8 Steps to a Successful Evening Routine

A Good Morning Routine Begins with 

a Successful Evening Routine

Create a Successful Evening Routine in 8 Simple Steps:

1. Kitchen Clean-Up (Right After Dinner...Don't Put it Off)

• Do all dishes (not just dinner dishes)-hand washed or run a load in the dishwasher
• Turn dishwasher on, that way you can empty it when you wake up
• Wipe down all surfaces (counters, table, chairs, etc.)
• Quick Sweep and spot mop

2. Ten-Minute Tidy Up Around the House 

• Help kiddos clean up toys
• Put up bags and shoes where they go
• "A place for everything, and everything in its place."
• This includes family room, hallway, living room, bedrooms, playroom, etc.

3. Pack Your Bags

• Stock the diaper bag with diapers, wipes, snacks, bottles, soppy cups...the works!
• Clean out your purse and fill it only with what you need for the following day
• Pack lunches if needed (park, play dates, zoo, school. Work, picnic, etc.)
• Pack any extras you may need for your specific activities for the following day (ex: beach bag)

4. Hygiene Helps

• Brush/floss your teeth
• Wash your face 
• Clip Nails/mani/pedicure (as needed)
• Brush hair 

5. Write it Down and Plan Ahead 

• Write down anything on your mind (reminders, upcoming events, to do items, shopping list,etc)
• Prioritize the items you wrote down
• Plan tomorrow's day out. (What do you want to get accomplished? What fun thing are you looking forward to? Who are you going to serve? When and where will you have quality time with your children & spouse? Etc)
• Go over your schedule with your spouse and keep each other up to date on events and other items that they may need to know about
• Plan your route: are you heading to the bank, grocery store, a friends house, the post office? Instead of running errands mindlessly- take the time to make a plan of action. Go to the furthest place away from your home first and the closest place to your home last to save on time and gas money.

6. Dress for Success

• Pick your outfit out for tomorrow
• Set it out along with shoes and other accessories
• Choosing to get dressed for the next day and setting it out the night before helps you choose to be more proactive and productive.
• "You are what you wear": if you choose to live in sweats and a baggy t-shirt all day...you might as well throw away your to do list and park it on the couch because you're dressed for sheer laziness. If you want to succeed in this life and go places, you need to dress for success. Choose an outfit that you wouldn't mind opening the door in, or seeing an old friend from high school in, always put your best foot forward and be confident in who you are. You are beautiful and have so much to offer...why hide your incredible self behind stained, baggy and holey clothing? This doesn't mean you need to wear business attire every day. There's nothing wrong with a pair of jean shorts and a t-shirt, just make sure to take a look in the mirror and if seeing  your reflection of the outfit you chose to wear brings a smile to your face and helps boost your self confidence, then you've chosen to dress for success!

7. Take Time to Unwind

• Study your scriptures
• Write in your journal
• Do some P.M. Yoga or other exercises 
• Take a bubble bath (These are just a few ideas to start with)

8. Early to Bed, Early to Rise

• Getting to bed early (around 10:30pm or earlier) will help you get enough sleep to tackle the next day's itinerary 
• Waking up (around 6:30am or earlier...no earlier than 5am) will help you feel well rested and ready to start your day.
• By doing this, you will get more done in your day. Not only because you've chosen to get a good nights rest, but also because you will get some time to yourself (as a mom) to get ready for the day/start your morning routine before your kiddos get up for the day. Believe me, this step alone will energize you and give you more reason to smile throughout the day. It's important to take time for yourself and get energized, so that you can then focus on helping others (like your children for example) through out the day.

Acini De Pepe Fruit Salad

Acini De Pepe Fruit Salad

(Better known as Frog-Eye Salad)

The Ingredients: 

 1 lb. Acini De Pepe Noodles
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1 cup Sugar
2 T Flour
1/2 tsp Salt
1 3/4 cup Pineapple Juice
2 Eggs (Beaten)
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1 Tbls lemon juice
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16 oz. Cool Whip
3 cans Mandarin Oranges (drained)
2 cans Pineapple Tidbits (drained)
1 can Crushed Pineapple (drained)
1 bag Mini Marshmallows
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The Instructions: 

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk sugar, flour, salt, pineapple juice, and eggs until thickened.

2. Remove from heat, add lemon juice and stir.

3. Cook Noodles according to package. Remove from heat and drain. Set aside to cool.

4. Combine sauce and noodles, mix well and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.

5. Combine noodles with all other ingredients and serve chilled.

How to Create a Morning Routine with 10 Simple Steps

10 Simple Steps to a Successful Morning

Photo by: Taylor Jay Photography

1. Make Your Bed

• Making your bed motivates you to clean everything else.
• You can start the day off by accomplishing a task from your to do list very quickly.
• It makes you feel good knowing at least one thing is clean, tidy and put together in your house.

2. Exercise

• It relieves stress
• Helps you make healthier choices throughout the day
• Helps you to accomplish more
• Releases endorphans which makes you happier
• Keeps your body active and healthy
• Helps your body rid of toxins - which helps you stay healthy

3. Shower & Get Ready for the Day

• Good Hygiene goes along way
• You tend to be more productive when you're not living in yoga pants
• Helps you feel good about yourself
• Your Husband will appreciate it :)
• Boosts Self Confidence 
• A great chance to have "Me time" as a Mom

4. Take Time to Study & Be Still

• Spend some time in solitude with no distractions - unplug...put the electronic devices away!
• Its best to study or pray in the early mornings when everything is still and silent. 
• Focus on your spiritual side - clear your mind and take time to rejuvenate yourself
• This is the time when I study my scriptures, talk with my Heavenly Father and write in my journal or meditate/ponder or think deeply about things that are weighing on my mind. 
• Instrumental music and natural light also help me to focus and enjoy my study time more.

5. Plan Out Your Day

• Get out your planner of choice and have it readily available at a moments notice - since you will be referring to it throughout each day. My Mom used a Franklin Covey Planner all growing up and gifted one to me a few years back, so that's what I use to plan with now. 
• You can use a notebook, planner, calendar, google calendar, online planner apps, etc. 
• Choose the "Big Rocks" - or most important (and urgent) things first, and then fill your schedule with the remaining "pebbles" and "sand" - that are important, but not as urgent.
• Alphabetize your to do list: A-1,2,3, B-1,2,3, C-1,2,3, 
• For example: 
• A1-Make My Bed
• A2-Exercise
• A3-Study My Scriptures
• B1-Daily Chores/Menu Plan
• B2-Make Zucchini Bread for a Loved One
• B3-Read to my Kiddos
• C1-Take Kids on an "Ed-Venture" (Educational Adventure outside the house)
• C2-Lesson Prep. for Dance&Fitness Classes
• C3- New Blog Post
• Schedule your to do list in between your appointments and other filled time slots
• For Example:
• 9am-Dentist
• 10-Play date
• 11-Daily Chores
• 12-Lunch/Menu Plan
• 1-Naps/Lesson Prep
• 2-Blog Post...etc.
• Check off Tasks as you do them or (delegate them to someone if needed)
• Plan out your day the night before or early the morning of each day.

6. Unload the Dishwasher

• Put away all clean dishes, wipe countertops, clean up breakfast, sweep floor, etc. 
• Have the kiddos help. They are never too young to do chores and help out.
• My one year old takes one piece of silverware out of the dishwasher at a time, hands it to me and I put it away. Let me repeat that...she's one! Yes, even a one year old can help out. 
• My motto is if you teach them while they're young, they will continue those good habits as they get older.

7. Do a Load of Laundry

• Throw a load in the wash in the morning, dry or hang dry that load, and fold/put away that same load. Never leave a load of laundry unfinished...thats how it molds in the wash or laundry piles up! If you start a load, dont go to sleep until its folded, put away and finished!
• Do the same thing every evening - that way you always have two loads of laundry that get cleaned on a daily basis and your laundry piles will get smaller and smaller-not pile up!

8. Eat Breakfast

• So important to kick start your day with a source of energy...BREAKFAST!
• Not to mention it kick starts your metabolism too.
• Breakfast is literally the most important meal of the day...don't miss out on the benefits of it!!!
• Smoothies, eggs/toast, cereal, muffins, waffles & fresh fruit, etc. are just a few delicious options to start with.

9. Pack Your Bags

• Every morning I pack my purse/diaper bag for that days activities (bonus points: if you do it the night before)
• I also have my kiddos pack their own backpacks
• They fill up their sippy cups, put snacks in their bags, pull-ups, a few toys or books, etc. 
• I always pack 2 water bottles, nutrition bars/granola bars, trail mix, etc. 
• We are always ready to go do something fun and the kiddos get to learn a little independence in the process.

10. Get Out of the House

• Plan to do something outside the house every day...for their sanity and yours!
• You can go to the park, play in the backyard, go for a walk, or go to the zoo, aquarium, etc. 
• You could even have a playdate, go to the pool, have a picnic, go for a hike...it doesn't have to be anything huge, just find a reason to switch things up, it always helps to get a change of scenery. 
• If the kiddos are driving you crazy and you're all getting cabin fever...seriously its time to pack your bags and get out of the house for a bit. :) Believe me, you'll be thankful you did :).

Creating a Morning Routine

Living An Organized Life

photo by: Taylor Jay Photography

Scenario 1: You wake up to your children fighting with each other, cereal all over the floor, every book and toy scattered across the family room and are blasted with whatever odors are coming from the bathroom and garbage can...not to mention the dishes piled on the counters from the past three days. Does this sound familiar?

Scenario 2: You wake up to your alarm, get dressed and hit the gym. After your morning workout and shower, you have complete silence while you get ready for the day. You glance into a sparkling clean kitchen and a tidied up living room. You have some time to read your scriptures/meditate, plan out your day and eat breakfast in peace. You get started on unloading the dishwasher, throwing a load of laundry in the washer, and then smile and greet your kiddos with a good morning hug and smile.

Is Scenario 2 just a dream? No. It truly happens when you create a morning routine for yourself.
Living an organized life is the only way to prevent the chaos from creeping into your home, and the best way to invite peace, serenity and bliss into your home, family and life.

Living an Organized Life begins with what you do each morning...Your Morning Routine. 

10 Steps to a Successful Morning Routine:

1. Make Your Bed
2. Exercise
3. Shower & Get Ready for the Day
4. Study/Meditate/Pray
5. Unload Dishwasher/Wipe Counters
6. Do a Load of Laundry
7. Eat Breakfast
8. Pack your Bags
9. Get your kids ready for the day
10. Get out of the House