Good Monday morning!
Our new fall homeschool/work schedule begins today… and I’m really happy with the schedule Jesse and I worked out together. Now, I just have to commit to being faithful and disciplined to get up early for it to work. 🙂
I had originally landed on 5:30 a.m. as my wake up time. But then, we looked at the schedule as a whole, talked about our goals, and realized we needed to bump things earlier in order for Kathrynne to have her school done in time to make it to her afternoon swim practice.
In addition to that, Jesse had already committed to be up by 5 a.m. four mornings each week — three for his early-morning workout time with a group of guys here and one for his early-morning Men’s Group meeting with guys from our church.
So, we decided to just bite the bullet and set 4:30 a.m. as our wake-up time. Yes, I know, we might be a wee bit crazy. Or a lot more than a wee bit crazy. 🙂
However, I’m in the middle of writing my third book and this will allow me enough time to have two blogging/writing blocks of time per day (one in the early morning before the kids get up, one in the afternoon after my homeschooling time with the kids is done and Jesse takes over the homeschooling/afternoon activities).
Plus, this will also allow me to have some good one-on-one time teaching/working with each of the kids and some relaxed and laid-back family time/time to hang out with friends in the late afternoon/evenings — both things that are big priorities in my life right now.
This all sounds good and well on paper, but we’ll see how it actually shakes out in real-life. 🙂 I believe the number one key will be my own personal discipline to actually go to bed by 9 p.m. every night. I haven’t been doing so hot with my bedtimes recently, so that’s for sure going to be my biggest challenge.
Which is why I’m so glad I committed to blog about this 10-day Rise & Shine Challenge from The Abundant Mama. Folks, I need this.
I need the swift kick in the behind to get back to being much more intentional about my mornings. And to make early rising a habit again.
Today’s Rise & Shine Challenge Assignment
Today’s assignment was to consider what your ideal morning would feel like, how it would flow, and what sounds you would want to hear.
For me, an ideal morning starts early. Yes, maybe as early as 4:30 a.m. 😉
It involves spending time in God’s Word and prayer first thing. Drinking coffee. Exercising. Showering and getting dressed in something that makes me feel great. Doing a little cleaning. And then attacking my morning computer work, emails, and blogging with energy and efficiency.
My ideal morning is getting up at least a few hours before my kids do and taking some time to prepare my heart and self for the day plus getting all the morning business work out of the way before my kids even wake up. I know that’s not always possible, but that is what ideal looks like for me.
As far as sounds go… probably the most important sound would be the sound of quiet. 🙂 Second on there would be the sound of appliances running — washer/dryer and dishwasher. And maybe a little bit of upbeat music in my headphones for part of the morning. But mostly quiet. Have I mentioned that I relish quiet?? 🙂
This Morning’s Report
- Got up at 4:30 a.m.
- Read my Bible, prayed, read a chapter from a devotional book and a few devotions from two other books.
- Took a short 10-minute cat-nap because I couldn’t keep my eyes open (I’m all about keeping it real!)
- Felt more energized (it’s amazing what a short nap can do!) Made some iced coffee.
- Exercised, showered, dressed.
- Switched the laundry and took the big pile of clean laundry out to the living room couch to fold later this morning.
- Cleaned out my inbox. Scheduled some posts. Then wrote this post. All before 7:30 a.m. Woot!!
Allison says
So, what would you suggest if you have small children that get up at 4am everyday? Getting up before them isn’t realistic for me, but I would welcome any advice to making the morning better.
Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life says
Sounds like a wonderful morning! And wow to getting up at 4:30! Depending on when we go to bed, my goal is to get up between 5 and 6. I have really thoughtful children, though, who like to make sure I am awoken nice and early most mornings. Yesterday, my oldest woke me up at 4:45 to tell me he needed to go to the bathroom. I really don’t mind the wake up calls much. I am happy for the quiet mornings because it is truly the only time during the day when the house is actually quiet.
I’m going to check out the link to the challenge. A little accountability/inspiration is helpful. Thanks for sharing!
Lauren says
I need a getting to bed on time challenge please.
Crystal Paine says
Great idea — we need to do that sometime!
Olivia says
I like the idea of this but I can’t find a way to fit it in consistently. I’m a nurse and work later hours and wake up to and infant at 6:30am. On the off chance I do get up before him, I don’t get much time to myself.
Gina says
I just signed up tonight since I just saw it while catching up on my emails. This is what I’ve been wanting to do for some time now, just couldn’t get the motivation to get started! My biggest challenge is getting to bed at a decent time, too, so I can feel rested enough to get up early to start my routine before my son needs to get up for school. My ideal routine would be to get up by 4:45, start with exercise, shower & get dressed for work, coffee with devotionals/Bible study/prayer time, catch up on emails, get my son up by 6:15, fix breakfast & my lunch (he eats at school), & be out the door by 6:55 to take him to school & be on my way to work. I really feel like this routine would start my day on a positive note, instead of the rushed & stressful mornings we normally have! I love it! Can’t wait to read my email tomorrow! Thanks for doing this!
Maria says
I’ve challenged myself to get up by 4am. I have the past two mornings, though I haven’t quite made it to bed earlier.
I like silence when I wake up. I like getting up, reading my Bible and drinking water, and taking my shower before anyone else is awake (my youngest has been getting up at 5:30am the past two morning, which is odd, so the 4am is working out).
What makes me cringe is when my youngest starts whining and wailing because she woke up on the wrong side of bed and hearing the word “no” (usually to a request for fruit snacks for breakfast) makes her start the wailing. I’ve come to the realization that when she does it, the high pitch reminds me of her colicky baby cry, and it’s not something I want to go through again.
I’m trying to do this challenge, plus a decluttering the house goal, and I’m also trying to drink about 90 ounces of water a day. So far I’ve done all of them yesterday and today. I want to get back into doing my exercise DVDs again, which I’m hoping to add in once I get used to waking up at 4am.
Shawn says
A morning like that means only one thing … feeling like a rock star! 🙂 So glad you’re feeling on top of it all right now. I’m a total grouch when I am not up for at least a half hour before the rest of my house so I can get a few things done as well. Thanks for doing the challenge, and writing about it!
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for the inspiration to do this challenge!
SusanL says
This is a great example of different strokes for different folks! I get up at 7:30 and that works well for us. I have no need (or desire) to see 4:30 in the morning! 🙂
But I think the best takeaway from this challenge is that if your own routine isn’t working for you… shake it up and try something else. You don’t have to do what Crystal is doing, but just be open to trying something different.
Crystal Paine says
Yes! So very true and this is the takeaway I’m hoping everyone will get… it’s not about doing what someone else does, but examining whether what you’re doing is working and, if not, what you can do to improve it.
Bonnie says
I like this challenge, but I’m not at a point in my life when I can do this yet. 🙂 I remember you writing about early mornings once, and you mentioned that we should give ourselves grace if getting up early isn’t feasible for this season (I’m nursing an infant who has just started sleeping through the night). I look forward to getting up earlier and getting more done before the kids wake up. But right now, I know that I am at my limit of productivity even though it doesn’t always look like I have gotten much done.
Crystal Paine says
Yes, definitely. Give yourself grace. You are in one of those seasons, mama. Just soak up those infant snuggles — and get your rest!
Jennifer says
I am not a morning person. I am a night owl. I have struggled with insomnia since childhood. I.usually get everything ready at night so all I have to do is get up, make my juice or smoothie, and go. This year my son will be in pre-k and I am a full time college student. I have scheduled days for housework and laundry. During semester my house usually looks like a war zone. I volunteer my time with different families from church and friends and am looking forward to volunteering again at school with my son.
DevouredShannon says
I am so with you on relishing the quiet time! I decided to take the challenge too! Thanks so much for sharing it!
Melissa says
I relish quiet in the morning as well!
Kimberly says
This is wonderful! I have really needed to start getting up earlier. But not just that, I need to get moving earlier. I tend to take my time getting around which defeats the purpose. I am really going to take some time today and think about my ideal morning. So far this one has been less than ideal with a dry cereal food fight and temper tantrums from my two toddlers LOL
Christy says
Got up at 5am. Seriously debating crawling back under the covers. Got up and put a load of laundry in the washer. Made me some iced coffee. Took vitamins. Prayed the rosary. Snoozed til 6am(13 minutes) when I needed to wake the older boys to get them started with their day.
Jessica Norris says
4:30 am isn’t crazy to me at all! My husband and I have been getting up between 4:00 and 4:30 for a while now. Now I’m cranky if I accidentally oversleep – I loooove having all that quiet time in the morning before my three kids wake up. I came to the same realization you did – that even getting up at 5:00 am didn’t leave enough time to get everything done. Now, my husband and I are usually in bed by 9 pm (sometimes even 8 or 8:30), but that doesn’t bother me because I’m not productive at all in the evenings. I’m going to join in on the challenge – I’d like to get more consistent about doing this, even on the weekends.
Lisa says
I love this! The Lord convicted my heart a little while back, about the importance of having my own morning routine before arising the kids. We homeschool, as well, and I know that I have been gifted with the power to set the tone for the day, aka-I need to be on top of my game! My quiet time, reading, devotionals, prayer, journaling, housework, exercise and shower. I have found, when I discipline myself with this morning routine, my overall attitude is better, and who doesn’t want that 😉
Tina haag says
Hi. As per the pic I did receive email confirmation. Unfortunately I have received not any other email. I was excited to do this challenge and I replied to
The emails sent to me. I hope that I was the only one who missed the challenge today. Tonight after still no email I did a google search to find this. I had in my calendar it started on the 18th. I also
Added it to my email address book and checked my spam mail. Nothing. I guess that’s just an excuse to sleep till 6:15 again, LOL. Please let me know how I was to receive the posts and challenge?
Sincerely, Tina
Tina haag says
Sorry. It won’t let me post a screen shot of my conformational email where I signed up for the challenge. Tina
Crystal Paine says
Be sure to email The Abundant Mama about this as she’s the one running this challenge and sending out the emails. Hopefully, you’re able to get it to work!
Ann says
I have struggled with mornings all summer. I am definitely a morning person, but I have not been consistent with my bedtimes, or wake up times. My ideal morning would be relaxed and quiet. I don’t want to be rushed, but I want to be productive. Typically I get up, exercise, get ready for the day, do my Bible study, make breakfast, and get lunch ready. It’s a really great morning when I can also get some cleaning done. For the most part, my mornings go this way, although I do live with 3 roommates, so sometimes my morning doesn’t go as planned. 🙂
Rachel says
Great job on your morning! My ideal morning looks similar. I wake up, read my devotional, Bible verses, pray, journal, exercise, shower and get ready for work. That’s my ideal. But right now, I need this challenge! I went back to work (teacher) last week and so far my morning is NOT looking like I want. Yet. Thanks for posting this challenge. I need to get back into the swing of things.
Melissa Lohrey says
Love your blogs and posts but there is no way we could go to bed at 9 we strive for 10 or 10:30. Our kids our involved in school sports and some nights we don’t get in until 9:30.
Crystal Paine says
Please don’t feel like you have to get to bed at 9 — that’s just the time our family has chosen right now for this season.
I know that that crazy early time would not work for many families — especially if you have older children! I’m a big fan of doing what works for you and your family, so if you’ve got something good going, definitely don’t change it!
alicia says
Perfect timing Crystal 🙂 my husband and I were just discussing our fall schedule. The kids start school in 2 weeks and I have both a morning and evening routine that help our home run smoothly …. my goal is 6am wake up, walk the dog, breakfast and coffee, computer time, shower, dressed … back packs ready and wake the kids at 7:30! They leave home at 8:25! Looking forward to the challenge…
Karyn says
I hear you Crystal. O dark thirty may seem daunting but, if it works, Great! I’m up at 0430 to get to work in time, so I figured based on “my ideal morning” would mean rising at 0530. That is technically sleeping in so, I’m happy with that! See you tomorrow!
Sonya says
Sounds like you did great today. Today was also our first day of back to homeschooling. I forgot to set my alarm so I woke up at 6:30 am and my kids woke up shortly after. Tonight I have to remember to set my alarm so I can wake up before my kids.
Eileen says
We did 4:30 for about 10 years, then my husband had the option of going to work even earlier so for the last 2 years we get up at 3:30. A little harder but love reading my Bible when there are no distractions!!
Emily says
Your ideal morning looks PERFECT! Although I think I would prefer a slightly later wake up time. 5:30-6? When I end up getting up early, I always love and enjoy my morning time. It’s the most beautiful time of day and makes me wish I could get myself up early every day. (I tend more towards being a night owl…I waste time so easily in the evenings.) Here is the reason that I find it hard to get up so early. The rest of the day (once both my daughters are up) just looms at me. I enjoy the first few minutes/hours then once they are up the day just seems to get so long, especially when my husband works late. I Love, Love! staying at home with my girls, it can just get long when he works late. So when I get up early, I just think I have 13 hours until he gets home…13 hours alone with the girls just seems long when I start my day even earlier. Any tips??
Sharon T says
Well, I missed it. So I’ll start in the morning. I love an early morning routine. We started school today, so I was up a bit late making last minute preps. Spent last week driving from home to Virginia to drop our oldest off for her first college experience. This mama was tired and anxious and missing someone special. My problem is getting to bed earlier, getting up isn’t a problem at all. My youngest is to be 5 soon and she is an early riser. The catnap in the afternoon is FANTASTIC.
We’ll see how we do starting tomorrow!!
Brooke says
I desperately want to be a morning person. However I work part time out of the home three nights a week until midnight. By the time I get home and wound down from my work day it is usually 1:15-1:30 by the time I’m asleep. My husband gets up in the mornings with the kids. Any tips from others about how else to balance this? Thanks!
Sherry says
Perfecting timing for this challenge. I need to do exactly the same thing, but not as early as 4:30am. I’m thinking 5:30am would work for me. The kids up at 6:00am, ready to eat by 6:20am and all of us out the door by 6:45am. I’ve got a plan. Now, I just need to follow through with it.
Ronda Lewis says
This is perfect timing because I really need to work on getting more sleep. Like so many others, I am not a morning person. I’m ready to go once I have my shower. It’s lifting my head up off the pillow, putting my feet on the floor, and getting to the shower that is a challenge. I’m in a different phase of life than many of you. I am retired and babysit full time for my 2-year old grandson which is my “dream” job. I tend to go to bed late, stay in bed until the last minute in the morning, and rush around to be ready for his arrival. In a few weeks, his little sister arrives so I will have an infant and a toddler when my daughter goes back to work. I truly want to get in the habit NOW of getting up early enough to do devotions, have a cup of coffee and a little quiet time. I am looking forward to joining the challenge.
Becki @Running with Team Hogan says
I’m excited for this new challenge. A few of my friends (and readers) have recently shared with me about wanting to have an earlier morning. I blogged about the challenge and got some of my friends to sign up with me. http://runningwithteamhogan.com/what-does-a-good-morning-look-like-rise-and-shine-challenge-day-1/
Den says
I don’t understand the obsession with getting up so early? We all have the same amount of time to use every day…..what difference if you are up from 5 am – 9 pm or 8 am – midnight? Why fight your body’s needs? I understand wanting to get things done before the kids get up, but you can do the same stuff after they go to bed at night.
I loved getting up with my kids at 7:30 in the morning, slowly starting our day with a good breakfast, being productive all day, a nice dinner, then baths and bedtime by 8 pm. I then had 3 or 4 hours of quiet before I went to bed and it was something to look forward to and savor at the end of a day. It also helped us socialize with friends and family on the weekends – hard to go to a cookout if I have to be in bed at 8 pm….and switching from weekday bedtime to weekend bedtime is rough.
Whatever works best for your body clock and your family is fine, but earlier does not necessarily mean better.
Crystal Paine says
For our family, it works SO much better… like, crazy, amazingly better (as evidenced by our day so far today)! I just don’t seem to have at all the same amount of productivity in the evenings that I do in the mornings.
However, I know that other schedules work better for other families. So, as I often say, do what works best for your family.
If you’ve got something good going, definitely don’t change it. 🙂
Stephanie says
Up at 6:15 this morning. Showered, dressed, started a load of laundry, and helped my 1st grader get ready for school. At this age, she’s able to do a lot more on her own to get herself ready. 🙂 I walked her to school, which is 20 minutes of exercise (round-trip) for me. Came home, paid some bills, planned my menu and grocery list for the week, folded laundry. Got a lot done this a.m. and will actually have some time to myself this afternoon before school lets out.
Bobbie says
your post is amazing timing again – been asking God for help in this very area! Your ideal morning sounds EXACTLY the way I would write mine…well except for the excercise part..haha! Thank you for sharing!
Diana says
This is great timing b/c my hubby is starting grad school classes this week. We actually need to get up earlier so that we *can* go to bed earlier! We’re thinking the only way for him to be able to get everything done is to have the kids in bed earlier, which means we have to start the day earlier. (And if anyone has any tips for moving kids’ bedtimes earlier I’d love to hear them!)
I really want to be up by 7 at the latest every day. I’m hoping to be able to bump that back to 6:45 at some point. Thanks for the encouragement, Crystal!
Carrie says
I get up at 4:30 everyday. I try to straighten up the house and exercise before the kids get up at 7. Bus comes at 8:15.
Melissa says
How did my morning go? Um, the baby finally succumbed to sleep at 7:30 – just as the toddler woke up. Brought the toddler to bed to hang out with me so I could rest a bit more. I fell asleep and said toddler found the pen on my nightstand and proceeded to draw all over her arms… Wishing for the day I get back to being able to have a routine!
Christina says
I wake up Monday thru Friday at 4am! I wake up with my husband, make his lunch and see him off to work. At first it was a struggle to stay awake, but you get used to it. At night we have been in bed by 8 some nights. So you will probably have no problem being in bed by 9! In time you will get used to it, and probably finding yourself awake at 6 even in the weekends because that’s sleeping in!!! You can do this!!!
Carrie says
I’m the same way. I sometimes sleep til 6:30 on Sundays! I consider that sleeping in!
Suzanne says
You all are so inspiring! No snooze button for me tomorrow – that’s my challenge.
denise says
Thank you for the great suggestion. I made the 5a.m. wake up. Had a cup of coffee with my daily bible reading.And then was blessed with with a message from a granddaughter that had been taken from our family as a infant. God is amazing. Without your suggestion I could of slept through it. Thanks for a great web site
Miranda says
Though I am typically up between 3 and 330, I am trying to be more intentional with my morning routine. I have to return to work in 2 weeks following 2 months of maternity leave. So in the mornings I need to prepare husband’s lunch and breakfast, dinner, breakfast for myself and 2 y/o, devotional, prayer, clean kitchen, sweep kitchen, fold a load of laundry, one in the dryer and another ready to go when I return from work, do one cleaning task, exercise, care for the animals, pick veggies in the garden, pack my lunch, and get the kids ready for the sitter. This morning, all of the above was accomplished by 830 except: exercise, dinner, folding a whole load of laundry, and picking veggies, however I did work on a 2month menu plan. My goal is to do this 4/5 days next week WITHOUT losing my joy or patience!
Emily says
My normal wake up time is 6. I’m thankful my husband is consistent about getting up on time because that helps me. This morning I slept in till 7 because I am dealing with severe neck pain and I just couldn’t move.
Typically, Hubby and I will wake at 6 come down stairs and have coffee/breakfast/Bible Time until about 7. Our 13 month old wakes anytime between 6-8, so usually something doesn’t get finished.
I need to be better about showering and getting dressed for the day. If I shower right when I wake up, I’m sure to wake up my son….
Hannah Diane says
We get up at 4am every morning! I make my husband breakfast, get his lunch ready, see him off to work. Then I workout, excercise, blog, shower and get to life. Ha! Lots of cleaning, and on the days I work, I go to work.
Ashley says
I got up at 5:00am this morning when my hubby got up to get ready and leave for work. I took a quick shower and got dressed then spent some time on my computer, cleaning it up since its been acting up lately. Logged on and checked my classes since they started today. My kiddos start school on Wednesday but it was a later than planned night last night enjoying the last weekend night of summer so I let them sleep till they got up which started with 1 of 4 being up at about 8:30 followed by the other 2 boys and my oldest my daughter is still in bed. They have to be up between 6:30-7:00am when school starts on Wednesday. We are hoping to be moving in the next few weeks so trying to get all packed and looking forward to being in the new house where I will be able to start a load of laundry and clean up kitchen in AM before kids are up (this is not possible in this house as the noise wakes them up). My ideal morning noise would be the local news on my computer or the radio turned down low while I work on my computer before kids get up. Looking forward to a very productive week with this challenge.
Marty says
Crystal, you go, girl! Very inspiring and logical.
So I feel like a complete and total slacker, I was just glad to be showered and dressed by 9:30. Life with my teens during the summer is a total clock flip. We stay up late, and wake late. Next week, our transition for school starts. By the time school starts we should be back on track.
amber says
I would live to hear more about how you homeschool. We are just starting out this year.
Cheryl says
Next week my kids start back to school and my usual wake up time is at 5:15 then. I work part -time (tues/&thurs) and have the 2 weeks off so this week is my get ready, get set for the new school/home /work schedule and it went well. Up at 6:15 devos, coffeee, chat with hubby, he’s out the door at 7:00. Starting folding the weekend laundry from our up north trip and worked on 2 more loads. (skipped a.m. walk today since I had alot to catch up on) Kids up after 7:00, breakfast, they did their morning jobs. Took some treats to the chickens and had the dog out for a bit. I organized my list/schedule for the week. Thanks for the extra inspiration for getting started this week!
Carrie Willard says
My ideal morning looks much like this morning did:
* Got up at 5:30
* Wrote a blog post about my new, improved large family laundry system
* Practiced my French
* Meanwhile my sweet hubby brought me hot tea and cheese toast
I’m pregnant and on this weird bedtime-at-7pm-up-at-5 schedule but it works fine. 🙂
debbie says
Up at 5:15am for work. Showered, breakfast, coffee, email, and out the door only to get to work at 7am and found out they were overstaffed for the day so back home I went. Hoping to get a lot accomplished on my unexpected day off.
Sakura says
I’m working on 5 am, this allows time to get a few things done before I have to get my son ready for school in the morning. This morning it was 5:45, but I’ll get there. I love getting to bed early, this has been very new for me.
Carol@simple_catholic says
Good luck getting up at 4:30! I am trying to get myself up by 6:30, but like you, I am not always consistent in getting up early enough. 🙂
Courtney says
Definitely need to try this!!! Still waking up with a one month old at night so I have to give myself some grace, but my goal is bedtime at 9 and wake up at 6. If my kids wake me up in the morning I just start out grumpy, so hopefully by waking up and being functional before they wake up the day will run smoother.
Lucy says
Definitely give yourself some slack. When mine were still getting up at night, I never tried to get up any earlier than I had to. I was SO TIRED all the time. 🙂
Courtney says
Yeah. 🙂 well I plan on taking full advantage of afternoon nap time! That’s going to be my trade off
Amanda B says
I woke up at my same time I do everyday without an alarm – 7 am. The goal is to start waking at 6 so that I can get in a morning exercise, shower, and get ready so I can focus on breakfast and the kids.
Our homeschool day starts at 9 but I would love for it to start at 8. Which means the kids need to be up at 7 so we have all our chores done by the time school starts. Plus it is a guarantee that a 7 am wakeup will result in 2 of my kids going down for a nap and that is when I’m able to focus on my stuff.
Just like you Crystal, I struggle with going to bed early enough. I need to bite the bullet and do it. Midnight bedtimes don’t work for me and the kids aren’t cooperative the next day.
Here’s to 10 days of changing my outlook and focusing on me and rising early.
Best of luck everyone!
Natasha Bowen says
Got it to work! Signed up…a day late, but ready to get started tomorrow!
Karla says
4:30 A.M is a little to crazy for me but you go girl! My problem is we live in an older house with all hardwoods upstairs. The kids have super power hearing and at the sound of the slightest creak they are up. The best I did this morning was up at 7am and checking my email/FB on my phone and spending some “me” time in bed before the littles come barreling in.
Kelly says
Same here – my kids are very light sleepers so I can’t really do housework in the mornings. Everything has seasons, though; when they were tiny they would get up at 5-6am EVERY day, and I can see myself posting in a few years complaining that my teenagers sleep too much. ; ) It’s all good.
Robyn says
Yup! I’ll attest to this! One of my kids used to get up at 4:45 a.m. EVERY DAY no matter what time he went to sleep at night. (So he went to bed at 6:30!!)
Now, he’s a teen and sleeps like a log. He woke up at 11:30 today. No joke! It really DOES happen!
Oh, and the teens are back to napping so they can stay up late with their friends (for a few more days until school starts).
There is hope, ladies. Those crazy no-sleep toddlers really WILL be sleepyhead teens one day!! (And, yes, I LOVE it. I can get up at 8 and still have a few hours of quiet. 🙂 )
Lucy says
Up at 5:30; gave the dog some attention which she’s been lacking; made coffee; cleaned my desk and clipped some coupons for this AM’s shopping. This AM made me realize that I should spend time with the dog every AM.
Treece Marcum says
I’m awake. Yay!!!!! I woke up before everyone else. Checked out this blog and am now on my way to let my chickens out. Then, I will fix coffee, shower, and make breakfast. This is awesome!!! It is so quiet. How lovely. You have the right idea.
Tanya says
Getting up at 4:30 am is my greatest goal. My husband recently took a job across state and has to get up that early in order to be to work on time. When we finally move our family together, I want the kids and I to be on the same schedule.
But… I’m just going to wait until tomorrow to start. This morning I awoke to the sinking realization that I never brought in the groceries last night (so much for that roast making three meals). Then the last of my homemade creamer curdled in my coffee cup (seems I didn’t rinse all the vinegar out of the pot when I cleaned it yesterday).
Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, I have three kids (2 under 2 years) so climbing back into bed and crying was not an option. It’s a good thing I didn’t because my almost 2 year old actually went potty on the toilet when I put him there this morning. I’m going to spend the rest of my day counting my little blessings because those will outweigh the poor start to my day.
Diana says
Oh, rough mornings (especially rough Monday mornings) are so hard! Hang in there–like you said, counting your little blessings is the way to go! 🙂
I have a friend who woke up to “the baby got his diaper off and is eating it!” so you are not the only one having a “trench” morning 😉
And we had rough moments yesterday including the toddler breaking a new bottle of lime juice all over the floor and me dropping the meat for lunch on the floor.
Maybe we should all pray for long naps for everyone in the world under 5 years old today 😉
Amy says
I’m so sorry that you’re going through this. Sometimes you just need to survive until dinner, and that counts as a successful day. Sounds like you need to do that today. So sorry!
Natasha Bowen says
I can’t seem to get the 10 day challenge link to work :/ Really interested!
Jamie Lott says
We were up at 5:00am. Our two oldest attend early morning seminary in two separate places because one is homeschooled and the other is a senior in public school. Then by 6:30am I am waking my 8 yr old for school (this is hard for us because we homeschooled last year.) of course when he wakes up, my 4yr old and 2 yr old wake up 🙂 By 7:10am we are out the door for school drop off, then I am back home to send off my 12yr old. By 8:30am, it’s just me, my 14yr old, 4 yr old and 2yr old….exhale! Laundry is already going and house is picked up. I’m tired again, as I am also pregnant. I can’t imagine these mornings with a newborn!
Allyson @ All Our Days says
Hugs for you busy mama. Just remember this is only a season.
Ashlee says
I didn’t get up until 2 and half ours after my ideal time. But I spend all might with a very sick toddler. I can’t wait to start getting back into a better mourning routine.
Bobbi T says
This is one area that I need to work on so much. I am a night owl and not a morning person at all. I love the encouragement from everyone and I am putting this at the top of my list to try and improve on each day. My morning starting out very late at 7:15 am. Its just me and my daughter but she is not a morning person either, so when I get up late that puts her up late and our morning is really bad. We try to leave the house around 7:30-7:45 to get to school and work. So when this happens the day is off to a bad start. So thanks for the encouragement words and keep them coming!!!
Lea Stormhammer says
If you’re a night owl, then don’t push too hard to be an early bird! My husband is a huge night owl and if he has to get up before 7am (preferably 8am but realistically 7 is better), his whole goal is to shower, dress, pack his lunch and breakfast and get out the door! No frills. He’s much better at getting things done at night since he’s actually awake.
I’m more of an early bird but I don’t get up before 6am unless I absolutely have to. Getting 8 hours of sleep is more important to me and most nights I just don’t get to bed before 10pm. For year I’ve tried to push myself to get up at 530am and I just end up grumpy and crabby for the rest of the day.
I guess what I’m saying is do what works for you and don’t worry if you’re not getting up as early as some people! Maybe setting a goal so that your morning isn’t rushed is just the place to be rather than trying for something super early.
🙂
Lea
Bobbi T says
Thanks for the advice. I think just getting up a little earlier and not being rushed would work out great. I will put that on my to do list for this week and see if that helps, which I am sure it will. Thanks for sharing!!
Jen says
I so agree with this- I have a range of medical problems, plus 4 young children that are just now finally not waking up (very much) at night anymore. I need 7-8 hours for my body to function, and 9-10 is how I feel the best but I rarely get that. I’ve tried so many times to do the early morning thing and I pay for it in my body all day so much so that it’s not worth it. What I’ve found is to do more at night after they go to bed. That’s my time with my husband, but before we settle in to spend time together- I quickly clean up the kitchen/house, pack lunches (husband and kids), lay out everyone’s clothes, get coffee maker ready, have a plan for breakfast (even put it on the table sometimes)- set out the dishes for it if I’m really motivated. 🙂 Whatever will make the morning go smoother (and me not feel guilty that I slept in longer)– I try to wake up a few minutes before them (sometimes just 5-10 or so) to have a few minutes to pray, start my day, sometimes check my email- whatever I need to do that day to feel ready but I let go of the guilt and I know I’m doing what I need for this season with the trials going on in my body. Our mornings are smooth because I prepare at night. I know it’s in Crystal’s heart that everyone do what is best for them in that season of their lives so I Just wanted to put this out there to encourage anyway who can’t (or doesn’t choose to) get up super super early. 🙂
Brandy @ The Prudent Homemaker says
4:30 is awesome. I get a lot done that way.
I’ve been sleeping in a bit until 5:30 for the last two weeks, but I’m planning on earlier bedtimes again towards the end of the week to get me back to 4:45 again by Monday.
Tina@GottaRunNow says
Rising at 4:30 doesn’t sound crazy to me – I get up early, too. I’m glad your first morning working on this went so well for you!
Danielle says
I had my alarm set for 6am. Then with middle of the night toddler accidents and insomnia…I turned it off lol. I’m determined to get there.
I’m going to move my extra coffee maker into my bathroom and get it ready tonight. Our living room and kitchen is too close to my light sleeper. So if I move that and my workout equipment, I will have no problem getting some things done! Going to shoot for bed time at 10 instead of midnight and 530 as my wakeup tomorrow morning.
Lisa B. says
Wow!!! 🙂 I must say that is very inspiring….. I work for a school district and still have two weeks before heading back but this would be a great challenge to start…tomorrow 🙂 I will savor one more later morning start 🙂 Thank you Crystal ! Happy Monday !
Kristin F. says
Looks like I was up before you this morning at the *very* early hour of 3:15 am thanks to a little boy who was ready to start his morning. I got some morning snuggles in, and then we started in on some puzzles, matching games, and free play while mommy tackled laundry, dishes, and organizing the bar top in the kitchen that has desperately needed to receive attention this last week due to the clutter! Now I’m getting in a second cup of coffee and starting work.
I think I’ll be aiming for 6 am as the start to my morning, for normal days, so we’ll see how this works out! I really need to revamp my morning routine!
Kim says
Got up at 4:45am. Spent time with my husband before he went to work. let the dog out and had my coffee. Watched the news and checked my inbox before I got the kids up to get ready for school. Got a load of laundry going and my kids did the dishes before they went to school 🙂
Ann says
That sounds wonderful!
Angela says
Your reasons for getting up early are the EXACT same as mine! Being up before the kids always helps us have a smoother, happier and more productive day. I’ve fallen off track with this lately, but I’m getting back if it. I believe it’s really worth it!
Tracy S. says
I’m still working on that. Ideal for me is totally different for my second shift hubby. If I get up too early there’s no way I could think about being awake when he gets home (which is few and far between as it is) and if I get up too late at least one of the kids is up and waking me and my morning time is already shot. And just getting started on the homeschool front so I know there will be some growing pains with that. One day at a time with the good Lord’s help and Crystal’s encouragement. 😉
Ashley P says
lol. I’ve gone the complete opposite. I started setting my alarm 20 minutes later. I’m pregnant and need all the sleep I can get! So now I wake up at 6 instead of 5:40. Still enough time for me to get everything done, though.
Michelle Murphy says
Yay Crystal. I’m up at 7 and actually getting my devotions etc in before I gave the day. I’m so excited to join you in your journey the next 10 days
Sarah M says
I’m with you! I’m due in 3 weeks and trying to allow myself grace that my body needs the sleep even though I am stumbling down the stairs at 7am to find my 2 and 4 year old watching tv. I hate getting up after them and not having that time to myself.
Lord knows I won’t be getting much sleep in the near future! This stuff is so inspiring, but I have to remind myself that I am in a completely different life phase. Crystal’s new book does an awesome job of acknowledging that too!