When we set about looking for our new home 3 years ago we put together a meaningful list of requirements.  They were as follows:

1. A roof that Brad could walk on.  I think he’s been on it once to show the roofers what they were supposed to be doing when we got a new roof.  He may be able to site more roof visits, but I don’t pay close enough attention to his roof habits.
2. A driveway that Michael could play basketball on.  Michael does not play much basketball on there, but it does boast the width of three cars, coming in handy for a 5 car family.  I display my mad “driving in reverse” skills when I squeeze between Brad’s F-150 and Michael’s Honda finding my way safely into the garage.
3. A walkout basement.  Although in the past three years we have not walked out of it much.  If I’m not mistaken, the walkout feature is there to ensure the safety of our boys as their bedrooms are in the basement.  We know the day may come when the walk out capabilities really means sneaking out while Mom and Dad are asleep.
4. My own room to allow me to keep my teacher’s inventory, write the next #1 bestseller, paper craft, and create all things that I find meaningful.  This is quite a refuge for me.  With all this ambition you would think I’d be rich. I guess I am rich in many ways.
5. A wood burning fireplace around which we can gather with family and friends.  We love our huge, brick fireplace with large wooden mantle.  Brad is quite the fire stoker, earning him the nickname “Woodman”.

We love our home and the fact that it met all of our criteria.  However one thing we did not ask for, but has turned out to be one of its best features is the view we have from our front porch.  While our driveway is on the side street of the subdivision we are lucky enough that the front of our house faces a “just busy enough for the car enthusiast” street.  To make things even better our kitchen is in the front of the house.  While eating dinner we can hear the cars go by.  At times, in fun, we try to guess the make and model.  Of course we have Mustangs down, almost to the year…and for grins we even guess the color.  Over these past three years we have gotten to know the sounds of regular passers by.

I thank Brad often for buying our wonderful home, and we know that the sum of its parts make it an amazing place that we will enjoy for many years to come.

It is no secret that I take advantage of moving fast when I can, pushing the legal limits of everyday living. However, there’s a lot to be said for the slow paced front porch lifestyle that probably originated on a farm somewhere where folks  saw the beauty in a sunset, where parents knew the dust on the long gravel road meant a loved one was coming home, where playing until God’s light was extinguished meant a good night’s sleep.  I spent this evening on the front porch with my amazing mother…in true fashion we were Front Porch Sittin’ and Cold Beer Sippin’.  Slowing down, visiting, watching the cars go by, was our version of wrapping up the day.  I am so grateful to have a place where I can just sit.  I hope to  enjoy my front porch sittin’ for as long as I can.