Well, yesterday I already found that I'm going to make a revision of my morning routine.  It's interesting how we can get something stuck in our minds so well that we have a very difficult time moving away from it.  For me, this is one of those things.  See, looking back at when I had the most productive and best study times in my walk with the Lord were those times when I got up early in the morning and had that time - about 90 minutes to 2 hours each day.  I LOVED it!  But...I was single, no children.  Life was very different.

Fast forward to today.  I would still like to have my time in the Word before I face the day.  But...to really be able to do some good studying I would have to get up much earlier than my children.  And that's just not working for me right now!  So...what I did yesterday worked out perfectly.  When they went to their rooms for rest in the afternoon, I changed the laundry around, made my cup of tea, and sat down for my study time.  It was great.  The house  was quiet, I could focus, and I was much more alert and could process what I was reading and journaling than if I tried to do it really early in the morning!  That's also the time of day that my body is very tired, physically, so it's a perfect time to sit down and move less. 

So...my first 5 things in the morning are now:

1.  Rise, take meds, shower, get dressed and ready for day

2.  Start a load of laundry

3.  Breakfast w/ the kids, read Bible together (see, I still get some Bible time in!)

4.  Empty and re-load dishwasher

5.  Start school

I also have a flip calendar in my bathroom, so I do have a Scripture verse each morning that I read as I'm getting ready.  That, along with reading with the boys, still gives me some Truth to consider until my afternoon Tea Time w/ my King.  Thanks, Lord, for opening my eyes to the window of time that now works best for me to have good time with You!  Please help each of us to be open to new and different things that You might use to draw us closer to Yourself, be more efficient or effective, etc.  For our good, and for Your glory!