The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{around here} Week 07/52: Week of 2.16.15





A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week.  At the end of the year, I’ll publish them into a keepsake to treasure.

Around here, I have been:


looking for warmth!  It snowed about 5 inches (don’t laugh, New Englanders!) on Monday and the temperatures have hovered in the teens all week.  I don’t like to complain about the weather, but I’m ready for spring.

 finishing long overdue decorating projects, like FINALLY putting up our family pictures in the living room.  They’ve only been framed and sitting on the floor in my room for…months.  hah!  Now I’ve got the itch.  A long list of house to-dos is in the works.   

 starting a new Lenten devotional: Fr. Groeschel’s The King, Crucified And Risen.  I’m just a few days in, but the meditations are already challenging me.  Painfully good.

enjoying homeschooling and really finding my groove.  With a new baby in the mix, late fall/winter was pared down to the bare essentials.  We kept moving along, but I just felt like it could be better.  Thankfully, the teaching spark has reignited and I’m excitedly planning the last 10 weeks of school.  

homeschool notes:
+ We pray a decade of the rosary with the kids every night before bed.  Mark and I decided that we wanted to explain the stories behind the mysteries and the kids are really enjoying it!  We’re also doing simple activities during school to reinforce what they learned the night before.
+ In history, we tackled two chapters this week: “The New Kingdom of Egypt” and “The Israelites Leave Egypt”.  M is really enjoying listening to the stories and working on the maps.    
+ Our new reading program is really clicking with D and I am so happy for him, I could cry.  His confidence is back and he actually enjoys school again!
+ I took out a bunch of math-related gear: geoboards, dominoes, a scale, etc. for “free play” and it was a huge hit!  M declared, “This is so much better than school!” and when I told him that it actually WAS school, he said, “Wow!  This is so awesome!”


{around here} Week 06/52: Week of 2.9.15

A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week.  At the end of the year, I’ll publish them into a keepsake to treasure.

Around here, I have been:


struggling.  Why is February so rough?  I am still feeling like I can’t catch up.  When I focus on one area of life, another one lacks.  Comes with the territory, but it’s hard.  I hold myself to an unrealistic standard and need to extend myself a little more grace.  

 wrestling with social media.  What do I share?  How much do I share?  Are my photos good enough?  Are my stories even good enough?  I’ve intentionally stepped away this week in order to try to figure it all out and while I haven’t come to a clear conclusion, I do know I still want to be a participant for now.  Too many good things have come from it.

 reading Overcoming Dyslexia and Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting. 

feeling excited about homeschooling again.  Watching D struggle made me question my abilities, but lots of research, the support of many online friends (who have dyslexic children who are thriving!) and our new reading program have really given me hope. 

 working on new product for Big White Farmhouse: soaps, bath salts and small gift sets!  All of them smell so good!   


listening to the boys talk about tattoos(?!):
D: Uncle Bud says they use needles.  NEEDLES.  Nuh uh, no way.
J: I think I’d get a purple Power Ranger.
M: Uncle Matt says it doesn’t hurt that bad.  I want “LEGO” on my arm right here.

 singing the ABC song over and over and over again.  We’ve been singing it everyday in Kindergarten and it’s now become Sophie’s favorite song.  “Again, again, mama!”  And don’t you dare try to change to Twinkle, Twinkle.  

 homeschool notes:
+ After trudging along for way too many weeks, I finally switched our history curriculum to Story of the World.  We all love it so far!  This week, we talked about Ancient Africa and listened to folktales about Anansi the spider.  We also drew Anansi using a video from Art for Kids.  


{around here} Ten on Ten: February 2015



My second attempt at Ten on Ten!  In case you haven’t heard about it, on the tenth of the month, you take a photograph an hour for ten consecutive hours.  Like the first time, it was just a typical day for us.  The weather was dreary and cold.  TJ has a little cold and has been a little fussy and clingy.  Looking back at these quickly snapped photographs, our life looks a bit boring, but I think I’ll appreciate the little details more down the road.

ten on ten button

{around here} Week 05/52: Week of 2.2.15


 A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week.  At the end of the year, I’ll publish them into a keepsake to treasure.

Around here, I have been:


spending half of the week as a single parent, as Mark was away on a business trip in California.  Thankfully, the days went relatively smoothly and I tried to add in a few fun things to pass the time.  

 watching the documentary, Tiny: A Story about Living Small.  I found the process of building your own little house (around 100-200 square feet) really intriguing.  And while that would never work for a family of seven, it does make me think about how much square footage we actually need versus what we think we need.      


laughing at Sophie as she becomes a little comedian.  I will ask her, “Who’s my girl?”  She will reply with “Daddy?” or any male family member and then laugh hysterically.  


celebrating Mark’s birthday.  The kids and I gave him a smoker to accompany his grill and he cannot wait to try it out this weekend.  Lots of delicious ribs and brisket in our future.


reading Overcoming Dyslexia and It Was Me All Along: A Memoir.   

 making baby steps of progress in D’s school.  We got our package from All about Reading and have done the first three lessons.  D LOVES it.  That excitement alone is worth the purchase.  

 cleaning up a storm around the house.  It feels so refreshing to place unneeded things in the donation box!  Clutter is definitely one of my triggers when it comes to overwhelm and anxiety, so I’m happy to be doing something proactive to combat that.  

 exercising with a mix of running and Insanity workouts.  The scale may not be moving, but I’m feeling strong!

 homeschool notes:

  • We learned about the Great Wall of China and M made his own out of Lego.
  • M recently found the Boxcar Children series and is currently in book #2, Surprise Island.  He wants me to read along, so I’m hoping to catch up soon. 

{around here} 04/52: Week of 1.26.15



A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week.  At the end of the year, I’ll publish them into a keepsake to treasure.

Around here, I have been:


watching the kids play.  M got a marble from his CCD teacher this week and the amount of time all of the kids have played with that one marble blows my mind.  Why do we have all of these toys again?

doing Sophie’s hair exactly how she requests.  She always wants three, not two but THREE, hair ties, so I’ve been fixing a lovely ‘do of pig tails connected into a pony.  She loves it.  

reading all about dyslexia in an attempt to help my second oldest.  It’s not official, but as the school year progresses, I’m more and more convinced.  I’ve mostly scrapped our original curriculum and am starting back at square one.  (We are still doing the letter of the week for now.)  After the recommendations of a few homeschooling moms, I just ordered All about Reading and I’m hopeful it will help.    

trying to get out of my cereal rut and make hearty breakfasts, much like this time last year.  This week, I made homemade granola, a Denver baked omelet and crepes.


purchasing new product for Big White Farmhouse.  I’m excited!

letting go of counting calories.  It has become a frustrating behavior that can border on obsessive and life is just so much bigger than that.  Instead, I’m focusing on more: more water, more veggies, more good stuff.  And a small sweet treat is okay sometimes too.  


homeschool notes:

  • It was L week in Kindergarten.  We painted lions.
  • The big boys found our old Monopoly game and have caught on quickly.  I love the extra math practice it gives both of them…and it’s fun!

{around here} 03/52: Week of 1.19.15

A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week.  At the end of the year, I’ll publish them into a keepsake to treasure.

Around here, I have been:


feeling like I’m behind and doing a lack-luster job at everything.  Every once in a while, I seem to have an off week where I am just trying to keep afloat and that definitely describes me right now.  I wrote Jon Acuff’s quote “Some beats None” big on the chalkboard to remind myself that some progress is better than nothing: some exercise before TJ cries is better than none.  Some laundry, even though I still have yet to put it away, is better than none.  Some BWF work, even though my to-do list is still a mile long, is better than not starting at all.  Some beats none.  

 making baked oatmeal for breakfast.  I thought I would be the only one who liked it, but the kids each had seconds!  

 laughing about J’s attempt to combine his love of compliments with new vocabulary: “Mamma, you are so….predictable!”


exercising with Shaun T and Insanity again.  I’m not following the plan, but adding the workouts in between runs.  It feels good to push myself to the max, but I have a long way to go!


reading Orphan Train and should hopefully finish by this weekend.  It’s such a moving story.


homeschool notes:

  • It was K week in Kindergarten.  We made kites.
  • M has been flying through his math lessons.  He is catching onto multiplication quickly; he knows the rules for 0, 1, 10 and 5 so far.


{around here} 02/52: Week of 1.12.15

A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week.  At the end of the year, I’ll publish them into a keepsake to treasure.

Around here, I have been:


loving the response from our Big White Farmhouse birthday giveaways.  It’s been the perfect way to start Year 2 and I am excited to get started purchasing product for the new year!  (P.S. The giveaways end tomorrow at midnight, so there’s still time to enter!)  


planning our first “official” Sunday Dinner.  Mark and I want to start the tradition of having a full sit-down dinner with a special dessert every week.  We hope it will become second nature to our kids and then hopefully will continue even when they’re grown.  I also think it will be a great opportunity to invite others over for food and hospitality.    

 drinking lots and lots of water.  I am so bad at remembering, but am committed to getting better.  I’m using the Water Counter on my Fitbit app and that helps.  Work in progress!

 reading my first fiction book of the year, Orphan Train.

 making homemade granola.  I added raisins because I’m a cinnamon raisin fan, but I think a bunch of dried fruit would be good too.  


thankful for Mark and how hard he works for our family.  He worked extra late twice this week and gosh, does that make me appreciate all he does to keep this family running when he’s home!

 laughing about Sophie and her new fake sneezing routine.  “Ah, Ah, Ah, Choo!”

 struggling to push through the postpartum plateau.  I’ve been at the same weight, give or take a few pounds, for two months now.  And while that’s frustrating, it’s less about the number on the scale and more about not being able to work out at a level I once could.  It’s been very humbling for me to have to start from scratch again.  God is growing me.   

 thinking about February’s challenge.  Lots of brainstorming and idea creating.  Right now, I’m veering toward something home related.

homeschool notes:

  • We had a simple week without many extras.  Some weeks are like that. 
  • Our read aloud for January is Mr. Popper’s Penguins and we just got started.  I have a lapbook planned and a few fun activities.  The boys are going to love it!

{around here} 01/52: Week of 1.5.15



A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week.  At the end of the year, I’ll publish them into a keepsake to treasure.

Around here, I have been:

 loving the snow that fell on Tuesday.  There’s something so magical about waking up to a blanket of snow, don’t you think?  The big kids played in the yard for over an hour, then came in to warm blankets and cocoa.  TJ and Mamma stayed inside and watched from the window.      

 watching Blue Blood on Netflix at night with Mark.  We love a good cop drama and I can’t get enough of the strong, multi-generational family dynamic too.  Important to note: Before we turn on the TV, we each have to read a chapter in our books.  January’s learning challenge is still going strong!

 laughing about Sophie’s first makeup experiment.  I figured she was playing happily in her room upstairs.  When she came down, I thought something looked off about her, but couldn’t place it.  I kept asking myself, “Is she getting sick?  Why doesn’t she have any color in her lips?”  Upon further inspection, I realized that she had covered herself with my concealer stick!  After we cleaned her up, we had a fun lesson on Chapstick and she’s been carrying around her own ever since.    

 surviving TJ’s apparent sleep regression.  I’ve been so spoiled with his long stretches at night!  He’s currently waking up 3-4 times a night now.  Bring on the coffee.

 thankful that I didn’t do any real damage to myself while running on the treadmill.  I’m not sure exactly, but I must have twisted in such a way that I got a shooting pain in my thigh/groin.  I was terrified that I had maybe pulled the muscle, but after icing and a few days of rest, I think I’m good to go.  Lesson: no distractions on the treadmill!

 listening to lots of podcasts and Ted talks while folding the laundry and loading the dishwasher, two chores that never, ever seem to end.

 reading Joy to the World: How Christ’s Coming Changed Everything (and Still Does).  I wanted to read it during Christmas, but better late than never.

 preparing for Big White Farmhouse‘s first birthday next week.  We are going to have two exciting giveaways on Facebook and Instagram, so I’ve been busy with the behind-the-scenes work.  

 homeschool notes:

  • We eased back into schoolwork on Monday with a Ninja Turtle craft.  The big boys stayed true to character, but J decided his turtle would look best in tie-dye colors.  
  • I changed up D’s math program during the break and he started his new book this week.  He is flying through the lessons and is even asking to “do a little more school” close to bedtime.  
  • After about a month of frustration, math is really clicking with M again.  We started doing speed drills and he loves trying to beat his best time.   
  • In science, the boys are learning about senses.  We had a blind taste test and let’s just say, some participants were more adventurous than others!

P.S. I’m trying out a new commenting system, which will hopefully make it easier for us to communicate! 
 Let me know if you have any trouble.

{around here} Week of 12.8.14

This week was rough.  One sick kid after another and I think I’m next.  Needless to say, the productivity in our family was pretty slim.  We spent a lot of time watching “educational” shows on Netflix and hanging out on the couch.  Every so often, they’d get a burst of energy and play something, only to come back to the couch and ask for a movie.  It breaks my heart when they don’t feel well.  I’m praying everyone starts feeling better this weekend.  


I did manage to finally put up Sophie’s curtains in her room…just in time to totally change her room around.  I’ve been coming up with plans to switch rooms around to make our home work better for us in the new year.  But more on that in January.

“Mamma, you are awesome.  Our whole family is awesome.  And..and…so is the whole universe!” -J, newly four

I’ve been thinking a lot about this post and have been inspired to put a few of Nell’s tips to action.  On Monday, I made a checklist (comment on 5 blogs, enter a giveaway, share a post on social media, etc.) and I’ve been working on it a bit everyday.  It actually brings focus to my blog reading.

One more thing to note: This week, I expanded my internet horizons a little and joined Twitter.  I have no idea what I’m doing!  I’ve also been on Google+ a bit, but I’m not sure what to do there either.  Are you on either?  Give me tips!


Have a wonderful (and healthy!) weekend, friends.

{around here} Week of 12.1.14

Gosh, I’m loving December so far.  For the first time in months, our schedule is wide open.  I’ve slowed down a bit, paused my to-do lists and just enjoyed my kids.  It was a good week.

I let the kids take charge and they decorated the tree with the most colorful ornaments.  Their boring mother would have chosen something simpler, but they are so proud of that darn tree, I can’t help but love it too. Even if the majority of the ornaments are on the bottom half of the tree. 

 Favorite homeschooling activities:

  • We started a new unit in science about the human body and we are all so excited!  We made a life-size tracing of M’s body and will be adding body parts and bones as we go.  This week, we started off with the brain and eyes.    
  • A new favorite activity for spelling words: hangman.  M can’t get enough!
  • We are also including the daily activities from Advent Adventures.  The kids love the videos.


 TJ has been a bit clingy this week, so I have yet to dive into a new book.  Thank goodness for podcasts!  I have been addicted to Serial and have listened to all 10 episodes in just a few days.  If you’re into detective novels, Serial would be right up your alley.  I also got a chance to listen to the new Fountains of Carrots podcast, which is so good too!  I especially loved episode two with Jenny. 

On the Blog:

I’ve been busy packaging orders for Big White Farmhouse, my favorite part!  For the month of December, I’m adding a little doily (I think it sort-of looks like a snowflake), a mini Christmas-related flash card (from this shop) and a mini candy cane with every order.  I think it’s festive, while also being cost-effective.  Also!  If you haven’t heard, Big White Farmhouse has been included in Call Her Happy’s Shopping Guide and Giveaway.  We are giving away one of our pewter ornaments!  The giveaway ends Monday, so be sure to enter soon!


Have a great weekend, friends.

{around here} Week of 11.17.14

Woo boy, is it cold outside!  The flannel sheets are on the beds and cozy blankets are ready next to the couch.  I also made a few new comfort food recipes for dinner and they were hits: Biscuit Pot Pie and Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup with grilled cheese sandwiches.    


TJ turned two months old this week.  I can’t believe it!  Where does the time go?  He is a smiling, cooing, happy boy and such a joy to our family.  We call him our “little turtle” because he has a habit of scrunching his neck and sticking out his tongue.  He loves to be cuddled, has outgrown all of his newborn clothing, and sleeps 4 hour stretches at night.  He is so loved.  


Favorite homeschooling activities:

  • We bought M a volcano kit for his birthday and he has used it often.  I love to watch him become a scientist as he adjusts the ratios between the vinegar and baking soda.  He often asks, “What will happen if…” and I am happy to tell him, “Let’s find out and see!”
  • I swapped out the “required” reading about the water cycle for a Magic School Bus episode I found on Netflix.  The boys couldn’t believe their luck: watching TV for school?!  
  • It was J week in Kindergarten.  I was brave and took out the paints so all four could make jellyfish.  BIG hit.

We wrapped up our Pajama Drive and they are headed to Northern Virginia Family Services.  To everyone who donated, thank you SO much!  Because of you, many children in my community will be warm this winter.  We are so grateful for your help and support. 

Plans for the weekend: M and Mark are running in a Turkey Trot and we are all coming to cheer them on!
Hope you have a great weekend too.

{around here} Week of 11.10.14


 This week was packed full of fun things: celebrating the Marine Corps birthday, having friends over for a play date and an end-of-season soccer pizza party.  Mark was away on a business trip for part of the week too, so I tried to keep us busy with art projects and movie nights.     

Favorite homeschooling activities:

  • It was D week in Kindergarten.  We didn’t do any themed crafts, but I think a trip to the grocery store for doughnuts may be just as effective. 🙂
  • We’re halfway through Owls in the Family and the boys think the stories are hilarious.  We also learned about nocturnal animals and M created a really neat owl using newspaper (he used this one as inspiration). 
  • For spelling, we played Spelling Battleship.  It was such a hit, I think we’ll need to buy the real game soon! 



Even though the scale hasn’t moved in about 10 days, I’m still pushing through my workouts.  I started boxing this week, an exercise that has always interested me but has been equally intimidating.  I put on my brave face and tried it anyway, and it was so fun!  I also did a kettlebell workout I found online that was so effective, I could barely walk the next morning!  Add in my Couch25K and I am definitely working hard, whether the scale says so or not.  It’ll come eventually.
      
As for nutrition, I’m weaning myself off sugar again (darn you, Halloween!) and trying to focus on filling myself with good foods.      

On the blog:



This weekend, we have even more fun in store: celebrating a big 8th birthday!  
Hope your weekend is full of good things too.

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