The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{brave} 100 Little Things in 2014

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen the photo where I shared about the fun worksheets I found on Pinterest the other day.  Michelle created them as a less intimidating way to accomplish your goals.  I love how she says, “It’s the little things in life that end up becoming the big things when you look back on your memories.”


Goal-setting is one of my favorite activities and I really enjoyed the brainstorm process with these worksheets.  My list is a jumble of different things: paying off specific debt, craft projects to try, small home improvements, races to run, places nearby to see, activities and memories to make with the kids. I may not cross off every item this year, but it’s always fun to dream and plan.


I’ve had a few requests to share the specifics, so here is my list.  I’ll be back throughout the year to cross things off as I complete them. I hope it will inspire you to write out your own!


1. Pay off credit card
2. Pay off student loan
3. Pay off minivan
4. Save $1400 using the 52 week plan
5. Hire someone to paint the foyer and kitchen -August 2014
6. Read the entire Bible
7. Run a half marathon

8. Run 3 races

9. Simplify in a big way!

10. No Sugar January -January 2014

11. Whole30

12. Read 15 books – (14/15)

13. Install art wall in the master bedroom –January 2014

14. Make silhouettes of the kids

15. Launch Big White Farmhouse, the Boutique –January 13, 2014!

16. Visit Chicago -April 2014

17. Get carpets cleaned
18. Blog consistently (at least once a week)
19. See a movie in theaters
20. Reduce body fat to 19%
21. Potty train J -April 2014
22. Picnic lunch as a family -July 2014
23. Beat Mark at Words with Friends –January 2014
24. Make my handwriting a font
25. Make jam
26. Join the library
27. Learn to knit or crochet
28. Sew a dress for Sophie
29. Grow succulents
30. Start the Cookie Project -March 2014
31. Give a big tip at a restaurant -February 2014
32. Do a blog post about Stitchfix and model the clothes
33. Wear red lipstick
34. Learn how to curl my hair
35. Make a quilt
36. Cook fish
37. Try a new vegetable
38. Make a gluten-free dessert -March 2014
39. Make a Blurb book for IG 2013 pictures -February 2014
40. Go antiquing -May 2014
41. Run/Walk at least a mile a day for 30 days -July & August 2014
42. Find and hang curtains in guest room
43. Spend a week in Maine
44. Write down all the kids’ birth stories
45. Purchase a lamp for the living room –January 2014
46. Open a second part/room to the BWF Boutique –The Garden in May 2014
47. Help D prepare for Kindergarten -May & June 2014
48. Self portrait challenge for 30 days
49. Give away 30 things on my birthday
50. Repaint kitchen table
51. Get to the dentist -July 2014
52. Buy new oven mitts -October 2014
53. Hold second Pajama Drive -October 2014
54. Deep clean bathrooms –January 2014
55. Hang up bathroom art and jewelry rack –January 2014
56. Send 3 “just because” gifts -finished August 2014
57. Organize kitchen utensil drawer –February 2014
58. Make my own salsa
59. Go to the American History Museum
60. Put wreaths on Arlington Cemetery
61. Go apple picking
62. Begin learning about photography and shooting in manual –December 2014
63. Donate 100 things challenge -April & May 2014
64. Go to the Air and Space Museum
65. Make pasta from scratch
66. Plant a mini herb garden
67. Watch 10 documentaries –May 2014
68. Have a picture printed on canvas -July 2014
69. Pray a novena -May 2014
70. Find a way to organize all the Legos -summer 2014
71. Hang curtains in the kitchen -May 2014
72. Send a care package to a college student
73. “Real” date night 4x (out of the house, dressed up)
74. Write Mark love letters at least once a month
75. Find a vintage globe to start a collection
76. Host another Penpal Circle signup
77. Hang curtains in Sophie’s room –December 2014
78. Buy a new dress -March 2014
79. Practice stretching on a regular basis
80. Make an office inside the guest room closet -February 2014
81. Bake a cake
82. Donate hair for Locks of Love
83. Take the boys to the movies –February 2014, the Lego Movie!
84. Paint the boys’ room
85. Finish my first gratitude journal
86. Work on gallery wall in Sophie’s room
87. Do a Bible study -June 2014
88. Invite someone over for dinner -Fr. V in January, “I” Family in May
89. Make a pie
90. Plant something in my hanging baskets
91. Attend a wedding -December 2014
92. Write a letter everyday for 30 days
93. Read a book about Mother Teresa -July 2014
94. Buy big girl pajamas
95. Make felt ornaments for the tree
96. Host a game night
97. Grow tomatoes
98. Use up a lot of my scrapbook stash
99. Make sorbet
100. Make a list for 2015!

My Word for 2014: Brave

Happy New Year!  I hope you had a wonderful holiday and are feeling rejuvenated and excited for 2014.  I know I am!


Last year, I participated in the practice of choosing one little word to define my year.  Back then, I was an overwhelmed mamma who was tired of just coasting through life.  I felt like I was standing on the sidelines and I really wanted to fully experience all this precious life had to offer!  Knowing that this goal would take some effort, I chose the word “intention” and it has been amazing how much that one word has guided me. 


After a lot of thought and prayer, I’ve decided that 2014’s word will be a further extension of the idea of intention. 


My word for this year is brave.


I want to get uncomfortable.  I want to push myself to do things I’ve never done before.  I want to try things that scare and intimidate me.  I want to fully allow myself to be molded and used by God.


Each month, I’ve decided to focus on three areas:
1. In the Kitchen: I want to try new recipes, learn new techniques, and embrace the joy of feeding my family instead of eating out.
2. Creatively: I want to branch out to new ideas and materials.  I want to create beautiful things with my own hands.
3. Giving: Giving back is such an important thing for me and I want to do even bigger things this year.


Of course, there will be so much more.  And as always, I plan to use this space to share my experience along the way.  I hope you’ll follow along!

{intention} Looking Back at 2013

Hmm.  Where do I begin when I think about the past year?  Back in January, I resolved to live intentionally, focusing on making my life full of what I wanted it to be.  I wrote: “If you really want something, you have to work for it.  This can be for everything from making dinner, to desiring an organized home, to starting a new business.  You have to prioritize the time, money and resources.  You have to commit.  Instead of living in a cloud of “somedays” and “maybes”, you have to dig deep and follow through.“ I had no idea how much those words would be tested this year!  2013 seemed to hold the highest of highs and the lowest of lows for me.  I am thankful for it all.   


A few of the highlights: 


I’m signing off until the new year, when I’ll be back with lots of goal setting and list making.  Wishing you a blessed Christmas with the ones you love, friends.  See you in January!

{christmas} The Perfect Advent Calendar & a Giveaway!

Advent is a really special time of year for our family.  December can often feel so rushed and hurried and I love Advent for keeping our eyes focused on what matters most.  Because my kids are still pretty little, we’ve tried a few different activities.  One year, we wrapped 24 storybooks and opened one to read each night.  Another time we did an arts and craft project every day.  For 2013, I was on the hunt for something simple and I think I’ve found it! 


The Perfect Advent Calendar was created by Jessica, a graphic designer, entrepreneur and fellow mamma to four.  In her words, “I designed the perfect advent calendar after searching for one that would teach my kids about Jesus as well as provide activities for us to do as a family.”

So let me tell you how it works: The long white cards are the daily activity cards.  There are a few extras, so you can pick and choose which work best for your family.  After you read the cards, determine the order you want to complete them and fold and tuck each card in the corresponding pocket.  I love how easy it is to switch around too.  Say on December 15th, you get invited to a party and won’t have time to make gingerbread houses at home like you planned.  Quick switch of the cards and instead you’re singing Christmas carols!   Easy!


I also love that Jessica included a supply list (“get it”) for each day, so you know ahead of time exactly what you need.  

Once you’ve tucked all of the cards in the pockets, thread them onto the red ribbon and tack in place!  We have ours on our big, blank wall in the dining room.  My hope is that it is covered in Christmas drawings and crafts by the end of the month.

Want an advent calendar for your family?  Jessica has graciously given me one kit to give away!  Please enter in the Rafflecopter widget below.  The giveaway will be open just until November 24, 2013 at 12AM, so I can get it to you before December 1!  If you just can’t wait for a calendar, please contact Jessica here and she can give you the details with how to purchase one directly!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**I was given a calendar to review, but all opinions are mine**

Less Materialism, More Intentional Living

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