The Big White Farmhouse | intentional living, little by little

October 31, 2015

{house to home} 31 Days of Contentment: What I’ve Learned

Day 31.

Technically, my final count will be 29 out of 31 days…not exactly perfect, but not too shabby either. Writing everyday, and writing things with actual substance, is hard. My brain was pretty fried about two weeks in, but I’m glad I persevered.

On October 1, I asked the questions: What does contentment mean? Is it something that you can really achieve? What role does contentment play in having a thriving life?

For the past month, I have spent a lot of time in my head. I wrestled through eight steps to greater contentment, thinking about what I was doing well and what I could improve on. And after 31 days of studying myself and my life under a microscope, I still don’t feel like I have an easy answer to those questions above.

Here’s what I do know: Contentment is a choice. Every single day, I have the choice.

Contentment requires practice and dedication. It requires looking beyond myself, especially above and in front of me. It requires a heart that is quiet and a heart that is grateful, even in the hard, messy parts of life.

I don’t think I’ve reached a content life yet, but I’d like to think I’m a few baby steps closer.

——————————————-

On a light-hearted note, another takeaway from this challenge is that some people enjoy hearing from me every single day…and some people don’t! I think I lost a few followers this month. I’ll be taking a little bit of a breather next week (and you can take a break from me too!), but I’ll be back Friday with our weekly update. I also have a fun announcement coming in November, so stay tuned for that too.

Thanks for hanging with me this month, listening to the ramblings of a conflicted, introverted thinker. Thank you also for sharing your thoughts with me and making me feel less alone.

To catch up on all of my posts from the 31 Days of Contentment series, start here.

October 30, 2015

{around here} Week 43/52: Week of 10.26.15

A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week. At the end of the year, I’ll publish them into a keepsake to treasure.

Around here, I have been:

watching the big kids play chess all day, everyday. They are obsessed.

preparing for our family pictures this weekend. My friend Lucy is taking them for us and I’ve been scrambling trying to find coordinating clothes for all of us to wear. Can’t wait to finally have a picture of all seven of us together!

reading All the Light We Cannot See.

changing up our Halloween costume choices last minute. We originally went the DIY ninja route, which ended up looking a little too similar to a certain terror group, so we scrapped those plans and started over. The boys are now going as Zorro, Deathstroke, and Wolverine. Mark surprised Sophia with a Cinderella dress (her very first!) and I wish I had taken a picture of the look on her face. It was as if her Daddy had purchased for her the most expensive, exquisite ballgown she’d ever seen.

“picking” (quite anticlimactically) pumpkins from a bin at Target. Our schedule has been so crazy, we never made it to the farm and with time not on our side, we opted for convenience. We were at Target to look for pieces for their costumes, so why not hit two birds with one stone? The kids didn’t seem to mind a bit and I loved the price – if you wait last minute, you get a nice-sized one for three bucks!

finding a stuffed monkey all around the house. We recently watched Night at the Museum for movie night and Dexter the monkey was a huge hit. Now we’ve got him at home too!

loving the joy on TJ’s face when he sees his sister. Sophia always greets him with a hug and says he is her best friend. I can’t wait to watch their relationship grow.

homeschool notes:
+ I’m changing things up again in an attempt to make our mornings more peaceful. We started “Morning Basket” time on Wednesday and so far, so good.
+ In history, we learned about the monks who wrote beautiful, ornate books by hand. We watched a youtube video and then tried our hand at detailed illustrations too.

October 29, 2015

{contentment} Step Eight: Show Gratitude

It seems fitting, with November on the horizon, to end this series with gratitude. While I’m terribly inconsistent (why is that?!), I tend to be much more content in life when I take the time to count my blessings.

Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes giving thanks is hard.

In a pinch, I can quickly list off the easy ones: gorgeous sunsets, that first cup of coffee in the morning, the smiles of my children. I’m thankful for the food in my fridge, checking off tasks on my to-do list, my husband’s laughter. I praise God for the brilliant red leaves on our tree outside, a full night’s sleep, a homily that convicts me deeply. But life isn’t all sunshine and roses, is it? Life is hard.

When we discovered my son may have a learning disability, it was hard to give thanks.
When my marriage was crumbling, it was hard to give thanks.
When I struggled with crushing anxiety and depression, it was hard to give thanks.
When people in my life let me down, when earnest prayers felt like they went unanswered, when I felt so alone, it was hard to give thanks.

But.

It’s in these moments, the moments that are so difficult and feel so impossible, that I must muscle my way toward gratitude. Even when I can’t see the finish line, I trust that He does.

My son may have trouble reading, but dyslexia also means that he is a creative, out-of-the box thinker.
My marriage almost ended a few years ago, but that trial by fire has reignited our love and commitment in a whole new way.
My postpartum hormones have brought me down dark and scary places, but have also forced me to learn about myself and how I work.
My disappointment and loneliness have brought me closer to Christ in a way I never have before.

Everything is a gift.

{via}

October 27, 2015

{100 little things} Making a Celebration Basket & a Giveaway for YOU!

Earlier this year, we launched a new section of Big White Farmhouse and called it “Celebrations“. While the obvious occasions are birthdays, we also hoped it would inspire our customers to seek out and celebrate even the smallest moments: a good report card, a raise at work, the start of winter break. There is so much to be thankful for and celebrate if we look for it.

Since then, I’ve been thinking a lot about childhood wonder and how simple things can seem so magical. A scoop of ice cream for dessert can be instantly transformed when you dim the lights and light a candle on top. Sunday dinner can be turned into a fancy event when you add fun straws to the plastic cups. A banner with the words “YAY” can let a child know that you notice and are proud of his hard work at school. These things aren’t expensive or even that impressive, but I think that itty bit of effort can create memories that could be remembered forever.

So I’ve started collecting little things in what I’m calling a Celebration Basket. I peek at Target’s clearance for patterned napkins or paper plates. I browse Homegoods for colorful cupcake liners and funky candles. Slowly, I’m creating a collection of things so when those little moments come, I’ll be ready to party.

I want you to celebrate with your family too, so I started a mini collection to give away to one of you!