birds returning to the feeder

generally good health after a string of illnesses

delicious green smoothies

the silence of three littles ones asleep at naptime

Old Navy leggings that hold everything in

coconut milk in my coffee

finding a note from my boys on my pillow

hearing all the kids laugh and play together (rare!)

warm oversized sweaters

our weekly “date” watching Hunted

a freshly made bed

selling our old bed and finally getting it out of our hallway!

a baptismal outfit that has been worn by all five of my sons

Mark’s brisket

dance parties before bed

watching D dive into a new book

telling funny memories about growing up with my grandmother

a brand new box of crayons

Panda Puffs as my dairy-free sweet treat

this quote from St. Josemaria Escriva: “May your behavior and your conversation be such that everyone who sees or hears you can say: ‘This man reads the life of Jesus Christ.’ “

I’ve recently heard about the concept of “hygge” and have been trying to incorporate it into my days.  I loved how this blogger described it: “Hygge (pronounced hue-gah) is a Danish word that is a feeling or mood that comes taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary, every day moments more meaningful, beautiful or special. Whether it’s making coffee a verb by creating a ritual of making it then lingering over a cup to a cosy evening in with friends to the simple act of lighting a candle with every meal. Hygge is being aware of a good moment whether it’s simple or special.”  This list was inspired by that.

waking up to freshly fallen snow

playing cards with Mark by the Netflix “fireplace”

our little space heater

a book in my hand instead of a phone (still a work in progress, but better!)

when P smiles in his sleep

the smell of uplifting citrus oils in the diffuser

M’s help making lunches in the morning

“Those who leave everything in God’s hands will eventually see God’s hands in everything.”

my new slippers

the boys’ rosy pink cheeks when they come home from school
clementines by the dozens
piping hot coffee in my favorite mug
stew in the slow cooker that makes the kitchen smell delicious
the quilt my grandmother made us as a wedding gift
early evening candlelight
pacing the hallway with a baby in my arms
baking chocolate chip cookies with Sophia
my go-to infinity scarf knit by a friend
J in his favorite Ninja Turtle pajamas (which are just a little too small)
falling into our cozy bed after another exhausting day

when TJ decides to nap (!!!) and Sophie tucks him in
a satisfyingly tall tower of freshly folded clothes
J’s drawings scattered throughout the house

when Mark makes coffee in the coffee press

amazingly supportive teachers who work hard for my kids

TJ’s face when his brothers come home from school

watching my belly move and flow as this baby moves around

warm sweaters

hearing Sophie sing songs about how much she loves me
my church and our holy priests

laughing with Mark until I pee (thank you, multiple pregnancies)
enjoying a good book again after a long break
M’s tender heart and excitement for the new baby
watching the leaves change ever so slightly on my drive to school

surprise Pajama Drive donations arriving in the mailbox (thank you!!)
feeling peace about our current home even though it isn’t our dream
when D cuddles up next to me on the couch
pumpkin spice doughnuts
reuniting with old friends and watching the kids not miss a beat
this quote I found on Pinterest: “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.  Sometimes that’s all I can say to find peace, strength and clarity.  He is enough – always enough.”

M‘s excitement about his very own library card

brand new maternity bottoms that make me feel just a teeny bit stylish

the smell of fresh tomatoes
starting the search for the kids’ fall clothing: lots of good luck on Kidizen and ThredUp!

watching D’s creativity as he creates stop-motion animation movies

vintage finds that are both functional and pretty to look at
TJ’s slobbery kisses and cuddles

when Mark makes the coffee before he leaves for work
a newly mopped floor
a new favorite soap – so refreshing!
a good night’s sleep

a high five from Sophie as she declares, “Girls rule, mama!”
feeling tiny baby kicks
new inspiration for sharing on Big White Farmhouse’s Instagram 
dirty feet from being outside in the yard
watching the birds outside our window
blueberry peach cobbler
J’s kindness toward his sister, especially when she invites him to her tea parties
easy dinners on the grill
this quote from St. Dominic Savio: “I can’t do big things.  But I want all I do, even the smallest thing, to be for the greater glory of God.”  

the way the sun shines through the windows in the morning

turning the heat off and not needing the air conditioning

TJ’s curls

watching the boys run and play at the park

praying the St. Joseph novena for all of the fathers in my life

putting all of the winter coats away

freshly sharpened pencils

a book I can’t put down

waking up headache-free after a hard few days

checking long-awaited projects off the to-do list

waking up to the smell of coffee

lemon and lavender in the diffuser

seeing itty-bitty progress in my workouts

when M cooks breakfast for all of his siblings

Sophia’s compliments on any food I make: “Oh mama, it’s delightful!”

packaging orders 

the sweet (and sometimes sour) relationship growing between D and J

planning a training schedule for another half marathon

learning something new

this quote I stumbled upon on Pinterest from Ruth Bell Graham: “As a mother, my job is to take care of the possible and trust God with the impossible.”

feeling more like myself after a hard couple of months
how Sophie calls TJ “best friend”

sparks of creativity

the sound of Mark’s car pulling into the garage

warm boot socks
cozy twinkle lights above the kitchen cabinets

spontaneous after-dinner car rides for milkshakes

incoming product for Big White Farmhouse on my doorstep

B vitamins

how M’s nose is always in a book
the feeling of accomplishment after a good run

this quote from St. Gregory of Nyssa: “Seeking God means following Him wherever He might lead.”

big cuddles around the neck from J

competitive family card games

fitting work time in the busyness of everyday
D’s creativity 
trying new dinner recipes
pouring out my heart and feeling understood
watching our debt total decrease, little by little
steamy hot showers

sunshine peeking through the clouds after a torrential downpour during soccer

watching TJ mummy-walk around the house

bedtime prayers with the boys

confidence in my own skin

less social media distractions, more time for things that matter

the kids’ enthusiasm for their co-op classes
reading funny stories just so I can hear J’s belly laughs
the first batch of homemade chili

feeling enough of a chill in the morning air to grab a sweater, if only for a few minutes

Sophie’s sweet love for TJ as she says, “Oh mama!  Look at him!”
a pile of books to read on my nightstand

my new fall jacket
the beginning of new friendships

listening to D read to me
a laundry basket full of clean, folded clothes
when Mark offers to cook dinner
learning something new along with the kids
the memories made with M as we do T25 together (who else in this house understands my Shaun T-isms?)
packaging Big White Farmhouse orders
this quote: “Because always, even in the darkest moments, in moments of sin, in moments of weakness, in moments of failure, I have seen Jesus, and I trusted Him…He has not left me alone.” -Pope Francis

finding love notes from Mark in my planner

the kids’ excitement for school

new products for Big White Farmhouse

TJ’s adoration for his Daddy

temporary relief as hot coffee soothes my sore throat

“The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that He, in His goodness, sends to us day after day”      -Saint Gianna Molla

the smell of freshly bathed babies

brand new school supplies, just waiting to be used

waking to a little (okay, teeny) chill in the air before it gets hot for the day

“Just one more story, Mama!”

exercising first thing in the morning with M

memory filled hand-me-down clothes passed from brother to brother

fresh fruit salad: nature’s dessert

the pride in the kids’ faces as they wear their new backpacks around the house

reading a few pages before bed

a trunk full of boxes to donate

burgers on the grill, even if I can only eat them on lettuce

less mindless social media scrolling

big imaginations and cardboard box forts

contentment in where I am, right here and now

when Mark cooks dinner

sales for Big White Farmhouse

my attempt to be proud of my body instead of critical 

making memories with the kids

a big bowl of fresh blueberries

how Sophie says “Mama” before and after every sentence

a good night sleep for TJ

the prayer: “Lord, show me the way.”

watching the joy on Sophie’s face when she goes on a date with her Daddy

cuddles out of the blue from J

the lines on a freshly vacuumed floor

my cold morning cup turning into delicious iced coffee

D’s protective care for his baby brother

celebrating the first food from our garden

texting with my sister

pink and purple sunsets after heavy rain storms

laughing with M

handpicked flowers from the yard

the kids’ excitement for homeschooling another year

guacamole and tortilla chips: my summer staple

sharing meals around the table

coaches who are good mentors and examples for my boys

an empty laundry basket (if only for a few hours!)

new opportunities to try again

the example of my grandmothers and how they have touched my life

the twinkle in TJ’s eyes

waking up to hot coffee in the pot

brothers and their belly laughs

forgiveness

“You can do this.  Decide that you can.” -Lara Casey

Sophie’s stick family drawings 

growing friendships

ice cold drinks in a mason jar

watching my babies sleep

the peace that comes with not making the to-do list an idol

watching movies on the couch with Mark

fans to cool us during hot, sticky summer days

bird watching with the kids

dreaming big dreams for the future of Big White Farmhouse

falling into bed exhausted, but ready to do it all again tomorrow