Welcome to another post in my Fabulous {Organized} Friend Series! This series is all about proven ways to organize. Within this series, I’ve asked my wonderful friends to share how they get stuff done, how they balance their health and homes, and ultimately how they strive to live with intention.
This month, allow me to introduce you to Beth….
Beth is the type of person that you know has your back. She is the kind of person who puts the “thought” into thoughtful. She is a gift giver, a team player, and a go getter! When Beth and her hubby asked us to join them on a trip to Germany last year, we were like – “Oh yes – we’re there!”
It was trip full of laughter and wonderful memories. Their family has unfortunately moved away from Portugal, but we anticipate many more memories and trips in the future.
Give me a snapshot into you and your family. What does your “whole” life look like? Schedule etc…feel free to over share!
Wow! Where do I begin… I have recently returned back to work, moved back to Eastern Washington from living in Portugal, moved back into our home that was a rental for many years, my boys have started new schools, and my husband is working in another state. The best part about my work is that I am a Per Diem Nurse, at a busy Birthplace, so I pick up shifts that work best around my families’ schedule (days or nights). My oldest child starts his day off with extracurricular activities at 0700, and ends his day with football at 1800. My youngest starts his day at 0830 and is out by 1500, and is patiently awaiting what after school activities will be posted for him to participate in. Anyone that knows my youngest knows he is high energy and needs to wear himself out on a daily basis! Then we are also involved in the Boy Scouts of America. The boys meet once a week, have monthly campouts, and almost weekly merit badge assignments/projects.
My husband is Active Duty Navy and will attached in early 2016 with a command in another state. In the meantime he has been communing back and forth and will be “stashed” in Eastern Washington from October-early January. We are thrilled to have him home to help get us settled, and to start making our house a home again. From January on we will be a commuting family for the next 2-3 years and hopefully my husband will retire (this is where I’d like to insert a prayer request that Tom retires soon!) We’ve got all kinds of crazy projects that we’d like to get done before winter hits, as well as taking 5 separate shipments of our household goods from overseas and storage.
I guess you can say our schedule is still evolving, and each day brings many new opportunities to learn how to be patient and flexible.
What is your number one organizing tip you would share with other busy moms/dads?
If you have time to do something, get it done when you can! In five minutes anything can change. Also, don’t be afraid to say “NO.” You can’t be everywhere or do everything all the time. I also try not to think about household tasks for too long. Quite often I can’t punt things off to anyone or make excuses, so I just get it done! Like the Nike ad campaign-JUST DO IT!
How do you find time to plan meals and to grocery shop?
I must say Morgan is very aware of how much my boys eat…A LOT! First I love to eat and cook, so creating healthy meals is important to me. Sometimes meals are the only time I see my family, since I primarily work 12 hour shifts, and my boys have school or activities. Waking up early, defrosting something overnight, throwing something together in a crockpot, and getting my boys to help me in the kitchen are some of my basic survival skills.
I buy the basics in bulk at Costco every other week, and pick up fresh fruit and vegetables at a local market whenever I have a free moment. I have many family favorites I cook weekly, and then put a spin on them to change them up. I also like to make larger meals, and create new meals out of leftovers or lunches for the boys. On the weekends I love to cook a special dinner or try out a new recipe I’ve found. I love Pinterest and my local libraries cookbook section for inspiration.
How do your kids help around the home?
This is always a challenge foe me. My boys are always responsible for keeping their rooms clean. They also take turns cleaning their bathroom, taking the trash out, cooking, setting the table, dusting, vacuuming, yard work, laundry, etc. They know that they must pitch in for our household to run smoothly, especially with their father away so often. They often need to be reminded and sometimes more often than I’d like.
The ratio of males to females is way off in my home and the testosterone levels are peaking. Raising boys, at times alone is challenging! I would really like them to be the kind of men that can not only handle a career but a home. As young boys they realized their father left for months at a time to provide for us, and that each of us had a responsibility for taking care of our things. If we didn’t, that meant their father had to work more and so did I. The boys at an early age got the message that we do not live in a disposable home! They really like having stability in their home and realize the sacrifice my husband and I make for them.
How do you create the time to exercise and take care of your own health?
The older I get the more I understand that I need to take care of myself, physically and mentally. I really enjoy walking out in nature, and like to start or end my day with a long walk. It often provides me time to think about my “To Do List” or my week, and puts me in a peaceful mindset. I enjoy doing yoga, paddleboarding, swimming, skiing, and trying to keep up with my active family.
Now that I am back at work I feel more comfortable spoiling myself on my days off with things like a monthly massage, or mani/pedi. I try to schedule time for myself and plan fun things to do that keep me physically active and challenged. These past several months the best workout I’ve had is working on my overgrown yard and unpacking 14,000 pounds of household goods in 100 degree weather. My pants sure fit better!
What are some of your secrets to keeping a clean home?
Some rules I live by are: No shoes in the house (I hate cleaning floors). If you take it out, you put it away. Everyone keeps their room clean. Everything has a place-there should be no confusion where things belong. If it hasn’t been used in a year, get rid of it!!! Clean weekly and deep clean monthly! If you have a spare 10 minutes or less, do a blitz clean. It is amazing what you can do in a few minutes….
What are your tools for managing stress and finding time for just you or time for just you and your spouse?
Time for me has become sacred. There are certain things that I do for myself, or my quiet time that I won’t deny myself. I think it is important not to be too overscheduled or make life any extra complicated. It is essential for me to do things I love (work or play), be surrounded by like-minded people and surround myself with things that I enjoy…even if that means a trip to Home Goods or TJ Maxx!
Stress will always play a role in my life. I am learning to embrace it and be more flexible. This past year I have learned how to give my “Best Yes,” and quite often that means NO. It has been liberating and freeing!
Now that my children are older it is much easier for me to feel less guilty and free to devote more exclusive time with my husband and I. Sometimes this commuter marriage we sometimes have, makes us more appreciative of one another and we actually spend uninterrupted quality time together. After living abroad and traveling like maniacs, we are really happy with keeping things simple. It is so nice to be home, be in our house and explore our community again…Just wish Morgan and family lived in the same neighborhood!
What advice would you most like to share with other moms in how they can best live their lives with intention?
Dream…Have a vision of what you’d like your life to be like or what it looks like and make it happen! Live passionately – life was meant to be lived with purpose. Find out what fills your soul, and brings you inner peace.
I wish we lived by you too! Sigh. Hopefully soon we’ll at least be a driving distance away! (NW girls rule.) And she was RIGHT I can attest to her boys love of food. 🙂
Beth shared so many pearls of wisdom…but I love most how she summed it all up – “Live passionately -life was meant to be lived with purpose.” Amen! Thank you Beth for dropping by! I miss you so much, but I am so happy for you. I know you are thrilled to be back “home.” Best of luck as you continue to work on getting settled. xoxo
