Meditation Monday-3 ways to beat the post holiday blues

Christmas has gone so fast!New years went in a blink. Most of us made goals.In just a weeks time that resolve to work on our goals already starts to diminish.Why?Is it burn out?Did we set our goals too high or make to many?

This let down after the holidays affects a lot of us.It creeps up on us or gets ahold of us all at once.If you are feeling the blues already you are not alone!Why not make your own holiday!I am calling mine Jollyday.I am going to have a party and celebrate being happy!What I love about this is it can be when I want.I can build up anticipation for it and decorate.Being creative at least once a month is a good cure for those pot holiday blues!If you have made a resolution to de-clutter this can give you a deadline to be done by.

Look at your goals again?Why did you make these goals?Could you change the way they are worded?Maybe your goals need to be broken up into smaller ones.Maybe you need to examine your happiness blueprint and only do things that make you happy!Find a buddy to help you with your goal.This is a good one for losing weight or de-cluttering.Why does the New Year have to be the only time we make resolutions?What about a now. Month,or week or even a new day!

For so many years because of the cold I would hibernate like a grumpy old mama bear.I was in a dark place because I put me there!I let my dark thoughts and my dark attitude surround me!Have you ever notice when you step outside and get some rays your mood is lifted?If you are stuck in doors you are going to go crazy! There aren't just scrooges during Christmas.There are scrooges of time,talent,appearance,health and o much more.We may not realize how unhappy we are so my suggestion is to try these 3 ways

1.GIVE
There are so many ways to give.Give a smile,a hug,a call or a visit.Give some time to take care of yourself.I never realized until I was examining my daily routines that I rarely got dressed up or put on make up!
2.CHANGE
Change something!Anything!Just pick one thing!Get up earlier tomorrow, try a new dinner,or change your to do list and add some fun.
3.TRY
Try something new!Jump out of your comfort zone.Try a new exercise routine,make a new friend. What are you waiting for?

GIVE CHANGE A TRY!You never know what is waiting for you at the top!

Reaching in and reaching out-How is week 1 going?

Day 2

Got dressed and tried on clothes in a new way and did my make up.

Spent time with my husband.We lit candles and planned meals together and talked.

Day 3

Select a plant.Here is a list of great ones to purify indoor air:

15-houseplants-for-improving-indoor-air-quality

Here is another fun read:
10-plants-to-attract-love-joy-and-prosperity

Do you believe in Feng Shui?Certain plants create more energy.This concept has always been interesting to me.Check out this site to educate and inspire
http://www.easy-feng-shui.com

I do not have a green thumb at all!This will be a new experience for me!

Day 3

After doing some research we picked our plants!See which ones on the next post!I can't believe I haven't put plants in my house before!I did some more clothing match up with a T-shirt and over shirt.It feels so good to take care of myself. I also got a much needed haircut!Short and sassy!

Before 

After

Day 4

I have been thinking a lot about plants lately.There are so many different kinds.They need different light exposure and watering.This is not unlike children.Each of them are individuals.They need different nurturing to grow and bloom.So how do we find out what they need?If they are old enough you could just ask them,but most children we just learn by trial and error. Just like all plants need the sun, children need to hear about the son,Jesus Christ.It is our responsibility.They also need water.This could be compared to our time.I bet you all spend time with your kids, but they need MORE!Pray to understand your kids.Talk with your spouse about your kids and what they might need.

Today my main focus was to set goals and look at my routines to see what is working and what is not!I think my biggest hang up is delegating,finding where the bad habits are and helping my young kids see the value of jobs and self care.No pressure right?;-)

My nights have been so crazy so this is where I need to get lunches,outfits and everything ready for the next day!

WENDY ULRICH, PH.D., AND CHRISTINE PACKARD, M.C., L.P.C. said it best that "Goals and routines help people prevent depression and temptation and navigate between the opposing quicksands of boredom and excessive stress. As we learn to stick with a difficult task, we have the pleasure of getting the things we want most, not just the things we want now."(Ensign February 2010)

We made a family goal to work on our night routine.Then we talked about the kids individual goals.We are not giving up on our goals and will check in as a family how we are all doing.

My 8 year old wants to keep his room clean.We talked about how he was doing and what he could do better.He is going to clean up when he is done and not throw his clothes on the floor.

My 6 year old wants to not fight with her brothers.We talked about what she could do when she is mad at her brothers.

My 3 year old wants to work on being potty trained.He gets a treat when he sits on the potty.It has been hard for him to be interested.

During quiet time I try to use it for a break.I usually can't get the baby to sleep so its not a full break.Today my husband took the baby to the store.I did some yoga,which I have not done in a long time!My daughter even joined me.It was just 10 minutes but it felt great,but I am sooo out of shape!lol

What is great about this week is that each time of reaching inward or out to someone I am doing something new!I learned what my style is and tried switching things up in my closet.I know I want to take a little time with my appearance each day.I also learned more about feng shui and cleaned the air in my home.I also realized my husband needs more of my time and service.I have felt very involved in my life this week and not like it just is passing by.If I could sum it up in one word it would be 

Active

Be an active part of your life!Be present in those moments of you time.Soak it up and let it energize you!

File it Friday-What is next for 2014?

File this week under:What is next?

There is so many possibilities for this New Year!Who else has a lot of goals for 2014?Who want it to be the best and most productive year EVER!! I have so many people to thank for helping me through this year! My parents and sister helped out so much when the baby came.So many people watched our kids so we could go on dates.I am thankful to the Lord for all he has blessed me with!

3 things I accomplished this week
Spending tine with family and making memories has been so great this week.I managed to make meal plans and my husband went grocery shopping.I was able to help a sick friend by taking her kids and bringing dinner. It made me feel really good so I had to share.I also was able to get a hair cut!I haven't had one since May!

What didn't work this week:
I didn't get very much sleep because of a sick baby.I didn't have much energy to clean. There is next week right?;-)

3 goals
1.Start cleaning one cabinet in the kitchen at a time and paint.
2.Try to put me first a little each day.
3.Find a new hobby :-)
4.Read scriptures and pray every day.(This one should be first!)

Take back your Turf Thursday

Here are a few things I am doing this week.There is a lot of catch up to do because of the Holidays!Here we go.....

1.Created cooking and baking zone
2.Put up my calendar.I love this calendar because every person in the house has a different color for them.It is bigger than my other calendar too!The other weekly board is where I will write that days activity,just as a point of reference since my Calendar is behind a closed door.I can also write my meals on there.My husband wrote fish,fillet Mignon and Lobster on there.Do you think he was trying to give me a hint?lol

3.Put up shelves in kids room using rain gutter!I know so cool right?I wonder who came up with this idea?

4.Put away Christmas decorations.Looking into buying some flowers or a plant to brighten up the place.See First post of Reaching in and reaching out for why I did this.
5.Remember all those neighbor gifts or leftover pie?This week its time to get rid of them or put them away.Most likely everything is getting stale.

6.Don't forget to write thank you cards for the gifts. We are doing ours a little different this year.I wrote down what the kids got this year.I have been taking pictures of them playing all week.Now I am going to to take a picture of a child with presents from someone and send picture with a thank you card.I think this is good for the kids to teach them gratitude.

I am very motivated for Take back my Kitchen
Week 1-Create a baking zone.Clear out cupboards and take off doors to sand and paint them.Move all baking stuff into this area.Items used in this area are sugar,flour,measuring cups,measuring  spoons,mixer,baking pans and bowls.I have already started moving things.
Week 2-finish painting lower cabinets
Week 3-Clean out upper cabinets and sand and remove doors.
Week 4-finish upper cabinets and clear out closet for command center

Join me as we take back our house!
                ONE room
                                   ONE spot.....
                                                      ONE step at a time

What are you doing to organize or clean this week?

Reaching in and reaching out-Week 1(Don't live behind the scenes in your life)

 Love Yourself!

 Take care of yourself so you can take care of your little ones! 

Do you take time to discover each day how beautiful your life can be?If not would you like to?There are three places I believe we have the most impact for our happiness.These are our what I call the 3 h's of happiness.If we are in good health,we know our heart and make our home a heaven on earth;then we will be happy!.Health can be exercising,mental,Heart can be spiritual,service.Home is family,kids,homemaking,teaching.There are 2 ways we can achieve balance in these 3 areas, and that is Reaching inside ourselves and reaching out to others.

As I write our new years resolution I will include a goal each week for reaching inward toward a better you and reaching outside of our comfort zones.Reaching inwards to see who we are or what we could be.It will require being honest with ourselves 100%. Reaching out to a hand in need.We can pray to be led to opportunities to serve.Think outside the box.I will also include something to do for our homes.I don't want anyone to feel like this is just one more thing they need to do.I want it to be simple,a breath of fresh air and insightful!

HEALTH

Week 1-
Reaching in:
Don't live behind the scenes of our life-

Do you feel like your life is just passing by and you are watching it happen.As Moms it can feel like we do the same things over and over.Before we in know it the day is over and feel like we have so much to do still.We are lucky if we get a shower,or have time to do our make up and hair.

What if we could instead get a behind the scenes look by trusting God and following his plan.What does he want us to do as mothers?We can see the pieces of our lives come together by God's design.We can become women who know and love the Lord.We can find times to teach and bear testimony of Him.We need to be strong women who do not give up during difficult times.We need to be nurturing, and protect our families.Your life does not have to feel like a major production every day!Close curtain and we do it all again.Pick an area in your life to do more for you, so you can be strong, nurturing and a better Mom.Here are some ideas:

~Schedule time to relax(I will talk about this in week 2)
~Go to bed early
~Take some time to go through your clothes and plan some cute outfits!
~Go out once a week with friends
~Make plans and routines each day
~Go back to an old hobby or start a new one
~take a day off from the normal
~let go of the guilt to be a perfect Mom=less stress:-)
~Plan quality time with family
~Say no to anything not important to you
~See your time as precious and use it wisely
~Take mini breaks throughout the day
~Just break up your routine into smaller, and more achievable chunks.(found idea here)

Tip:Do a little each day!

TODAY I made sure I got a shower and I dressed up my t-shirt with a scarf and a blazer and put on make up!It is easy to let my appearance go.

HEART

Reaching out:

See who needs your time and give it without interruption.Use this week to think of your husband or kids and spend time with them with no interruption.Maybe you want to visit someone who is lonely.

HOME

Bring in flowers or plants.Think of yourself and your family as these flowers.They are ready to bloom and it is your job to help them.How can you help yourself and children bloom this week?

~Here is a sneak peek of the rest of the month~

Week 2
Reaching in:
Do not work against yourself-rest more,reflect,pamper yourself
Reaching out:
Do something for a neighbor or friend
Home:

Pick something on your project list that you have been wanting to do.

Week 3
Reaching in:
Get over mental blocks
Reaching out:
Write love notes to kids and husband this week.
Home:Take this week to make your room more restful.Get the clutter,laundry or whatever out!

Week 4
Reaching in
Let yourself shine through and unlock your true potential
Reaching out:
Write a monthly update to family in a letter,or email.Hand written is better.
Home:

Bring light in.Start by opening the blinds to let in natural light.I will discuss different ways to bring in more light and do before and after pictures of my living room.We might add mirrors and a new lamp.We shall see. :)Most importantly we need to bring in God's light and love into our homes.

It is about YOU,
                     FAMILY and making your HOME a heaven on earth.

Best posts of 2013

Its been a great year!I feel like I am starting to get in the groove with my blog now! I hope you enjoy the best posts of this year!
  Meditation Monday-3 ways to bring balance to your life

rainbow week-color red

 Letter of the week F

color purple and the hungry caterpillar

E is for emergency-fire prevention week-

25 days to a more Christ centered Christmas countdown

Goodbye 2013 

                               Hello 2014!

Yummm!

Are you ready to party and start the New year?What are doing to celebrate?

Day 38-40(40 days closer to Christ)

Day 38
Read John 20:1-18
The journey
Examine your life. What is your greatest need?
Sometime today find a way to seek the Lord.Find in Christ the answers you long for.Dare to reach a new level of understanding.

Day 39
Luke 24:13-32
The journey
Learn to use the scriptures to receive personal revelation from the Lord.
Take some time today to find a scripture that speaks to you.

Here is the scripture I found that jumped out to me:
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Let his spirit abide in your heart by reflecting on that scripture throughout the day.

Day 40
Read Joshua 3 and 4
The journey
Either figuratively or literally,gather twelve stones.Assign each stone to represent a blessing that you have recognized in your journey toward Christ.
Share these blessings with your family.Testify how you are coming to know Jesus.What are the stories you can tell about how he had strengthened,enlightened, comforted,or otherwise blessed you?

There is so much I have gotten so much out of this experience.First I learned I do have time to read my scriptures.Period!No excuses.I also loved having my kids see me reading.It was a lot of time,but it really wasn't a sacrifice. 

There were so many differences in my day.I was more happy and found more time to reflect and have peace.If I wanted to be guided I was.Often times to call a friend or follow a feeling.

When I wouldn't get any sleep I would feel mercy and somehow make it through my day.I felt more balanced and centered.As a family and as parents I felt more united and love in our home.We were quick to work things out and wanted to serve each other more.

What I learned to sum it up is ,to make a move closer to Christ he makes two more towards me.He makes up the difference.I truly know he is right there we just have to ask!