And So It Begins...

Hello and WELCOME!! I am creating this blog to offer tips, thoughts, and ideas to help you enjoy a simpler life that is FULL of wonder!
My brother "J" has been talking with me for a while about getting a blog going that shares the stuff I do to help my family be happy and successful, so here goes nothing...haha.
This post will probably be one of the longest posts I ever write because I want to introduce myself AND share a thought.

In case you're wondering "Who is this person?", here is a brief introduction:
I have been married for 15 years to an amazing man, "Mr. A", and together we have four fabulous children who enrich our lives every day.
I have one son, "AJ", who is currently 11 years old. He recently started middle school at an International Baccalaureate School that challenges him in a lot of great ways; personally, I'm just glad that he isn't bored at school anymore...haha.
I also have three daughters.
My oldest daughter, "C", is currently eight years old and attending third grade. She has an incredible imagination which is evident in her extraordinary writing and art. She is currently a finalist for a school district writing competition, and we will find out in December if her story will be published; it's all very exciting.
My next oldest daughter, "D", just recently turned six and she is attending kindergarten. She has an affinity for numbers and I'm excited to see how her math skills develop. She is also very coordinated and good at gymnastics.
My youngest daughter, "E", just turned two years old and she is busy busy busy, but also sooooo much fun. She is helpful and smart. She is very good at picking up, and she helps me with cleaning, doing the dishes, and laundry. She can count up to 30 with a little help, and she likes to point out letters she recognizes. Reading to her every afternoon and evening is a real joy!


Okay, NOW for the part you are probably really wanting to know:
Thought #1: Simplify with a basic routine.
A lot of people tire themselves out by making too many decisions about things that aren't important, and then when it comes time to the important things they are worn out and grumpy. I find that if I have a basic routine, a large number of decisions have already been made, so I don't have to expend much energy on them. Can I explain this better? How about an example of what my typical weekday looks like.

Morning
-Wake up at the same time every day
-Review "To Do" list for the day (that I wrote the night before)
-Get in 30 minutes of exercise/ yoga/ something for "me time"
-Wake my children (and they dress in the clothes they chose the night before)
-Breakfast (minimal choices: cereal or oatmeal and some sort of fruit)
-While they eat, I pack their lunches
-Brush teeth and do hair
-Take them to school (if their bus came at a reasonable time I'd have them ride it)
-Come home and start a load of laundry
-Take my two year old for a walk
-Switch laundry to dryer
-Shower
-Clean up kitchen
-Work on accomplishing "To Do" list items

Lunch Time
-Around 12 is lunch
-Read to "E"
-Put "E" down for a nap
-More "To Do" list/ miscellaneous time

Mid-Afternoon
-Meet "C" and "D" at bus stop.
-Girls come in, take off their socks and shoes, put their bags into their cubbies and wash their hands... goodbye germs!
-Homework time /Start prepping for dinner
-Pick up "AJ" from school (He'll wash his hands too... he's an expert handwasher AND as a result he's hardly ever sick!)
-Kids sort out, fold, and put away their clean laundry (I take care of mine and "E"s...for now...haha) :)

Evening
-Cook dinner (AJ's band practice/ homework time)
-Eat Dinner as a Family
-Family time
-Brush teeth and change into jammies (showers if needed)
-Journaling/ Homework/ Reading
-Pack bags for next morning

Bedtime
-Family Scripture study
-Family Prayer
-Lay out clothes for the next day
-Write "To Do" list/ review calendar
-Spend quality time with my marvelous "Mr A"
-Go to sleep at the same time every night

Now, I know that sounds kind of boring, but that's just the basic outline. We have variations if the kids have sports or other activities, so things can get shifted a bit. However, with a nice routine, there is at least some sort of order and all of the family members know what to expect. I find that this offers quite a bit of harmony because the kids are comforted knowing what should come next. Children thrive with routines, at least mine do. I am also a much happier mother.

Happy thoughts and best wishes for Simply a Wonderful life!