The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{christmas} Baby’s First Christmas

My baby isn’t much of a baby these days…he’s babbling up a storm and walking around the house like he owns the place!  With the holidays approaching, I can’t help but think back to where we were just a year ago.  Celebrating Christmas with our brand-new sweet miracle! 

So that was how today’s Gift Guide came to life.  It is for all of you new Mammas celebrating your little one’s first Christmas this year!  I found some darling, vintage-inspired ideas for you.  These would make wonderful gifts as well.  🙂

1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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Interested in your own personalized Gift Guide for someone on your Christmas list?  Contact me through the button on my sidebar!  I’d love to help you find the perfect gift.

{food for thought} Mother Teresa

Joy is prayer; joy is strength; joy is love, a net of love by which you can catch souls.  God loves a cheerful giver.  He gives most who gives with joy.  If in the work you have difficulties and you accept them with joy, with a big smile – in this, as in any other good thing – they will see your good works and glorify the Father.  The best way to show your gratitude to God and people is to accept everything with joy.  A joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love. -pg 127

Have you ever had something practically fall into your lap and just know it was a God moment?  In the midst of my crazy decluttering, I came across this little book by Mother Teresa, Jesus the Word to be Spoken: Prayer and Meditations for Every Day of the Year.  It’s broken into little paragraphs for each day of the year, but I’ve just been flipping through it and finding the ones that speak to me.  And wow!  So much food for thought!  Here is one more that I’ve been thinking about all week:

We learn humility through accepting humiliations cheerfully. 
Do not let a chance pass you by. 
It is so easy to be proud, harsh, moody and selfish – so easy. 
But we have been created for greater things;
why stoop down to things that will spoil the beauty of our hearts? 
-pg 121   

{giving} Support Our Troops with Care Packages

I don’t think I’ve shared here that I was born into a military family.  In fact, the majority of the men in my life have or are currently serving.  And let me tell you, it is such an honor.  What an example for my boys. 

Whatever your political views, I think we can all agree that these men (and many of them young men!) are so selfless and courageous.  They do a job much bigger than themselves, for love of country and love for the people who live here.  For that alone, we should support them!  And not just in words…

Support our Troops with Care Packages
Ideas:
Cold-weather items: gloves, knit hats, hand warmers, long johns
Toiletries: toothpaste, deodorant, Chapstick, baby wipes
Leisure: books, magazines, movies, puzzle books, cards
Treats and snacks: nuts, jerky, protein bars, energy drinks, gum, something sweet
(when my brother was overseas, I sent him a bubble-wrapped package of Oreos!)
Most important:
write a letter to that lonely Marine or soldier and tell him how much you support them
We like to tell our boys that superheroes aren’t just Spiderman or Ironman, but also those Marines out there in far away places keeping us safe. ðŸ™‚

{family} A Robot Birthday Party

My oldest has his birthday this week and requested a robot theme.  We kept things super simple but he loved everything and hugged me repeatedly.  I want to remind myself (and you fellow mammas out there!) that simple is okay.  While those picture-perfect parties on Pinterest are so enticing and awe-inspiring, they also cost money.  Sometimes a lot of money.  And at the end of the day, it’s really not that important.  What mattered to my son was family, a special cake that he helped decorate, and opening a few surprises.  And it was good.       

P.S. One big hit that I have to share: Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em!  We used it as a “centerpiece” but I know it will get a lot of use in this house! 

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