From My Front Porch

Life's stories connect lives

Cousins: A lesson in getting along.

cousins-2Our family boasts thirty first cousins. My mother’s sister had three children, and my dad’s siblings averaged two to three children each, but my dad took “be fruitful and multiply” a bit more seriously with his brood of eight children. Of course those thirty have also expanded the family tree, so you get the point; there are a lot of us. [Read more…]

Can you feel the rhythm of the house?

rhythm-of-the-heartMost people have a love-hate relationship with the end of summer. Usually I feel the same way, but this year is a little different, and I’m missing the old familiar boxes of curriculum arriving for my four kiddos who have grown up and gone on their ways. Those boxes and all the planning that went along with them marked the return of a natural rhythm of rising, learning, playing, eating, cleaning, and retiring early to begin again the following day. [Read more…]

Family Vacation Fun

Zeke and Zadok loved the big fload Aunt Cassie (Mom) pulled them around on.
Zeke and Zadok loved the big fload Aunt Cassie (Mom) pulled them around on.

We interrupt our regularly scheduled article to overload you on cuteness. We’re on vacation with a whole slew of children. We had nine children six years old and younger in our lake house today. You should have seen the place. I swept up all the crumbs at least three times, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Because I’m enjoying this vacation so much, I’ll give you a photo post this week full of shots from our excellent adventure.

Please forgive me if the formatting is off. I’m trying to spend as much time with family as possible.

Papa had some quality time with his boys Zeke and Zadok.
Papa had some quality time with his boys Zeke and Zadok.
Papa: Ever the teacher.
Papa: Ever the teacher.
Papa was in his element, but Zeke staked his claim on that lap.
Papa was in his element, but Zeke staked his claim on that lap.
This meal required a little clean up time, but he enjoyed it, and Nona's (Aunt Martha's) spaghetti was a big hit.
This meal required a little clean up time, but he enjoyed it, and Nona’s (Aunt Martha’s) spaghetti was a big hit.
Logan enjoyed Tia (Aunt Margaret).
Logan enjoyed Tia (Aunt Margaret).
The big cousins loved on the little ones.
The big cousins loved on the little ones.
Gabby and David enjoyed swinging PeePaw in the hammock.
Gabby and David enjoyed swinging PeePaw in the hammock.
We had our son's high school graduation on vacation. As you can see, it was very formal.
We had our son’s high school graduation on vacation. As you can see, it was very formal.
No camping trip would be complete without s'mores.
No camping trip would be complete without s’mores

Sisterhood of Traveling Attitude: Traveling North

We lost Mom over ten years ago, and one sister is missing from this photo. Insert a sister-in-law, and stir for instant fun.
We lost Mom over ten years ago, and one sister is missing from this photo. Insert a sister-in-law, and stir for instant fun.

They’re coming! My sisters are coming to Michigan! If you haven’t read it, “Sisterhood of the Traveling Attitude” will explain my excitement. Four of my five sisters are headed this way with SUVs bulging. We’ll invade Houghton Lake and fish, cook, sunbathe, lounge, and all other sorts of activity that may or may not pass public muster. [Read more…]

My Twenty-Year Battle with Stuff

217645_1010218816427_2222_n“It’s okay, my mom says the children are more important than the stuff,” I heard my newly adopted daughter tell her friend, that is, after I heard a breaking glass in the sink. I smiled with satisfaction that she realized her importance in our lives. [Read more…]