How’s your new morning routine going? I’m encouraged at the slow and steady progress I’m making each day in following my New Morning Routine. I might not be following my routine perfectly by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m getting a lot more done and staying a lot more focused.
Here’s how Day 4 went for me:
6:30 a.m. — My alarm goes off. I’m tired so I make the decision to sleep for another hour.
7:30 a.m. — My alarm goes off a second time. I get up and turn on my laptop as I have a project with an early morning deadline and it needs just a few finishing touches before it is done.
(As much as I’m trying not to turn on the laptop until my morning routine is done, you sometimes just have to do what you have to do — even if it means veering from the ideal. The good news? I was disciplined this morning and only stayed on for 15 minutes — just enough time to finish what had to be done. That’s progress, right??!)
7:45 a.m. — Project done, I shut down the laptop and head downstairs to the kitchen to clean up a small mess leftover from the evening before (we’d gone over to one of our friend’s houses for dinner and had brought some of the food… we’d gotten home late, so I just pretty much dumped the plates, bowls, cooler, and utensils in the kitchen and gone to bed. Yep, that’s how I roll sometimes!).
8:05 a.m. — I gather the dirty laundry from the bedrooms, sort it, and start some laundry.
8:11 a.m. — Silas is up so I help him get some breakfast. Jesse and I decide to let the girls sleep in for a bit since we were out late last night. Jesse and I chat a bit while I make coffee.
8:29 a.m. — I sit down in the living room with my coffee and read my Bible, write in my Blessings journal, and read 3 short chapters from Pursue the Intentional Life — I’m really being inspired and blessed by this book!
9:00 a.m. — I answer a few texts from friends — one asks me for prayer requests, another wonders if we can chat on the phone to catch up this afternoon or evening. I’m so blessed and thankful to have such wonderful friends in my life!
9:05 a.m. — The girls wake up and saunter down to the kitchen to get their breakfasts. I help Silas take a quick bath and get dressed.
9:12 a.m. — I switch the laundry and then sit down at the kitchen table with everyone and read one very long chapter from The Saturdays with the kids while they eat breakfast. Silas and Kaitlynn ask Jesse if he can help them make apple/carrot juice. So while I’m reading, he pulls out the juicer, helps them chop and wash the produce, and makes juice for them.
10:00 a.m. — We’re finally finished with the chapter and breakfast. Jesse sends the girls upstairs to get ready for the day and I delay my run and shower for a bit and instead open up my laptop to get started on my Morning Computer work.
This morning, I pretty didn’t follow the outline of New Morning Routine at all, but that’s life sometimes. You get home late the night before. You give yourself grace when you’re tired. And you just jump in where you are and do the best you can do!
How did you do on your morning routine on Day 4? Let us know in the comments!
Kimberly says
That’s a great morning routine. I personally love getting up early and doing some house cleaning. It relaxes me. Having a load in the laundry, dishwasher, something in the crockpot all while making up beds. It’s all about organization. Gives me time to think and pray.
Stacey says
My morning routine isn’t going so great. I’m just so tired in the mornings that I justify sleeping in. I have a 5 year old, 2 year old and 4 month old, so I think it’s okay to justify my sleeping in. 🙂 I’ll get there; slowly but surely. I can tell your cooler on the counter is a thirty one by the pattern, but do you remember which one it is? I love the size of it; I only have the small one. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Clare C. says
Love the Saturdays! I have 2 boys and 2 girls and found it so fun to reread these childhood favorites with my kids. Thanks for sharing your successes and setbacks, Crystal, with your morning routine. During the school year,I am up every day at 5:45 but during the summer, my husband is off from teaching and we all like to sleep a bit more. However, last week, hubby got a new teaching job and we are in full-blown, super- fast packing and moving mode right now so not sleeping in quite as much this summer. We need to declutter, pack, move, sell our house, and find a new abode in the next 5 weeks. Wish me speed with all of that! 🙂
Crystal Paine says
You can do it!!! I’m over here cheering for you! Here’s to a successful and very productive five weeks for you and a very smooth move!
Stephanie says
Last summer I read “Early to Rise” by Andy Traub, and need to revisit this book soon! It has some great ideas that you can modify to meet your needs. I see that he also now has a mom’s version of this book. Good stuff!
Cheryl says
I don’t know if am settled in a morning routine yet, but I got up early (6am) to run with a friend, and (I hate to say it) my morning went so much better. I hope it was not the novelty of beginner’s luck.
This is how the beginning of my routine went. I got in my morning exercise and listened to DAB. I showered and dressed for the day. I was sitting down for breakfast when my littlest one peeked around the corner. I did get some Bible memory review and email/calendar time in before we had to transition toward heading out the door.
I was so impressed with how waking up early helped my day, I wrote about it today.
I am enjoying reading your book. I am at the point in which you encourage writing goals down and keeping it in view. This is something that I have been thinking about doing (and putting off), so your words were an extra needed push. (My next step is to look up and print out goal sheets.)
Crystal Paine says
This makes me so very happy to read! I’m cheering you on in your success with your morning routine!
The Groundskeeper says
Today wasn’t as good as yesterday, but it was a bit easier to get moving once I was up. And I had a plan in place so when the kids woke earlier than normal I could adjust.
Thanks for the encouragement and accountability in this area.
Robin says
I wish I could be this motivated. I’m inspired reading these updates but then tend to be really hard on myself afterwards. I have a 4 yr old, 15 month old, and am pregnant with my third. I’m just exhausted. The thought of setting my alarm to wake up is almost comical.
Crystal Paine says
{hugs!} You’re in a MUCH different season than I am… and I well remember those days. Just get the rest you need, give yourself grace, and focus on doing a few simple things every morning, if possible. Celebrate your successes in the season you’re in and don’t compare yourself to someone who is in a completely different season!
Robin says
Thanks, Crystal. There was more to my comment that didn’t come through. Hope I didn’t sound snarky or ungrateful. I am blessed to have my kids and grateful for this pregnancy. The Lord is just taking us through a new season of life in a new city.
Elizabeth says
I was a huge Elizabeth Enright fan when I was a kid! I hope your children are enjoying The Saturdays. 🙂 I should find copies of her books and give them a re-read.
Crystal Paine says
We are really loving the book!
Amy says
Thanks for being so real, Crystal. I think we’ve all had mornings like that, but sometimes we feel like we are the only ones and everyone else has it all together. I really appreciate your transparency and attitude!
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thank you so much for your kind encouragement. We definitely have a lot of real-ness at this house… drop by anytime if you’d like to see it in person. 🙂
Amy says
Wish I could. We thought several years ago that we might move to Tennessee. After looking seriously at the Nashville area, it’s still high on the list of places I’d like to live. 🙂
Lori says
I would love to have a consistent routine, and that’s one of my goals for the summer cause I will start homeschooling my oldest in August. I have been setting my alarm for 8 but as soon as I walk out if the bedroom at least one kid is up if not all 3, so reading my bible or praying just isn’t the same with 3 little ones running around. I keep telling myself to try to get up earlier but I’m not an early riser 8 is pretty early for me. I think I will start trying for 7 and see how it goes.
Natalie P. says
You’ve just inspired me to start a morning routine.
Becki @Running with Team Hogan says
Our morning routine was a bit messed up by some extra tasks and getting ready for a field trip. I actually will need to do some of my morning routine even after lunch today, but I will get it done. 🙂
Heather says
My hubby has been home sick for two days in bed and I was all off schedule, but having him home to care for him was the priority. It’s amazing all the “chores” I can accomplish when being “quiet” 🙂 LOL! This morning he felt well enough to go to work, so I was up and cleaning like a mad woman when he left. Checked off this, checked off that etc etc etc. Back in the saddle…feeling good 🙂
Tammy says
I love reading your posts. I’ve been a regular reader of your site for over a year now and you have inspired me in many ways. I now have a more positive outlook, have reduced my grocery budget to $60 per week for a family of five, and am more organized. Thank you for what you do!
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thank you so very much for your kind encouragement! I am so very grateful to hear this!
Cheryl says
I love the updates too, I was up at 6: 30, (we had a later night with our friends too visiting and letting the kids play, I agree, so thankful for friends we’ve been blessed with) I had devos, husband out the door at 6:45-he makes his own oatmeal, takes care of the chickens, dog, etc and is up at 5:00, I started a load of laundry, baked a few loaves of banana bread and the kids had their breakfast, devos, and worked on their summer bridge books. We are supposed to get a new roof today and already had the shingles delivered, but its raining in MI. so maybe they’ll come tomorrow. Hope to clean our storage room today too…..Have a great day everyone!
Crystal Paine says
It sounds like you had a very productive morning! Way to go!
Jessi says
I had a late night as well last night but that meant I had to get up earlier to fit in a shower. So, I was up at 4:45, took much less time to get ready for the day than I anticipated and my daycare attendance is low today so I had a very quiet morning with about 45 extra minutes to relax 🙂 Now, my struggle is getting my momentum going again now that the kids are off to school and I’ve done my morning routine. It’s almost morning snack time and I still haven’t done our morning lessons because I’ve been snuggling with the 31/2 month old I take care of. He’s so sweet!
I have finally gotten into a routine where I get all of the important things done first, saving a few for nap time and then have the flexibility to go with the flow and plenty of time to give them all of the attention and love I have throughout the day. I guess that’s the beauty of working for myself and being at home.
Crystal Paine says
4:45 is EARLY! Glad to you got to have some breathing room in your morning!
Jennifer says
Love seeing a Thirty-One thermal on your counter!!! 😀 Those things are amazing, I use mine all the time!!!
This challenge has been perfect for me because my husband just started a new job this week and it’s the first time EVER he’s actually working the same hours every single day, every single week. We are loving the ability to get into a routine and I’m noticing SUCH a difference not only in how much I’m getting done and how much smoother everything is running, but also just in my mood and outlook every morning! Thanks for doing this and helping us stay accountable!
Crystal Paine says
We LOVE that thermal, too!
And yay for a consistent work schedule for your husband! That can make SUCH a difference!
Ashley P says
lol. Same morning routine I always have. But that may be changing soon. They’re thinking of changing my hubby’s work shift by an hour.
I WISH I could get up at 6:30 AM! My alarm is set for 5:40, but I’m usually up before then. I made coffee for my team at work, fed the baby his bottle and his oatmeal. Dressed. Made my lunch for work. Ate breakfast, played with the baby a few minutes. Brushed my teeth, picked up stuff off the living room floor, and went to work. All by 7 AM. Did my Bible study on the train (FINALLY finished the book of Exodus. I love God’s Word, I just sometimes wish some parts weren’t so hard to slog through. Leviticus is looming for tomorrow. Praying I can get some insight out of it.)
Praying the rest of your day goes well. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
You’re AMAZING! I read this and was so inspired! Thanks for sharing!
Ashley P says
lol. I wouldn’t call myself amazing. It doesn’t take long to throw on a blouse and the same pair of maternity pants I’ve been wearing every week for a year. (I outgrew all my other pants after I got pregnant and just haven’t been able to afford any new clothes since I had my baby.)
You’re the amazing one. I wish i could do half the stuff you do in a morning. I wish I could afford to stay home and raise my son properly. But it’s just not in God’s will for us right now.
Stay awesome.
Jolene says
I had to laugh at the “slog through” comment you made! I say exactly the same thing about Leviticus. It kills me to read all the rules over and over, but they are there for a reason. Happy slogging! I always tell myself to just hang in there until Ruth, what a breath of fresh air that is for me.
Ashley P says
lol. Ruth is one of my favorite books. If I can make it through the next 3 books, I can reach Joshua. It’s another great book. I’m actually reading the Bible through in chronological order. It was odd stopping in the middle of Genesis to read Job.
Elizabeth says
Yeah life sometimes throws us curve balls. I know I didn’t roll out of bed until I had to when at 7:20 my husband told me I had to get up (for good reason he was going out the door for work so I would have snoozed until I was late for work). Just seemed like every time I needed to go to bed last night I found something that had to be done like pets being fed or the dog being let out so it was well past midnight and then back up at 4:30 for some reason and found out the reason was that while my husband was pout putting the sheets on the bed since I hadn’t yet from washing them that morning he put sheets on top of hangers so he boobytrapped my sleep!
Ah life.
I don’t really have a schedule. I know I should, I just don’t especially with my kids gone with the grandparents. It’s Up, Coffee, Computer, Shower/Dress, Work… repeat. I decided to write down times as I piddled around the house yesterday morning and it makes me look scatter brained how many different things I bounce between LOL.
Well hopefully your morning went better today. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
The comment about sheets on top of hangers cracked me up! 🙂
beth says
is Jessie home from work now for awhile. Or does he have much later start times. What fun you can have a relaxing morning and spend time with your hubby at the same time.
Thanks for the glimpses into your life. You encourage by being real!
Crystal Paine says
Since we moved to TN, he now works from home! We’re loving it! You can read more about it here:
https://moneysavingmom.com/2014/05/im-happy-back-moved-nashville.html
Rachel says
I have three boys 11y/o who sleeps in, a 5y/o who wakes up with the grumps almost every morning, and 2y/o who wakes up between 6 and 630 and is very busy and unpredictable, I use to be a morning person and wake up before the kids and have my coffee and Jesus time, but the last several months, Im craving sleep, Ive been going to bed by 930 and cant seem to get going in the mornings, and I try my routine, but the two younger ones are off and fighting, hungry asap, crying for help with some frustration, I can’t wake up at 4 to get some quiet time or “alone” time because then Id be exhausted by 8am and done for most of the day. Its a difficult season right now, three boys who bicker and and are so needy.
Rachel says
It’s definitely a season of God working on my selflessness and patient because my time is no time, can you tell Im venting right now, every time I start a drawer to clean out or down in the basement trying to get laundry switched, someone is looking for me, or someone pushed someone or whatever it may be, a very trying time in our house hold, plus Ive been working on a quiet voice and not yelling so much. I guess the work will get done eventually, my boys are young once, and this is the training season of life. 🙂
Tracy S. says
I’m right there with ya, Rachel! My 9 yo is usually ok but we have moments. The 2 and 4 yo’s are trying. I’ve got an early bird as well. And I’m also working on the yelling thing. Last night was not one of my finer moments. Praying for you as I pray for me. 🙂
Ashley P says
I’m sorry you seem to be going through a rough season. I pray you find encouragement. Quiet time doesn’t have to be first thing in the morning. I do my Bible reading on the morning train to work. I just use the Bible app on my phone.
Maybe read one chapter at night on your phone or tablet before you go to bed. Or download a free audio Bible to your iPod and play it while you clean house. That’s the only way I get to read books anymore is by listening to them.
Or make it a family thing. Read a Bible story to the kids at or before bedtime. It may not be perfect, but every little bit helps. Heck, read a chapter on the potty if you have to! It’s better than nothing, and most people take their phones into the restroom with them anyway, whether they mean to or not.
You are an amazing woman and a dedicated mommy. Being a mommy to rambunctious boys is not easy! (I know. I only have one, and he’s a handful al by himself!) Do the best that you can, and give yourself grace when things don’t go according to plan. God knows your heart.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.- Matthew 11:28
Glori says
What beautiful, practical encouragement…I got teary eyes, because I need this so much myself, thank you Jesus for using your children to encourage one another…
Crystal Paine says
{Hugs!} Rachel: I just prayed for some special encouragement and strength for you today. I’m so sorry you’re going through a hard season. Hang in there!
Sarah E @The Teacher's Wife says
I’ve really enjoyed reading these posts since I’m working on my morning routine as well! And it makes me feel better seeing you sleep in an extra hour b/c you needed the sleep – it happens to the best of us!! 🙂
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement!
Chelsea says
I chuckled and wondered if your “staying out late” meant past 10pm…that’s my definition! Our morning after looks much the same, with everyone slowly wandering into the kitchen looking for food. I love the freedom that homeschooling brings, and we can enjoy a lazy morning routine when need be without rushing out the door.
Crystal Paine says
Yes, it’s amazing how your definition of “staying out late” changes when you have young children! 🙂
Jill F. says
You followed it, just not on the same timetable.
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thanks so much for the encouragement!
Tracy S. says
I payed in bed for about 15 minutes after my alarm and so was a little slow starting my day. But the kids were a little later than usual starting theirs as well so it all worked out. 🙂 I’m making progress. My husband and I had a night alone and ended up staying out of town on a whim and I still woke up at 6. Lol
Thanks for being so real with us. That’s something that I’ve appreciated about you since I started reading when our oldest kids were babies. 🙂 you’re a blessing!
Crystal Paine says
Yay! You’re doing a great job!
{And thanks for being such a long-time reader!}
T says
That’s great that the girls like apple/carrot juice. What kind of juicer do you have and do you recommend it? I have been thinking about a juicer but I don’t know anyone who has one to ask what they like or don’t like about it. Thank you.
P.S. I love that you give yourself grace when you are tired, etc. 🙂 Have a good day.
Crystal Paine says
We got ours on Amazon years ago. It’s an inexpensive model, but has served us well.
Sarah Mae says
These are so fun to read! I just completed my second day of getting up at 4:30am to do the couch to 5K, drink coffee, and read the Scriptures before my kids get up. One day at a time…
🙂
Crystal Paine says
Thanks for your kind encouragement! And WOW — 4:30?? You’re an inspiration!
Lety says
Good morning, Crystal 🙂 I agree with you. As much as we try, it’s not always possible to have everything go as we planned.
My routine is very basic: Bible reading, Prayer, Journal, Exercise, breakfast, and shower. So I have been doing well following it, but not yet to perfection. Yesterday was a good morning; it went as I hoped.
I am also especially pleased because I wake-up in enough time to get my morning routine done before any early appointments.
I woke-up in the wee hours today, so I got a head start with a couple of things. The others will need to wait til my husband wakes up. I am going to try to get more rest til then, but sleep does not come easy for me. I will let you know tomorrow how it goes 🙂
Happy and blessed day!!!
Crystal Paine says
You’re doing SUCH a great job! Keep it up!