My oldest son inspires me on a regular basis.  For about a year, he has asked to run in a “real race” like his Mamma and Daddy.  There aren’t many children-friendly races near us, so he waited patiently until November to run the Turkey Trot Fun Run, a big one mile loop.  


On the day of the race, due to an oversight on our part, we had him running all by himself among a sea of children and families.  Being his mamma, I could tell he was a little nervous.  I was nervous too.  We made a plan to meet at the finish line and then he was off.  Sending my baby out with all these people, I got a lump in my throat.  Would he be okay? Was he scared being all by himself?


He smiled big, walked up close to the front of the group and ran his little heart out.  I choked back tears as I watched my boy push through to the finish line and conquer a goal he’s been wanting to do for months.  


He was brave.  

When I chose “brave” as my one little word for 2014, I really had no idea how it would affect my life.  At the beginning, I created my own parameters:  getting out of my comfort zone creatively, in the kitchen, and in my giving.  And while I have made strides in these areas, I ended up having to be brave in even bigger ways.

When we found out I was pregnant with baby number five, I was so excited, but also greatly doubted myself.  Can I do this?  Am I a mother capable of doing this vocation well?  Four was already a “big” family, but five?  Five is considered crazy in today’s society.  Would I be able to handle all of the stares and thoughtless comments?  


When I felt God’s prompting to homeschool my two oldest, I doubted my abilities again.  Can I do this?  Can I be a good teacher to the one who really struggles with learning?  Will I be able to give them the education they deserve?  


Both of these instances required a jump into the unknown, a leap of faith.  “I am not afraid…I was born to do this”, a quote from Joan of Arc, became the words I whisper to myself when the doubts creep in.  I wouldn’t say that 2014 has been the year I’ve become fearless – not even close! – but I’m making baby steps in the right direction.


Going forward into 2015, I want to be more like my son.  I want to look the scary things in the face and acknowledge my nerves, but make a plan and go for it with all I’ve got.  I want to be brave.

I’m signing off to spend the rest of Advent with my little family.  I have some exciting things in store for the blog, though, so be sure to meet me back here after New Years!  Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas!

It’s the end of the year and I’m ready to slow down.  2014 has been filled to the brim with so many good things and I’ve been working hard.  Every day has a game plan: schooling, home projects, kids’ sports, exercise, business to-dos, the regular household chores, etc etc.  After our perfect Thanksgiving weekend, I realized that while I love accomplishing all of these things, I also need time to step back a bit.  It seems December is the perfect time to cut out all the extras and focus on my little family for awhile.   

For the month of December, these are my only goals:


1. No sugar until Christmas. I’ve been working hard to get back in shape and I think giving up sugar will help me overcome the plateau I’ve had the past month.  It may just kill me to pass on the cookies and other goodies, but I’m going to try!  (I’m in a wedding at the end of the month, so big motivation there too.)
2. Start thinking about the New Year. You know me and my love of goals and resolutions!  I’ll be asking all the questions: What do I want to do personally in 2015?  How do I want Big White Farmhouse to grow?  What home projects do I want to accomplish?  What memories do I want to experience with my family?  What do I want to share with others on the blog?  How can I grow in my faith?  Starting the lists and being inspired for what’s to come.
3. Slow down and enjoy this magical season with my family.  


What are your goals for December?


P.S. Big White Farmhouse is so excited to be a part of Call Her Happy’s Holiday Gift Guide!  We’re giving away one of our pewter ornaments, so be sure to check it out!

1. Read two books.
I only finished one.  I enjoyed Let’s All Be Brave, but it wasn’t one of those books for me that I quickly devour.  Maybe I wasn’t the target audience?     


2. Complete a “ten on ten” photo challenge. 
Done!  I loved this challenge.  It was fun to document our very ordinary day and I’m anxious to try it again.  Maybe I should make it a monthly goal in 2015.


3. Take 10,000+ steps a day and exercise at least four times a week.
I’m calling this one a half success.  Some weeks, I took at least 10,000 steps, but didn’t get four workouts in.  Other weeks, I did five workouts, but not 10,000 steps!  Either way, I was active throughout the month and I’m proud of that.  17 pounds down, about 20 to go!    

4. Continue with Couch25K.  
I stopped following this plan about halfway through the month.  I’m still running, but not on a specific schedule for now.


5. Invite a family over for a playdate.
Done.  We had another homeschooling family over and it was so nice to chat with the mama while our kids played together.  


6. Bake an apple pie.
I still didn’t get this one completed!  One of these days…


7. Declutter a small area of the house everyday.  
Done.  So good for my mental health as well as preparation for all the new things to come into the house at Christmas.  I plan to continue through December.

8. Announce the new Holiday Collection on the Big White Farmhouse shop.
Done.  The Holiday Collection is live on the site!  We have gorgeous pewter ornaments, fun dish towels and even hand-printed star pillows.  All make wonderful gifts.  We also just got in eco-friendly art supplies for kids…perfect “non-junk” stocking stuffers!


9. Get started on Christmas shopping!
Done!  I’ve gotten a good start on presents for the kids and I’ve started a shopping list for the rest.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to finish up during the first week in December, so I can fully enjoy the rest of Advent.  I firmly believe that gift giving shouldn’t be stressful!


Looking forward to finishing the year strong in December.  How did you do with your monthly goals?


P.S. We’re having a big Black Friday sale at Big White Farmhouse today!  

November!  How are we here already?  This year has absolutely flown.  Thank goodness for these monthly goals to keep me on track and get things done!  Here’s the plan for this month:


1. Read two books.
2. Complete a “ten on ten” photo challenge.  I discovered this project here.  Have you heard of it?  Here’s the gist: On the tenth of the month, you take a photograph an hour for ten consecutive hours.  I think it will be interesting to document our daily routine and see beauty in the ordinary parts of our day.
3. Take 10,000+ steps a day and exercise at least four times a week.
4. Continue with Couch25K.  Since I have to do the majority of my running on the treadmill, I found this plan that adapted the program for me.  So helpful!  
5. Invite a family over for a playdate.
6. Bake an apple pie.
7. Declutter a small area of the house everyday.  
8. Announce the new Holiday Collection on the Big White Farmhouse shop.
9. Get started on Christmas shopping!


Got some goals to accomplish in November?  Write them down and make a plan, then let me know!  I’d love to cheer your on!

With a newborn in the house, I needed a handful of goals to keep me on track, while being “easy” enough not to feel overwhelming.  These did the job.

1. Finish one book. 
Done. I finished Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys and recommend it.  Now I’m on to Let’s All Be Brave: Living Life with Everything You Have.  

2. Go apple picking and/or the pumpkin patch.
We made it to the pumpkin patch and it was hilarious to watch the kids find their favorite pumpkin.  The big boys each wanted the heaviest one they could find, while J was perfectly content with his “little one”.  We tried to convince him to pick something a little bigger, but nope.  Sophie and TJ got little pumpkins too.

3. Get a haircut.
Didn’t happen this month, but I will definitely get there in November.  My split ends are out of control.

4. Walk at least one mile four times a week.  Try for 10,000+ steps everyday.
Done. Out of all the goals this month, I’m the most proud of this one.  I’m only five weeks postpartum, but it felt good to get moving everyday and feel like I was doing something to get this baby weight off.  Now I’m ready to implement the plan!

5. Catch up on all thank you notes.
I’m still way behind on these.  I managed to send out a couple, but haven’t put a dent in my list.  Making this a priority to knock it out!

6. Get purchase orders in for Big White Farmhouse Christmas product.
Done!  We made our first order for the Holiday Collection and have already launched the Gather Dish Towel, which is perfect for Thanksgiving.  Hopefully we can order a few more things soon.

All in all, a successful month and a great way to ease into everyday life after TJ’s birth.  I’m looking forward to more good things in November!  What did you accomplish this month?  I’d love to hear your stories, big or small.

P.S. There are just about two weeks left to participate in the BWF Pajama Drive!  Right now, we are only at a quarter of our goal.  Would you consider helping us clothe some kids in need in my community?  Find all of the details in the original post and then send me an e-mail for the address.  I’d appreciate your help!

September was such a blur, full of anticipation, excitement and celebrations.  I made my monthly goals with the intention of distracting myself from the final weeks of pregnancy and for the most part, it worked!  While I didn’t complete everything on the list (which is okay since I never do!), I’d still consider this month a big success.

1. Take out all of the kids’ fall clothes and make a to-buy list to fill in the gaps. 
Complete! This became a project that lasted an entire afternoon with the attendance of four very eager helpers!  It was craziness, but another memory for the books.  The seasonal wardrobe change is one of my least favorite chores, so I’m so glad it’s done!  
 
2. Complete the cross-stitch project I started in August. 
At this point, this is getting laughable.  Two months in and I still didn’t finish!  In hindsight, I seem to be picking up books before cross-stitch projects lately and that’s okay.  Obviously, this one isn’t really a priority for me right now.    

3. Bake a pie.  
I had hoped to get to the apple orchard and then make an apple pie before the baby, but time just got away from us.  It’s on the plan for October.    

4. Make read aloud plans for “school” during our baby break.  
I did complete this goal, but changed things up at the last minute.  Originally, I made plans to read Owls in the Family and complete an owl lapbook while we took a break with the new baby.  But at the last minute, we decided to read Thomas and the Dragon Queen instead!  Even though I did all that work “for nothing”, I’ll be thankful for all of the prior planning in the weeks ahead. 

5. Write down all of the kids’ birth stories.
Oops, didn’t complete, although we did talk a lot about each child and their birthdays.  I really should have written them down years ago…I have forgotten a lot of the little details!

6. Read two books.
Complete!  I finished Peace Like a River and we also read Ginger Pye as a family read aloud.   

7. Buy tickets for a surprise trip to Lego Kidsfest for the boys. 
Complete!  The three big boys and their Daddy will be going on a special road trip to Kidsfest in October and I know they are going to have the time of their life!

8. Have a baby!
My proudest accomplishment this month!  He is perfection.

1. Finish one book.  
2. Go apple picking and/or the pumpkin patch.
3. Get a haircut.
4. Walk at least one mile four times a week.  Try for 10,000+ steps everyday.
5. Catch up on all thank you notes.
6. Get purchase orders in for Big White Farmhouse Christmas product.

What do you have on your goal list for October?

September is here.  This is an exciting month for us because by the end, our baby boy will have arrived!  Honestly, I’ve reached the point in this pregnancy where most of my thoughts consist of either meeting him or preparing for him.  I’m hoping that by making a few goals for the month, they can be a good distraction.  The last few weeks are the longest! 

1. Take out all of the kids’ fall clothes and make a to-buy list to fill in the gaps.  I dread this chore, but I’d rather do it now than sleep deprived with a new baby.    
2. Complete the cross-stitch project I started in August.  I’m about halfway finished, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to complete in the next few weeks.
3. Bake a pie.  I’ve never made a pie with homemade crust and I’d love to try.  Maybe apple to welcome in fall?
4. Make read aloud plans for “school” during our baby break.  We’re going to take at least two weeks off from official schooling, but I do want to keep reading aloud during the break.  We’ll be reading Owls in the Family and I want to find a few fun activities that the boys can largely complete on their own.
5. Write down all of the kids’ birth stories.
6. Read two books.
7. Buy tickets for a surprise trip to Lego Kidsfest for the boys. I have three Lego-obsessed boys here and I know they will flip with a surprise trip with their Daddy in October!
8. Have a baby!

What are your goals for the month of September?  I’d love to read them!  

1. Being brave creatively: choose a partially finished craft project and complete it.  Did not complete, oops.  I chose a really simple cross-stitch project to finish, but it definitely fell to the back burner.  When given the option of free-time activities, I tended to reach for a book more.  Hopefully I’ll finish up in September.    

2. Being brave in the kitchen: have Mark teach me how to grill something on our charcoal grill.  Technically, did not complete.  Does it count if I sat and just watched him grill our dinner, hah?!  He went through and showed me every step, but I was definitely a spectator and not a participant.  I’ll have to try to do the steps on my own once I have more energy.      

3. Being brave in my giving: send at least one surprise package, just because.  Complete!  I “met” a sweet mamma of four last year on Instagram and I’ve loved seeing her life through her pictures.  She’s been quite honest in her challenges recently so I wanted to bring a little sunshine to her mailbox.  It was so much fun to choose a few items to send…I highly recommend you do it too!

4. Month-long challenge: finish the “Walk at least a mile a day everyday for 30 days” challenge I started in July. Complete!  This challenge could not have happened at a better time.  I needed the extra oomph to push through the “pregnancy laziness” that summer always brings and to take the first steps toward a regular exercise routine.  Even though the 30 days are officially over, I am still trying to walk everyday, even if it’s only laps around the house.    

5. Read one book. I actually finished two!  I’ve been trying to read all of the books on the “to-read” shelf, so this month I knocked out Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism and Another Man’s War: The True Story of One Man’s Battle to Save Children in the Sudan. I’m currently in the middle of Peace Like a River.

6. Pay a big chunk on student loan debt. Complete!  We’ve still got more work to do, but I feel like the end is near.  Can’t wait to have that debt gone!

7. Start checking off the new baby to-do list: buy a new car seat, pack the hospital bag, wash newborn clothing, etc. Complete!  Nesting has definitely kicked in.  The car seat and stroller have been purchased and all of his itty-bitty clothing has been washed and put away.  We brought up the bassinet from the basement and started packing the hospital bag.  There are a few odds and ends still left to accomplish, but nothing crucial.  We are ready for you, baby boy!  

8. Research and make a plan for the second half of 2014 for Big White Farmhouse.  
I’m going to consider this one semi-complete.  I did a lot of product research for the upcoming holidays, but still feel unprepared.  Oh well!  So much of retail really can’t be planned anyway…one week at a time.  

9. Purchase a few frames to start a gallery wall in Sophia’s bedroom.  This one just didn’t get done this month and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to fit in a trip to Ikea before the baby arrives.  Thank goodness Sophie doesn’t know the difference.  🙂  

10. Make a prayer request book and be faithful in praying daily for others.  Complete!  I took a little hand-held notebook I’ve had hanging around and wrote down everyone I could remember.  Then, throughout the month, if I was asked to pray, I immediately jotted it down before I forgot.  It has been a game changer for me.  I’m no longer relying on my poor memory!  

Overall, I think it was a very successful month.  I’m looking forward to September!  
How did you do with your monthly goals?

P.S. We’re having a Labor Day sale over at Big White Farmhouse this weekend and I hope you’ll check us out!  The entire site is 20% with the coupon code “LABORDAY20”.  It’s the perfect time to start your Christmas shopping!  

1. Being brave creatively: choose a partially finished craft project and complete it.  I am notorious for semi-completing a craft or sewing project and then moving on to the next.  I want to get something finished and displayed.  
2. Being brave in the kitchen: have Mark teach me how to grill something on our charcoal grill.
3. Being brave in my giving: send at least one surprise package, just because.
4. Month-long challenge: finish the “Walk at least a mile a day everyday for 30 days” challenge I started in July. 16 days to go!
5. Read one book.
6. Pay a big chunk on student loan debt. We’ve been chipping away at this all year, but I hope to make some major movement in August.  One step closer to being debt free!
7. Start checking off the new baby to-do list: buy a new car seat, pack the hospital bag, wash newborn clothing, etc. 
8. Research and make a plan for the second half of 2014 for Big White Farmhouse.  Once the baby arrives in September, BWF will take the back burner for a little while.  I want to prepare and get ahead as much as possible beforehand.
9. Purchase a few frames to start a gallery wall in Sophia’s bedroom.
10. Make a prayer request book and be faithful in praying daily for others. I often promise prayers for someone, only to quickly forget.  It’s a habit I don’t like and want to change.  I think a designated prayer request book will help.  That said, is there any way I can pray for you?    

1. Being brave creatively: make silhouettes of the kids.  This has been on my to-do list for months!  
2. Being brave in the kitchen: try a new vegetable.  I just watched a delicious recipe using endive on Food Network, so maybe I’ll try that?
3. Being brave in my giving: donate to someone fundraising for an adoption.  If you know of any families, send them my way!
4. Month-long challenge: write one letter every day.  This is probably my most important goal this month.  It’s so important to me to be the kind of person that intentionally cares about others.  I want to be the girl who sends a timely note for friends going through a hard time, celebrating a new baby or whatever the reason may be.  Hoping this monthly exercise will create a habit.
5. Do a better job documenting the completion of my goals.  I hope to blog a bit more throughout, instead of just a before/after recap.
6. Read one book.
7. Go antiquing.
8. Hang curtains in the kitchen.
9. Launch a second section to the Big White Farmhouse shop: the Garden.  (Tomorrow is the big day!)

P.S. Be sure to enter our giveaway on the Big White Farmhouse blog for a chance to win two of our new products: a “You are my Sunshine” garden marker and an Herbs Seed Bomb pack!  Giveaway open until May 7 at 12:00am EST.  

1. Get back to regular walking: at least three times a week.  I didn’t really become motivated to accomplish this task until late into the month.  I’ve learned that if I don’t exercise in the morning, it just won’t get done.  By late afternoon (when my husband is home and I can walk in peace), I am exhausted and ready for my pajamas!  I think I need a switch in workouts, so I purchased two new prenatal DVDs that I can do with the kids around me.  We’ll see how it goes.

2. Read one book.  Complete!  I read The American Heiress and it was a quick read.  Not sure if I would recommend it, though.  I had lots of conflicting emotions about it and its lack of redeeming characters.  Have you read this one yet?


3. Learn to cook fish.  Not complete.  I need to work on this one in May. 

4. Potty train J.  Complete!  After my trip to Chicago (see below), I came home pumped and ready to get this done.  Fortunately, he caught on quickly and has been so proud of his accomplishment.  I am happy to only have one in diapers now, if only for a few more months!

5. Start the “Donate 100 Things Challenge”.  Semi-complete!  I still have many rooms of our home to go, but I think at last count, I had around 60 items set aside to donate.  This exercise was freeing and humbling…we have more than enough.

6. Organize the kitchen utensil drawer. Semi-complete.  I weeded through any tools we don’t regularly use, but I still need to buy a few organizing containers. 

7. Visit Chicago. This was the highlight of my month.  I was able to spend the weekend with my cousins, who also happen to be two of my closest friends.  It was so much fun and incredibly rejuvenating.  (To see all we did, we wrote a little bit about the weekend on the Big White Farmhouse shop blog here.)  I left a worn-out Mamma and came back a better one.