The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{30 days of pinspiration} Day 8: The Beginning of my Home Office

Our home has a small room that is generally used as a formal sitting area.  But with four kids (and three of those being rambunctious boys), there’s nothing “formal” about this house!  So instead, we decided to designate this space as a home office for me.  I am so, so excited!


The requirements for this space were:

  1. A desk for scrapbooking, computer work, etc.
  2. Bookshelves of some sort
  3. Storage!  Kids toys, scrapbooking supplies, and other crafty odds and ends all need a place.

I already had the desk, but needed something that worked for numbers 2 and 3.  After a lot of research, I went with the Ikea Expedit mostly because it was inexpensive, but had plenty of room. I also liked that I could fit baskets along the bottom to corral a bunch of the kids’ toys. Functional and attractive…my favorite combination!

Here is the room so far:


Good thing I like to keep it real.  I still have so much work to do!  Each little section needs simplifying (I just threw a bunch of things in there and have yet to tweak them) and I need a lot of organization.  After a lot of Pinterest perusing, these images really caught my eye:

 


And since I love a list, here’s a bulleted version of what’s left to do in this room:

  • Paint the room to match the rest of the first floor
  • Find something to put up on top of the bookcase (maybe start a vintage globe collection?)
  • Purchase a longer curtain rod and install
  • Hang up window treatments
  • Find an interesting floor lamp for the corner
  • Get a rug to anchor the desk
  • Purchase accessories and storage items to corral scrapbook supplies and odds & ends
  • Clear the clutter!
  • Purchase or DIY a bigger brainstorming bulletin board

{30 days of pinspiration} Day 7: A Balloon Birthday Box

We have a sweet little friend in Texas who is turning six at the end of the month.  Since we can’t be there in person to celebrate, I’m always trying to come up with fun ways to ship her gifts.  This year, I tried this out:

 
 


Now, prepare yourselves because my version borders on a Pinterest fail…

So pathetic, but I think she’ll still have fun.  Laugh along with me, okay?  Other things to note:

  • I had one more pink balloon to add, but I photographed the above so you could see the gifts beneath. 
  • I had the hardest time finding balloons and finally settled on a pastel set from Target.  Unfortunately, there was some sort of sheen on them, so the washi tape didn’t stick well.  They also made this weird pointed shape…next time, I need to find smaller balloons!
  • I added a note and pin to the yellow chevron pocket and taped it to the side of the box.
  • I want to try this version of the same idea someday too.

{30 days of pinspiration} Day 6: Scripture Handprints

Confession time: I’ve never been very good at praying consistantly for my kids.  I’ve tried different methods for incorporating specific prayer time into my day, but nothing has ever stuck for more than a few months.  2013 will be different.  This is my year of intention, and I’m determined to do better.  One look at my Pinterest boards and I found just the thing:

 
I used this chart of “31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for your Children” to pick verses for each of my children.  Instead of four different squares like above, I decided to make one bookmark to keep in my Bible.  It was hard, but I let go of my Type-A “must have pretty paper” craziness and just went with cardstock we had handy.  A little embellishment and now I have a tangible reminder to pray for these precious kids of mine.
  

{30 days of pinspiration} Day 5: Embracing an Active Life

Day 5.  It wouldn’t be the new year without talking about the most cliched resolution out there, right?  Yup, we’re talking health and weight today.

To be honest, I debated sharing this part of my goals.  It’s personal and incredibly embarrassing.  But as a mother who fell into the “I have no time to exercise” trap, who then fell into the back-to-back (to-back-to-back) babies and no significant weight loss in between trap…well, I think it’s an important (and maybe helpful!) story to tell.

So here goes…My first step in this whole process was to let go of the shame.  Shame is a nasty, horrible, debilitating thing and I’m tired of it.  So am I a little embarrassed about my weight?  Yes.  Am I ashamed? Not any more.

My second step was to stop the excuses.  There will always be some reason why it will be hard to exercise.  But living with intention means that if its important to me, I’ll find a way.  And I intend to do that.

Last step: find a workout that sticks.  We received a Kinect as a family Christmas gift this year and I have been using Your Shape with good success.  I also like Just Dance Greatest Hits, even though I look like a lunatic!  (Cue the Elaine dance.)  These games are perfect for winter, but I’m hoping to get outside once warmer weather hits this spring.

Other fitness things to note:

  • Using my pins: I am using these printables from Megan at Balancing Home.  You know how I love a list and checking things off!  Be sure to give her some love if you use them too…I think they are awesome!
  • I have declared this a “lifestyle change” vs. a diet.  I’m choosing to focus on what I’m gaining (health, strength) instead of what I have to give up.
  • Food is a big part of my lifestyle change.  I need more vegetables and less sugar.  I see SkinnyTaste recipes on Pinterest all the time and I have even pinned some myself.  I can’t wait to try her Top 25 Recipes of 2012.
  • Another Pinterest link led me to 40 Healthy Snack Ideas.  I definitely need the inspiration since I don’t like to eat the same thing over and over. 
  • My big goal for 2013 is to run races with my Dad.  He is a running superstar (I mean, who volunteers to run a double marathon?!) and I’d really like to not only run with him, but keep up!  Hopefully, I’ll have a few 5Ks under my belt by year’s end.
  • To help with motivation, I’ve made a few stepping stone rewards for myself.  One is that I’m going to splurge for the “good stuff” aka Lululemon, which is huge for a cheapskate like me.  Can’t wait to get to that step!



Please chime in if you’re on this adventure too!  Do you have any good tips?  Any delicious veggie dishes?  Do you have a favorite workout video?  Let’s encourage each other on this year of health!

Less Materialism, More Intentional Living

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