Final Week! : 21 Days to Becoming an Effective Wife

That was it girls! Your last week to make those habits and goals you planed for yourself stick!. How did every one do? Take this opportunity to write what you took away from this. What things did you learn? What stuck? Did you plan a goal that ended up not being the best idea?

I can't wait to read everyone's results!

My results:

I learned a lot in these past three weeks about how I handle the things that I'd like to get done. I learned that I like to procrastinate. I learned that putting things off isn't always the best idea. I learned that snuggling on the couch with your dog and hubby, even when you have a sink full of empty dishes is okay. I learned that getting up and spending time with Him in His word is the BEST way to start my day and make sure that I am productive. I learned that remembering the scripture verses I read each morning give me motivation to be a better wife.

The main thing I walked away with in this challenge is how important getting up early is. I had been slacking since our Mexico trip and am very happy to get back into the swing of things. Thanks so much for participating and I'll be hopping over to your page soon!

Happy Monday, folks!

xoxo Y

PS- I was soooo happy to see such enthusiasm for thursday's, The Smallest Blessings meme. I can't wait for next week's! Be on the look out for those small things you are thankful for each day and be sure to join us again this week!

Week Three: 21 Days to Becoming an Effective Wife Challenge

This is it folks! The last week! Only 7 more days to really turn it out and really come together with all you wanted to accomplish these past couple weeks. Isn't it amazing how time flies?

So, how did this week go? Did you follow the rules you set for yourself? Why or why not? For me, it seems like I follow the same weekly pattern. I'm happy that I set out on this little challenge because I never really noticed it. So, let's break it down into positives and negatives.

Good job, Southern Housewife! :

• I have really enjoyed waking up early. When I hit 7am, I feel like I've slept in! My goodness, who would have ever guessed that I'd be saying that one!? But I can't say it enough- me getting up early is what makes me productive. When I sleep in, I feel like the rest of the day is ruined, so I just give up on it. Waking up early ensures that Southern Hubby gets a yummy lunch, the coffee gets brewing, and most importantly, that I get my time in with God.
• I've been doing pretty good with keeping up with the laundry. Thursday and Friday weren't that great- I loaded them up and dried them but didn't do the folding and putting up. I just hate that part so I try to avoid doing it at all costs. Of course, avoiding things never gets them done. I just end up with wrinkly clothes that I can never find.
• I don't know about you, but making the bed makes my home seem in order. What is it about a nicely done bed that just changes the whole demeanor of your home? I definitely love having my bed made and have been working really hard on making this habit stick!
• One habit I added on late was to start taking more pictures. I have this awesome camera, have taken two classes on photography, have books out the wazoo, and even have Photoshop- so why am I not taking pictures daily?! There is this challenge out there that has women take one picture at least every day for one year. They upload them to flickr and share. I think I may try to do this at some point because I don't want my camera to sit on my kitchen table forever. ;)
• Lately, SH has been on me to start saying no to more things. I overwhelm myself with things to attend to, crafts to finish, rooms to clean, things to bake, etc. I mentioned the other day that I was going to a Junior League prospective members meeting. After thinking about it a bit, I decided that my husband was right. As much as I wanted to join, it would just be adding another (quite major) thing onto my already full plate.

Better luck next time, Southern Housewife! :

• Working out. How disappointing that I can't even make it to the gym once. I don't even like to drive by it because I get such pangs of guilt. Arrrgh- what is wrong with me?!
• Clipping coupons is so overwhelming for me. I did a good job for a while but it takes me such a long time to search for them, print them, and then sort them. I know menu planning is the only way to go, but adding this on to clipping coupons just makes it impossible for me to get started. Does anyone have an easy routine for this?
• Once Thursday comes, it might as well be the weekend for me. I just get it in my head that the week is over and I want to be done and start having fun with SH. A laundry routine goes out the window, some dishes get put in the sink here and there, resulting in a mound by Monday. I think one of these days I'm going to take a picture of it and post it here so people can lay the guilt and shame on me! Maybe that is what it will take!
• I have such a hard time getting dressed in the mornings. I'm all about wearing the comfy clothes but I know that SH does not want to come home to a big frump at night. This is one thing I'm going to try extra hard to step up to this week. Wish me luck- cause I love my yoga pants!

Other than these things, I've been doing pretty good. The main thing for me is to get up early. Once I'm up, the hard part is done and I can start preparing myself for my and SH's morning. It makes things go so much smoother. If you're struggling with routines, this is the best advice I can give you: wake up early and read His word!! It will have such a profound effect on your day. Good luck in the last week of habit changing! I can't wait to see what we've all accomplished.

Don't forget to check out Miss Ruthann and her spiffy new blog! I haven't seen it yet, but I do know a couple of the tricks she has up that little sleeve of hers and I know you won't be disappointed!

*Update: Oh me, oh my! Finally got to check it out. She did a fabulous job redesigning! I could spend hours on her super cute website! Hurry up and head on over there. And you might just see a little something from me, too! ;)

Next Monday, I will be participating in Making Your Home a Haven once again. I think I got confused because there were several going on and I don't know which one is the original, but I *think* this one is it. If not, please let me know! After this little challenge, I know participating will be a great way to keep my momentum going. I'm loving this quote by the host, Tammy:

"...the 'Making Your Home a Haven' challenge isn't all about cleaning, working, or to-do lists. It's about having a spirit-filled heart and loving our families enough that we strive to make ourselves and our homes a welcoming, joyful, and peaceful haven to them! "

What an amazing sentence. It's easy to get caught up in the list of to-dos and the sparkle (or lack thereof) of the floors and counters. I urge you to join. And most of you already did last week's challenge- a morning routine!

Oh, and last but not least, I wanted to share something SH and I did over the weekend. We participated in Earth Hour! I should have posted about it this week, but I didn't really even hear about it until Friday. During Earth Hour, participants were to turn off all electricity wherever they were for one hour in an effort to to raise awareness towards the need to take action on the global climate change. After looking around on their website, it seems that a lot of the world participated, even shutting down major landmarks like Big Ben and Westminster. I got a bit teary looking at all of the pictures of a dark Earth. It's amazing how mankind can come together in unity to change Earth for the better.

One hour in the dark was pretty fun. We had plenty to giggle about trying to use the bathrooms, play with Southern Puppy and just maneuvering around the house in general. Candles definitely came in handy! I was glad to document us in our first year to participate. If you missed it this year, be sure to catch it next time around!

Happy Monday!! Start your week right- spending time with God!

xoxo Y

Week Two: 21 Day Challenge to Becoming an Efficient Wife

Good morning gals! How are you all doing? How did everyone's week go? Did we meet our weekly goals, did we fail miserably, or did we do a bit in between?

Well I would definitely have to say a little from column A and a little from column B. ;) Let's break mine down into positives and negatives.

POSITIVES:

• Starting my day off with God's word and prayer gets my day going! I'm filled with the desire to be sort of wife He is calling me to be. Waking up early just gets me going! And I made it into the 5:16am club! ;) Well, except for one day...
• I stayed on top of my laundry every day by doing one load per day. And I made sure that not only was it out of the dryer asap to prevent wrinkling, but I folded it all and put it away. Except for one day...
• My kitchen was in tip top order! Sink was clean every night before bed. Floor was cleaned. Loved it. Except for, you got it, one day...
• My bed was made each morning. Quick etiquette tip: Ladies should have their beds made before noon time. :)
• We prayed as a couple before we went to sleep.

NEEDS IMPROVING:

• I did not work out once this week. Not once. And this was one of my main goals!! :( I just had to say it. I couldn't lie and say I went a couple times. It just wouldn't be right and wouldn't be what this was all about. I need to be accountable for the things I do and don't do. So, have at me girls! Don't be too mean! ;)
• Fridays!! Fridays are my 'let it allll hang out' days. I didn't get much accomplished. And I think I know why. I woke up late that day. I was rushed to get SH out the door. Didn't do my prayer and quite time with the Lord. And then from there, it was all downhill. The bed didn't get made all weekend, we slept in and went to the late church service, and now there is a pile of dishes in the sink that will greet me tomorrow morning. This was a good learning experience. I need to buckle down on my actions on Fridays.

So, what about you? I can't wait to read all of your postings to see how you did! And we have a couple of new girls, too. Anyone who wants to join us, even now, is more than welcome to. Just remember that it takes 21 days to make a habit, so you would just have to make sure you add on the days that you missed. :)

Off to look around at your blogs! I'll add the new girls in and send out the blog roll later on tonight!

Happy Monday!

xoxo Y

Spring Has Arrived!

Hey everyone!

Today is the first official day of spring! How fun! (Look, my much my hydrangea plant has grown!) Now, fall and winter are definitely my favorite times of year (guess cause Texas is such a scorcher in the summers) but I am sort of ready to start seeing my hydrangeas bloom and to start getting my patio chairs back outside and ready for cookouts. Oh, and two of my best friends have swimming pools at their houses, so that gives summer a little boost. Good thing I kept them around all these years. ;)

Before I get on to talking about the challenge, I wanted to share a little lesson I learned about letting a 7 year old try to crack eggs when making Sunday dinner. It goes something like this...

But my niece looked so stinkin' cute in my apron, how could I be mad?!

So, we cleaned the mess up, and tried again. Ever patient Southern Hubby gave her a couple of tips and she was successful!

Now, on with business! How is everyone doing on the 21 Day Challenge? Are we getting closer to making these things habits?

This morning was actually the first morning of the week that I did not wake up early. I don't know why but I just kept hitting snooze. Maybe it was because I had two cuddly gentleman in bed with me and I just couldn't bear to leave them. :)

But other than that, I've been doing great at most of the goals I've given myself. Our floors are clean, the bed has been made every day, there is not a crazy pile of laundry because I do one load (and fold and put it up!) each day, I've made awesome lunches for my husband, and I'm trying to keep my disposition a sweet and positive one. I think that's just as important as cleaning. One crabby wife = one unpleasant home. And that is the truth!

The only thing I haven't been able to discipline myself enough to do is the gym! I just can't seem to get my behind into that building! I don't know what it is. (actually I do- I hate working out.) I even went grocery shopping yesterday to avoid going to the gym. And I hate grocery shopping!! Now that's pretty bad!

I hope to see some pictures of things you've done this upcoming Monday! I can't wait to read about how y'all are on your way to becoming efficient wives!!! And I'll be posting a blog roll of participants as well, so it will be easier to seek out the girls to give encouragement to.

Happy Weekend y'all!

xoxo Y

Happy St. Patty's Day and Gratituesday

Top o' the mornin' to ya!

How are my lovely lucky leprechauns doing today? I love St. Patrick's Day! All the green colors (one of my favorites!), the hint of spring in the air, and it's my grandfather's birthday. So we get to celebrate twice!

Today, I am most thankful for the grandparents I do have that are still alive. All but one are still with me. SH's grandparents are all gone now. Thankfully, I got to meet two of them. It is when I think of them, that I realize how lucky I am to still have the majority of mine.

My paternal grandfather was killed in an on the job accident in 1988. He was still so very young. The only time I have ever seen my father cry was when he knelt down to tell us of his passing. I was only 8 years old. The only things I can remember of him were the black glasses case and pack of gum he always had in his pocket. I will always remember my grandfather with a pack of gum. :) He looked so much like my daddy. And my daddy has many of the same traits. From what my father has told me, my grandfather was generous- to a fault. He would give you the shirt off his back. And then some pants and a belt to go with it.

My father once asked him why he was always giving away anything he had. My grandmother had 10 children. The big family could barely keep food on the table, much less hold on to the material things they may have acquired. He told him, "I give it away because they need it. And I have it to give. But I give for selfish reasons- for the way it makes me feel inside. Really, they are the ones doing me the favor."

My daddy helping me down the stairs on my wedding day.

And even today, my father is the exact same way. By the grace of God, we are in a much better position financially and as my father's business has grown over the years, so has his generosity. They need it and he is the position to give it to them. Whether that be tickets to a sporting event, a meal at a restaurant, or cash to carry someone over to the next month, my father would be the first one to give it to you. And as selfish as I can be at times, I know that this valuable lesson is a part of my family's legacy. I can only pray that God will fill me with this type of generosity and kindness.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

xoxo Y

PS- Thanks to all the girls that signed up for the 21 Day Challenge. I'm so excited about this and I know we can do it! I'm all about the short term goals and I think that we're setting ourselves up for success- especially when we are all here to encourage each other. And I'm loving how some girls are even using this as a weight loss challenge. You can lose a lot of weight in three weeks!

If you missed out on the sign up, click here for the rules and to join.

PPS- I'm going to be revamping Crafty Tuesdays, and making it more accessible to those who aren't so blessed in the hand making department. :) So stay tuned!

21 day challenge

There's something that happens between the time you take a vacation and the two weeks that follow. It seems like every good routine that you had established up until your vacation started just goes out the window in favor for easier and lazier routines.

So, grab your morning coffee and let's take a look at all the routines that this Southern Housewife has let go of...

1. Rising early to pray and spend time with the Lord- It seems that since we got back from Mexico I've been getting up with Southern Hubby or about 15 minutes before which enables me to quickly throw together some lunch for him, get a pot of coffee started and maybe if I have a couple extra minutes, run a brush through my hair. Yes, isn't this the way a hard working husband wants to see his wife in the morning- eyes barely cracked open, with disheveled hair, holding a crumpled lunch bag with God knows what inside, blowing morning breath kisses in his general direction? That just screams put together housewife, doesn't it?

2. Portion control- The extra 7 lbs on the scale just about sums it up. Grossness.

3. Working out- OK, so I wasn't really perfect about doing this even before we went on vacation, but it was always on the list of things to do! And it goes hand in hand with getting rid of those nasty 7 lbs that aren't letting me button my jeans comfortably.

So, what's a good southern housewife to do?

I'm going to turn it around, that's what!! It's about time I get out of the lazy vacation spell Mexico has so deviously cast on me. First off, let me show off the cleanly scrubbed gorgeous floors I had promised from last week.

Aren't they beautiful?! But guess what- this girl didn't do them. Disappointing, I know. My wonderful SH did them. What a sweetie poo he is, but what a lazy girl I am! I meant to get to them this week, honest! But things get in the way- like blogging, taking pictures with your new camera, and that wretched but addicting show, The Real Housewives of New York (PS- Not a one of them are true housewives.) Excuses, excuses.

Now, let's get back on track and make some goals for this week via the Homemaker's Haven wonderful outline! I love her outline of things to do on Mondays. They are simple, yet highly effective and make it easy to plan out your goals for the week. These are the three things I'm wanting to get back into the habit of doing.

1) Begin Your Day Early With God’s Word- My lack of doing this these past couple weeks is the major reason why my day get's started off on the wrong foot. It is AMAZING how much better your day goes when you rise early and spend some time with the Lord each and every day. I still have been doing my bible studies and prayers, but I do these when SH leaves for work around 8:30. I don't complete it until around 9:30ish and by that time, I should have gotten so much more accomplished! Just making this one change with impact my days for the better dramatically.

I have decided to join Sarah Mae's 5:16 Girls Club. Named after Ephesians 5:16, it encourages wives to get up early before her family. This ensures two things, spending quiet time with the Lord and being prepared spiritually and physically to serve your family's needs. (Be sure to click on all three links as they are filled with wonderful information.)

2) Complete Your Morning Routine- As of now, my morning routine consists of prayer time, making coffee, getting SH off with a nice lunch, a smile and a prayer, taking Southern Puppy out for a potty break and feeding him, and cleaning up the kitchen after breakfast. I also like to glance at my binder for my schedule and things that need to get done. Mondays are for meal planning as well as making the grocery list and gathering coupons.

3) Plan A Project/Goal for the week- This week, I think I'm going to tackle the carpets. Steam cleaning can be a pain, but it's nice to see all the gunky water come out from your carpets and down the drain into dirty oblivion. And of course, my goal is to rise early and get my day started the right way!

Who's ready to change her lazy ways? Let's make this a personal challenge! I've read that it takes approximately 21 days to make something a habit. So that means, as of April 5th, we should be well on our way to becoming a better, healthier, happier, more productive wife. . Twenty one days is not that long. We can keep a 3 week attention span without losing interest, right? Let's do it...who is with me?

Post about all the things that you've let go in your life that have lead you down an unproductive road.

• Then write about the things you want to change and make a new habit in these three weeks.
• Each Monday, post how you did. Did you complete your goal for the week? When did you slip up and why? Be honest. Let's hold each other accountable!
• Don't forget to leave comments on the others in the group. Encourage each other! Leave tips on how you were able to get through the week.
• Sign the linky below so we all know who's participating.
• Steal this button, put it on your sidebar and link up to this post. It makes it easier to see who's participating.
• On April 5th, blog about how you think you did. What did you get accomplished in your house? What new habits did you make? How did your changes affect your household, your family, your appearance?

Good luck, ladies! We can do it!

Happy Habit-makin'!

xoxo Y