HHM and Hello Monday!

   

Happy Monday Friends!!!

Today is one of my favorite linkups!  I like to linkup here both with Happy Homemaker Monday with Sandra and with Hello Monday with Holly!    These parties are such a great way to start a new week, and they are probably my favorite parties that I join during the week!

   Last week was basically everything I didn't want the week to be lol.  It was a crazy busy week for us, and I've really tried so hard to pull away from that.  I feel terrible sometimes, like I'm saying 'no' all the time- but at the same time I know that its something I need to do and learn to not feel guilty about.  I know that I need to create a better margin in my life, and I don't want to feel so stressed and 'busy' anymore.  Unfortunately, that means saying no a lot.  The important things are my marriage and my family, and honestly everything else has to fall into its place behind all of those! I'm powering through, and learning that my health is important.  I feel like there's a lot of people in my life that equate being busy to being successful, but Stephen and I are learning that's simply not true.

   I'm trying to learn to just slow down and relax too.  To spend time doing things I want to do. I remember reading blogs and thinking- how in the world do people even find time to read?  They just make time.  I have spent so many years with a dysregulated nervous system and I'm determined to fix that!  Unfortunately that means living extremely different than most people that we are around.  But I'm learning!  

   Last week was catching up and getting back into normal routines, so naturally it was busier than I wanted it to be.  But we had a basically good school week- I start with the minimal things that don't take as much time and add in the extras and fun things this week.  We don't have as many obligations at church this week, so that will help a little as well.  I was busy all weekend so I didn't get around to meal planning, but I know now to protect my weekends a little better as well.  It's a learning curve, and I'm working on it.  

   I also was successful at getting up earlier for an entire week!  I know that a lot of you are early risers and that's not all that impressive- but for me it's a huge win!  I haven't incorporated much into my morning routine besides just getting up and getting going, but that's going to change this week, I'm determined to fix my mornings!  

   So lets jump into our questions for HHM, thank you all for being here!  Thank you to all of my new followers and I have tried to follow back but hopefully this week will bring more time for blogging and visiting blogger friends!  I want to be a good blogger friend this year as well!   Have a great week!  And again, its so good to back in this community!

♥♥The Weather♥♥

   Last week was delightful!  We had some beautiful, warm days!  This week our high is 57 and our low is 43...  so its MUCH colder.  Sounds like a good week to stay home and warm!

♥♥ Right now I am ♥♥
Catching up on laundry since I was busy all weekend, joining you amazing friends on this blog hop!  And ready for the day!


♥♥ Thinking and pondering ♥♥
  Thinking about time and having margin in my days.  I tell myself that I get a free past last week- I did get a lot done especially packing away Christmas decor and getting back in the swing of things with the kids school.  So now I'm working on just slowing down- even when we have things to do, we can do them without this constant sense of urgency that everyone arounds me seems to need to have lol.  


♥♥How I'm feeling♥♥

  I have so many things that I want to do- just for me.  That's not happened in a long time.  I haven't leaned into my hobbies.  I've spent a long time trying to do so many things but not really enjoy them.  I find that when I think about what I want to do, I get really excited.  Now I just have to make sure I prioritize that.  I'm really redirecting so many things, and I'm so ready to step into this!  

♥♥ From my blog♥♥

   I wrote up my resolutions posts last week!  They were long, but I really enjoyed writing them all down!  I think it helped me to settle them in my mind!  You can read part one here, and part two here.   I feel that resolutions aren't as popular this year, but if you wrote a resolution post I would love to read it.  

♥♥From a friends blog♥♥

   I really have enjoyed Currently for a long time with Jenn's blog, and this year she's turning it over to Amy at Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa, I really enjoyed joining it last year and I'm excited to join again!

♥♥On the menu ♥♥

 Yup, I def haven't gotten to that yet...

♥♥ What I am wearing ♥♥
   On my way after I get my other goals accomplished is to have a better fashion sense lol.  It's just kind of low on my list- but for now I'm in a tshirt and sweatpants.  I see all of your fashionable posts- I'll get there one day!  Maybe you all can follow along and give me some advice!

♥♥On my reading pile ♥♥
I'm reading Jennie Allen's Get out of your Head, this has been great!  This weekend, my hubby bought me Kyle Idleman's Every Thought Captive so I'm excited to start! 

♥♥ On my TV this week ♥♥ 

We are already on season 3 of Once Upon a Time lol.  After its over I think we will start something new, I didn't enjoy the later seasons of the show.  

♥♥Looking around the house ♥♥
  I finally got most of our spring stuff out and decorated!  I need a few more items before I consider it done.  

♥♥ To do list for today♥♥
  We are headed to Edenton for my son's eye exam, he starts drivers ed this Saturday! Its crazy its that time for him!

♥♥What I am creating ♥♥
My fragrance oils will be in today!  So I'll be able to work on my laundry soap and wax melts!  I'm excited to do this!

♥♥ From the camera ♥♥
    These are literally the only new photos on my camera roll lol!

We have the sweetest chickens!

Hope you all have a fantastic week!!!