With a new month upon us, I thought I would share my favorite ways to stay organized. Each one of these has become a habit that I don’t think too much about, however it took a lot of consistency in the beginning to make it a routine. I would love to know your top tips or things you do to stay on track!

 

 

1.Brain Dump (Weekly/Monthly) 

I think it is so beneficial to consistently write down everything that is on your mind as a “to-do” so it isn’t lingering over you. This can be done weekly or monthly, and only takes a few minutes. Write down anything and everything you have told yourself needs to get done either in a notebook or phone. This can include ALL aspects of your life such as personal, family, work, health/fitness, finances, etc.

2.Map Out Tasks

Once you have created your list of to-dos, decide when you are going to tackle each task and write it down like an appointment. You can write daily or weekly tasks from your main list, but create a plan of WHEN you are going to do it….and follow through!

3.Use A Calendar

Whether you prefer your phone or paper, write everything down in a calendar! It will keep you accountable and allow you to have a game plan for each month.

4.Create Systems/Routines

Create systems that work for you and your family. Some systems we have in place to keep us organized are…

• Filing system for important documents (Paper Items)
• Cleaning schedule to maintain home (Cleaning Schedule)
• Mapping and planning meals for each week (Meal Planning Tips)
• Monthly finance spreadsheet (savings, investments, giving…etc)
• Workout calendars with a plan

5.Consistency & Follow Through

This is the hardest part, especially starting out. Focus on one area at a time until you are comfortable and then move to the next. Don’t overwhelm yourself with everything, but keep yourself accountable!

I hope everyone has a wonderful start to the month!

Blessings,

Jaclyn

If you know me personally, you know I am all about structure and routines. As a former classroom teacher, I saw first hand the importance of a structured day and the impact it made on children. With that said, I know kids can throw curve balls and many days don’t go as “planned”. I like to maintain a “flexible structure” mindset where I keep our routines in place, but understand life happens and to just go with it when I need to.

I thought I would share our night time routine with little man! He has had the same routine since he stopped nursing throughout night. I would love to know what your family does, or anything special to end the day!

6:15(ish)pm: Clean Up 

We clean up all toys, books, etc. as a family. I think it is important to model what that looks like, and also have him learn to have responsibility for his things.

6:20(ish)pm: Book/PJS/Bath

Our son LOVES picking out his book for bedtime. He chooses one and places it on the chair to be read. After he picks a book he puts his clothes in the hamper and brushes his teeth. Anything he can do independently, I encourage!

6:25(ish)pm: Bath Time

We do this as a family!

6:35(ish)pm: Dressed & Ready for Bed 

We get dressed for the night and sing our favorite songs (dad says goodnight).

6:40(ish)pm: Read, Pray, Sing

I read a book then turn off the light and we do a prayer. After that we rock/snuggle and sing “Jesus Loves Me” and “Jesus Love The Little Children”.

6:45(ish)pm: Lay Down 

I put our son in the crib when we are done and he will jump for a few minutes and then lay down and go to sleep. He is generally asleep by 7:00pm.

 

 

General Night Time Prayer (changes with what is going on )

Dear God,

Thank you for this day. Thank you for Momma, Dadda, and our family. Thank you for keeping us healthy and safe in all that we do. Continue to be with us and use us to be a light to others. Help those who need you a little more tonight. Keep us safe in your arms and help us to have a good night’s sleep. We love you. Amen.

 

Our nighttime is pretty smooth 99 percent of the time, but that took a lot of repetition and practice on both ends! It is something we all enjoy as a family and a special way to end the day! I would love to know anything special you incorporate!

 

Blessings,

Jaclyn

A friend of mine recently suggested sharing my experience with pregnancy and I thought that was a great idea. I always love hearing about personal experiences, because every journey and story is so unique, especially when it comes to pregnancy, birth, and recovery! No matter how many books you read, classes you take or parents you seek advice from, your experience will be yours and yours alone. I thought I would start a series sharing the different stages and what I experienced or remember from each!

Our son came to us as a huge surprise. We weren’t “planning” on starting a family until our early 30s, however God had something else in mind (thank goodness). Finding out was a roller coaster of emotions. I had missed my cycle the month of April 2017  but didn’t think too much into it. I decided to take a test because we were leaving for my cousins wedding at the end of the month. The first test I took had the fainest (and I mean barely there) second line. I thought I was seeing things, so I went out and bought a digital test, which automatically read “not pregnant”.  I chalked it up to stress and exercise and went on with our vacation.

A few days later, I knew in my gut something was off. I am going to be completely honest and say my biggest sign was breast pain. It was like nothing I had experienced before. I woke up that following Tuesday (less than a week) and decided to take the extra tests for peace of mind. I took the first one at five in the morning before getting ready for work. The 2 pink lines appeared immediately and I went into panic mode. I scrambled to get the digital test before waking up my husband to be certain (even though I knew). And there it was again starting directly at me…”pregnant”.

The following weeks we were basically in a state of shock. We had always wanted to be parents, we just didn’t feel “ready” at that time. Although we were filled with nerves, we were extremely grateful and excited for this gift we had been given. I know so many women would do anything for a precious child, and my heart sincerely goes out to you each and every day.

First Trimester

My first trimester basically felt as if I were in a permanent hangover (yippee). I was constantly exhausted, and would nap every day after work until 4-430ish. I wanted “hearty” foods like bread, red meat and anything salty. Vegetables sounded absolutely disgusting. Thinking of coffee made me feel sick, and I constantly had to carry around crackers just in case.  I only got sick one morning (thank goodness), but that feeling was always there.

I somehow managed to continue my workout routine. I attribute that to being on a program with a schedule and already having that habit in place. It was such a part of my daily routine and I knew it would help (which it really did). Some days were better than others, but I really made an effort to continue to make that a priority throughout my entire pregnancy. I also forced myself to eat vegetables that didn’t make me gag, just to get nutrients in my body. I continued drinking the same amount of water and maintained those set routines/habits. I had to really rely on my mentality and the power of my thoughts during those first couple of months to prioritize my health and wellness.

During your first trimester you schedule an appointment where they do an initial ultrasound, wellness check, and confirm that you are indeed pregnant. I went around 8 weeks where they were able to do an ultrasound on my stomach. If you go earlier, they may have to do one internally (just a heads up).  This is the appointment where you can talk to the doctor about anything and everything. They are seriously there for YOU and no question is silly or uncomfortable for them! My doctor also went over the general schedule of appointments and what to expect if everything went smoothly.  You will also (most likely) go over your insurance and payment plan prior to visiting with the doctor (yay).

If you don’t have an OBGYN definitely talk to people in your area for recommendations (or online groups). I used a recommendation from a good friend and had the best experience!

Next series post will go into my second and third trimester experiences.  What are some things you remember from your first trimester or initial signs of pregnancy? I would love to know!

 

15 weeks

Blessings,

Jaclyn