Fitting it all in & keeping my priorities - PRIORITY!

When I look at the things I am doing in life, my number #1 goal is to always be doing what God would want me to do. For example, as I am currently pursuing a degree, I have to manage my time so that my kids are not neglected & pushed to the side.

It's true, I can work at home, because I am a stay - at - home mommy. However, I will admit that during the summer when I set the goal to make my business boom...my kids got a little whiny and fussy in the a.m. - because I was on the computer too long or too often. When I saw that my kids were responding this way, I knew I was no longer doing what God would want me to do. How did I know this?

I always come back to the question: WHY AM I A Stay-At-Home MOM?

To be with my kids, play with them, read to them, and manage my home. When I am not doing these things...then I'm not fulfilling my role as a stay-at-home mom. See, I'm at home to be with my kids...not them be in front of the t.v. and me be on my computer. They'd be better off in preschool, all day/morning get attention and learning & me 'working' OUT in the workplace...right?

I say all that to support my claims of the importance of transparency. On another note, I am also a child of God...before I'm a mom/wife. And looking at my life this summer, I really felt a conviction on my heart that I needing to devote more of my time to serving God! And while I want to be doing 'something' while I'm in this full-time stay-home season, I decided to chase my original goal (from 3 yrs. ago) to go back to school...at a Bible college - more for personal goals & personal development for ministry later.

So school added something to my plate...in addition to my BB biz...and in the midst of all of it, I had a strong desire to serve at my church. And since this desire was from God, I didn't have to go out and sign up for the first need...in fact, I got the call to be a MOPS table leader. (The phone call actually came 20 min. after a conversation I had w/ God as I did dishes...it went something like this: "God in all these things I am doing (school & BB), I really have to find a way to stay connected to Christian women/moms in the same season of staying home as I". No joke, those were my words exactly. And 20 min. after saying that, our MOPS coordinator called me to invite me to be a table leader. WOW! Right on time!)

My participation in all of these activities take time-management. Staying on task. Focusing on my priority of being a MOM & WIFE first. I devote my days to what needs attention. How do I do this all? I don't know really. I don't want to sound cliche & say, "God's strength & grace"...but I'm pretty sure that's the only way!

Here's what my week looks like:

Mondays: I try to catch up on chores/laundry or errands & fit in playtime/storytime w/ the boys. I do this by either going to the park, a picnic there...or in the backyard. Swing w/ them, play on the slide w/ them (help Jakey down)...chase them, race them...pick pomegranates off the tree, find the source of ants, look for frogs, etc. Or we even do a chore outside 'together'.

Tuesdays: Check emails, weight tracking for my 100 day battle folks. Then lunch w/ boys...clean up a room together (go thru toys, clothes) - something with them. Sometimes the park for lunch. Daniel gets dropped off at school in the afternoon and when I get home - Jake naps...and that's when I do a big chunk my reading for school. (I also fit reading in from 5-5:30 a.m. daily, before my workout at 5:45/6 a.m.)

Wednesdays: This is the day I help a relative w/ their mail/bills/filing. My boys get to spend this hour or so w/ their Nana. Then when I'm done, we're off to run errands. I try to fit a visit to the Bookstore or a park if they need a breather from the carseats. Then we're home in time for Jacob's nap (have to stay consisten w/ that). This couple hours w/ Jacob sleeping, we are gearing toward 'homework-practice' time for Daniel and fitting in a chore (like mopping while the little one is out of the way).

Thursdays: This is MOPS time. Usually 2X month we get to see our MOPS friends. After that...we fit in errands/chiro visit. And if there's no MOPS this week...and we haven't been out to the park yet, for the week - we make to the park. And then I get those 2 1/2 hrs. in the p.m. to read while Daniel is at school & Jakey is sleeping.

Fridays: This is my stay home, catch up on it all kind-of day! Or, make it to the Bike Path...or something out of the ordinary for the boys!

Weekends are reserved for time w/ DAD! However, from 5-6:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings, I devote to doing my reading tests, while everyone is asleep. Our workout is handled as soon as I am done.

Alot of my stuff, I do when they are sleeping. All that means is that I have to be productive, on task, and off the computer during the rest of the day! :)

So as I am always saying, 'stay accountable', 'stay transparent' - and this is my way of doing it! I know that my first goal is to serve the Lord. Then be the best mom and wife I can...then pursue my dreams.

For me, I have to be working on some personal goals for myself...otherwise, I get depressed, in a funk...and it makes all the things 'I have to do' feel like a burden. But because my husband supports my pursuits...and I fit it in to time slots that don't rip off my kids/husband - and all things around the house are managed - Istay in a great mood and my family benefits!

Gotta Make Time!

Your first week or so of trying to lose weight, you find the foods that you so easily give into. You realize when you should've stopped eating because you experienced major bloating at the end of the meal. You eat that 2nd serving of ice cream, and then ask yourself, "Why did I eat that?"

What about the time you waste doing things you could otherwise be focusing on things that help you reach your goals...like working out.

Just this week, I had a friend share with me how bored she was and then the thought occurred to her: I could've worked out. For many, you haven't put out the time to work out, and so now those of you on a new mission - you are finding that you have to find the time & make the time for your exercise.

For some it's first thing in the morning...others it's the last thing. For some moms, it's when the last kid is dropped off to school, or the baby is napping. Whatever you have been doing during this opportune time....turn it into YOUR TIME TO WORK OUT!

You've gotta make time & you're worth it!'

- Chalene Johnson

So when is your time to work out? Look at your schedule and find the 30 min. to 1 hr. that you can devote to your health & fitness goals. Set an appointment with yourself & DON'T cancel it for any reason (unless of course you're sick).

You can do it! Schedule your workouts & stick to it!!!!

REMINDERS for the week!!!

• Make time for your workouts - put it on your list of to-dos!
• Count your calories and track them.
• Schedule time to pay bills & keep your checkbook balanced.
• Pay cash for items - DON'T swipe the card everywhere you go.
• Stick to the budget! Stick to your shopping lists!
• What's your # 1 priority today! This week!
• Who are your # 1s?
• Keep margins in your time.
• Pack healthy snacks when running errands.
• Make time to play in the backyard w/ the kids.
• Make time to listen to your spouses heart & pray for him/her.
• Be responsible today & don't procastinate.
• Start the week out strong & focused!
• Smile on the inside & out! 

I work hard to play hard...but sometimes I focus on the work part a lot more than the play part. And when these 2 are my playdate buddies....how can I not stop what I'm doing and have some fun?

My #1s!!!!



This is what I needed to remind myself of today before I start another week a little disorganized & in a hurry!

ORGANIZED TIME = ORGANIZED LIFE

Today is Friday, the last day of a week that I implemented a new strategy to get my life more organized and efficient. I touched on some things that I was doing in my posts this week, but thought I would recap in case you missed it:

Here's some new things I am doing to be a better time-manager:

1. Up at 5 a.m. to workout. I was working out at 9 or 10 a.m. which was a primetime for either the park/playing with the kids, or running important errands (without suffering 100 degree weather).
2. Start my 'work' at 6:30 a.m. to about 8 a.m. while the kids sleep. Blog, emails, FB stuff done when they wake up hungry.
3. Get self in gear & showered by 9ish. Out the door by 9:30/10 a.m.
4. Write out my to-do list the night before to wake up w/ a plan for the next day.
5. Practice laser-beam focus when on the internet to get 'work' done & not get sidetracked.
6. Plan a fun activity w/ my boys & follow through. This week we made it to a spray park & a museum. Planning something else today.
7. Home by 4 p.m.

The results of this new strategy:

1. Increase in productivity. Gained ground and momentum with business & increase in sales.
2. Time available to friends in need.
3. DAILY workouts...no hit or misses.
4. Home in time to have dinner hot & ready for hubby.
5. And most importantly: more QUALITY time with my kids.

What's awesome about this is...these are my priorities: Husband, kids, personal fitness, a successful business, and time left over to help others.

I'll say it again: ORGANIZED TIME = ORGANIZED LIFE!

Time-Management - What step have I taken

If you keep posted on my life, you know I am a goals-driven person. Yesterday, I highlighted my latest huge goal. I believe setting goals are essential to achieving something in life...but most of us don't take the time to achieve anything. Why not?

Lack of time-management maybe? (Lack of motivation is another...I could spend a season of time on that one, maybe soon I will).

But what is time-management? Managing your time. (No brainer, right?) But really, do you manage your time? We get on FB, 'to check something' right? And 15 min. later our kids are having meltdowns because we haven't left to the park yet...that's what was happening in my home too often recently.

In addition to my apparent lack of time-management, I went and set a huge goal for myself. This could easily become something that would rob further time from my family, if I wasn't careful & responsible. My family is my top priority. But to have a goal that is beyond my family...I've got to master this time-management thing!!!

How often do we say, "I need more time"? We all say it right? What if you were to get up an hour or 2 earlier to get more done. Not sit in front of FB, or maybe you do make that your one hour of social media for the day. But I'm talking about get up early to fold some laundry, declutter the kitchen, balance your checkbook, or workout.

In order for me to be more productive w/ my kids, I needed more time of the day to be w/ them. I have been working out around 9:30 a.m., but in order for us to get to the park or out of the house w/out the heat of summer cookin' us, I had to make a change. 

Solution: Wake up & GET UP to work out at 5:30 a.m.

My change does 2 things:

• Allows me to work out, which is a top priority.
• Allows me more time in the morning hours to spend w/ my kids...which are my top of the top priority!

What's also happened is, I get my work and blog done, usually by the time they wake up. Lucky for them, they do not have witness mom sitting in front of the computer too long or too much.

It's 8: 30 a.m. and so far today I've:

1. Folded 2 loads of laundry
2. Checked my email & FB
3. Followed up w/ current BB members
4. Completed my workout
5. Completed my blog

So with that said, the baby is now awake, and it's time to "start"our day! I am starting the day off w/ such sense of accomplishment. Most of "my work" is done.

Next stop: Breakfast, some Word & then a spray park!!!! Living life w/ ease as I fight to manage my time.

Managed TIME = Managed LIFE!

My Goals & What It's Going to Take to Get There

My new set goal is to be a Coach that reaches as many people as possible to transform bodies & lives. When this happens, I will experience the greatest rewards.

But in order for me to reach my goal AND keep my priorities of God, Family, and Personal Fitness at the top - I MUST learn more about time-management.

Not sure if you need help here too, but....you will being getting some 2nd hand info from me over the next few weeks as I pursue my goal and keep my priorities...PRIORITY!

Part of this plan will affect you...How? My blogs will be a bit shorter, yet same quality. This will give me more time for more research and work...and will you give you more time as well.

I hope you and I will grow in more knowledge of how to manage our time together. When our time is managed well, our lives are managed well. Tired of chaos, never getting 'stuff' done???? Jump on board with me and let's get our schedules organized together!

What does your day look like?

I was thinking about life yesterday, as I watched my family outside playing in the mud. And I thought to myself, "how do I do what I do now, when a year ago I had way less commitments?" Then I thought, 'wow, 2 years ago, I had 1 less child and was overwhelmed then'. What has changed?

The first year or two of life with Daniel, my first son, I was unorganized. I had no goals written out. Never used a to-do list, was always feeling like I was behind with chores. And this was before I was ever on FB. I hated feeling frazzled. Then a light bulb went on, 'why not use a to-do list like you did when you worked?' That was the problem...the 10 years prior to having a child, I used lists. My lists had lists, but staying home was such a culture shock I lost sight of things that worked. So immediately, I implemented a daily list of things I HAD to get done that day!

Then comes my second son, and life...well, it got harder again, it seemed. When Jacob was 5 months old, I was told of this Beachbody coaching opportunity, I signed up, then canceled, afraid that I could not handle it. Oh, if would've just hung on for a minute then, how much farther along I would be...errrrrr. Ever feel like you missed an opportunity? I felt like that for a few months following...I could hear Cher singin'....'if I could turn back time'...But I can't.

Fast forward to now. What does my day look? I have things to do...but I don't appear 'soooooooo stressed out'...(Unless of course I drink too much coffee in the a.m. Then my heart is racing in my chest, and it can get pretty ugly.)

But here's how my days seem to go:
I get up as early as I physically can. Some mornings 5:30 a.m., some may be 6 a.m. This is my chunk of time for the computer (FB, blog, BB stuff). Trying to remove the image of 'mom at the computer' from children's memory. Then in the Word before they wake up...or even after. (I'll admit, missed a lot of devotional time in the beginning with Daniel, but I've realized 'apart of Jesus, I can do nothing'.)

Upon my kids' rising, I feed them & myself, dress them, do the needed asthma stuff, get their teeth brushed...and then it's on like donkey kong.

Then, I blast my Turbo workout and burn a ton of calories (and any pent up stress) while my kids play together and amuse themselves. I will admit I have to pause my workouts for a diaper change or to check on them, but I don't think those quick interruptions are really interfering with my results.

Once I'm done working out, it's shower for me, snack for the kids and errands time. Or on some days, time for the park, play outside. I've learned that because of my 'task-oriented' nature, it is best for my kids for us to get OUT of the house. We'll do lunch wherever we are, most times I pack a lunch to go for us.

Nap-time comes....Somewhere along the way, Jacob falls asleep, and I try to devote this time to reading to Daniel, flashcards, painting, and fun stuff for just him. Some days, it's me racing the clock to fold some laundry, clean some restrooms, or mop floors...and a couple minutes to check my email stuff.

Afternoon arrives and by now, we're outside playing. Or if we didn't get out of the house in the a.m., we run for some last minute groceries.

By 4 p.m. my attention is focused to prepare dinner. This is engrained in my head. My kids are hungry by 5 p.m. and my husband is ready to eat around 6ish. So to avoid melt-downs, I am ready to feed them when the the hunger pains strike!

This is key. A lot of families I've learned recently, eat out for dinner most nights a week. I eat out when on the run & stuck away from house when we get hungry, but hardly, hardly ever dinner...any day of the week. Not condemning you for eating out, but for many of you who know that my husband lost 200+ lbs. - this I believe is why he's been so successful: WE EAT AT HOME/HOME-COOKED MEALS 99% OF THE TIME!

After dinner, the kids are outside playing while I clean up the kitchen.

Then it's nightime routine of asthma meds, baths, teeth brushed, and to bed. If I'm wide awake when everyone else is sleepy, this is when I've been taking time for some FB time and some googling (like 'children and bad dreams', 'pre-k material', 'boost metabolism', etc.) But this week, I decided, I really want to finish my 'life-changing' book, so I'm going to bed at 9 p.m., when everyone else does, and then reading until my eyes are too heavy to keep open.

THIS IS KEY HERE: During the evening or right before bed, I write out my list of to-do's for the next day. I take note on calls I have to make, errands I have to run (included is the list of things for purchase @ what stores), chores I need to do, and usually toward the bottom I have '4 p.m.: Make dinner' there. This helps me know that I have to get it all done by a certain time, I have to be home by 4 p.m. in order for my family's dinner to be ready when they are hungry.

It's my list that keeps me organized. Just like a written out budget keeps my money organized and devoted to where it needs to go, a list of to-dos keeps my time organized & devoted to where it needs to go.

Two years ago, I made a 'Goals Board' for our family...and we reached some of those. In December of 2010, I made a new goals board and I have it hung in my office, over my computer...and I look at it daily. This keeps me mindful of where I want to go, which keeps me focused on where I want my time to go too. This helps tremendously when making my list of to-dos.

What I do around my home isn't heart surgery, and it doesn't take a degree in 'rocket science' to figure out. However, if I want to be successful at home and manage our lives with meaning, I've got to be a great 'life manager'. I've got to be responsible with my time, my money, and my loved ones.  

MY KIDS ARE PRIORITY - I HOPE MY LIFE REFLECTS THAT IN THE END!

It's only because I chart out where my time is going to go that I can do all that I do in one day. Waking up before my family and falling asleep after them is what gives me the extra time to pursue my dreams and manage my Beachbody business, all while devoting time to them when they are demanding it! :)

I think it's John C. Maxwell that my husband has forever quoted around our house, 'In order to be more, you have to become more'... and in my mind, 'in order to be more, I have to do more'. But how would I do that without my 'handy-dandy' notebook of lists????

So this week, I challenge you: sit down and make a list of goals you want to reach by the end of the year (set some to complete by the end of your life). Make them realistic, achievable, measureable goals. And then, put 1 thing on your calendar - daily - to do to get you there. It can be as simple as 'Read 5 pgs. in my life-changing book'. 'Get transcripts from junior college to go to the 4 yr. university', 'fill out job application', 'exercise for 20 min.', 'call a relative I haven't spoken to for...too long'. When you start making time (by managing it) to reach your goals, you don't have to feel this giant pressure of 'achieving something huge'...you just have to show up daily with your list of telling your time where to go!



My Boys...

My focus is shifting,
My time is running out,
Soon they will be grown,
I've got to make it count.

So many hours lost to "just a minute",
Have quickly been slipping through my hands.
I can't get them back, and I just can't forget it,
I don't want to lose these last moments that I have.

They are why I am here,
Not to the save the world, yours and mine,
But to provide them with warm hugs, love & care,
They're only mine for this short length of time.

Finding that it's my 'distractions',
That run my patience thin,
It's not their interruptions,
They just need my time & attention.

So I make the needed adjustments,
Making them my priorities,
Yes it will take better time management,
After time w/ the Lord & Daddy.

I only get one shot at this,
So I better make it count,
Soon they'll be grown & I will miss,
All the days I could've made it count.

Pay Day = Budget Day

Yes, a budget! What is that? Do you have one? We do. We got it from a powerful/life-changing book and APPLIED IT! The book is: Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. (You can get a copy for $10 @ www.daveramsey.com). (Young people get this book, you need it now, not later. Retirement is a real thing to plan 40 years in advance for!!!)

Here's the routine for our pay day here in our home: I get my husband's payroll check, STRAIGHT to the bank, deposit it, WITHOUT cashback at this point. Next, I go home, and double check my budget sheet that I created a couple days prior to pay day (just in case something has come up).

Here's what I do to prep for my budget:
Step 1: Gather up all bills from my special "Current Bills Due" folder at my desk.
Step 2: Fill in the dollar amounts in these catagories:

First are the things we pay by check:

• TBBC (money insurance, first right?...for some who don't know what this is: tithe)
• Additional Giving
• Life Insurance
• Mortgage pmt.
• PG&E
• Gas Co.
• Water Co.
• ATT
• Gardener
• Car Insurance
• Gym fees
• Debt (which we've wiped 1/2 to 2/3 out in the last couple years by sticking to a budget)
• Shakeology/BB Biz (now paying for itself, I may add)

These are the catagories that I get cash out for. The thought Dave Ramsey has is, take the cash out, don't use your debit card because, when you walk into Target w/ only $40 for the baby's diapers & formula, there's no cash leftover to buy that cute tank top 'on sale'. If it's not budgeted for, then don't buy it. Now if you NEED clothes, make a catagory & give yourself a budgeted amount & STICK TO IT! Here are the catagories that we pay cash & avoid debit card use on:

• Gas (a certain amt. for me/a certain amt. for husband)
• Groceries
• Toiletries
• Jacob's needs
• Daniel's meds/needs
• "Allowance for husband"
• Jen's phone (I seriously live on a pay-as-you-go phone. I use my home phone 99% of the time & save)

And that's it. There are times like this week, we have to add: Car Maintenance, and Clothing for Daniel. And month to month, there may be a Kaiser catagory, or a special thing like: Air Duct Cleaning, like we did this week.

The beauty of a budget is that you can start a catagory for an expense you know is coming in a month or two. Like this month, I'm saving for my suburban tags for July. I haven't received the bill, but I quickly look at my tags to see that they expire in July. So, I plan. This way a bill that is expected, is NOT a financial emergency.

I add up all the expenses, minus it from the income to confirm that I have enough. I always know what we have left over after all our needs are filled in. What to do w/ this money? Throw it at the debt, save for something you're going to need like: car, appliances, furniture. Why finance those things, when you can save & pay cash, get a better deal because people make deals for cash...and save yourself a ton on interest right? (GET THE BOOK & READ IT!)

So the budget sheet is filled in & the check is in the bank.

Step 3: Balance checkbook before I even begin paying out.
Step 4: Write out/pay bills.
Step 5: Make 'cash item list'.
Step 6: Go to bank for cash.
Step 7: Go shopping with my lists for Target/Walmart, Costco, etc!
Step 8: STICK TO THE LISTS! :)

This is how we live. Pretty simple & basic math. You don't need a BS in Accounting to live on a budget.

Now the key is to NOT spend all my grocery money at the store the first day I get paid so that in a week when we need fresh produce, I have CASH for that. There will be times that there's a little miscalculation in what I need, but I try so hard to NOT use my debit card.

The philosophy behind using the card is 'it's unlimited'. Oh, I have the extra $50 in the bank so I can buy this - thing I absolutely don't need & will only use/wear once.

If you do this budget, you will find that you DO have the money you need for the month typically. You tell your kids/employees what to do, why not tell your money where to go & what to do so that you control your spending!

I might point out that I am strategic w/ my bill paying too. Say we get paid the 1st, so the bills due from the 9th thru the 23rd, I pay the first week of the month. The bills due from the 23rd to the 8th of the next month, I pay at our mid-month pay day. This way my bills are ON TIME. The wonder of this is, I only sit down & balance my checkbook 2X/mo., always aware of what I have - this avoids ISF fees, right? And I only pay my bills 2X a month, never wondering when a bill is coming in or if I'll have enough. This provides me peace of mind, and more time w/ my kids. I avoid: paying as I go, trying to always find time every couple days to sit alone & scream at the kids as I try to crunch number to make sure some money is there for this one bill, right? Who wants to do that 2-3 times per week? This budget system keeps my time managed better too. I know what days are pay days, so I build time into my schedule to do all this in advanced.

This is how we live and we live pretty stress-free over finances. We know we make enough to live on. Now, if we are broke & in a bind, who's responsible? It's easy to figure out in a quick discussion :) So I try my hardest to tell myself & KIDS "NO" so that we can have some peace & liberty in our lives.