Country living with lightning bugs and starry nights

The girls and I are currently living with the Officer's parents out in the country. I'm not a huge fan of the long drive or the lack of internet and phone reception, but I do enjoy the quiet relaxation, clear skies, and the lightning bugs. The girls have loved looking out the windows every night before bed to see the lightning bugs, and last week one night we took them out to catch some.

I remember catching lightning bugs in our yard on summer nights when I was little. I loved it, and it was so nostalgic to watch the girls have the same fun. Their Nana and PawPaw got them ready with some jars, and we all headed outside. Bug promptly filled her jar with grass and rocks, so the lightning bugs "could have a snack" (we Miks are really good at taking care of animals).

Of course, we headed outside about an hour early, because this Mama was desperate for something to do, but the girls did not mind spending an hour running around the yard in their pajamas waiting for it to get dark. Lettie enjoyed playing out there too, but my sleepy little girl couldn't hang with us long enough to make it to dark.

Then it got dark and the real fun began! Their PawPaw ran around the yard and was able to catch some lightning bugs for each of them to put in their jars for a few minutes. The girls ran around the yard screeching and chasing the bugs, and I just walked behind them laughing and snapping some pictures. it was one of those magical nights that I hope the girls remember for a long time.

A few nights later we took the big girls out again to watch the meteor shower, which was another great memory for them. We loved looking at all the stars in the beautiful clear country sky, and we were able to spot a few shooting starts, but we couldn't stay up late enough to see too much excitement. The girls enjoyed finding the big dipper, and they made up some of their own constellations like a house. It was so fun to see the starry night through their eyes and to just sit on the deck talking to my sweet little ladies. There definitely are a few perks to living out in the country.