#yousgirlsgoeast

Sometimes I can't believe I get to have my family as my family. The previous post to this one delved a little bit deeper into why it's such a big influence and source of joy in my life. Two of the best things about my family are named Karley and Liz. When cousins are your best friends, that means you get to keep them for life! We decided around Christmastime that this summer called for a cousins road trip. I conveniently also wanted to visit my brothers out on the east coast, and boom! plans were made. Rudi and Stephanie are in suburban New York, living in New Jersey, while Alex and Heidi are in suburban D.C., living in Alexandria, Virginia. We had such a good time seeing family, sightseeing, and soaking up a week of no work or obligation.

Want to know what I've discovered? Donuts are my favorite (although this has been a life long love affair, not a recent discovery), the east coat has incredible history, and I miss my family.

Brian and I are the closest to my parents of all my siblings at a 2-hour car ride away. Although don't feel too sorry for them, since it's become almost impossible to keep up with their travels and schedule anyway :) There is, though, a part of my heart that breaks in this process of adulthood carrying on, the process of people I love following their dreams. I'm all about people forging their own paths and seeking the Lord's call, no matter what....in theory. And then it takes people I love very, very far away from me and then I am tested in this faith of mine. I am reminded that God has each of us right where that needs to be, whether that's 2 hours, 2 days, or 2 weeks worth of travel away. Even my two partners in crime, travel buddies extraordinaire, Karley and Liz are looking like they aren't on the same geographic path as me. That's hard for me to take, but it's okay. I love them to pieces.

Here are a few pictures of our adventure out east this summer. (Have I mentioned how sweet it is to be a teacher during the summer? It is so sweet.)