Organization is Not About Perfection......

It's about efficiency , reducing stress & clutter, saving time & money & improving your overall quality of life - Christina Scalise

As I was browsing Pinterest for inspiration to get my home in order for the New Year I came across this quote.  It was fitting for my new journey.  The New Year to me is like going back to school minus the new clothes.  The calendars, planners, color pens and fun organization tools.  If you are like me then you know how happy that stuff makes me!  As a wife, mother and business owner it is VITAL that I keep my goals, chores, day to day tasks and accomplishments in order.   I can honestly say the past few months I have gotten really lazy in staying organized.  Piles of paper, saving mail that I think I'm going to open (junk mail) and my planner was EMPTY for the month of December.  

This New Year brings a refresher and when I align my faith with it all it has been more enjoyable putting it all together. During my staycation I've spent time in prayer, mediating and writing all my goals down for 2014 (personal/business/fitness).  With that said I am sharing what has helped me get my act together - Organization tips and a few new ideas that I am trying.   Grab your pen/paper and let's get creative!

You'll need the following:

*Planner - I recently indulged in a Erin Condren Life Planner.  Check it out!   Prior I would use a Blue Sky weekly planner (can be found at any office store).  It worked great for me because each month is tabbed, there is plenty of space to write appointments, my TO DO list, really helped me stay on track and more affordable.  With the Erin Life Planner it's similar but has more details.   I'll post more when I receive it in the mail.  I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

In my planner I will have my daily, weekly and monthly reminders written down.   Every night before I go to bed I go over my TO DO list for the next day.  I use POST -ITS notes. 

*Journal - There are many journals out there but I am frugal shopper so I went to my local Dollar Tree and picked up a few composition notebooks.  I like to write stuff down on paper....I'm old school!   In your journal you can write your thoughts, ideas and goals.  I have a journal for work ideas, my blog ideas and my home ideas.   Think of it this way:   THINK IT, INK IT!  

*Focus - What is your focus?   Is it your family life?  Church?  School?  Business?  All!   For me I find that all my roles are my focus.  If I am more disciplined in staying on top of things, I feel more focused.   Things are not all over the place and causing me stress.  My suggestion would be to pray and visualise your focus.  We are all different. 

*Cleaning Schedule - We are blessed to have a housekeeper that comes every other week but with a baby crawling around I need to have my home much cleaner.   I have found that I would clean and do laundry all in one day which is fine but I was TIRED!   Again, I searched Pinterest and found this cleaning schedule that will fit perfectly in our home.   Simple and tackles what I need.   I have to say making my bed in the morning makes a HUGE difference.  Give it a try!  Also, encourage your kids to make their beds too.  

Since I don't have a printer, I wrote the cleaning schedule down on our main calendar in our kitchen.  Not only is it a reminder for me but also for Coach Alex.   I found my calendar at Big Lots for $5.00.  Lots of writing space and came with stickers too!  Next to it I have my running schedule for January - Goal is to run 75 miles ~ Strong & Fearless!

*Home Office - Since I don't have the space to have an actual office, my kitchen table is my main space.  I was that lady that had EVERYTHING on the table.  Drove me crazy, so I finally found a way to organize all my work stuff.  I have a simple black basket and I store all my day to day stuff in there (journals, planner, pens, highlighters, post its and leadership book).  Today I went to Ross and found this cute large storage tote for $9.99.  Now my office is mobile!   

If you have an actual home office invest in containers, wall shelving, bulletin board and designate a space for EVERYTHING!     This is my DREAM OFFICE but with a PINK desk!  

Now that I have overloaded you with my tips now you can take them and apply.  Of course add your own twist to it.   I would also suggest involving the family.  Maybe create a chore list for the children, discuss your budget with your spouse (very important) and just do your best at keep your home stress free!  I believe that when us women take pride in our homes whether it's making the bed, paying the bills or a clean kitchen it shows we honor our home.   

But all things should be done decently and in order - 1 Corinthians 14:40

Happy Organizing! 

Jesus is the Reason

We started this holiday season yesterday by getting our Christmas tree - Our first one as a family.   The sun was shining, our hearts were filled with a powerful message from church and I was just full of JOY!    We decided to head to our local Home Depot and we found the perfect tree.   Short, stubby and fit perfectly in our budget.  Of course Max slept through the whole process but thankfully I took photos to capture the moments.    As Alex was loading up the tree in our car I couldn't help but cry. It was pure joy! I longed for creating these type of memories with my family. And here I was...Max 1st Christmas (he was only 4 days old last year and I just had a c-section so I was not in full spirit) our first tree as a family, new traditions and most of all sharing the true meaning of Christmas.   Our day consisted of decorating, listening to Christmas music and watching Max get into everything HA!   Fun Moments!    But as the evening progressed I started to feel uneasy, started to get tired and Max just did not want to go down for a nap.   I guess you could say my patience was running low.  I just kept 

telling myself hang in there, enjoy these moments but the other side of me simply wanted quiet time.   

After awhile Max took a bath and since this seems to be a time for me to sit in silence all I could do was cry!  I was exhausted, my head hurt and all these mixed emotions kept appearing in my mind.  The memories I had with my own mother during the holidays (earlier that day we came across pictures when things were "normal"),  the pressure of Christmas and the fear that maybe all moms go through:  Failure!    As I was praying I just kept asking God why does that fear keep coming back?  Why can't I just be normal?   What am I lacking?    It clicked!   I was not spending enough time in prayer, reading my bible and working on my spiritual side!!!    I have realized that I was spending time in other things: Being the best SAHM,  wife, coach and so forth.  Don't get me wrong all those things are great and should be taken care of BUT if I am not putting 100% in my relationship with God, I know I will start to hit a plateau.....and I have.   

I came across a blog and her words really ministered to me: 

Dear Mama of a Baby and a Toddler,

I know life may be very overwhelming right now. I know sometimes you just want to throw up your hands in the air and cry.
I know that you sometimes tell God that you don’t know what He was thinking when He made you a mother.
(I promise you…He knew exactly what He was doing when He picked you to mother your children!)
I know that sometimes you feel frumpy and lonely and at your wit’s end.
It will get better.

Go in grace, Mama. Go in grace. 

When I read those words all I could do is weep. These words were for me. Perfect timing.  It was my wake up call if you will. So, me spending 15 minutes with God is just not enough - at least for me anyway.  I need more. I want more of His everlasting grace.   I suddenly realized it was 2am in the morning and I was exhausted yet I was fired up!   I decided it's time to get some rest. I curled up next to Max and Alex and we had a sleepover in Max's room.  I was surrounded by two of my favorite boys.  I  knew I was safe. I was loved.  

I woke up this morning feeling so motivated and a big load has been lifted off of me.  I am NOT Super Mom. I am in control of my thoughts, actions and words.  It's up to me to stay on track spiritually.   Especially when life gets overwhelming.   As I was sharing with Alex this morning my number priority when I wake up is to take care of ME and that means by praying, reading my word and focusing on building my strength up.  I am not weak.  I am human who just needs more discipline.  If I can press play, run, eat clean then why can't I do better in my spiritual fitness?  

I am sharing this because I know God has big plans for my life.  My trials, my struggles are MY story.   I will overcome of all this. My life is to worship God in everything I do.   As I continue to work on myself, I pray that my story will inspire you.   Perhaps it'll bring someone peace, bring you closer to God and just knowing that we all have a story.   It doesn't mean we are not strong - in fact I personally think our struggles makes us stronger.  WHY?  Because we don't quit!   We love our children.  We love our husbands.   We love God.   And with that it's our purpose to strive for GREATNESS especially in our homes.  

Jesus is the reason I get up everyday.  He is the reason I am who I am today.   He is the reason for Christmas.     

"Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving; let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your heartsand your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:4-7

"Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:"
Proverbs 31:28 NLT

Strong and Fearless <3