What a day!

My mind was racing this morning at 6 so I drug myself out of bed. I actually chanted to myself over and over in my head like a group of cheerleaders were encouraging me along. "Go, Jenny, You can do it! Get out of bed!" I needed those inner voices yelling at me because it was below freezing and the bed was so warm and snugly. I managed to get into the bathroom and brush my teeth. I took it one step at a time...get clothes, change clothes, find gloves, put on gloves - take off gloves to put harness on dog, put on gloves - take off gloves to lace shoes. Finally, put on gloves and head out the door. The sun was coming up and the air was COLD! The leaves were matted with a fine powdery frost and they crunched under my feet and Sasha's paws. We were both glad that the cheerleaders worked today. Maybe I will have a hard time silencing them tomorrow too. Hopefully so.
After the 1.5 mile walk, I was welcomed home by silence. No one was stirring and I was able to get about 5 minutes of reading in before Cole announced that it wasn't "dark again." This is his way of saying that it isn't dark anymore. The Fios installation tech came at 9am and he was here until 2pm. It was exhausting and Cole wasn't at all interested in taking a nap while he was here. Cole did go down for a nap but I had to wake him up to go to the Preschool Preview Night. I had volunteered to help set up but was so glad that my absence didn't make a difference since the people who work at the preschool at the church set up the room before we got there. Phew! Chris and I walked around and narrowed the group down to 3 and now I will make calls and set up dates to visit our top 2. Hopefully, we will get Cole enrolled in the one we want and he will be all set to go for September.
We got home and had supper and I discovered that my beloved laptop has finally bit the dust. Over the past 4 months, it has had trouble starting up. We actually have to tap the bottom to get it to respond. Today, it didn't do anything. Chris, bless him, took the time to remove all of the tiny screws and clean it out, tighten up the innards, and put it all back together again. Unfortunately, his hard work was not rewarded with the familiar log-in screen...still nothing. It is flat-lining. We are lucky to also have a desktop so I have now made myself at home and, once again, we are sharing computer time. Oh well.
Tomorrow will be busy too so I must turn in for now.

Important Rhys update: We have the very first pins and needles that indicate that his bottom teeth are breaking the surface of his gums! TEETH!

In a haze and Motivation tip #4

I am so tired from the weekend and feel like I have been in a haze all day. It is just shy of 6:00pm and I am already wondering when I will be able to get in the bed. I have eaten as have Cole and Rhys and they both had a bath and are in their pajamas. Chris just came home from work so once he gets settled in, I will probably get ready for bed.
Chris was up with Rhys most of the times he woke last night but I fed him at 11 and then again at 3. He is miserable at night with the teething but as we all know: this too shall pass. It is a rainy day and we have stayed in all day. We did manage to get dressed in comfy clothes and just generally relax. I indulged in a candy bar but had salad for dinner. I am not planning on walking. I am just too wiped out today. I did some stretching and sit-ups today so that will count for something.
I will be eager to get out tomorrow after a good sleep.

Motivation Tip #4: Remember that you are doing this for yourself and there are probably too few things you can say that about. Don't deprive yourself of this too.

Monday, Monday and Motivation Tip #3

The day started off with a bang. Rhys was fussy from 2:40 until 4:00am. I let him try to sort himself out but I couldn't rest so I was exhausted by the time 6:00am rolled around and my walking alarm went off. I didn't even hear it for 2 minutes! Chris finally woke me up and I passed on the walk but Chris pushed through and went for a run himself. It was FREEZING at 35 degrees and I was happy to have stayed in bed.
With his early rise, he was out the door for work before 8 and we headed out to the "chemist" and grocery store after Rhys woke up. I was glad to get all of my list taken care of. I always feel better when the pantry and refrigerator are stocked up. I took the boys for a walk when we got back from the store. Rhys rode in the backpack baby carrier and Cole walked on his own. He had been so good in the grocery store and was a big helper so I was happy for him to walk independently and he listened well.
I managed to get the laundry done, the kitchen cleaned, baked an apple crisp, and did a slow cooker ale pork tenderloin with baby potatoes and carrots. Dinner tasted yummy but Cole was especially naughty and Rhys cried the entire time. Cole was ultimately sent to bed and Rhys finally calmed down. I went for another walk to clear my head and am finally settling down for a relaxing evening. This entry isn't entirely exciting but it is a reflection of our day.

Motivation Tip #3 Determine your distance or destination/turn-around area in your head before you leave the house. If you want to go further, do; but at least make your original destination - put your brain on autopilot.

TGIF and Motivation Tip #2

It is Friday and last night was a doozie! Rhys still isn't sleeping through the night and at midnight, he decided that he wanted ME! I kept getting him to sleep and as soon as I would make a move, he would wail. I finally resorted to laying on the floor with him until he completely drifted off and then put him in his crib. He came around again around 5:30 so I fed him and hit the road again. Cole came in the room and bunked with Chris as I was getting ready to head out. Sasha was happy that we were going but it really took a lot of mental encouragement to get me out the door. I was proud of myself for pushing through and doing it. Day 6!

Motivation Tip #2: Don't give yourself the option. Think of it like an appointment that you cannot break.

Busy days start early - Motivation Tip #1

Day 4 on the walking band wagon and I was out of the house by 6:05am. Sasha and I walked for about a mile and when we got home I kept the momentum going. I changed diapers on both boybies and "encouraged" Chris to get out the door for his own exercise routine. While he was gone, I showered and nursed the baby. While Chris was out walk/running, Cole asked me about the whereabouts of the sun since it was still dark out. I explained that it would be coming up soon and he would be able to see it through the dining room window. He wasn't interested in watching it come up but kept asking where it was. I said that it was shining over another city and was moving our way. I assured him that it would be here soon. He heard an airplane overhead and asked what that noise was. I told him that it was a plane. He said, "I think it is the sun." I told him that the sun didn't make any noise when it came up but it would be here soon. He looked at me and said, "Mama, I am scared." I had to laugh.


We were out the door earlier than expected so I went ahead and did some light grocery shopping before our MOMS Club monthly meeting. On the way to the meeting, we were behind a Domino's Pizza tractor trailer truck. Cole said, "That is a pizza truck!" I didn't know how he would know that since we so rarely order Domino's pizza and their logo isn't exactly intuitive. I asked him what the words were and he said, "Pizza!" God Bless Word World and their Perfect Pizza episode where they make a Pizza full of items that start with P.


At the meeting, Cole enjoyed playing with his friends, Rhys enjoyed seeing everyone in costume, and I enjoyed talking to my friends. I was a little frustrated because Cole refused to wear his costume even though he has begged me to put it on him all week long! Cole had lots of sweet treats and I allowed myself 1 frosted cookie and avoided the cupcakes...it was so HARD!

A police officer came to the meeting as our guest speaker. He talked to the kids about stranger danger and also gave out coloring books and finger print kits. He also was so nice to treat the kids with a tour of his brand new car. Each child took a turn sitting in the passenger seat and pushing the buttons to turn the lights on and start the siren. He was one of a few of the children who was okay with it and not scared of the loud noises. I was happy that he enjoyed the opportunity since he is usually so scared.


When we got home, I had to unload the kids and groceries. Cole said that he wanted to help. I said, "I really appreciate that." He said, "I would be happy to help you with the groceries." Honestly, some of the phrases that come out of his mouth!
Well, we are getting through the afternoon. The boys are resting nicely upstairs and I am trying to relax a little too. My back is bothering me and I hope that the more I exercise, the better it will feel...one more reason to keep at it!

Motivation Tip#1:
Keep your shoes by the door. Nothing derails an attempt to get out the door more than missing shoes!