Organized Much?

I guess that one thing that is really relevant in our life right now is that we now have two little people to juggle instead of one ;-) Since I am trying to be better at blogging I thought I'd touch on the topic of how organization is so key to me.I was reminded last week that having more than one child is totally manageable BUT only if you are organized! I had the toughest time making it through the week last week all because I went out of town for 4 days and when we came back I just let the laundry pile up, did not go to the grocery store in a timely manner etc...All week long I did just enough to get by. Whew!! That was EXHAUSTING constantly wondering what was around the corner that I needed to do. This week I vowed to get back on track which meant about an hour or two of prep on Sunday for the upcoming week which in the big scheme of things is not much and it just makes you feel so good it's worth it!!

The kids go to Mother's Day Out 3 mornings a week while I work so I packed each bag with the necessities for each day in a gallon ziploc. For Parker that means each ziploc has two burp cloths, extra bib and 4 diapers. Then I refreshed the wipes container in the bag for the week meaning all I have to do is add bottle items each day and extra outfit if he used the extra one I sent. For Cooper this means I put 5 diapers in his bag, wipes and a change of clothes. For Cooper's lunch I took three ziploc bags and added the non perishable items to each bag so all I have to do on those days is add a juice box and a PBJ and we are good to go. I also lay out each of them an outfit at the end of each day so the next day we have what we want to wear and it's super easy. It might seem silly but ALL of these things make a huge difference in how the day begins. It is not fun running around packing the bag each day and wondering if I got it all.

Also, on Sunday I am spending about 30 minutes of my 2 hours getting recipes ready for the next week. I have begin planning out very specific meals for each day and them I make the most detailed grocery list possible so that I do not get sidetracked when going to the store. Coupons are not in my realm of vision right now unless the literally fall into my lap so a list is helpful and when I can pick back up with coupons I will. It is a process. 

Another thing that I am fighting to make a priority is exercise. And yes it is a fight right now because there is this ever present guilt at times that maybe I should not be taking this extra time for myself on top of the 14 hours a week I am away from the kids with work. Then I snap back from the land of mom guilt and realize that my health and well being is what my kids need from me. They need me to lose weight, eat healthier and live a more active lifestyle so they will grow up healthier and honestly so I can keep up with them!! So, to accomplish this I start the week out with a plan to workout and also a few backup workouts I can do if things go awry somewhere in there which it is usually bound to with kiddos. It has proved that I can fit in time to workout and it does make me feel so much better. I also love that when I say we have to go the YMCA now Cooper says we have to go so mommy can get her workout in. I like that he knows I am active and trying to make a difference.

As far as my house goes I spend about 30 minutes each night doing what I call a clean sweep ;-0 Basically, I put all dirty clothes in the hamper, throw away all diapers we have rolled up that never made it to the trash, fold all blankets strewn around, load and unload the dishwasher and sweep. All that sounds ridiculous and like it would take WAY more than 30 minutes but that is the best spent half hour of the day because it ensures I can wake up in the morning to a semi clean house which to me also just helps me feel more together for the day. 

Those are just a few of my tricks. If anyone has better ones (which I am sure many of you do) give me a shout and let me know what they are. I am taking all the help I can get these days!