Happy New Year!

With a new year often comes new goals and dreams. We makes lists and plans on how to make the new year better then the last. This year I am going to try to take a little bit of a different approach instead of just trying to improve my life for one year I am going to set some goals that will span just about three years.

I am making my 101 in 1001 days list. It is a list that was created over at Day Zero.

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Some common goal setting tips:
1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.

2. Stay Focussed. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.

3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.

4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.

5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.


This site really sparked something in me. There are so many things in life that I haven't done and keep putting off just because, well I would like to change that. I want to LIVE my life, not just sit idly by. So here I am jumping back into my life!!

You can follow my 1001 day journey over at My Own 101 in 1001!

Morning Madness

I'd like to take a moment to explore some ways in which I can help facilitate a day that runs smoother in our home. I often find myself stumbling around in the mornings trying to get myself ready and the kids and grab everything needed trying not to forget anything along the way. It gets old. The same old routine of chaos and dissorder. And it always inevitably causes stress. I can think of a ton of things that could easily remedy this. But why am I not implimenting them if it is so easy? One answer, Time management...I'm a work in progress.

Biggest Offenders:

*Finding Shoes
*Finding Socks to go on feet in shoe
*Finding Keys
*Packing Diaper Bag
*Making sure wipes are in said diaper bag
*Putting the dog away
*Getting the bags in the car
*Finding coats, gloves, scarfs etc.

Now let me start by saying that I have a designated spot where all the shoes are kept by the front door. The scarfs, hats and gloves are right there as well. We almost always exit through the garage, which is not near the front door where all the said stuff sits and there is no place to keep them near the back door. The key holder is however right by the back door. My kids and I always get ready to leave in the master bedroom. So this leads me from running from my daughters room to get her socks, to the front door to get all our shoes, coats and etc, to bring them to the Master bedroom, where we all suit up. At this point I've almost always forgotten something where I then have to run to look for it. I then do a bag run to the car, double check that all the baby carriers are in there and run back in for the kids. Get Christopher in the car seat and grab Lailah by the hand to trudge out the back door.

See, it is quite the ordeal. I need to impliment some new routines into my night time routine in hopes of having a smooter running morning.

*Lay out all family memebers clothing the night before
*Take showers at night
*Pack lunches in the evening
*Place shoes and socks on clothing pile
*Place keys in key box, so as not to lose them
*Restock the diaper bag at night with diapers, wipes and change of clothing and load in car(The latter is the important part!)


So, I will start this tonight and report back to you all with my results! Wish me luck ;)

5 am Club

I often find myself going about my day wishing I had more then 24 hrs to allows myself some "me" time. I soon realized that it wasn't that I did not have enough time, it was that I was choosing to spend my time in different ways and I was not making it a true priority to allow myself quiet time.

Since the birth of our son, my husband (who has been more then wonderful) has awoke with our daughter each and every day. I have taken advantage of this to get a little more shut eye despite all the nightly nursing sessions, but have lost many precious hours in the day.

This is all about to change!!

I have joined the 5am club over at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee, found here! It is a club that was originally founded by a family of women, who you can meet here. They pledged to get up each and every morning and start the day amidst quiet and the word of God. This ensures you quiet time each day and allows you to ready yourself before the rest of your family arises. What a wonderful way to start your day, don't you think?!?

Here are a couple strategies that Girl Talk have listed:

• Set my alarm for the same time everyday.
• Get up. Turn off alarm, which is strategically placed on the other side of the room. (I’ve learned this is my most critical moment in getting up early. It is crucial that I never, never, never, hit the snooze button or lie back down to catch a few more winks.)
• Head straight to bathroom and then proceed directly to the coffee pot.
• Be prepared to feel absolutely miserable for about 10 to 15 minutes. (But the feeling of misery turns into pure gladness as I soon experience the delight of having that alone time and as I reap the benefits all day long. It is totally worth feeling miserable for about 15 minutes.)
• Your body responds to a regular wake up time. In other words, it gets easier

I am really looking forward to this (well as much as you can when waking at 5am!)it will allow me a more productive day which always allows for a smoother day! For me I think I am going to wake up at 6am, as I am still up much of the night with the nursling. I'll post my progress each Monday as to how my week is going
Feel free to join me and leave a comment if you do so!!

Jessica

Welcome!

Welcome to my little space in the world! It's about time I got this blog off the ground and began writing about my adventures as a mother and homemaker! Hope you enjoy!