In January 2014, I launched Big White Farmhouse, an online home decor and gift shop. The past year has been filled with lots of learning experiences and I’m excited to share more about what we’re figuring out along the way.  I’ll also be sharing some of our promotions and new product launches.

Health and fitness have become big interests in my life.  I want to write more about my fitness goals as well as my favorite exercise: running!  I plan to run some great races this year!

We are a homeschooling family, so I sometimes share what school looks like at our house.  I also love to share our favorite books and the activities that we do.

Another new project for the new year: cookies!  I love baking for my family and trying new recipes, and this project is a great way to combine both.  Check out my Cookie Project Pinterest board for some of the yummy treats I’ve found.  I plan to share twice a month.

One of the items on my Life List is to create 100 beautiful things with my own hands.  Throughout the year, I hope to make a small dent in this lofty goal.  Whether it be sewing, flower arrangements or calligraphy, I want to try new mediums and hopefully create unique pieces to have in my home. 

Finally, I try to write “Around Here” posts every Friday.  They are a glimpse into our ordinary days, a peek at what we accomplished that week, and little memories about the kids.  These posts are probably only interesting to me, but at the end of the year, I hope to compile all of the photos and notes and have them printed into a book.

Thank you so much for being here and reading along!  

Happy New Year!  I may be a little crazy, but January 1st is one of my favorite times of the year.  I always start a new year incredibly inspired and while life never fails to surprise me with its twists and turns, I still think it’s worthwhile to acknowledge and write down the things I’d like to do in 2015.  

For the past three years, I have also chosen one little word to guide and inspire me.  Do you do this too?  It has been a very eye-opening experience and I’m still amazed at the significance each word holds to this day.  For 2015, I thought I would do things a little differently: I chose a word that was less about a goal to be met and more of a mindset to embrace.  For 2015, I’ve chosen the word thrive.  

For me, thriving means living at my very best.  It’s about saying that I’m all in to this vocation I’ve chosen.  It’s not about striving for perfection, but an invitation to embrace every part of my full and messy life.  


I want to live in the moment.  
I want to enjoy the season I am in as a wife and mother.  
I want to learn new things.  
I want to grow my business.
I want to build up the relationships in my life and create new ones. 
I want to be present, encourage others and radiate joy.   

You know that quote from Diane Ackerman?  The one that says, “I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I have just lived the length of it.  I want to have lived the width of it as well”?  That’s what thriving means to me.  I’m excited to see where the next year takes me.

Do you choose a word for the year?  Share in the comments!  I’d love to know what you’ve picked for 2015.