family and fourth and such

we were planning on leaving for michigan the morning of the fourth. the night before, jason got home from work and i went to publix to pick up a couple of extra things. i'm walking down the toilet paper aisle, call him and ask: "should we just leave tonight?" we did. started out of the city around 8:30pm with elated kids in the back seat. we saw the moon rise over north carolina and saw it set in ohio. i bought a cup of coffee at 1am. 

all worth it. 

(i know it's blurry. but i can't stand that smile on my nephew's face-- perfect)

that's just the kind of place these people have in our hearts. the drive-through-the-night kind of place. the every-second-i-can-get kind of spot. love love love. 

and oh what a time we had. playing in the rain, tromping through a fairy forest, and a close-to-midnight walk after a storm. beautiful. 

(jason's fairy house. he's an architect, folks. just is)

i know i've written here before about family living far away. it feels like more than i can bear sometimes. sitting across from my sister talking frankly and lovingly about what we see going on in our lives- chasing my nephew through the house, finally reconnecting the day before i have to leave him again- sitting with my husband, sister and brother-in-law talking about life. it's all so lovely. so wonderful. 

but we packed up the car again (in the daylight this time) and drove long roads home. 

i have to land on thankful ground. it's the most solid. the way my loving Father has structured my life is best. i'll give thanks.