Porch Swing

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We all have those few memories or items that take us right back to our own childhood. Every time you stumble across this familiar moment it becomes a rush of nostalgia that is irreplaceable. I love this. And while the smell of dial soap, taste of juicy fruit and nighttime road trips will always remind me of home, porch swings will always take me back to Grandma's house.

My grandma and grandpa have lived in the same home my entire life...well, to be honest, basically my mom's entire life too. Positioned right in the center of Dallas, Grandma's house was always the go-to place. One of the joys I think of having an ENORMOUS family is that someone is always over for a visit. This fact makes a visit to Grandma and Grandpa's always seem more like a party. And what kid doesn't love to party?!

Out front is a porch swing that can very easily be transformed into a "cradle". Perfect for a little rock-a-bye baby session if you ask me. I think that I might have spent 1/3 of my time at the house playing outside on the porch swing. There was always so much to do on it. It was a place to sit, to rock, to take care of your babies, to visit with your cousins, to fight with your siblings, to write in your journal or even just take a nap. I always knew the exact amount of oomph needed to get a great push going without hitting the brick wall. Although, sometimes that was the goal :)

So I cannot begin to tell you how amazing it is to have a picture of my children playing on the same swing that I played on at their ages. How many constants like that do we have in our lives? These days it seems that the longest you live in your home is 10-12 years. Most people change jobs at least 7-8 times in their lifetime and the reality of your entire family living in one place is quite obsolete. This is our generation. And while I think that there is so much excitement in change, I am thankful that I still have small moments to wrap myself up in the comfort of familiar.

So as a part of my prep for thanksgiving, I am going to really make an effort to reflect on often overlooked things that I am truly thankful for. I am so thankful for that porch swing and all the memories it continues to create for my little family.

*Survey: In efforts to change things up a little...feel free to comment about something that reminds you of home... ALL LURKERS OUT THERE ARE WELCOME!