The Big Family Breakfast

When our family increased our invitations to events decreased.

On January 1st, 2020 we hosted 101 people in our home. I know it might sound crazy, and perhaps it is, but we sure had crazy fun.

Photo by Sophie Young

A Friendly Disclaimer (This was before COVID-19)

No one got injured, everyone got fed, and some of my introverted friends probably got fed up with my foolish antics. But, based on the feedback I’ve received, everybody had a great time. This was the sign that was posted outside our door.

Rules of Engagement

Happy New Year!

Welcome to the big family breakfast. Here are some rules.

• no eating or drinking upstairs. Only eat in designated areas

• no playing with the lights off or playing with the doors closed (unless children are watching an age-appropriate movie in theatre room)

• no tree nuts or peanuts, please

• please remove shoes if going upstairs

If you would like your family portrait taken please sign below. You may now

• worship freely

• make friends

• eat good food

• and let the games begin

We all followed the rules and all was well.

Our 11-year-old son Nehemiah typed and posted the rules on our front door. He and his two brothers wore matching shirts, and special sunglasses, and worked together doing security/welcoming committee as families arrived. Dads prepared waffles, bacon, and heated up casseroles in the kitchen as moms made new friends and bounced babies on their laps.

College students led us in worship and our friend, Jamah Myhand of Myhand Media did family photo sessions in the yard. The weather was perfect and so was the atmosphere. I'm not saying this because I'm the hostess, I'm sharing this because you know an event is good when as the host, you feel like a guest.

Special Thanks To Myhand Media Photography

Origin of the Big Family Breakfast

Have you ever experienced a sting in an area that inspired you to become the aloe in someone else's life? When we first adopted our boys we noticed a decrease in invitations to social events. And occasionally, when we did receive an invite, we could feel the host brace themselves as if we came to kill, steal, and destroy.

Over time, I noticed a pattern, many of our most gracious hosts were large families. There was an unspoken understanding kind of "it takes one to know one." Our families marvel at how well the children play, the food seems to multiply, and the house somehow manages to be cleaner than normal. Most would have to experience this phenomenon in order to believe that it's possible. As we connect with other adoptive families they too share similar stories. There is a sense of relief, and a refreshing relational bond that big families offer one another. So too, there is a kinship that comes from facing similar circumstances and hospitality that is unmatched.

God has since surrounded us with wonderful widows, awesome adoptive families, superhero parents of children with special needs, supportive single parents, and incredible empty nesters who aren't intimidated by our big beautiful families.