The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{intention 2013} September’s Goals

September will be about…

  • NEW ROUTINES.  With the addition of school and sports, our routine is about to change dramatically.  Figuring out how to juggle housework, exercise and other commitments to have our days run smoothly.    
  • GRATITUDE. Being thankful for the abundant blessings we’ve been given.  Less wasting, both in food and money.  Seeking out the positives on the overwhelming days.  Starting a journal to record all of the little things I usually overlook.    
  • CONNECTIONS. Writing lots of letters to my penpals.  Meeting new people in my community.  Keeping relationships with friends and family members strong.  

  

{my intentions for January, February, and March}

{house to home} William Morris Project (Vol.3): Toy Closet Organization

The saying, “everything has a place”, is one lesson that I am trying to adapt in our home.  For whatever reason, I seem to really struggle in this area!  But with four kids and gobs of toys, it’s a necessary step in our house to home process.

So one day during naptime, I grabbed all of the toys strewn in multiple places throughout the first floor and started organizing.    

All of the broken toys went straight to the trash.  I then went through and took out the toys that I thought were never played with.  A tip that worked for me: Take these toys and put them in a box in the garage for a week.  Wait and see if your kids mention any of the toys.  If you get a “Hey Mom, have you seen my black Spiderman figure?”, discreetly pluck it from the box.  If they don’t say anything, they’re none the wiser and send ’em all to Goodwill!


All of the keepers were put in two big baskets that perfectly fit in my coat closet.  One basket holds all of the dress-up stuff: costumes, lightsabers, and Nerf guns.  The other holds miscellaneous toys like Little People toy sets and footballs.  

Feels good to have a hold on the toy situation for now!  How do you deal with your kids’ toys?  Please share your tips and tricks!  

{chit chat} If You Came Over for Coffee…



It’s been awhile since we talked, like really talked.  So pretend you’re sitting at my dining room table with a big cup of coffee and let’s catch up.

 Well first, I’ll run you up to my closet to show you the new clothes I got from a new website I found.  The site is called Twice and they sell gently used, like new name-brand clothes for cheap!  I bought a few things for fall and am so pleased with everything.  I definitely recommend.

 My boys will inevitably find us and claim that they are soooo hungry (aren’t they always?!), so we’ll head downstairs to feed the crew.  I just bought another Paleo cookbook called Against All Grain: Delectable Paleo Recipes to Eat Well & Feel Great and I can’t wait to try a few new recipes.  Although if I’m being honest, all of the new flours and ingredients are quite intimidating to me!  

With the kids busy, we can finally sit.  And enough with the silly things.  Let’s talk about important heart matters.  Without saying too much, I’ve had a hard few months in my marriage.  I’ve always been told that marriage ebbs and flows, that there are periods of highs and periods of lows.  And here at almost eight years, we hit our first low.  Thankfully, I do believe we are finally on the upswing of things.  I share this with you to not only ask for your prayers, but also to say that marriage is worth it.  It is the hardest thing I have ever done, but also the most worthwhile.  I really recommend this blog post from Jami Nato on forgiveness: “The Most Expensive Gift I Ever Gave.”  Our stories are not the same, but I found great comfort in reading her words.  


One of the parts I’ve been praying on: “…and so when we forgive, we mirror Christ’s forgiveness. We pay the tab. We stop making our spouse pick up the check. We say, no more. You can’t pay enough for this. This is the Gospel lived out in a tangible way. You recognize the darkness of your own heart and see the need for Jesus to save you. And that gift that God gave you, you give to others because you are just as terrible. And I’m not going to lie, it is difficult and hard and grievous to walk these steps in front of you. But you can because Jesus did.”  Forgiveness is a lesson we can apply to all of our lives, no?


Thanks for listening.  How are YOU?  What’s new in your world? 

{house to home} William Morris Project (Vol.2): Children’s Artwork Wall

My kids are always creating.  Most of the time they are on their own, drawing in the gobs of composition books scattered around the house.  But sometimes, when I’m feeling brave, I break out the real supplies: construction paper and paint, glue and markers.  While I hate the mess, these projects always become my favorite. So in an effort to personalize our home, I wanted a place to display the kids’ creations.  I knew there had to be a more stylish way than just taping them up to the walls and kitchen cabinets!       

We have a big wall in our kitchen that was the perfect space.  I picked up eight RIBBA frames from IKEA; I love the clean look and you can’t beat the price!  I used the newspaper method for the placement.

And after a morning of work, here is the final result:

I love it.  It adds so much color to the otherwise neutral area.  I love that the boys are so proud to see their pieces on display.  I also like that it will be simple to change out the pieces as they grow.  

What have you done this week to make your house feel more like home?

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