In the past, I have tracked habits here at Common to Moms. I've done this partially because the public forum is great accountability for me and partially because watching someone accomplish something is great motivation for others.
This year- 2014- I am planning to make A LOT of changes in my life. Mainly, my goal is to move past survival mode and choose to live in a more peaceful and complete way.
I'm happy to report that the process has already begun. In the last week or so, I have already begun to do things like use my calendar to plan my life at least a week in advance (this helps to quell the chaos in a life full of doctors' appointments and therapies), taken back grocery shopping and meal planning, cooked a little, saved receipts (to soon use to do some budget tracking) and made a plan for how to take back my house from the chaos of twin pregnancy and almost a year of 3 children 3 and under.
Today I want to break down my plan for taking back my house and share it with you.
First, I feel the need to clarify that although I have needed to improve my habits on cleaning before, this is not the only thing crying out for change in our current life circumstances. It's more that while I was busy nursing, changing diapers and changing toddlers, stuff began accumulating in the corners of our home. And while some things grew, other things began to get lost in the shuffle. Showers, make-up, clothes that fit, quality restful time all began to dwindle while chaos increased. Life was hardly ever completely crazy, but neither was it truly complete. Satisfying? Yes. Fulfilling? Almost. Complete? Not really. The start of the new year has me realizing that what will get lost in the chaos of babies and small children (if I'm not careful) is peace at home and a respectable me.
"Taking Back the House" to me means getting rid of clutter, working on cleaning habits AND adjusting our home to function for six people instead of four. Let's face it- almost DAILY I run into problems trying to squeeze a six-person-life out of a four-person-home. I have been reading a lot about organization, cleaning and home management (as well as a little personal soul searching) so I have come up with a pretty comprehensive plan (at least I think it is!) for how I'm going to tackle taking back the house. And as I mentioned before, I think its both helpful for me and inspiring to others to share it here on the ole' blog. Consider this a life over-share and if you want to join me as I attempt to conquer some major disorganization and lifestyle adjustment, then I can only say thank you! Any and all support and encouragement are welcome.
Without further adieu- here is the plan to Take Back the House.
1. Divide my home into three zones.
Zone 1- Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen & Laundry
Zone 2- Master Bedroom
Zone 3- Kids Rooms and Bathroom
Admittedly, I have chosen the hardest zone to tackle first- mostly because if I can conquer these areas of my home then I can DEFINITELY continue on and conquer the rest!
2. Chose a starting point within Zone 1 - The Dining Room!
3. Make a list of every stitch of clutter or randomness in that space and what I need to do about it. The goal here is to check things off the list until the area is completely clutter free.
4. Keep this area CLEAN.
5. Celebrate my clean and de-cluttered space by changing things in the space to better fit our family including but not limited to changing or updating decor. This is definitely the FUN step!
6. Rinse and Repeat to the end of a zone, then take time to reflect and re-evaluate the process. Share on the blog and keep moving forward. Taking the entire year to complete all three zones is definitely allowed- it will be no small task!
So that's the plan in as much detail as I can predict! Stay tuned for my Dining Room Over-share Post!
Till Next Time,
Rachel
Showing posts with label Time management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Time management. Show all posts
Monday, January 6, 2014
Monday, January 7, 2013
Inspire Me! Monday... Put your blinders on!
Welcome to the sporadic postings of Inspire Me! Monday. :)
Today will be a short post (okay- in retrospect it's not short at all- ha!), but hopefully a meaningful one as I share a thought with you that has been burning in my brain for days now.
A friend of mine (who I have mentioned before) who has an awesome blog, business and love for Jesus, wrote a post recently that I want to share with you.
Before I link you to it, I want to tell you what stood out to me most. I don't know that these were her exact words, but they are close. Here's what caught me eye (and what I can't get out of my head) from her post.
Here's the link to the Post: Little Bit Funky, A Resolution For Us All!
In general, I don't play the comparison game. I don't look at Crystal's blog and think "She does so much and I feel insecure today, so I think I'll decide that she and others like her must not have her priorities straight." Ummm.... no.
However, I DO fall prey sometimes to looking around at what others are doing and think... "Maybe I should be doing that too? They are obviously amazing at following God and serving their family, so maybe I should follow their example!"
Each day that I am given has a purpose and a plan. And at this point, believe-you-me, it looks different than most other people's lives I know! I am semi- housebound with a low immune-system child and 30 weeks pregnant with twins which makes me feel like a big walrus lumbering around. I am realizing that in order to do what God wants me to do to serve my family in this season, it takes doing a very little bit at a time with a LOT of focus.
What kind of terrible trap would I be setting for myself if I compared my list of *four things* I must do today to another person's of 10, 20 or 50 things to do today? What have I gained if I spend my time chasing and trying to achieve what other people are doing if I am neglecting my own purpose in life?
So for Inspire Me! Monday today, think about God's purpose for you and you alone. Take one step at a time no matter what your life looks like and know that God's plans are greater than what everyone else might be doing. If we as Christians all focus on the His purpose for our lives, that is how we function as one body. All of us have different roles, jobs and amounts of work to do based on our own special abilities. Be encouraged that God created your purpose with you in mind. And there is no shame in obedience to Him- even at the expense of not doing what everyone else is doing. Today I pray that you will lay your life down to the only One that matters and find yourself to be lifted up.
Love,
Rachel
"You are worried and upset about many things, but only ONE thing is needed." Luke 10:42
"Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. " Proverbs 4:25-27
Today will be a short post (okay- in retrospect it's not short at all- ha!), but hopefully a meaningful one as I share a thought with you that has been burning in my brain for days now.
A friend of mine (who I have mentioned before) who has an awesome blog, business and love for Jesus, wrote a post recently that I want to share with you.
Before I link you to it, I want to tell you what stood out to me most. I don't know that these were her exact words, but they are close. Here's what caught me eye (and what I can't get out of my head) from her post.
Wake up each day and do what God wants YOU to do. Don't wake up and look at what another blogger, pinterester, friend, etc is doing and then wonder if you are doing enough. Wake up and figure out how YOU are supposed to live YOUR life according to God's plan for YOU. Period.
Here's the link to the Post: Little Bit Funky, A Resolution For Us All!
In general, I don't play the comparison game. I don't look at Crystal's blog and think "She does so much and I feel insecure today, so I think I'll decide that she and others like her must not have her priorities straight." Ummm.... no.
However, I DO fall prey sometimes to looking around at what others are doing and think... "Maybe I should be doing that too? They are obviously amazing at following God and serving their family, so maybe I should follow their example!"
I forget that instead of modeling my life after really great people and all the great things they are doing, I should be modeling my life after ONE person.
Each day that I am given has a purpose and a plan. And at this point, believe-you-me, it looks different than most other people's lives I know! I am semi- housebound with a low immune-system child and 30 weeks pregnant with twins which makes me feel like a big walrus lumbering around. I am realizing that in order to do what God wants me to do to serve my family in this season, it takes doing a very little bit at a time with a LOT of focus.
What kind of terrible trap would I be setting for myself if I compared my list of *four things* I must do today to another person's of 10, 20 or 50 things to do today? What have I gained if I spend my time chasing and trying to achieve what other people are doing if I am neglecting my own purpose in life?
So for Inspire Me! Monday today, think about God's purpose for you and you alone. Take one step at a time no matter what your life looks like and know that God's plans are greater than what everyone else might be doing. If we as Christians all focus on the His purpose for our lives, that is how we function as one body. All of us have different roles, jobs and amounts of work to do based on our own special abilities. Be encouraged that God created your purpose with you in mind. And there is no shame in obedience to Him- even at the expense of not doing what everyone else is doing. Today I pray that you will lay your life down to the only One that matters and find yourself to be lifted up.
Love,
Rachel
"You are worried and upset about many things, but only ONE thing is needed." Luke 10:42
"Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. " Proverbs 4:25-27
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Thoughts about twins...
I'm just going to say at the outset of this post that I have no idea where it is going...
There have been so many thoughts rolling around in my head lately about how our life is going to change though that I really feel the need to get SOMETHING out on "paper".
I just finished directing part of a Christmas show at the local dance studio where I teach and now that the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over, my mind is practically exploding trying to take in all the ways our lives are about to change. Going from two kids to four all of a sudden- and having those two additional be twins- is just something I am having a hard time grappling with.
I keep desparately searching the internet for someone who has been in our situation. A family that has a special needs child and twins. A family with four kids and the twins came last. I wish there was someone who could say they've been exactly where I am and this is how you get through it.
I told my sister today that I am superwoman. That I have to think of myself as a superwoman, otherwise I might crumble in this stage. For a few weeks I will have FOUR KIDS AGE TWO AND UNDER. Then when Melody turns three at the end of march I will have four kids age three and under and THREE KIDS AGE ONE AND UNDER.
I often ask myself "Am I insane?" and then I remember... I didn't chose this! Yet even still, I don't mind being chosen for this challenge because each of these children is already the GREATEST GIFT I could ever have in my life. They give me so much joy... I can't imagine life without them.
So I guess what worries me is the HOW of it all. HOW am I going to manage a one year old's schedule (who will still be functioning like an 8 or 9 month old) and also manage two newborn's schedules? HOW will I keep my daughter feeling loved, nurtured and special when I have SO MUCH else going on?
And I guess now that I have felt so tired and so not like myself (from being pregnant) for SO long I wonder, will I ever TRULY feel back to normal? Will I ever actually get my energy back? Will breastfeeding twins completely deplete my energy? Or will I bounce back and feel like everything is easier once I am no longer pregnant? Will I have enough help?
The unknowns are getting to me. Not knowing what life will be like is killing me. It's like having "senior-itis" when you are pregnant. It's not time for these babies to be here yet (and they can definitely stay cooking in there until 38 weeks if they like!) , but I am still anxious to meet them and begin meeting this challenge and making it happen.
*Insert Big Sigh Here*
Now I've gotten some worries off my chest, here are the things I can actually do something about...
1. Plan an overnight for Christian and me away from the kids and chaos of life.
2. Clean out the clutter from our house and make room for two more babies.
3. Tie up as many loose ends as possible before babies get here.
4. Pack a hospital bag and solidify plans for our kids in case of early delivery.
5. Pre-register for birth at the hospital and sign up for birthing classes, making sure I know the hospitals policies about twin birth since I want to do it naturally.
Wow. I guess I have a lot to do before these twinsies get here! Surely it's enough to keep me occupied for the next nine weeks!
Just praying that I have the focus and energy (in spite of being exhausted because of being pregnant with twins) to get prepared for all of this.
*Insert another deep breath here*
I guess I will just need to change my thinking to match the little engine that could... "I think I can. I think I can!" and pray for grace... lots and lots of grace.
Thanks for listening.
Love,
Rachel
There have been so many thoughts rolling around in my head lately about how our life is going to change though that I really feel the need to get SOMETHING out on "paper".
I just finished directing part of a Christmas show at the local dance studio where I teach and now that the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over, my mind is practically exploding trying to take in all the ways our lives are about to change. Going from two kids to four all of a sudden- and having those two additional be twins- is just something I am having a hard time grappling with.
I keep desparately searching the internet for someone who has been in our situation. A family that has a special needs child and twins. A family with four kids and the twins came last. I wish there was someone who could say they've been exactly where I am and this is how you get through it.
I told my sister today that I am superwoman. That I have to think of myself as a superwoman, otherwise I might crumble in this stage. For a few weeks I will have FOUR KIDS AGE TWO AND UNDER. Then when Melody turns three at the end of march I will have four kids age three and under and THREE KIDS AGE ONE AND UNDER.
I often ask myself "Am I insane?" and then I remember... I didn't chose this! Yet even still, I don't mind being chosen for this challenge because each of these children is already the GREATEST GIFT I could ever have in my life. They give me so much joy... I can't imagine life without them.
So I guess what worries me is the HOW of it all. HOW am I going to manage a one year old's schedule (who will still be functioning like an 8 or 9 month old) and also manage two newborn's schedules? HOW will I keep my daughter feeling loved, nurtured and special when I have SO MUCH else going on?
And I guess now that I have felt so tired and so not like myself (from being pregnant) for SO long I wonder, will I ever TRULY feel back to normal? Will I ever actually get my energy back? Will breastfeeding twins completely deplete my energy? Or will I bounce back and feel like everything is easier once I am no longer pregnant? Will I have enough help?
The unknowns are getting to me. Not knowing what life will be like is killing me. It's like having "senior-itis" when you are pregnant. It's not time for these babies to be here yet (and they can definitely stay cooking in there until 38 weeks if they like!) , but I am still anxious to meet them and begin meeting this challenge and making it happen.
*Insert Big Sigh Here*
Now I've gotten some worries off my chest, here are the things I can actually do something about...
1. Plan an overnight for Christian and me away from the kids and chaos of life.
2. Clean out the clutter from our house and make room for two more babies.
3. Tie up as many loose ends as possible before babies get here.
4. Pack a hospital bag and solidify plans for our kids in case of early delivery.
5. Pre-register for birth at the hospital and sign up for birthing classes, making sure I know the hospitals policies about twin birth since I want to do it naturally.
Wow. I guess I have a lot to do before these twinsies get here! Surely it's enough to keep me occupied for the next nine weeks!
Just praying that I have the focus and energy (in spite of being exhausted because of being pregnant with twins) to get prepared for all of this.
*Insert another deep breath here*
I guess I will just need to change my thinking to match the little engine that could... "I think I can. I think I can!" and pray for grace... lots and lots of grace.
Thanks for listening.
Love,
Rachel
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Backed Up
... No, I'm not constipated... but I guess the title of this post does sound a little funny... (which is why I'm keeping it!)
This is just a little note to say... wow... life is backed up again. I am trying to get things caught up, but it is difficult. Peanut is still not sleeping through the night and he is still eating 7-8 times a day. I am determined not to let him drop a daytime feeding first, so I am also tired from the constant every 2.5-3 hours 30 minute "elevated, side-lying" feeding position/burping marathon/reflux accomadation as well as the not much sleep at night thing.
Add a dash of the beginnings of potty training, toddler chasing, appointments and backed-up-ness of life and it is no wonder my brain is fried.
Okay... enough complaining.
I really just wanted to say Hi! And that I am still here! And also that I am working on getting caught up in my life. In my business... in seeing my friends... in my ability to cook a meal... or to plan ahead for my week... I am working on it.
And to those who struggle under more pressure and stress than I do (and to those who struggle with the same or less also), may you find the time to be still with God to be refueled, so that you may tackle your cross and your purpose with God-given ability... and may the same be true for me also.
Can I get an amen?!
Love,
Rachel
This is just a little note to say... wow... life is backed up again. I am trying to get things caught up, but it is difficult. Peanut is still not sleeping through the night and he is still eating 7-8 times a day. I am determined not to let him drop a daytime feeding first, so I am also tired from the constant every 2.5-3 hours 30 minute "elevated, side-lying" feeding position/burping marathon/reflux accomadation as well as the not much sleep at night thing.
Add a dash of the beginnings of potty training, toddler chasing, appointments and backed-up-ness of life and it is no wonder my brain is fried.
Okay... enough complaining.
I really just wanted to say Hi! And that I am still here! And also that I am working on getting caught up in my life. In my business... in seeing my friends... in my ability to cook a meal... or to plan ahead for my week... I am working on it.
And to those who struggle under more pressure and stress than I do (and to those who struggle with the same or less also), may you find the time to be still with God to be refueled, so that you may tackle your cross and your purpose with God-given ability... and may the same be true for me also.
Can I get an amen?!
Love,
Rachel
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Make a Plan
Week-end chit-chat
How was your week-end? My highlights have been treating myself to a ten-minute facial mask in the shower on Saturday, getting my nails done (a $5 box of fake nails from Wal-Mart = all I can afford) and taking the time to shave my legs. (Is that a treat for anyone else?) We also had our first snow this week-end! Lots and lots of it!
Such a restful week-end has left me recharged and rejuvenated to tackle some new things that I can't wait to share with you this week. So, without further adieu...
The real post
After saying good-bye to our foster son a week and a half ago, it feels like our life has changed enormously. In all reality, it has morphed back into what it used to be... but it feels different.
One thing I really enjoyed during those 7 weeks, and even the months of preparation leading up to his arrival, was how focused we were on a specific reason for living. Each day was planned out and had purpose with specific goals, all the way down to when and how I cleaned and the types of words I used to describe certain things. If it wasn't planned that way, then we achieved so much less in our relationship with our foster son and in dealing with his specific needs. Without that plan, all hell was very likely to break loose on any given day.
The pressure in that situation was not something I enjoyed, but since he has gone, I have sincerely missed the ability to have such a great focus- such a specific plan. The type of plan where you never even wonder if you should be deviating from it. You just know that you have to keep marching forward without looking to the right or left, without looking backward.
Now that he is gone and life is no longer a daily crisis, it is much harder to stay motivated toward a goal each day. My husband and I know that our purpose is to give God glory in all things. We know that part of our plan is to have a family life that honors God in how we are married and how we raise our daughter, but that idea is still rather open ended. Wanting to give God glory doesn't exactly tell you what to do when you get out of bed on Monday morning, you know what I mean? This is especially difficult if you are like me and are very externally motivated.
In the last couple of weeks, "you have to make a plan" is a theme I keep bumping into in the voices of people around me and through the blogs I'm reading. In my heart, I feel like Someone is trying to tell me something... So last week my wonderful hubby allowed me some soul searching time to go to Barnes and Noble while he took care of the little one. While drinking coffee and doodling in a notebook, I tried to wrap my head around some things in life that I felt needed a more specific plan.
Here is what I came up with...
How was your week-end? My highlights have been treating myself to a ten-minute facial mask in the shower on Saturday, getting my nails done (a $5 box of fake nails from Wal-Mart = all I can afford) and taking the time to shave my legs. (Is that a treat for anyone else?) We also had our first snow this week-end! Lots and lots of it!
Such a restful week-end has left me recharged and rejuvenated to tackle some new things that I can't wait to share with you this week. So, without further adieu...
The real post
After saying good-bye to our foster son a week and a half ago, it feels like our life has changed enormously. In all reality, it has morphed back into what it used to be... but it feels different.
One thing I really enjoyed during those 7 weeks, and even the months of preparation leading up to his arrival, was how focused we were on a specific reason for living. Each day was planned out and had purpose with specific goals, all the way down to when and how I cleaned and the types of words I used to describe certain things. If it wasn't planned that way, then we achieved so much less in our relationship with our foster son and in dealing with his specific needs. Without that plan, all hell was very likely to break loose on any given day.
The pressure in that situation was not something I enjoyed, but since he has gone, I have sincerely missed the ability to have such a great focus- such a specific plan. The type of plan where you never even wonder if you should be deviating from it. You just know that you have to keep marching forward without looking to the right or left, without looking backward.
Now that he is gone and life is no longer a daily crisis, it is much harder to stay motivated toward a goal each day. My husband and I know that our purpose is to give God glory in all things. We know that part of our plan is to have a family life that honors God in how we are married and how we raise our daughter, but that idea is still rather open ended. Wanting to give God glory doesn't exactly tell you what to do when you get out of bed on Monday morning, you know what I mean? This is especially difficult if you are like me and are very externally motivated.
In the last couple of weeks, "you have to make a plan" is a theme I keep bumping into in the voices of people around me and through the blogs I'm reading. In my heart, I feel like Someone is trying to tell me something... So last week my wonderful hubby allowed me some soul searching time to go to Barnes and Noble while he took care of the little one. While drinking coffee and doodling in a notebook, I tried to wrap my head around some things in life that I felt needed a more specific plan.
Here is what I came up with...
- Grocery Shopping- Doing this on Monday mornings (like I described here) has been working out really well. I'm going to continue making this a regular thing.
- Detail Cleaning- As I mentioned before, finding time to do what Fly Lady would call a "weekly home blessing" (bathroom cleaning, mopping, vacuuming, etc) has been difficult for me- especially since I really don't like doing it! While our foster son lived with us we had someone come do these things once a week while I grocery shopped which was amazing, but she is no longer able to help us and we are not really able to pay anyone anymore. I know I should try to do this in small little time pieces throughout the week, but if I don't do it all at once every week, it will honestly never get done. So I have come up with this solution. Mondays after Christian gets home from work is going to be Daddy-Daughter time so I can clean without the Melody underfoot. I'm not sure why I never thought of Christian watching Melody so I can get this done before, but I'm glad I have now!
- Date Night- Monday's watching The Voice... this may not seem exciting to you, but it is our idea of an extremely good time!
- Writing & Blog Time - I am giving myself permission to pursue writing more. I will be able to do this during Melody's naps and during the evenings we don't have other things scheduled (usually twice a week ish). This includes once a week planning time to help me stay focused on what topics I will be writing about and when I will be working on them.
- Have a Regular Bed Time (about 10pm)- I am so bad at implementing this (as evidenced by the fact that I am working on this post at 2 am), but need this structure so much. Getting enough sleep is something I really need to be doing for myself. Going to bed a little earlier will give me time to read and wind down before bed which helps me fall asleep more easily.
- Use my monthly planner- I love using a monthly planner even more than a weekly planner. Writing things down in it makes me more aware of what is going on in my life, when things need to be done and keeps me from getting over scheduled/committed.
I know from the surface these plans may seem arbitrary, but these simple things are what make up my life: loving my husband, caring for my family and my home (i.e. cleaning), using my creative talents and taking care of myself. When these things don't function well, I don't feel any good at being me. Just knowing I have guidelines in place for taking care of some of the more important aspects of my life allows me to feel peaceful... no, scrath that... Having guidelines makes me feel Peaceful -with a capital P- as in I am aligned with God's plan for my life. Having the basic things down gives me enough room for margin that when unexpected things are thrown our way, maybe we can, with His help, catch them gracefully. Being in that kind of state is a gift that not every family gets, but as long as we can that is the kind of place I want to strive to stay in as a family. Content in the day to day, with room to handle the unexpected.
Happy Monday everyone!
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