Welcome to Strong Roots Society
We are a multigenerational family living together — raising little ones, supporting an autistic loved one, caring for a 90+ year old grandpa, and learning everyday how to build a peaceful home that works for every generation under one roof.
This space is where we share the real parts of our family life; the beautiful moments, the hard lessons, the routines that help us function, and the small traditions that hold us together.
Around here, you’ll find stories about;
- Parenting young children
- Autism and caregiving
- Aging and caregiving
- Starting a farm
- Family routines, traditions, lists
- Slower, more intentional living
Meet the Family & the House
We are not experts or influencers, we are a family simply doing our best to care for one another and sharing with you how we coexist (or not) and the tools we use to do so.
The House (Compound)
The 14 acres we reside on is lovingly called the Compound and is referred to often in my stories. The Compound consists of a 4,500sqft single family home, a 2,000 sqft workshop, a barn, a chicken coop, a garden, a canal and sits on a lake.
Emily (me! Your author!)
Urban planner and nonprofit consultant, professor, author, equestrian and CEO of the Compound.
Matt (My Husband)
Veteran (disabled), Air Force. Expert in driving heavy machinery, anything farm related, parenting. Stay at home dad, farm manager and Director of Operations at the Compound
The Children (my kids)
My children, Sam and Emma are the glue that truly brought this family together. They are bright, fun, chatty and demanding little ones that we absolutely adore.
Dillon (my autistic brother)
Nonverbal autistic adult who loves to swing on his swing set, eat various (and copious) amounts of meat, have coffee with his dad (my father) call out loudly and randomly, and hide all of the pillows and blankets in his room.
Beth / Mimi (My mother)
Recently retired, also an equestrian. Loves, Laughs and lays around. Fired CFO at the Compound. Champion for Dillon and his care.
David / Granddaddy (My father)
Dillon’s primary caregiver. Lover of golf and fishing. Played semi-pro football and is an accomplished artist. He is the Capital Projects Director at the Compound.
Eugene / Gpa (My grandfather)
94-year-old man who laughs at everything and everyone because he cannot hear you. That is his only ailment, he is hard of hearing and doesn’t wear his hearing aids because Dillon yells so much (true). Very easy going, lighthearted, sharp, able bodied and always has snacks in his pockets for my kids.
Judy / Nana (My grandmother)
The women I take after the most, love and despise all at the same time. She is opinionated, selfless (at times), a food hoarder, laundry fanatic, Swedish death cleaning pro. She is also an excellent nana to my children.