Every time I go on vacation I wonder why in the hiz-nell I live in Oklahoma.

Except when I go to Houston, or pretty much anywhere in Texas, or Florida, or Kansas, or Nebraska. But other than that, I just can't figure it out.

Case in point:

 My Uncle Breezy passing down the tradition of traumatizing children with his ghost stories. I loved listening to them as a kid and now my children can experience the thrilling sensation of being terrified and excited all at the same time. I love it.

 They are the same person. 

 Cassia Sparrow. The most fearless 5-year-old I know. She runs across gravel barefoot. My kids' city feet couldn't handle it. Weaklings.

 Mia was born for country life. I'm convinced she'll live way off the grid someday with nothing but her books and a few wild cats.

 This time Uncle Breezy taught the kids to gut their own fish. Mia wanted to save their hearts in a baggie. 

 The best thing about traveling with family? Free babysitting. (Actually, that's the best thing about family in general.)

 This vacation included both sides of the family, which was a double blessing. We met up with the Lashleys the second week.

 The only thing better than hiking with your bestie is not hiking with your bestie. The things I'll do for Darci...

Oh, my heart.

There are times in your life as a parent that you shouldn't overthink. These are times you just need to whisper a "thank you" to Jesus and love and enjoy every minute of it because they don't come around all that often. That's the truth.

For me, those times happen when I get to watch my kids killing it at the one thing they love the most. For Mia, that's theater. And I will just be honest, for every perfect role that Mia gets, there are ten (or so) rejections. Theater is not an "every kid gets a trophy" kind of thing. And that's good for her.

But, man-oh-man, she rocked the whole Dorothy thing. She just did.

It's not a bad thing when your Uncle is a TV personality on a morning show:

 Her theater besties:

 Her cousin besties:

 The between shows dinner runs are so fun for me. Listening to these kiddos gab on and on about the show is hilarious:

 Three shows in one day requires multiple Walgreens candy runs (for me):

 Mis has a gift with children. Yet another way that we are completely different.

 She's the kid whisperer:

 And little girls totally dig her:

 Theater kids are strangely awesome.

I love the young woman that she is becoming and I pray she is blessed with a few more perfect moments in her sweet life. 

But, more importantly, I pray she continues to use the gifts that the Lord has given her to His glory.