Priorities

Last month was a growing month for me.... and no, it's not just because my garden was finally planted. The bike trip and several other experiences made me feel overwhelmed and wonder if I was doing anything right. I just "happened" to also start reading a great book titled Say Good Bye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine. In her book she asks you to answer a number of questions and I found that these questions helped me to focus my thinking and find a way out of the hole I found myself in. After climbing out of this hole I realized that I was doing some things right but that other areas needed to change. I needed to make my priorities a priority. That seems redundant I know, but I found that I had been letting little things take up a lot of my time and had felt that I needed to do everything good. One of the steps the book mentions is taking a brief hiatus from saying yes to anything new, which has been a breathe of fresh air.

So here's my priorities: 

1) My husband- helping him to be happy 

2) My children- teach them to love learning and be responsible 

3) House- uncluttered and clean

4) Serve/ help others- Visiting teaching and Cub Scouts

5) Self- time to read, create, plan, exercise

6) Healthy family- financial, mental, physical, spiritual

In the book the author also talks about assigning specific times to each of these priorities and streamlining household tasks so that you have more time for your priorities. During the past couple weeks I started implementing changes in our family life, have turned invitations down and don't regret saying no because my priorities are straight. At some point I can say yes to some events, when I'm ready. Previously I always hated schedules because I felt that they they were too stringent, but since implementing some simple routines I have had more time for creating, playing and am a lot less stressed. Also, I feel like the type of mother I had always thought I would be and am truly finding joy in my "job".

Everyday we start our morning routine getting dressed, making our beds (Asher is learning to make his own bed and is doing a great job), saying prayers etc.

Then after breakfast we spend an hour or so cleaning, which has it's own schedule. Meals are now simplified so I literally spend 5 minutes planning meals. Every week we now do a craft, science project, service, playgroup, library visit, etc. I made a picture week calendar for Asher so he never has to ask me if we are going to a friends, the park, or the library for the umpteenth time in a day.

 A huge benefit of this schedule is that Asher is taking a nap everyday again and I have my happy boy back. WAHOO!!!!!! Jacqueline is happier because she gets more face time with me. Rob is happier because his wife is less stressed and happier. A win-win situation for all of us.

Here are pictures of some of our activities in the past couple weeks:

Science this week: Volcanoes

Painting Our Volcano

The Masterpiece

Eruptions during dinner

Science last week: Structures

Making buildings and objects from sticks and marshmallows

Backyard play time

Front yard play time

Asher trying out his skateboard again

Other Pictures

Making Chocolate Chip Cookies Together

Tent Time Together

Underwear on Jacqueline's head put there by herself. I blame Rob.

Asher's Playdough Birds

Morning Chores

My Priorities

My Top 3 Priorities on a Sunday Morning

I had heard the quote, "If Momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy" but now understand in a whole new way how true that is! As of right now I can happily report that this Hinman Momma is very happy and the whole Rob Hinman family is very happy too! I really am grateful for the tough times in life that help us grow and change. I'm grateful for priorities that help us focus. I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father that is always there for us if we choose to let him be there. I'm grateful for kids that love me whether I'm grumpy or happy. Most of all, I'm grateful for a husband that is patient with me during this growing process called life and loves me.

Onward and upward!