Not Just a Mom: Morning Routine

Good morning, I hope you are all having a nice start to your week. For all of us I'm sure, this weekend was a somber one. It is hard to believe it has been 20 years since 9/11. I was a freshman in high school, and walked into my algebra class to see the TV on. Our teacher told us an airplane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers. As freshmen in high school, we were naive enough to ask our teacher "how could that have happened?" "How on earth do you accidentally fly an airplane into a building?" Our teacher didn't answer right away, but paused.. and said "I don't think it was an accident". Shortly afterwards we watched as the second plane hit the South tower. 

It brings tears to my eyes to remember watching the fear, confusion, and flood of emotions as people left NYC and Washington. It brings tears to my eyes again to think of the incredible men and women who risked their lives to help strangers, knowing full and well they may die themselves. I cannot imagine the bravery it must take to walk up the stairs of a burning building, knowing you may not see your own family again. I hope and pray the 20th anniversary inspires Americans to once again display the unity we did after that day, that we remember the importance of working together rather than tearing each other apart. Where were you when you found out about the attacks on September 11th? I would love to know, feel free to leave a comment below.

Sorry to switch gears, but today just so happens to be the 2nd Monday of the month, meaning it's our Not Just a Mom link up today. This month we are sharing our morning routines.

I feel like this is one I have shown glimpses of every time I write a post showing "A Day in the Life". I pretty much could've just borrowed pictures from any of those posts-- the routine hasn't changed! 

Lately I have been setting my alarm for 5:00. I charge my phone in our bathroom so I have to get out of bed in order to turn my alarm off, otherwise I'd just roll back over and fall back asleep. Spoken from experience. 😊 

I try to start the day by reading the newspaper, and all of last week there was a big focus on the anniversary of 9/11. 

Then I went to go make my morning cup of coffee:

And I have a big glass of water, and sometimes I'll light a scented candle. Right now I'm on a fall candle kick.

Then I take my coffee back to bed, and look through my calendar for the day:

I usually only look at my calendar first thing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays I head straight to the gym. On Sundays I get straight in the shower to get ready for Mass. 

So depending on the day, sometimes I start the day with prayer and my prayer journal, but other days I prefer to pray while I run/walk. On this day I decided to pray while I went for my morning walk... but since it was still dark outside, I read my book until the sun started to come up:

Then after the sun came up, I headed out for my early morning walk and prayer (forgot to take a pic, sorry!).

Then when I get home, the kids wake up and the craziness of the day begins! Each day looks a little different depending on what we have going on that day. 

So nothing too special about my morning routine, just a relaxed way to ease into the day. I am looking forward to reading your morning routines! If you blogged your morning routine, please link up with us below:

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