Michigan Ahoy

Currently sitting in a hotel room in Ohio waiting for my kids to finish their morning school zoom meeting so we can hit the road again. Couldn't stay with family on our way back because they had possible exposure to Covid. Because of virtual school, we can take their supplies almost anywhere and still be present for school. Our hotel breakfast was able to be taken from the lobby but had to be eaten in the room. This is actually a surprise upgrade from the past hotel experiences we've had this year where normally they give us breakfast in a brown paper bag. This is 2020.

Looking ahead to Thanksgiving week and we will be going solo due to other family members needing to quarantine. Dine-in in the state of Michigan is shut down for the next 3 weeks which will hit businesses hard and because no more than 2 households can get together, we won't be the only ones doing Thanksgiving as just our family at home this year. This is 2020. It's our current reality. It is what a serious virus combined with the craze of social media will do. Not to mention the addition of the election. 

But despite all of the negativity surrounding us, I am thankful. We just spent the last 3 weeks in Virginia at Opa and Oma's house. Though the kids were in school most days during the week, we still had plenty of time to do some fun activities like go to the park, build fires and have s'mores, eat out, and play games. Oma made yummy meals and Opa made silly jokes. As it should be.

So I'm thankful. Thankful for family, for our health, for God's goodness to us. He has continued to answer prayers in unexpected ways. He gives me a heart of peace when I need it. He has given us safety on the road, food for our hungry bellies, and the ability to stay in a hotel on our way home.

Fast forward a few hours and a few miles later. We made it home safe and sound. Michigan is looking quite dull now with all of the leaves gone off the trees. How fitting with the state of things, am I right? 😉 Our house was a comfort sight. Sam worked hard with the help of his brother to frame in the basement while we were gone and it's looking amazing down there. I remember when we built our tribal home how it felt strange to see a plan on paper become a reality. And it's no different. I'm excited to see what it looks like when it's done.

The kids spent some time outside while I worked on taking the bikes off the car bike rack, unpacked the car, and began putting some things away. Let's be honest, most of that can wait. So I sat down in my favorite chair with my new-to-me $3 yard sale moccasin slippers,  and just relaxed for a bit too. We did a simple meal of popcorn and smoothies ("but it's not Sunday!!!!") and piddled away at things. Even with a mountain of things to do tomorrow like laundry, cleaning, unpacking, shopping and helping the kids with school, I'm glad to be home. It's our America home and I choose to be content here, today. There's always tomorrow to miss our jungle home 😅