July 4th with The In-laws

Every year Ashley and I spend the 4th the same way. We go to Landrum, SC and spend the day with her family. Ashley's family is really close. It's cool. They (or should I say "we") spend pretty much every holiday together. When I say the family, I mean the whole family. Grandparents, uncles, second cousins, the whole lot. It's awesome. We spend the day laughing, catching up, playing games, and of course eating like pigs. There's always enough food to feed a small country.

This has been a blessing for me. As I get older (and saying that makes be sound really old) family is becoming my haven. Around our families is where we should feel safe, comfortable to be ourselves. There are few places that provide that blanket. At the office you have to be together and act like you know what you're doing. At school you have to make sure you don't say something that'll make everyone thing you're an idiot. And of course at church, you can't let people know your struggling. If you do it will hit that gossip line we call the prayer chain before you know it. But around our families it SHOULD BE different. They are the people who have seen us at our best and at our worst. And love us anyway. They are the people who can see us with our with hair down, and not pass judgment. They are the people that can laugh when a little boy busts a water balloon over their mother-in-law's head. (Which was hilarious!!)

I know when some hear the words "in-laws" they get a little uneasy. Mine are great. They're a bunch of nuts, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. I'm blest to have both the families God has given me.