#100daysproject | The Big White Farmhouse

November 9, 2016

{#100daysproject} Finding Joy in my Extraordinary Ordinary: Days 55-72

Getting closer to the finish line with part four!

I highly recommend this project to anyone who is really struggling or feeling overwhelmed with motherhood (or maybe just life!). So many days, when TJ is having a meltdown or the boys bicker after school or dinner isn’t ready until way too late because I just didn’t have any energy to make it, I reach the brink of overwhelm and bitterness. It’s in those moments where I pray for God to please please please show me the good and without fail, He does. It’s usually later on when I least expect it, but it’s there: a gorgeous sunset, a line in a book, belly laughs at the table, even just really noticing how beautiful my kid is. That one, everyday moment strengthens me and helps me to keep going. God is faithful.

This installment of photos is from October 20 to November 6:

He’s not a cuddler, so it meant so much for him to curl up next to me | Love the soothing sound of rain | Our friends just adopted a cat and TJ was obsessed! | There’s no where I’d rather be than hanging out with Mark | Helium-filled balloons make the best party favors! Hours of fun | This girl and all of her stuff, just to drive her brothers to school | So thankful for our book club’s gentle encouragement to keep my nose in a book and not on my phone | She just looked so beautiful today | 34 weeks

We keep popping into the boys’ room to look at their finished closet! | You never know what you’ll find with TJ and his crazy antics | On my drive to the OB, I was stuck in traffic, but couldn’t stop staring at the beautiful view | J painted his pumpkin this year and made a mouse | The leaves on this tree are such a vivid red, so gorgeous! | “Watch out for my laser beans, mama!” | That sky…so incredible | Teaching TJ how to play Angry Birds and being so patient when he doesn’t catch on to the whole sharing part | So thankful for the time spent with J, reading his weekly library book together. His belly laugh is contagious

October 20, 2016

{#100daysproject} Finding Joy in my Extraordinary Ordinary: Days 37-54

Part three! Reaching the halfway point with the next 18 photos, from October 2-19:

I feel like I can see into the future as Sophia carefully put on makeup after watching me – so surreal | My two funny boys on their way to CCD | Stepped on Tick-Tock Croc and it made me see stars! I’m going to miss the random toys strewn around the house someday, right? | Convicting reflections in my devotional are hard to read, but so good for my soul | She’s been flying around the house on her scooter, singing at the top of her lungs. It’s awesome to be four | I miss watching M’s creativity in the kitchen. Finally convinced him to make something filling for breakfast and he created a masterpiece | TJ is J’s mini me and just thinks he’s the greatest. I love watching them together | Leftover homemade apple pie after a wonderful afternoon with my mom and sister | Almost 32 weeks!

Red roses, hot coffee and funny cards: little pieces of a perfect birthday | “Sit me, Joe Joe!” Looking at the latest Lego catalog together | Sweet girl has been having some fears about bedtime, so we made a temporary bed for her in our room. Found her asleep with her Mary doll and hands clasped in prayer | Our house and neighborhood aren’t perfect, but today I’m thankful for a warm, cozy place for my boys to come home to | The look of absolute joy and excitement on his face | Mark hung my birthday signs and I couldn’t love them more | Our post school drop-off routine: a snack and a movie (today was Tinker Bell) | Waiting in the school pickup line as she anxiously searches for her brothers: “I just can’t wait to see them, mama!” | Mark and I helped J create his special “J” vest for school. We kept glancing at each other with so much love and pride for this sweet boy. We rarely get to have one-on-one time with just him, so it was such a special treat

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PART ONE OF #100DAYSPROJECT
PART TWO OF #100DAYSPROJECT

October 4, 2016

{#100daysproject} Finding Joy in my Extraordinary Ordinary: Days 19-36

Part two and the next 18 photos, from September 14 to October 1:

These two really are best friends. I hope they continue to stay close as they grow | Watching the babies play outside and feeling so thankful for our perfectly imperfect home | Even though TJ really has no idea what a “birthday” is, the rest of us are anxious to share in his special day. Only a little longer to wait! | There is something so beautifully surreal when I watch them all together | Our new couch can hold all of us now! | Taking the glucose test today and feeling peace, no matter the outcome | 29 weeks: getting anxious to meet this little one | D has been furiously writing and illustrating stories in his notebook, something I dreamed he’d enjoy someday. So thankful for his teachers who have ignited that interest in him | Our home is never clean with TJ around. Embracing the chaos because it all just goes too fast

Sitting in the car line and all I can think about is how old he looks | Our beautiful, smart, funny little girl is four! We are more thankful for her everyday | His imagination is so fun to watch | “Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue, When I’m with you” | Sent home from school and headed to the doctor | So excited to see “our” birds | A simple dinner and no one complained – a huge deal! | Headed to the wedding and in awe of the view | Feeling all the lovey dovey emotions today: for my brother and his new wife, for my children, for my husband and our marriage of (almost) 11 years, for our extended family…today was a good, good day

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PART ONE OF #100DAYSPROJECT

September 14, 2016

{#100daysproject} Finding Joy in my Extraordinary Ordinary: Days 1-18

This summer, I’ve been wound really tight. I can’t pinpoint exactly why, but with so many moving parts, being uncomfortably pregnant, to-do list after to-do list, messy loud kids…I feel like I’ve been a huge stress pot ready to explode. My blood pressure at the doctor’s office proved to me what I already know…I need to calm the F down.

As I prayed one night for help in this department, a small voice reminded me, “Why don’t you just delight in your children, Ashley? You need to find the joy in this vocation again.”

So it is with this intention that I have begun (inspired by Elise and all the other amazing creatives) a 100 Day photography project. Each day from August 27 to December 4, I hope to seek out and record the extraordinary ordinary, because truly, my life is so, so good. I chose this 100 day stretch for many reasons: it’s the beginning of a new schooling season for us with lots of change. It’s a time of birthday celebrations, our anniversary and a wedding. It’s that sweet spot where we anxiously prepare for a baby’s birth while enjoying our last days as a 7-person team.

Below are the first 18 photos, from August 27 to September 13:

For the first time all summer, he says he’s excited to go to school! | Starting the “last day of summer celebration” with Mass and donuts | My brave boys on the first day of school | It feels like we’re turning an important corner in our business and it’s so exciting | I love hearing his belly laughs when he watches a show before school | After struggling to find my new place this week, hearing him ask me for study help made my heart burst. I miss him | Sneaky helping himself to an extra cookie during family movie night | Gorgeous whispy clouds…it’s going to be a good day | Second only to baking, painting is her favorite thing to do

Found D reading TJ a book about his favorite super heroes. What a special moment | I’m really enjoying this new routine of having muffins ready when the boys return from school every afternoon | So big and yet so small, it’s hard to believe he’s almost two | I miss reading together, all snuggled on the couch. Note to self: Make the time | This girl and her “flip-a-roos”…she is quite the gymnast! | After a long day, Mark and J propped their feet up in the exact same way | We gave TJ one of his birthday gifts early (a Batman costume) and he was obsessed! I died from the cuteness | Starting a new daily devotional and already feeling convicted | A picture sent to me from his teacher – I love how technology is giving me a peek into his school day

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