A New Look

       I'm so excited. I'm finally getting a new look for our bedroom! I ordered this beautiful bed set from Overstock.com.  It came today and I was like a kid at Christmas. Now comes the fun part! I'm going to repaint our room. The walls are all red right now. I'm excited to lighten up the room and make it a peaceful room for my husband and I.
       We have had made a new rule for our bedroom. NO KIDS. I need one place that I can go to where I can be alone and recollect myself. There are times I can't pee without someone knocking on the door. Sometimes the kids want to watch TV in our room, right now I'll let them. When our room is done there will be a no kids allowed rule. This might sound mean but I need a place that I can call my own. I'm so excited to show you all the room make over in the next few weeks.

Creating Your Morning Routine

Could waking up to a clean kitchen and living area make you as happy as this lady? I say yupper! The other morning when I woke up to order I felt like I could conquer the day. It was so nice. So now that you have down your night routine, let's talk about a morning routine.

Morning Routine

1. Make your bed.

        As soon as you all are out of the bed, make it. You are less likely to crawl back in when it's all perfect and pretty. I always feel so good walking back in seeing that it's made. I'm weird but it actually motivates me to clean.

2. Shower and get ready for the day.

         If you are a working mom you probably already get yourself ready first. Fantastic. I'm a SAHM and I sometimes don't think of myself first. There are mornings that I do get up on time and get ready, I feel more awake when I do. When my baby is napping I don't have to spend that time getting myself ready I can use that time for something else. I could read a book, work on a project, watch my favorite movie, well just about anything.

3. Start a load of laundry

       This has to be the best tip I ever have gotten. This helps me a lot. When I do this my laundry never piles up. By doing this I do at least two loads a day and with 6 in our house, the laundry sure does pile up quick.

4. Empty the dishwasher

      Since you loaded and started the dishwasher the night before you are ready to unload all the clean dishes and  ready to take on the day's mess. There really is no excuse to keep dirty dishes in the sink.

5. Check your calendar

         Everyone should be on the same page. We all use our calendars on our phones but do we really know what's going on with everyone else. Having a family calendar helps everyone know what the flow of the day is like.

6. Think about dinner

       Just like your night routine you'll also do this in the morning. If you are using your crock pot you might want to start it. I have forgotten I was making a crock pot meal and it was to late to start it. There was no way dinner was going to be on time.

Well this is my morning routine. Everyone's is different because  our lives are all different. I promise by creating a routine you'll save yourself time and notice that you'll get a lot accomplished.




     

Creating A Night Routine

I won't lie, there are morning when I feel like this woman. I hate waking up to a dirty kitchen and living room. A few years ago I learned how to create a morning and night routine. This has saved me. I have been slacking lately but now I have the motivation to put the routines back into place. If you need some help keep on reading.

Night Routine

Start this right after dinner, right before you plop your little tush on the couch. 

1. Clean and sweep your kitchen.

         Pick up your mess from dinner. Load and START your dishwasher. Wipe down your counters and table. Take your broom or vacuum and clean up the floor.

        This shouldn't take you to long. Have the family help. Have the kids put their dishes in the sink after they eat. You'll be so happy in the morning when you wake up to a clean kitchen ready for you to start your day!

2. Clean your living space.
          If you have a family room or living room in the main area of your home, pick it up! find the spots that you always dump things on and pick it up. You know the area's of your home that stuff always seems to migrate to, desk, coffee table or end table.

3. Create a TO GO zone. 
       This is your spot where you have everything you need or the family needs to take with them the next day. Have them gather their backpacks, bags, musical instruments, SHOES, coats, and hats. You get the picture. Everything is ready to grab and go.

4. Prepare Lunches for the next day.
          I am not a morning mommy, so doing what I can the night before to prepare their lunches is a time saver. If your kids use a cooler lunch box then score! Make their lunches and have them ready in the refrigerator.  If your brown bag lunches line them up on the counter and add what is not cold in them. So in the morning all you have to do is add the refrigerator items and off you go!

5. Think about tomorrows dinner.
        Look at your menu, pull anything out of your freezer that needs defrosting.  Are you using the crock pot? Bring it out on to your counter to remind yourself in the morning that you need to get started on dinner.

 
6. Take care of yourself
       This is your time to unwind. watch your favorite show, do your nightly beauty routine, read your book or scriptures, write in your journal, Do what ever, it's your time! Just make sure you head to bed at a decent hour.
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        This has helped me so much when I feel like I'm drowning. Sit down and think about your night routine and write it down. You'll love your mornings when you wake up and your kitchen and living areas are clean!!

Mother's Day Gift Idea

I enjoy visiting a blog called A Diamond in The Stuff. Courtney is so talented and creates such beautiful things. She posted this great gift idea for Mothers Day. I think I'll be doing this for my mother in law. Check her out at HERE.

20 Minute Kitchen Challenge

              So this momma feels like pooh today. I didn't do my night routine last night and I woke up to a mess in the kitchen.  I was NOT motivated to clean. I was thinking, hmmmm I always time the boys when they pick up their toys, and they receive a prize, sooo.... I set a timer for myself as well. 20 minutes. I was done with a minute and half to spear. What was my reward you ask? a nap!! It was the perfect time. Three of the four kids were at school and the baby was sleeping. 
             Yes I could have taken my nap without cleaning the kitchen first, but I have to say setting the timer was kind of fun. I was proud that I could tackle it under 20 minutes. So if you need a kick in the tush set your timer and reward yourself!

Learning To Tie A Bow

I can't make a bow to save my life. I found this site on Pintrest. Stitched By Janay. She shows how to tie a boy using a potato masher, genius in by book. I'm excited to give this a try.