"You're happy to be...

...with me on the 4th of July."

I love my family.

Yup, this is a fairly trite statement that can be made by a large majority of the population. Still, sometimes I have to remind myself of this fact.

To do so, I am heading to the farm for the 4th of July. This was not the original plan. Rather, I was going to run home to have a judging team practice for the 4-Hers I coach in Pipestone Co. and then head back to B-town tonight and drink and tan all day tomorrow. Then the snowball began rolling.

First, I received an email from my aunt regarding the family celebration everyone is planning. This got me wishing I could go, but I knew it would be illogical for me to go home for fireworks and then drive back for work the next day. But then as fate would have it, I got my shifts switched at work so I don't have to be in until the late afternoon on Wednesday. Score! Now the trip seems worthwhile.

Still, I know that my family will undoubtedly do something to test my love for them. My aunt and uncle will have a fight. Or a cousin will fart in my face (it has happened once, it will again). Or little brother will make a snide remark. Or grandma will make a comment about the almost illegitimate child my new aunt is bearing. Or grandpa will once again ask me is I will give the eulogy at his funeral.

Yes, this is my family. All the idiosyncrasies combined with alcohol and explosives should make for a good time. And I wouldn't miss it for the world!

Happy 4th!!