The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{life list} Support 100 Small Business Mammas: Number Three (and a Giveaway!)

Gratitude is something that I think I’m good at, until things get hard.  My boys wake up too early, Sophie is my shadow and I can’t get anything accomplished, I burn dinner…I’m tired and grouchy and gratitude gets thrown out the window.  Do you feel the same?

November seems like the perfect time to be intentional with gratitude, so I purchased this little journal to start recording a little bit everyday.  I found it over at Rori’s shop, MadeByRori.

 A little bit of her story: “My love of Etsy and notebooks have been particularly healing for me in the last couple years.  Let’s rip off the sadface Bandaid: Zach and I lost our beautiful twins Liam and Sebastian in August 2011.  They were born 9 days too early to survive.  It’s a sad story, but I’m not a gloomy person.  I feel it is important for me to live a life that honors them.  Now for the happy part of my story: In early 2012, we found out I was pregnant again.  Miles is (as of this writing) nearly 8 months old.  And he’s pretty much the best thing ever.”

I am so happy to have found Rori’s shop, not only because of her beautiful notebooks, but also for her example in gratitude.  

 Now for the fun part!  Half of the fun in supporting small business mammas is sharing with you!  This week, I am giving away another gratitude journal just like mine.  And you know me, I’ll probably tuck in a few little extras along with it 🙂

 Enter through the Rafflecopter widget below.  The giveaway runs until November 9, 2013 at 12AM.  Good luck!    

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{currently} An October Recap



loving : watching Sophie toddle around the house.  Just like that, I’ve got a toddler.  Bittersweet.
reflecting : on M’s fall soccer season and how nice it was for us as a family.  A little sad that it’s coming to an end, but happy to not be on the field freezing.
planning : for guests coming next week.  I’ve been busy creating a guest room, starting a menu and making a list of activities.  We love visitors!  
brainstorming : more ways to give in 2014.  The Pajama Drive was a huge success and I hope it becomes an annual event. 
running : has been lacking, as I’ve been in a huge rut.  October was a wash, but I’m hoping November is better.  And surprise!  I actually quite like running in cold weather.
considering : growing my hair again to donate to Locks for Love.  You can only donate if your hair is less than 10% grey, and let’s be honest, my days are numbered.  Gotta fit in a donation while I can!  
thankful for : my husband.
drinking : coffee, lots and lots of coffee.  
dreaming : about all of the vintage items I’d like to sprinkle throughout our home.  Too bad with all these little ones, I rarely get to the antique or thrift stores.  Anyone want to be my personal shopper? 🙂  
noticing : Friday family movie nights are becoming routine and something anticipated by everyone.  A Netflix movie, cozy blankets and popcorn – the perfect way to unwind after a busy week.
baking : pumpkin crumb cake this weekend.
working on : a cross-stitch kit found deep in the craft “stash”.  Working a little each day and it’s so calming!
excited : to see our family photos done by my new friend, Lucy O Photography! 

{house to home} William Morris Project (Vol.5): The Comparison Trap & New Pillows

Finally!  Another installment of the long neglected William Morris Project!  It’s been quiet here on the blog, but I have been working diligently every week to do a little something to make our house a home.  I’ve been hesitant to share because….well, I’m afraid that the comparison trap got me once again.  So many times, I’ve started drafting a post only to delete it.  It’s not “Pinterest worthy” or “pretty enough” or it seems silly to write a whole post about something like organizing the pantry.  I compare myself to the blog superstars and always come out the loser.  

No more.  I’m proud of the home I’m creating!  It may never make the pages of a magazine, but it’s ours and a constant work in progress.  Today, I want to show you my new pillows!

My original plan was to DIY my own, but I seem to have expensive taste in fabric.  Hah!  So I decided to use a Target coupon, along with my 5% off for using my card, to get a pretty great deal instead.  I picked out one pillow for the colors and aesthetic, while the boys in the family chose the other.  I’ll let you guess who picked which one.

The living room is slowly coming together.  The rest of my to-do list:
+ Paint the bottom half of the room the same Manchester Tan as the top half.
+ Purchase curtain rods and curtains.
+ Decide on artwork or photographs above the TV.
+ Start a vintage globe collection to be held on top of both cabinets (and put away the Hungry Hungry Hippo game!) 



What have you been working on to make your house a home?  Any exciting purchases?  Did you organize a drawer or a pantry?  I’d love to hear about it, big or small!

{around here} Week of 10.21.13

TGIF!  Between the daughter I have declared to be called “No Sleep Sophie” and three early rising boys, I am dragging this week.  I seem to have survived on pure adrenaline and coffee.  Lots and lots of coffee.


Running…HAH.  Um, no. One short run on Monday was all I could manage.  I’m itching for a long run all to myself this weekend.


I had a heart-to-heart with D about some poor behavior and through tears, he told me that he desires more one on one time with me.  Oh my Mamma heart.  This child has been my hardest to parent and I’ve felt like a failure on more than one occasion.  Trying to be more intentional with inserting little moments throughout our day: we did a puzzle together, worked on a few workbook pages while the other two were asleep and he even helped me put laundry away.


“I not your big man, Mamma.  I tiny.” -J


Best moment of the week: One night was particularly rough and all four decided 5am was a great time to start the day.  My wonderful husband came home early with a car full of groceries and a meal plan for the rest of the week.  I am so grateful for that man.      


Pajamas for the Pajama Drive are starting to trickle in and I’m getting so excited!  I’d love for you to participate!  Even if you can’t make it to the store, pick a pair or two online and have them shipped directly to me.  If you’re interested, send me an e-mail and I can get you the address.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

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