A little over a year ago, I had this crazy idea to start a blog that highlights what life is like for those of us who choose to have big families. It started as a way for me to chronicle some of the crazier moments I have faced as a dad of five kids (five when I started, anyway, to now having a sixth added to the mix). It was meant to be, no, I wanted it to be lighthearted, funny, evocative, spiritual, cathartic (for me), and poignant. I think I have managed to capture all of those and then some over the last 365 days since I hit publish on that very first post. That first post was one of my shortest by far, and I had no idea exactly where this blogging road would take me, but, one year later, here I am.
Aside from all of those things I just mentioned I wanted the blog to be, the number one thing I wanted it to be was real. Real life. Real parenting. Real moments. Real struggles. Real chaos. Real love. Real emotions. Real connections.
And, in my mind at least, again, I think I have done that really well. I am nothing more than a real dad struggling to find a way to spread himself thin enough to be everything six little humans and my wife want and need me to be. I don’t get to post nearly as much as I want to as a result of that, but what I have posted is me. It is my heart in a lot of ways. It is my life, as real as it can be. And that, more than anything, is what I have wanted to capture here, even if for no other reason than that one day my children might find these posts and read them and smile as they remember me and the times we shared together. That’s the true essence of what I am doing.
So, to celebrate one year of chronicling this crazy ride I call my life, as captured here in Bring Back Big Families, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite posts. The list is 100% arbitrary, but it is mine, and so is this blog.
I now present you with this list of my top five favorite posts from the last year. I hope you enjoy this jaunt down memory lane as much as I did compiling it.
#5: Reflections on a Restaurant Compliment
I still remember the incident described here in vivid detail. My hope would be that, as parents, we never become comfortable with receiving compliments for our children doing what kids should already be doing, if that makes sense. This one is a good thought provoker, one that I enjoyed thoroughly putting together.
#4: Why the Slate Truck Sparks Joy for Our Big Family of (Almost!) Eight
A simple reflection on a really cool little truck turns into, for me at least, a reflection on dreams and reality. I dream of this little truck. I dream of how I could make it work for our family. But, back in reality, I think I have come to accept that it won’t be feasible for me to either buy one or use one for my family. But dreams never hurt anybody, right?
#3: Unique Family Tradition: Rotating Date Nights with Kids
This post stands as one of my favorites because of what it means to our family. These date nights are a breath of fresh air to our otherwise long and tedious work weeks. I don’t know who looks forward to them more, the kids or us? It’s all about giving them their individual time, the time they need to remember they’re still each individually special and important to us. We all could probably use a little more time like that with the ones we love.
#2: My Heart (and Belly) Full: Solo-Dadding the BBQ Fest Unknown
I must admit, I had a very, very hard time putting this one at #2. Though it’s one of my most recent posts, it rises to the top because of just how much fun the event was and how much fun I had writing this. The BBQ Fest with my oldest four was an instant classic, just like this post. I liked it so much that I decided to submit it to Texas Monthly to see if they’ll publish it. Not a peep yet, but I have faith. Fingers crossed!
Before I reveal my #1 post from the past year, I would be remiss if I did not mention my subscribers. You guys are a small group, but your subscription to my blog means the world to me. I don’t know how many of you read everything (or anything) I write, but knowing you guys were impressed enough to hit that subscribe button means more than I can ever say. I wish I could do some grand giveaway to celebrate each of you for your reading and support, but I can’t. So all I can offer you is more of what I have already given you: the words of my blog, along with a few more words of my gratitude. Thank you for reading and subscribing! I hope to one day be able to repay you for being here. One day…
And so, without further ado…
#1: Train Trip Report: What to Expect on Amtrak With Your Big Family
To say that our little train ride from San Marcos, TX up to Dallas, TX was the best trip I have ever been on with my family would be an understatement. It was that, for sure, but it was also so much more than that. I was a true adventure for all of us into the unknown, a time to connect, a time to be together, a time to learn about each other and what we were capable of as a family. Though the post serves as more of an intro for other families who have never taken a train trip with their kids (and the longest post I have made yet), it serves as a reflection on a trip that we all still talk about, even though it’s been almost a year. The memories captured in this post are as vivid as the day we made them. And for me, that’s what makes this #1.
So, there you have it. The anniversary special is complete. I hope you clicked on one (or all) of the top five posts and reminisced right along with me. It’s been a fun year chronicling my big family life. I hope you have enjoyed taking parts of this journey alongside me as you read. I hope you have been inspired or felt touched or laughed with (at?) me or cried with me or simply smiled at something you read. If any of that happened, then I have accomplished my goal.
Here’s to the past year and the year ahead! If this coming year is anything like the last, we’re all in for a treat in year two!
Bring Back Big Families 
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