My Brothers

Look at my cute brothers...just look at them!!! I just LOVE them!!! I'm so very grateful for my brothers! Each one of them is different and I have a different relationship with each one. All growing up I WISHED for sisters. But as I look back, I had so much fun with my brothers! I'd dare say that a good majority of my spunk and sass came from having to deal with brothers. I like my spunk and sass :) I remember my brothers playing Barbies (they would not admit to that now) with me, teddy bears, building huts in the backyard for our guinea pigs, riding bikes, taking hikes...etc. We did all kinds of fun things together! Some of my favorite memories are during Christmas, Christmas Eve to be exact. They would all come into my room and we'd sleep (not sleep, actually) on my floor, listen to Christmas music all night and talk about what we'd all get for Christmas. I just cherish those memories!

As I grew older, I spent a lot of time with Matt. Matt is 13 months younger than me. I remember spending a lot of time hanging out with him as I changed high schools. That was a hard time for me. I just felt like I needed to get out of high school, so I went to a private school and graduated a year early with my GED. During that year, I spent a lot of time with Matt. I'm so grateful for him! He helped me through that year and in him I found a great friend. I didn't have many friends at that time. As I got married and the dynamic of our family changed, I missed hanging out with Matt, until he met Stephanie, his wife. I LOVE Steph! She is so fun and was so good for Matt. I love watching Matt in action with his family. I admire him so much because just these last couple of years, he's decided to go back to school to become a pharmacist. That isn't easy. He has 5 kids, like me, and Stephanie also works a couple of days a week. I admire his determination to change things for the better. He is such a hard worker. Matt just makes me laugh. He is sooooo stinkin funny. He is so good with his kiddo's and I love to watch him play with them. One thing about Matt is he will always help you anytime you need, even if it means giving you the shirt off his back. I appreciate him so much!

Over the last 5 years or so, I've really enjoyed spending time with Brent (3 years younger than me). He and I share a love for good nutrition and exercise. Every time summer rolls around, I have a hiking buddy. I have loved getting to know Brent again. I love what kind of a Father he is. He has two cute boys and I just love to watch him with his kids. He is such a good Dad. Brent is so patient! He is quiet and kind. His wife, Cortnie, is full of sass, like me, hahaha! He is good to her and takes amazing care of his little family. He is positive and happy and even when he isn't, he's smiling.

And then 8 years later, there was Shawn. There are 11 years between he and I. That's a big gap! He was 8 when I got married. I still remember the day he was born. We didn't know what my Mom was having and I was sure I was going to get my sister that day...just SURE! But as my weepy Dad came around the corner at the hospital and declared I had another brother and then I saw him, I was so happy! I'm so glad I have Shawn as my brother! He is such an amazing kid! He has a sensitivity and strength about him. I have loved having Shawn living with my parents just downstairs this last year. We have spent a lot of time together, riding long boards, going running, playing video games, watching Scrubs, and eating amazing food.

What would I do without my brothers?! Die probly (lol, yes I meant to spell it that way, it's an old Farley Family Reunion Joke). They are the Best! I'm so thankful for them!