Well hello there, dusty old blog!  After months away, I’ve started to miss this little diary of sorts.  I can’t guarantee that I’ll continue to blog with any consistency, but we’ll see.  I hope to drop by when inspiration hits.  Here’s a little update on life at the Big White Farmhouse:

I am almost 32 weeks pregnant and getting more anxious everyday to meet this little guy.  The pregnancy has flown by and I have been so fortunate to have very little to complain about.  Life has been happening at full speed and I’ve been lucky to be able to keep up!  Hopefully the last 8 weeks will pass as quickly as the previous 32.   

I’ve been super lax in my exercise this spring and summer, but have started a personal challenge that has finally gotten me out of my rut!  One of my “100 Little Things in 2014” goals was to run/walk at least a mile a day for 30 days.  July turned out to be the perfect time for me to check this off the list.  I started mid-month, so I’m only about halfway through the goal, but I can already tell that it’s turning into a habit I look forward to everyday.

In schooling news, we’ve decided to homeschool the big boys for Kindergarten and 2nd grade this year.  There are lots of reasons behind this decision, but ultimately, we think it’s the best thing for our family this year.  (We’re taking it one school year at a time.)  We are primarily using Sonlight but I’m picking and choosing, adding and deleting as we go.  We’re definitely adding lots of art and craft projects…my boys’ favorite!   

A summer staple that we may or may not have made two nights in a row: Blueberry Peach Cobbler.  I found this recipe through Pinterest and it is crazy easy and delicious to boot.  Big family favorite.

On the business front, Big White Farmhouse, the online home decor boutique I started in January with my cousin, is still alive and growing!  We have learned so much the past six months and are anxious to see where the second half of the year takes us!  Currently, I’m spending lots of time researching and ordering new items to fill our shop for the upcoming holidays (crazy retail has you planning months and months ahead of time!).  I love every piece of the process.  Be sure to find us over on Facebook, where we share most of our news as well as flash sales and coupon codes.  


I just finished reading Come Be My Light: The Private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta, which I found really interesting and comforting.  Good thing I purchased the book, because my copy is full of underlining, hearts and asterisks!  So many great nuggets of truth to ponder.  Here’s one quote that I’ve been thinking about today: “Keep giving Jesus to your people not by words but by your example – by your being in love with Jesus – by radiating His holiness and spreading His fragrance everywhere you go.”  


Hope you all are doing well, friends!  I’ve missed you!

This week has included LOTS of work on the new spring line coming to Big White Farmhouse.  I’m on quite the deadline…we are expecting to launch next Friday, May 2!  I’ve been busy taking photos, working on the website and even preparing for a giveaway.  The whole process is time consuming, but so much fun.  I can’t wait to share the new products with you soon!

I’ve got two in soccer this spring, so that equals lots of time at the fields.  I really do enjoy watching them learn and play.  Chasing Sophie around and making sure she stays off the fields? Not so much.  She’s a spitfire.

I made this Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Pull-Apart Casserole for breakfast on Easter Sunday and the kids are already asking for a repeat.  Their other favorite this week has been breakfast burritos, filled with bacon, egg, cheese and guacamole. 

I’m sure you’ve already seen this, but I just showed this video to my husband and he thought it was hilarious.   

See you next week, friends!

P.S. Do you mind helping me out and answering a business question?  What is your favorite way to stay in touch with your favorite businesses, both big and small?  As a newbie business owner, I’m still figuring out where to put the most effort in sharing BWF announcements and information. 

Do you prefer following businesses on Instagram or maybe Facebook?  Staying up to date with their newsletters in your e-mail?  Reading their blogs?  Any other ways you really enjoy?  Thanks in advance! 

We had such a good week!  Everyone was home on Monday because of the holiday.  We stayed in our pajamas, watched movies and relaxed after a weekend of entertaining.  Then Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were snow days!  I know M is ready to get back to school and his friends.  


Have you been over to Bonnie’s blog to vote for the 2014 Sheenazing Blogger Awards yet?  I was so surprised to see that I have been nominated for Best Lifestyle blog!  I’m in the running with a lot of better blogs than mine, but the nomination made my whole week. (Thank you, whoever you are, for nominating me!)  

#40milesinjanuary update: I’m getting close!  As of this writing, I am at 37 miles.  This is the first time ever that I have met (and hopefully surpassed) one of these Instagram challenges.  I am so excited for next month.  

I am reading Stepping Heavenward, a gift from a penpal, and loving it!  Have you read it?  


As you can see from the picture above, I made the mistake of leaving my cross-stitch project on the table and J’s little hands couldn’t resist trying it out.  Fortunately, the destruction wasn’t terrible and I’m actually a little impressed! 🙂


I wrote a little post on the shop blog about my Gram and her passion for education.  That little pocket dictionary is one of my most prized possessions.  And one more shop note: We have one more week for our Grand Opening Sale over at Big White Farmhouse!  15% off site-wide until January 31st.    

  
Have a wonderful weekend, friends!  Stay warm!

Monday was the Big White Farmhouse launch!  What an amazing day.  I got a lump in my throat on multiple occasions as I watched our Facebook numbers grow and the orders come in.  So excited to see where this adventure takes us!


Overheard J talking to Sophie: “Come over here, darlin’!”  
And then later talking to me: “J, where are you?” “Be right there, darlin’!”


I wrote a little post on the shop blog about an easy gift idea using our tea towels.  The banana bread recipe is delicious!


Still going strong on my #40milesinjanuary.  As of this morning, I’m at 25.3 miles!  


M brought home a Good Character Award from school for being caring and compassionate.  My heart is so full of pride for that boy.  I often question if I’m cut out for this parenting gig, so I took this as a sign that I must be doing something right.    


This weekend: a visit from the in-laws!


See you on Monday, friends!

When he heard me complain that the kids rarely all liked my dinners, M said: “You always cook with love and I can taste it when I put my chompers in it.”

Tuesday was bitterly cold for us in Virginia, so much so, that school was cancelled!  Temperatures reached as low as 5 degrees with the wind chill into negative digits.  

I’m on track for my #40milesinjanuary with a current total of about 12 miles.  Exclusively walking is an adjustment for me and a bit more of a time commitment, but I’m enjoying it.  I walked on the treadmill and found it the perfect opportunity to read!  I’m flying through Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption.  Excellent so far.
 
I loved the imagery from this verse in this week’s Bible readings: “The valiant one whose steps are guided by the Lord, who will delight in his way, May stumble, but he will never fall, for the Lord holds his hand.” -Psalm 37:23-24 (emphasis mine)

Plans for the weekend: a trip to Target for frames, prepping for a visit from the in-laws next weekend, and preparing for the Big White Farmhouse shop launch on Monday!  

See you next week, friends!

TGIF!  Between the daughter I have declared to be called “No Sleep Sophie” and three early rising boys, I am dragging this week.  I seem to have survived on pure adrenaline and coffee.  Lots and lots of coffee.


Running…HAH.  Um, no. One short run on Monday was all I could manage.  I’m itching for a long run all to myself this weekend.


I had a heart-to-heart with D about some poor behavior and through tears, he told me that he desires more one on one time with me.  Oh my Mamma heart.  This child has been my hardest to parent and I’ve felt like a failure on more than one occasion.  Trying to be more intentional with inserting little moments throughout our day: we did a puzzle together, worked on a few workbook pages while the other two were asleep and he even helped me put laundry away.


“I not your big man, Mamma.  I tiny.” -J


Best moment of the week: One night was particularly rough and all four decided 5am was a great time to start the day.  My wonderful husband came home early with a car full of groceries and a meal plan for the rest of the week.  I am so grateful for that man.      


Pajamas for the Pajama Drive are starting to trickle in and I’m getting so excited!  I’d love for you to participate!  Even if you can’t make it to the store, pick a pair or two online and have them shipped directly to me.  If you’re interested, send me an e-mail and I can get you the address.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

We managed to make it one month with M in school before he got sick.  He came home last Friday with a sore throat and by Saturday afternoon, had almost lost his voice.  He was miserable and had to miss school on Monday, but thankfully is back to full health!  And miracle: no one else caught the cold!


D’s fifth birthday was on Tuesday!  He requested Burger King bacon cheeseburgers for dinner with a big chocolate cake.  It always makes me laugh to see what the kids pick out for their special dinner.  He received two Star Wars Lego sets and has been in heaven ever since.


I started running a bit after an entire week off.  Feeling out of the groove.  Our weekend is busy, but I’m hoping to fit in a long run outside.


Remember a long, long time ago when I mentioned that a BWF boutique was in the works?  There have been lots of bumps and learning curves along the way, but we’re almost ready to launch!  I’m hoping for a soft launch in November, just in time for Christmas shopping.


I couldn’t take the kids’ toys in the living room for another minute, so I made the crazy decision to dismantle my office and turn it into a playroom.  I am so excited with the outcome!  Pictures and details to come.


Plans for the weekend: a soccer game, a long run (hopefully!), a trip to the pumpkin patch and family pictures!


Have a great weekend, friends! 

This week flew by!

Week one of Eat in October was successful and dare I admit, easy.  I planned dinners exclusively from the cookbook, Against All Grain, and they were all delicious.  I’m hoping with week two, I can stretch our grocery budget a bit more.


After a few weeks of perfect fall weather, the temps have risen to the 80’s.  The boys have been wearing shorts and t-shirts!  We all seem to be getting sick in one way or another and I blame the back and forth temperatures.  


The response to the second round of the Penpal Circles has been so great.  We’re up to 40 new ladies already!  I’ve been getting a head start on addressing envelopes and plan on shopping for the welcome packet “extras” this weekend.


I struggled through my runs this week, but got ’em done.  Sometimes you just have to push through the mind games and run anyway.  


During this morning’s run, I listened to a podcast that interviewed Emily Freeman and wow.  So heart-stirring.  I’m still processing it.  If you listen to it, let me know!  I’d love to compare notes. 🙂


Favorite moment of the week: on our way to soccer practice, J fell asleep.  I loaded him into the stroller and he slept for a good 30 minutes by the field.  All of a sudden, I watched him open his eyes, look around sleepily and then belly laugh like he’d heard the funniest joke.  It was the kind of laugh that makes you chuckle yourself.  I’m not sure what he had been dreaming, but what a way to wake up!  My mamma heart was full.


Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend, friends!  

Our Little Miss turned one this week and I still can’t believe we are here.  I feel like I blinked and all of a sudden, she is a big girl and just a bundle of personality.  Slightly mischievous and full of joy.  We are truly blessed to have that girl in our lives.


I’ve been unhappy with my pacing and feeling super slow, so I decided to start an 8 week training schedule to improve my 5K time.  Three days in and feeling strong.


I’m considering an “Eat at Home October” with Jules over at Pancakes & French Fries.  Meal planning is my downfall and I’m ashamed to admit how many times we eat out due to pure laziness.  I want to see cooking as an opportunity to nourish my family instead of it just being a chore.  This is also a good time to hop back on the Paleo wagon.  One of the items on my life list is to make every recipe from a single cookbook and I think I’ve found that book!  


Out of the blue one day: “Mamma, I’m so glad I have a baby sister.” -M


I got out of my comfort zone and tried my hand at making my own stationery.  I was surprised to realize that it is much harder than it looks!  It took me a few naptimes, but I finished and now I think I’m hooked.


My favorite moment of the week: As we drove to soccer practice, the big boys were talking and started belly laughing in the back seat.  Sophia, oblivious to their conversation, immediately started laughing too.  She’s never one to be left out of a good time. 🙂


Hope your weekend is full of family and fun, friends.