The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{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**

{30 before 30} Visit the National Zoo

Having guests in town was the perfect excuse to finally check out the National Zoo!  While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend going in November (brrr!), the kids had fun and I learned a few things too.  

The kids’ favorites:
M- the naked mole rat
D- the orangutan
J- “all the animals!” 

{the rest of my 30 before 30 list here}

{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

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