Since last Sunday evening we’ve been here in Chattanooga, TN. I’ve loved every second. I’ve done things I’ve never done before and spent precious time with our chaotic family. Yesterday we went white water rafting. I was so afraid and scared I would topple out of that $8,000 raft and never get back to it, but I never fell out and it was one of the most fun experiences I have ever had! Last night, my sister got a tattoo. Yes. A tattoo. I plan on getting one today if they have an opening. (Pray for me! Shel said it hurts.) I’ve been tubing down this relaxing river with all of my family and eaten at a German themed restaurant. I’ve eaten breakfast every morning and been woken up by a cloud of family members in the kitchen.

There are mountains covered in tall trees with tons of shades of green. The roads are winding everywhere you go. We’re two hours from everything: Nashville, Atlanta, rafting, tubing, Birmingham… Everything is cheaper. Houses are huge and gorgeous. Acres of land are cheaper. Family is here. Family alone is a good enough reason to pick up and move 10 hours away from where I’ve been for 19 years of my life.

Every single one of us has been in this house for a week or more. Every single one of us has had the time of our lives exploring this new town and the surrounding areas. We’ve all enjoyed making fun of each other and being loud and dancing and singing and driving way too fast on these scary curves. I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to go back to reality. Anticipating this vacation I didn’t think it’d be anything like a vacation. We’re staying in our cousins’ house in a town we’ve never been too. There’s no beach to go to everyday, there’s no snow to ski in. But there are rivers, creeks, hiking, shopping. But most of all there’s FAMILY. I guess what I’m trying to get at is that it doesn’t matter where your vacation is. It’s who you’re vacationing with.

If you know anything about my family you know we’re loud and chaotic. We’re big and you’ll know where we are when we’re there. I love them and I would never ever trade them for anyone or anything.