Priorities

With preschool starting last month, it has somewhat forced us to get out of our lazy, summer day swing of things and into more of a routine and schedule. (I realize that summer is pretty much long gone since I am sitting here in a sweater and really feeling the need for hot chocolate as it has gotten so cold.) But it has also made me focus more on the things that are truly important and prioritize the things in my life. As much as I hate sticking to a schedule and really enjoy just doing whatever we feel like on any given day, our life is becoming more organized and neat. I've missed that without really realizing it along the way.

I now have a cleaning schedule, a grocery shopping schedule, a work schedule, a laundry schedule, a family calendar, an organized budget, of course the preschool schedule (which started it all), one on one time with Little Miss, a date night and craft night. Along with all of that, we've started an earlier bedtime. 7:30 (which if you know The Boy is an amazing feat). We've been sticking to all of it and it is so good. We are all happier and more content. We are more productive and aware of what is going on in our family. The Gent and I have more alone time together than we have in the last few years. It is a good feeling. It's not that those things weren't really there before but have just been more laxed with all of it lately.

It really makes me stop and think about priorities and really just making time for what is important. Being a wife and a mother is definitely at the top of the list. Followed by church, extended family/friends, and then my photography business. It is good to look at that and remind myself of what really is important when our schedules and days tend to feel crammed and crazy. And to realize what really should be taking precedence and I approach things with a different perspective.

I look forward to our family nights, date nights, craft nights and cuddle time. Although it is all more scheduled and laid out than ever before, I find myself planning more, accomplishing more and enjoying all of it more rather than thinking of the rest of the things waiting for me on the never ending to do list.

Alive & Well

We really haven't been Down & Out this entire time. We are all alive and well! We've just been very busy doing things. Stuff. At the moment I can't even really think of what. But one of these days I am going to actually sit and edit some personal photos so that I can make some posts. I always figure I'll wait until I have pictures but then somehow they just never get edited. I am always working on something else. I'll have to move that to the top of the to do list. But for now, I will leave you with my top ten list of things to do and then you'll see just how exciting my life has become!

10) Organize this office/craft room. Redecorate since The Boy decided to take all of the decor off the shelves and think they make great toys. Sitting in here on the computer makes me clostraphobic because nothing is really in its place. (Note to self: This house used to be so organized. I need to find that anal part of me again :-)

9) Redecorate my bedroom. We got a new bed set and some new decor to give it a fresh new look. Our old bedding is about 9 years old and overdue for a change. Sheets are in the dryer as we speak so tomorrow will be a good day!

8) Clear out the kids dressers. It seems like half the stuff in there doesn't fit anymore. Move on to the next sizes.

7) Help The Gent's wardrobe. I swear if I didn't go through his stuff once in a while he would just wear the same thing for fifty years. I've noticed lately it is time. Time for something new.

6) Subscribe to a fabulous new photog magazine. Any ideas? I've come across a few I like. Now which to choose. I'm open for suggestions.

5) Sign The Boy up for some sort of extracurricular activity. I guess first, decide what. Soccer? T-ball? Gymnastics? He has so much energy and it needs to be channeled. More so than drawing big snakes on my wall and climbing on top of the fridge. Another post entirely but the pictures will be worth the wait!

4) Find things to occupy the kids in the car on our way to Oregon. We leave in two weeks and I am so excited yet stressing so much about the drive. The Girl cries in the car about 85% of the time regardless of where we are going. So, 12 hours in the car. Well, maybe I should buy three sets of earplugs. Any activity ideas for Little Miss? we're going to need them.

3) Edit some pictures!

2) Make some Primary phone calls/visits. I always dread the phone calls. Everything else, no problemo. Phone calls. . .they always get procrastinated.

1) Send out thank you cards. Always in the back of my head but always the last thing on the list to get done.