and we're back

back from visiting family. parents and sister in the great state of texas.

and it was awesome.

it is so good to be with those who've always known you. such a comfort when you're together. i miss them. and as i have spent more years than i'd like away from family, i'm getting more and more cranky about it. i now look at these visits as not-enough. i want my kids to have casual, easy, constant relationships with their mim, poppi, aunts, uncles and cousins. these short weekends end with sorrow and what feels like tearing hearts.

but i'm so grateful for the gift of family who all love Jesus, for family i long to be with, and for kids who barely complained as we drove them across the country. He gives good gifts. He is good and He is wise. i will remember.

we spent a fabulous morning at the Dallas Arboretum. the tulips and azaleas were out and many more flowers i can't name. it was beautiful.

and then we did a lot of hanging, being and relaxing. it was oh-so-nice.

oh yes. we took a picture at target. dad's suggestion. i thought it was weird. but is now the picture i keep looking at. thanks dad. you were right again.

i finished erica's blanket and got to hand it off to her.

and as i did i thought about the dark winter we had. and how i needed to put my hand to something to keep the rest of me still. i'm thankful that our good Father guides us so gently through these lessons He puts before us. i'm still figuring out anxiety, fear, and how to handle it all jumbled in my heart. but i can look back across these months and see His work.

it felt good to hand off a completed blanket. a project that accompanied many fear-filled nights and was a comfort to me. maybe there's a bit of cheese in that last sentence, but i don't care. you know how much i love to craft, and the methodical movement of hands and fingers can quiet my soul. it just does. and it was satisfying to see a finished blanket- off to warm a loved one.

so glad to be home. glad to have family i love. and so very glad it is spring.