until our bellies hurt; and when it was time to leave... we cried until our eyes hurt.  Well, I did anyway. Sean must have been a little dehydrated that day.

We spent Saturday at his future in-laws farm.  It was so much fun.  Their land is beautiful and they were so gracious to invite our motely crew.  The kids rode 4 wheelers, ran until they were exhausted and explored every inch of their property.

I love that all the kids get along so well.

There is just something about being out in nature, especially with my family, that makes me feel so blessed.

I am thankful for my brother and his family.  They have brought a lot of joy into our lives.  I am thankful that spending time together has always been as important to him as it is to me.

I am also thankful that I was able to forgive him for all the years that he TORTURED me as a child.  For the many times he practiced his WWF moves on me, hit me with his pillow, chased me down the street, locked me in the bathroom and tried to make me his slave while my parents were at work.