Challenges of Life!

As I was pondering what to write about for all of you readers...I was working on an album for an amazing couple while checking my e-mails and the latest on Facebook (speaking of FB, we have a page on there, check us out here!), and as I got up for a snack I switched laundry over!  That, my friends, is called multitasking!  I love being challenged every day and apparently I've gotten pretty good at multitasking.  I know when something is not right with my schedule or my life, when the little things are bothering me.  So, I have to take a step back and realign if you will!

I know that there are so many tricks out there to keeping everything organized but this is what works for me!

One my my many challenges is groceries.  I didn't realize how much time was wasted when I would try to pull something together after working all day.  Some people are really good at this but I was not!  So, right now I'm trying to go grocery shopping once a week, I've gotten pretty good with not having to go the store for items here and there!  Plus, I usually go to the store by myself, which is a bonus!

I plan ahead for the next week what I'm going to make for dinner, Jen's idea here is awesome!  I just write on a sticky note what I'm going to make and keep it on the counter but her idea is so much more fun!

I make sure to only get the ingredients for those dinners, then I have to make them!  I also buy the essential staples otherwise I've gotten really good at only getting what is on my list, even if I see something while at the store, I usually don't get it.  We are trying really hard to stay on a budget and save more money and this was actually one of the big areas we needed to improve on.  I did try E-Mealz but I have so many recipes so this helped me to get use to getting only certain items.

While making dinner, I clean up!  That's huge for me since after dinner there is so little time with the boys before they go to bed.  Del will even help me wash the dishes that I do not put in the dishwasher, he loves it, for now!  :)  And I know if I leave everything after dinner, I won't get to it and I am not a happy person when I wake up to dishes in the sink, don't ask me why but it's my least favorite thing!

I also have started making Ry's lunch while dinner is in the oven or on the stove, and if I don't have time during that, then I get it all together after dinner.  I will also get the coffee ready for the next morning!  Waking up and not being stressed about what I am doing makes my mornings much more enjoyable!  I enjoy packing Ry's lunch (I even put little notes of encouragement in them!) so when I'm not stressed about everything I have to do before I start work, then my day starts out so much more positive!

I also do not do much housework between dinner and the boy's bedtimes.  That's our family time!  I will do as much as I can while dinner is cooking (switch laundry, vacuum, etc)!  Did you notice I said SWITCH laundry, I only fold laundry after dinner also!  I will do that if we are watching a family movie or the boys are having fun on their own otherwise I try to spend as much time with them as possible after dinner!

One more thing about dinner, crock pots are WONDERFUL!!!  For tonight I already have cooking boneless, skinless chicken breasts, potatoes and carrots drenched in Italian dressing!  YUM!  I'll post pictures later!!

I also buy birthday and anniversary cards the end of the month for the next month!  Who doesn't love getting a card in the mail?!  I know I love them!!!  I also love taking the time to think of others, it's amazing how much time goes by without a quick phone call, we all text now don't we?!  I do too, but taking the time to pick out a special card for somebody means a lot more than you think!


Those are just a few of the daily items I love being challenged with!

So, make the most of your time and you'll be a lot happier!  You will enjoy the down time so much more also and you won't have that little voice in your head making you feel guilty!  What are a few tricks you do to help you stay sane?!

Have a fabulous week!!!