Sibling Day

With all of this Facebook hype about "Sibling Day" yesterday and today (y'all know one person posted one picture, and now it's officially Sibling Day), I thought it'd be a good excuse to brag about my awesome family.

This was the only picture of all of us I could access today.

My big brother, Danny, aka Bubba, aka Deputy Barnes, is a hero. Seriously. He fights bad guys every day. Just a few weeks ago, he kept a real bad guy from hurting his fellow officers (and anyone else) by taking him down when he didn't respond to directions. Even though no one got hurt, he could have been seriously injured. One of our favorite things to do is chat over all the interesting things about his job. Those stories fascinate and worry me simultaneously. I've been privileged over the last couple of years to see the strong and gentle way he's led our whole family. There have been some rough times for us, but he trusts in the Lord for his strength. He's a fantastic father, son, husband, and brother. I don't know what this family would do without him. I'm so proud of him. 

Deborah, my oldest sister, practically raised me...so you know she has the patience of a saint. She is smart, athletic, and has always been my role model. I remember, when she was valedictorian of her class, that I thought I should be so smart just like she is. She inspired me to do my best and work hard in school (as trite as that may sound). A wonderful mommy (probably since she had so much practice), she has raised two pretty awesome kids. When times get tough, and they've been tough, she doesn't quit. She just keeps seeking her peace in the Lord. I mentioned it jokingly before, but she is so faithful in waiting on the Lord's timing. She does not lose her temper easily and is rarely flustered. She has a gentle and quiet spirit, and the unfading beauty of that spirit shines through her.

It's no secret that Susan and I had a rough start. Knowing how stubborn I am now, I can only imagine what her ten-year-old mind thought of my two-year-old self. When she begged my mom for a baby, I'm pretty sure she had in mind a perfectly peaceful little doll who would let her do her hair and dress her. She got me. Now, when I look at my strong, intelligent, hilarious sister, I see so much of what I'd like to become. I admire the way she goes at life with passion. She never stops learning, and every time I'm with her, she surprises me with some other interesting thing she knows about the human body or her profession as a speech therapist. I can't tell you how accomplished she is. She loves a good practical joke...don't I know it? I will never forget Susan and Deborah dumping freezing water on my head once when I was in the shower. My horror-movie shriek must've left their ears ringing for days! We always laugh when we're together. She's also a great mommy (she's come a long way from her "Slapdancing" days...let's just say a hairbrush/microphone across the face stings), and her kids' lives are full of fun and giggles. Her passion for the Lord has also inspired me, and she always has a new, challenging perspective to change the way I see the world.

This turned into a bit of a long post, but I am blessed with more siblings than most people! Thanks to my mom and dad as well for raising such great kids to help raise me! Love you all!