Routines 101

My house can fall a part so quickly.  That is what happens with multiple munchkins in tow.

The best way I have found to keep up with the mess is to have an established morning and evening routine.  What you make a routine gets done!  You already have a routine too, it may go something like...  Roll out of bed, java up as fast as you can, turn on cartoons for munchkins so you can focus, and get breakfast on table while checking email or other social media. 

My mornings just happened for so long.  I did the same things but I never really gave thought to what I was doing or why I was doing it then.   I was just reacting (not always with a gentle spirit) to everything that came my way.  Sure I had ideals but they never seemed to happen.

It wasn't until I sat down and got purposeful about my routines that I began to see a difference.   Not that all of the craziness goes away, but there is more peace in my heart because I have a plan.   Proverbs 21:5 says, "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity."

Note: I'm NOT a planner by nature.  I love to just GO.  But I have learned that wisdom calls for planning. 

Here is how...

Grab a paper and pencil, Yes I'm serious.

Write down what you and your kids already do each morning and each evening.  Next write down what you would like to see you and your kids doing in the morning and evening.  Be realistic and practical.  Each mom has her biggies.  Mine are a clean kitchen sink, tidy beds, and a picked up family room.  Your biggies may be different.  Taylor your routine to what is most important to you.  Note about how long it takes for to do each task.  If you don't know set a timer tomorrow morning and find out.  Really.  You'll be surprised that some things take way longer than you think and others take hardly any time at all!   Now you can use this as a guide for how long your routine takes for you and your kids.  This will better guide you on when everyone needs to be rolling out of bed.  

Here is what ours looks like...

My Morning

• Make Bed
• Do breakfast dishes
• Wipe off kitchen table and counters 
• Check - calendar, email, bank account
• Table Time - Read Bible story, go over memory verses, pray, go over days events

My Kids Morning

• Get dressed
• Put away PJ's
• Brush Teeth
• Do Hair
• Make Bed

My Evening

• Dishes Done
• Wipe off counters and table
• Quick pick up of main living areas
• Make pot of coffee
• Quick sweep kitchen
• Take out trash

My Kids Evening

• Pick up toys 
• Wash up
• Dirty clothes in hamper
• Put on PJ's 
• Brush Teeth 

My kids Morning and Evening Routine is posted since they are still young.  It makes for an easy reminder for them.   I can say, "Check your routine.  Have you done everything?"

These are the routines I have now but I know that as seasons in my life change then my routines will change.  Yours will too.  I'll have one in school for the first time this year.   Mostly likely some things will change.  

Remember this is just a guide to help you.  I love checklists but they can also be a discouragement if you enslave yourself to them.  If you don't get to something no biggy.  That is life with little ones.  But if you don't have a plan you are going to continue running in circles.  At least I was.  I wish someone had told me about the benefits of a morning and evening routine earlier.  

Hope this is helpful.  Happy planning! 

The River - It Never Changes

We were counting up the times that we have rafted the Deschutes River in Maupin, Oregon.   We have rafted for the past 10 years.  Okay that is craziness! 

As we rafted again this year,  I reflected on the past 10 years.   Many things have changed.  My first year I was just dating my hubby and new to our group of friends.   I had NEVER rafted before and was a bundle of nerves.  I screamed a lot out of sheer terror that year.  Two years later I was married and full of excitement to be back on the river.  I knew what to anticipate and probably still screamed as much but out of excitement this time.  The years that followed brought babies to the experience.  There is something about having a child to care for and protect that changes a mommies level of daredevil.  Mine has waned with each babe!  We have experienced some rough water over the years.  I've fallen out more than once.  So I am content to stay back at the camp and watch the kiddos.   Although I still do go on the river but not without having to psych myself up first.

New friends come each year.  New memories are made.  But the river never changes.  The bends always stay the same.  There is a familiarity that is met every year.  I love it!

It reminded me of our Heavenly Father who does not change (James 1:17) Like the song that is sung on the radio,  He stays the same through the ages. 

We can count on life changing.  Styles, technology, jobs, homes, health, children, families, friends and on we could go.  There will always be the unknown that lies ahead.  There will always be new challenges to face.  He stays the same.

His Love
His Grace
His Mercy
His Forgiveness
His Truth 

But I have to know the River.   I have to know Him.  That takes going back over and over again.  It means building a relationships with my Heavenly Father.  And that can only be done by seeking Him and allowing Him to hold my heart completely.

So I'll go back to His Truth and His Words over and over again.  To know Him.  Life will change but He is the one who never changes.   That is Hope and Peace for the changes ahead. 



  

Nature Explorers

Went camping this weekend.  Whew...  What a blast with friends from our Grow Group, but oh what pile of laundry I had for today.  We had 13 little campers under the age of six!  As you can imagine we were busy keeping everyone accounted for and entertained.

Toys and snacks can only last for so long, so us mommies took our munchkins on Nature Adventure.  Brilliant moments always seem to come to me at the last minute.  Each explorer received one sandwich size zip-lock, of course because that was all I had in the camper.

With baggies in hand, we instructed the nature explorers that they would be on the hunts for five things. 

1. A big leaf
2. A small leaf
3. A flower
4. A pretty rock
5. Something interesting

Off we went around the camping ground with our little brood.  With a little encouraging, most were highly engaged and on the hunt to fill their bags.   Minus the one year old who fell asleep and my little 3 year old who whined the entire time.  The walk opened the doors to celebrate the wonders of God's creation.  I loved hearing the kids exclaim, "Look what I found" or "Wow this pretty!"  For little ones the wonder of creation still excites them.   Oh that I would have the same heart.   I am making this Nature Adventure a must on our next camping trip.

Happy Nature Exploring.