In the life of Mr and Mrs. Haynes: November 2015

Boys are gross. Like, I lived with four of them for most my life... and they are disgusting. They roll around in the mud, make fart noises, push you on the couch and fart in your face, slurp their food, pick their noses... etc. But even though they can be disgusting... having brothers is the best thing in the world and here's why:

First, they have taught me to be tough.
Growing up with boys who have all wrestled has certainly taught me how to hold me own. Growing up with boys who would rather punch than yell at each other has forced me to learn how to fight. And be scrappy about it. They have also taught me that everything does not have to be some huge emotional breakdown. They have taught me to suck it up and I have become a stronger person because they have taught me to take no crap. From anyone.

Second, they have taught me how to laugh.
Guys, nobody can make me laugh like my brothers do. THEY ARE HILARIOUS! ALL three of them!!!! Whether it is one of their stupid comments or a lame joke they heard at school... they can have me rolling on the floor clenching my stomach because I am laughing so hard. I definitely got my sense of humor and my witty comebacks from these boys.

Guys, we are hilarious

Third, they have taught me to demand respect.

So yes, they might throw me on the ground, put me in a cradle and three seconds later fart in my face... but they never let anyone treat me less than they think I deserve to be treated. They have taught and shown me by example how to treat a lady.

Fourth, nobody ever stole my clothes
Yeah, it would be great to have a sister... but I would not want to share my wardrobe with her. Lucky for me, my brothers weren't really into wearing my skirts and dresses. Lucky for me, I always stole their basketball shorts and t-shirts. Lucky for me, I love their sweatshirts and I have stolen them many times. Lucky for me I have brothers who have good taste in athletic clothes. Lucky for me I have brothers.

Fifth, there is absolutely no drama
From what I hear, with sisters there is a TON of drama... I didn't have any of that. There was no gossiping. There was no stealing of boys. There was no petty stupid fights about make up or any of that nasty girly stuff. With the boys, it was all strait-forward. There were no tears, no yelling, no whining. It was all easy.... At least for me it was. (Unfortunately they had to deal with all of my drama).

Sixth, I got my own room
You know, as I got older and hit the thing that they call "puberty" it wasn't quite appropriate for me to share a room with my brothers. So really from the time I was five years old... I had my own room. And it was awesome. I didn't have to worry about keeping it clean for someone. I could have so much space. I could even sleep naked if I wanted to. (Not that I did....)

Seventh, They taught me to be competitive and I always had an adventure buddy
EVERYTHING in my life has been a competition. From calling "shotgun" to high school sports it has all been a competition. We raced, we wrestled, we pushed each other, we worked to become the very best that we could be. Part of being competitive, we were outside with each other all the time. We were outside playing soccer, going on bike rides, hunting, paintballing, etc. That being said we developed a love for the outdoors. Whenever I wanted to do something outside, I could always count on one of my brothers to join me. We go scuba diving, surfing, backpacking, hiking, swimming. I never have to worry about not having an adventure buddy because I already know that I have THREE!

Eighth, They taught me to put the lid down
Every time I entered the bathroom, I found the toilet seat up. I hated it. It was disgusting. And I learned at a young age that boys need to learn how to aim. But I didn't have much of a choice... so I put the seat down. A couple hours later I would return to the bathroom and once again... the toilet seat would have returned to the up position. Gritting my teeth I would then put it down again so I could do my business. Maybe one day I will have a bunch of boys of my own... and when they forget- I will know how to put the lid down.

Ninth, I was always favorite in mom's eyes
Raising girls isn't easy. Raising boys is probably a LOT easier.. but when you only have one girl.. there seems to be some sort of special treatment. I get most of the quality time. I get all the gossip. I get the mommy-daughter dates. I get to the nail and hair appointments. Lucky for me, I got brothers. Lucky for me, that also meant I got to spend lots and lots of time with my mama.

Tenth, they taught me how to love

These boys can be a handful at times. Sometimes I have to interpret their grunts and moans. I knew to leave them alone during wrestling season. I got used to bringing them a towel in the bathroom every time they would scream because they had forgotten one. All the times we would fight, all the times they called me names and tortured me... all the times they had to prove me wrong.. they were worth it. I wouldn't trade it for the times that we summitted a mountain together. I would't trade it for the times I was cuddled up with one of them watching "Say Yes to the Dress". I wouldn't trade it for the times we went down to the field to kick a ball around. I wouldn't trade it for the times we went hiking. I wouldn't trade it for the times that we made it through trials together. I wouldn't trade it for the love I have for these boys. Yeah, sometimes these boys are hard. Sometimes I don't think they are living the life that I think they should... but I love them to the moon and back and am SO glad that I got these amazing boys to be my brothers!

~FALL 2015~

I love these people.

I love fall.

I love pumpkin spice. (White girl)

I love soccer season.

I love the smell of the pavement when it rains.

I love the sound the piano makes when I gently press my finger to the keys.

I love small children.

I love my bed warm but my room cold.

I love when my laptop cooperates with me.

I love the blessings of tithing.

I love institute- especially on cold mornings.

I LOVE the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I love Halloween.

I love Christmas EVEN MORE.

I love the "lightbulb" that goes off when I understand my calculus homework.

I love scoring a goal as Alex Morgan on FIFA '16.

I love laughing at how bad I am at dancing.

I love Sundays.

I love when the people around me are positive.

I love my puppies.

I love the good boys that are few and far between.

I love those friendships that you know will never end.

I love knowing that God loves me.

I love the anticipation of my toast popping out of the toaster.

I love being productive.

I love when the food I cook doesn't taste like butt.

I love singing off-key at the top of my lungs.

I love Sam Smith.

I love Grey's Anatomy.

I love being right.

I love the feeling of coming home to a clean house.

I love the first few days after the leaves begin to change.

I love FaceTiming my family.
I love knowing that I'm doing the things that I should.
I love the gospel.
I love feeling appreciated.
I love giving compliments.
I love feeling needed.
I love being able to brighten someones day.
I love having people to look up to.

Last but not least- I love these people. They are more than just people to me. They are my best friends, my family.

I love life.