The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{book report} My Latest Reads // January

As my part of my Learn goals for 2016, I’m reading a variety of styles and genres of books in the attempt to discover new ideas and expand my horizons.  My goal is to read at least 25 this year, of which I’m keeping track on Goodreads.  Are you over there?  Let’s connect! 

13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi
Military history is not typically a genre I would ever choose on my own.  Mark received this book for Christmas, devoured it in a matter of days and recommended that I read it too.  13 Hours is the story of what happened in the Benghazi raids that killed the Ambassador and three other men in 2012.  It isn’t politically motivated (which I appreciate), but written from the perspective of the security team who fought that night.  Well written, intense and gripping.  I couldn’t put it down.


Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
Big Magic was our January choice for the Inspired Reader’s Book Club.  While parts of it are definitely a bit “woo woo” for me, I did come away inspired and looking at creativity in a different way.  The thing I loved most about the book was the idea that creativity, in whatever way that shows up in your life, doesn’t have to be life-changing or extreme.  It doesn’t even have to be good.  Creativity can just be that small thing that makes you feel alive, tucked into the busyness of your life.  Since finishing the last pages, I’ve unearthed a few half-finished craft projects, made plans to begin a few more, and started brainstorming a way to give creativity a more permanent spot in my day. 


The Temperament God Gave You
This book has been on my “100 Little Things” list, so when my friend recommended and even let me borrow her copy, I was so excited!  Such a good book about personalities and how different people view themselves and life in general.  I struggled to figure out my temperament, but I think I’m leaning toward a combination of melancholic and phlegmatic.  My favorite parts were the discussions about relationships between different temperaments, namely with your spouse and with your children.  So eye-opening!  It’s definitely the type of book you can go back and review again and again.  I need to order myself a copy soon.      


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My Reading in Numbers

Books Read this Month: 3
Total Books Read this Year: 3
Books Read for the Modern Mrs. Darcy 2016 Challenge: 2 
A book you’ve been meaning to read and A book chosen for me by my spouse

What books did you read this month?

{around here} Week 3/52: Week of 1.18.16

A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week.

Around here, I have been:


parenting solo as Mark was away on business.  Only two nights this time!


preparing for the snow.  The predictions keep getting higher and higher.  At last check, we may be getting more than two FEET!  As usual, we are so unprepared – the big boys don’t have boots and M doesn’t even have a waterproof coat!  But our pantry is full, so there’s that! 


watching TED talks in order to cross that task off my 100 Little Things list.  I love learning from such a variety of thinkers and topics.  My favorite: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness


eating popcorn for National Popcorn Day and watching Mulan.


thinking about this quote from Big Magic: “I’ve watched far too many brilliant and gifted female creators say, ‘I am 99.8 percent qualified for this task, but until I master that last smidgen of ability, I will hold myself back, just to be on the safe side.'”

dying over TJ’s new love for music. He carries around the speaker and dances, which is just about the cutest thing ever.  He also loves his hats, which takes it up a notch too.


laughing at Sophie as she watches Super Why: “I got it right, Mama!  Look, I’m learning!”


homeschool notes:
+ We tried to make Star Wars snowflakes.  Definitely tricky for little hands and we didn’t have an Exacto knife, but the storm trooper was simple enough to make fairly recognizable.
+ To reinforce multiplication tables (he’s still struggling with the 4s, 7s, and 8s), M practiced with online games, a hit!  The website also has games for addition and subtraction, so D and J got in the fun too.

{five favorites} Vol.09: Five (kind-of crazy) Ways I’m Trying to Get in 10,000 Steps

Welcome to the Five Favorites linkup!
A reminder about a new twist I’m adding to the linkup this year: At the end of each month, I’ll be giving away a prize pack to one #5Faves participant!  Here’s how it works: every time you link up a blog post, it counts as one entry.  So if you link up a post every week, you’d get four entries.  I’ll keep track throughout the month and then randomly pick a winner on February 1.  
Like almost everyone, I’ve been trying to get back to healthy habits this month.  And like most everyone, I’ve been struggling.  It’s cold outside and all I want to do is stay on the couch with copious amounts of coffee and books!  I’ve decided that for long-term success, I need to start with the basics: less sugar, more water and movement.  I’ve been working back up to 10,000 steps a day and since we don’t leave the house much, I’ve been coming up with some crazy ways to get it in.  Here are five things that are working for me right now: 

1 // Dance Parties.  The kids always want to be in the kitchen with me.  On a typical evening, you’ll find at least two chairs pulled up the counter, with curious little people asking questions and touching ingredients.  To avoid all the “help”, I’ve started playing music while I make dinner and encouraging them to show me their moves instead.  It gets everyone moving (me included!) and also lets me cook in peace!


2 // Be Inefficient.  As someone who prides herself in efficiency, this one took a little practice.  Instead of carrying huge armfuls of clothes to put away, I take one small pile at a time.  As I unload the dishwasher, I put dishes away one by one instead of grouping like items.  It’s seems ridiculous, but it doesn’t take that much more time.

 3 // Pace & Pray.  I’ve been trying to devote more time to prayer, but my brain always seems to be going nonstop and I’m easily distracted.  Pacing seems to be beneficial in two ways: I’m getting more steps and the movement seems to help me concentrate.  Who knew?  

 4 // 5 Minute Power Pickup.  About three times a day, I rally the kids and we set the timer for a 5 Minute Power Pickup.  We run around the house, picking up toys and putting things back in place.  It’s a great way to get your heart pumping and have a semi-picked up house in the process.

5 // Use the Stairs.  I’m guilty of asking the kids or Mark to get me an item, just so I don’t have to go up or down the stairs.  Lately, I’ve been sucking it up for the sake of the steps.  Just got into bed, but need a glass of water?  Down I go.  Need more diapers for TJ?  Up the stairs I run.    

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I’d love to hear about five of your favorite things too!  Need some ideas?  Here are a few to get you started:
+ Share five things you are thankful for this month.
+ Show us five of your favorite corners in your home.
+ What are five of your new baby must-haves?

{around here} Week 2/52: Week of 1.11.16

A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week.

Around here, I have been:



taking care of sick kids.  The little three have gone down one after the other with high fevers and barking coughs.  We’ve been spending a lot of time on the couch reading and watching Octonauts (Sophie’s favorite) and Wild Kratts (J’s favorite).    


celebrating Big White Farmhouse’s second birthday! 


remembering a little date Sophie and I had last weekend.  We went, just the two of us, to Home Goods and she was just the sweetest thing.  She never stopped talking: “This is cute, mama…Look! A pink basket, mama….Daddy would like that coffee mug, mama…” and on and on.  We shared a candy treat on the way home.  It was so special to have that time with her.


reading The Temperament God Gave You and Big Magic for book club.


wanting to remember how the kids wrap themselves in blankets and then lay over the floor grates as the heat turns on in the mornings.


finding Sophia in my makeup: “It’s okay, Mama.  I look beautiful.  I like this makeup.”


watching Making a Murderer after bedtime while putting together a puzzle.  


bringing dinner to a family from church after the birth of their first baby.  We made them a Mexican fajita bar with all the fixin’s.  We also gifted them one of Laura’s gorgeous blankets!


working on a few home projects: sprucing up the parlor (a WMP post to come!), a DIY coat rack for the laundry room and art for the master bedroom.  Decorating always goes so slowly around here, as my BIG visions wait for my small budget to catch up.  So satisfying to see a few of my ideas finally come to life.


starting homeschool co-op again after a month off for break.  The big boys are excited to get back to their friends and classes.


homeschool notes:
+ D flew through Level 1 of his reading curriculum, so we ordered and started Level 2.  He often doubts his ability, so I love to see the surprise and pride in his eyes when something proves easier than he thought.
+ In history, we are starting a new unit on Vikings.  The kids have been acting out the stories and pretending to be Leif Erikson.  Hoping to add a few crafts to the mix next week.

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