The Big White Farmhouse

A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week.

Around here, I have been:

laughing at Sophie after hearing her brothers talk about skydiving: “There’s just one thing…I’m scared of heights.  I don’t want to fall to my death.”

finishing The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God: The Story of Ruth Pakaluk and Necessary Lies.

falling into the rabbit hole of education.  Mark and I had a few conversations about the pros and cons of having our children in public school this year and – you know me – now I’m reading and listening to all the things related to schooling.  I started reading A Charlotte Mason Companion and watched a handful of TED talks, including this one from Joshua Katz and this one from Tawana Weiker and this one from Chandra Shaw.  Lots to think about.

starting something new.  I recently read an article about the Pope and how he puts all his worries at the feet of St. Joseph and is able to sleep at night.  Inspired by him, I’ve started writing down the things that cause me so much stress and anxiety and placing them at Mary’s feet.  Somehow the physical practice of writing it down really gives the spiritual idea life and gives me peace.

beginning Lent!  Two Internet articles I really liked this week:
+ This quote from a post on Team Whittaker: “But, truly, if our Lenten promises are transformative, we won’t have to shout to the world what we gave up because at the end of 40 days people will know. They’ll see the change. More importantly, we’ll be changed, and our Beloved will rejoice.”
+ 5-Minute Sacrifice for Lent

listening to Sophie “read” The Lady with the Alligator Purse over and over.  And over.

watching D’s curiosity.  He was home sick with a stomach virus for two days, but by the afternoon of day two, he was back to normal and anxious to do something.  We have an old, broken laptop and in passing, he asked if I knew what the inside of a computer looked like.  Imagine his surprise when I said, “Why don’t you take the laptop apart and find out?” !!  He was so focused and spent at least an hour working and examining all the pieces.

praying for the repose of the soul of my grandmother, who passed away on Thursday.  She was so, so loved.