The Big White Farmhouse

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:

tired.  One by one, everyone from Mark down to TJ has been hit with a sickness that just won’t go away. Barking coughs, sweats and chills, small fevers…they’ve all been miserable and I’ve been doing my best to keep everybody comfortable.  We’ve been watching lots of movies and adding in “fun stuff” to keep things interesting (ie. bubble blowing, going out for milkshakes and ordering pizza).  I hope we can all get back to normal soon.

not running.  Not once; I couldn’t get away!  After 10 full weeks of training, it feels weird, but I think my body appreciates the unintended break.  Hoping to get back in the swing of things this weekend.    

realizing that “quiet time” doesn’t have to equal total silence to be fruitful.


grateful.  Mark was in a car accident last week (he’s fine) and we were worried that his car would be totaled.  Thankfully, it’s fixable and covered by insurance…we can avoid a car payment a bit longer!   

reading A Fifty-Year Silence: Love, War, and a Ruined House in France. 

grossed out when J literally picked a fly from his eye.  He ran in the house from playing outside saying his eye hurt and then with some rubbing, came to me with dead fly in hand.  Ick.  

donating money to a friend running for a great cause.  I’d love to race and raise money for charity someday…maybe for half marathon number two!

selling our unneeded homeschool books on ebay.  It feels good to get this goal checked off my list. Now hopefully they will sell!

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:

prioritizing my daily to-dos differently.  I am typically a brain dump/get it all on paper kind of planner.  But lately, as I’ve felt constantly behind and generally unaccomplished, I’ve realized my technique may actually be causing more stress.  So instead, I have started writing three big items that I want to accomplish that day.  Just three.  I write down other things too, but the goal is cross off my top three.  So far, it’s working and I’ve been going to bed feeling peaceful.  

delighting in my children.  Motherhood is HARD but it doesn’t have to be miserable.  After a draining winter, I’m adopting a new mindset and wow, my soul needed it.  Trying to find the good in my everyday, intentionally being joyful and mirroring that to my children, and remembering how truly blessed I am.  Everything I have is a gift.

reading A Fifty-Year Silence: Love, War, and a Ruined House in France. 


cooking lots of new things.  I’ve made pancakes twice for breakfast and am perfecting my hearts and stick men.  I also made Smoked Sausage Alfredo Bake and One Pot Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice.  Both were delicious. 


laughing at J as he repeatedly calls shorts “short sleeve pants”.  

ordering M’s standardized testing.  It is a homeschooling requirement in our state and I’m curious to see how he’ll do.  He’s a little nervous, so I’m already making plans to make the day special.  Maybe some Smarties candy between tests?    


dying at the way Sophie says silly – she pronounces it “see-yee” with a little twinkle in her eye and it’s the cutest thing ever.


running without music during my short runs.  Another attempt at less noise, less auditory clutter and more quiet.


caring for D, who has been feeling sick most of the week.  I’m not sure if he’s come down with a spring cold or maybe it’s allergies.  Thursday morning, he asked if he could just lay on the couch and rest.  So unlike him!  He also skipped out on soccer voluntarily, so I know he’s feeling crummy.  Hopefully he’ll be back to himself soon.
 
watching episodes of Fixer Upper and wishing I could renovate an old home!  My dream of owning a farmhouse is back with a passion.

making Big White Farmhouse a priority again.  The ideas are rolling again and I’m feeling really excited for what’s to come.  We are currently having a big spring sale until next Wednesday: 20% off with the coupon code “HELLOSPRING”!


homeschool notes:
+ We had a really great week in history.  We read the story of Cyclops and made origami eyes.  We also learned all about the first Olympics, made olive wreath crowns and are gearing up for a family Olympics this weekend.  Sunday dinner will also be a Greek feast!