It feels so good to be back on an early morning routine! Seriously good. It really all starts the night before in getting myself to bed. I was having so much trouble making myself get to bed that I finally set a daily alarm on my cell phone for 9 p.m. to remind me to finish what I’m doing and start getting ready for bed. It really works. The funny thing for Steve and I is that going to bed at 9 is too earlier for both of us. We always lay there wide awake for hours, but going to bed at 10 is too late making us feel super tired and cranky upon waking. 9:30 seems to be the perfect time of night for lights out. When I can get to bed then I can wake up by 6 (or 5:30 on prayer mornings with Nicole) and feel rested, which I love.

Everything starts better and smoother when I get myself out of bed on time. Like this morning, I was able to have a solid devotional time, make Steve breakfast, clean up the kitchen, shower/dress, blog, and plan the day all before Emma woke up. Love it!! What I’m learning, too, is that morning is really my time…well, mine and the Lords (!). Once Emma is up it is Emma time. Night time is husband time, so morning is my time. Ahhhh, it’s good to have a chunk of the day all to yourself!! Quite a delicious luxury once you are a mother.

Yesterday I started an awesome bible study/devotional workbook called Experiencing God, Knowing and Doing the Will of God, by Henry Blackaby of LifeWay Ministries. Steve did it a year ago (at least) and loved it, and now my prayer partner, Nicole is doing it, so I unearthed it from the closet and am now on Day 2, and completely loving it!!