Computer Free Weekends

I've finally come to the point where I can admit that I'm addicted to the internet.  No matter what I'm doing, I always want to go online and see if there's a better way.  I want to find a better checklist for keeping my home clean.  I want to find better books to read.  I want to find the best buffalo chicken dip recipe.  If I'm not looking for ways to improve myself, I want to see what everyone else is doing.  I need to check up on the million blogs I follow, see what my IRL friends are doing on Facebook and check out the latest pins on Pinterest.  And did anyone send me an email in the last 10 minutes???  I need to check again, and again...and again.

No wonder I am always feeling anxious, unfocused and unproductive!

This habit of constantly going online has got to stop, so I've created a new rule for myself.  From the time I get home from work on Friday afternoons until Sunday evenings, I cannot use my computer.

I've done this the past two weekends and it has been amazing!  I am feeling more productive.  I am more patient with the girls.  I am relaxed and able to enjoy myself.  I'm learning not to wonder if there's a better way to mop the kitchen floor or worry about what my neighbor is doing on her weekend trip to Washington D.C.  Instead I'm focusing on the here and now and it is wonderful!

In addition, this reflection has made me realize that I've been turning the internet into a god.  When I'm worried, stressed, confused, I go online instead of to God.  I've come to the point where I feel the internet has all of the answers.  Do I trust the internet more than God?  My actions seem to say so.  I spend more hours than I want to know online, yet I probably only spend one hour a week in God's word.  I go online more often than I pray.  I wonder what the internet will tell me about my latest problem rather than seeking God's guidance.  There's something seriously wrong with this picture and it needs to change.  I pray my computer free weekends are the beginning of a new way of living for me.

I've linked up with Works for Me Wednesday today.  Go there for more great tips and tricks!

Family Calendars

I'm sure I was late to join the Google calendar bandwagon, but in case anyone else has yet to hear, Google calendar rocks!  My husband has a crazy schedule that changes every season.  In addition to being a high school teacher, he coaches three sports: college football, high school wrestling, and high school track.

Even though he's been doing all of this forever, it still is hard for me to remember what each season is like schedule wise.  Enter Google calendar.  At the beginning of each season I can enter the schedule onto our calendar.  Then, when anything changes or is added, he can make updates right away from his phone.

This helps in so many ways.  Since the calendar works on our iPhones, we can make changes no matter where we are.  And, no matter where we are, we always have access to our calendar (as long as we don't forget our phones!).  I feel like this calendar has given us freedom as I can quickly decide whether or not we can add an event to our calendar.  Believe it or not, this makes it easier to add fun things to our schedules as I can quickly see when we are free and when we are not.

Of course, this is a major stress reducer, too.  As our girls get older, I'm sure they'll get busier.  In fact, they are already pretty busy.  Now my husband and I can better coordinate our schedules to make sure the girls can get to their activities.  There's less worry, as anything we might possibly forget is on the calendar.  The calendar also helps prevent forgetting important events, like Lil' Sis's first dance recital!

Since the girls don't have iPhones, at home we have a white board calendar on the kitchen wall.  It's right by the garage door, so we can all see it every time we leave the house.  Big Sis loves the calendar as it makes it easy for her to see what she has to do each day and can easily see what big events she has to look forward to each month.  I only wish Google calendar could update the white board calendar for me!

How do you organize your family schedule?


I'm linking up with Works For Me Wednesday.  Check out more great ideas there!