morning routine.

One of the things that really helps me to stay on track during the stress of the school year is trying to be productive early on each day.

I'm not a good "sleeper-inner", but there are also mornings that I get up early and do more sitting and wasting time than doing my best work.

Because of this, I've developed a morning routine that is built on habits and not a lot of random time-consuming choices.

My morning routine really starts the night before when we lay clothes out and prepare for the next day (more on that coming in another post).

When I wake up (between 4:45-5:00 usually), the very first thing I do is make our bed (unless Mr. Farmhouse is still sleeping).

It's not always perfect (as you can see in the picture), but it sure feels better climbing in a bed that's somewhat neat every night, instead of straightening it all out to find the sheet before we lie down.

For a long time, I did everything else each morning and either made the bed before we walked out the door or didn't make the bed at all.  

However, in August of this year, I decided to make my bed every single morning and build the habit.  It stuck.  I don't even think about it anymore and when I leave my bedroom, I've already got a little bit of productivity under my belt.

I used to shower and get dressed & ready for the day right after that, but I have realized that in the wintertime especially, I love drinking my coffee and doing my morning Bible reading and prayer time in my warm and cozy jammies.  I just have to be sure to set a timer or I would sit there all day!

I have found that taking a nice chunk of time each morning for my coffee, Bible study, prayer time, and running through my day BEFORE THE GIRLS GET UP really starts my day off on the right foot.

I am usually going through a few Bible studies at the same time on my YouVersion Bible app.  You can see the ones I was working on this morning in the images below.

If you didn't get to check out my post on the Bible app a while back, feel free to check it out here.

I love the fact that my entire Bible study is at my fingertips from my phone and I love the fact that I can connect with the girls over Scripture.

If you check out the screenshot to the left, the girls and I are going through a study called "Indescribable" right now. 

We read the study, read the Scripture that goes with it, and discuss our new understandings and challenges that come along with the information.

After I've done my Bible study, I stop for some formal prayer time.  I either journal or talk out loud with Jesus.  I read prayers out loud sometimes about specific things or I type my prayers out, as if I were writing a letter to God.  At times, I go back and read my prayers and thank God for all He has done for us to see us through difficult times or bring clarity when we are feeling unsure.

I pray for our girls, for our parents, for my students and colleagues.  I pray for our nation, for our President, and that our lives would be a reflection of the love of Jesus.  And then...my timer goes off.

I have found that I HAVE to set a timer during the morning to keep myself on track or I will get carried away reading or during my prayer time and before I know it...I have forgotten to get the girls up and we are running late.

​So by 5:45, I like to have the girls up and going before I jump in the shower.  I get dressed, fix my hair, and occasionally whip up some eggs.  A lot of the time I don't even eat breakfast...fancy people call it "intermittent fasting" and I call it "I'm just not hungry yet."

My girls always grab something to eat...they are breakfast people.

We are...er, really try to be, out the door by 6:30.

Once the girls are up and running, I know that my day won't be quiet again until they all climb into bed that night. 

This is why that morning time in the peace and quiet of the farmhouse seems so valuable to me.

I'm working hard to be centered and intentional with my time and getting up early is just another piece of that puzzle for me.

My morning routine helps me to be the best version of myself, for Mr. Farmhouse, my girls,  the rest of my family, my staff, and my students.

Trying to "rise & shine" from the farmhouse,
Hannah

❤️🏡❤️