Thursday, September 1, 2011

Falling into a New Year....

Our summer days are beginning to wind down  and as we head into our fall I am always struck by how the school year always kicks off the year for me more than the turn of the calendar in January ever does.

I have meal plans on the fridge door and daily routines taped to the inside of the pantry door. There have been bags and bags of goods cleaned out of the garage and donated, shopping lists filled out, my pantry is next on the list for being overhauled and my freezer is slowly getting stocked.

I love the days when the air takes just the slightest turn for the crisper and getting back into the kitchen and turning in earlier for bed seems to just ...fit.


This fall I am feeling particularly on my game, and maybe that's just because for the first time in a long time I've felt like I've actually been IN the game and not sitting on the bench.

The bench can be a good place for a breather, but I feel like I've got the grease paint under my eyes and I've got my game face on.

I've been hardcore with getting out of bed every morning at 6, and heading downstairs dressed before the rest of my family stirs to make a cup of coffee, pull out my Bible reading, Parental reading and daily reflection reading and ....read. I also watch the sun come up and let myself ease into the day which is a much better way to face my kids and the tasks ahead of me than by finally throwing myself out of bed because I can't stand the kids fighting and kicking me in my own bed where they've come for "cuddles".

Kudos to you families who have made a family bed for sleeping work.. I don't know how on earth I would do it with mine, but that's great that you somehow do.


Lots of activities have been gotten to in the last couple of weeks that Daddy's been back at work and Mommy has really stepped up to the plate.

Ava is starting school in just exactly a week and already she has her clothes lain out for the first day of school (although I did have to move the ensemble up to the top shelf in her closet so the cat doesn't bed down on it every chance she gets).

Jackson has had the furniture rearranged in his room about 3 times in the last week, trying to find a place to put his bed that is conducive to him sleeping the most soundly. He has never been a great sleeper and lately with his last four teeth FINALLY coming in, he's been touch and go in the sleep department. His bed is now located furthest away from the door and hallway traffic but is on the wall adjoining our master bathroom shower.

We have decided to start showering in the bathroom down the hallway.

I have been keeping up with my running. I now get a good 3 km. roughly four to five times a week. I figure I have most likely plateaued and don't really have a goal in front of me for pushing myself harder or farther. The way I see it, I have built a pretty good habit of getting out and exercising regularly for about a half an hour throughout my week. I can find the time pretty easily for it, enjoy it and don't find it stressful or strenuous. The reason I started the running in the first place was to see if it would have an effect on my migraine health and I am so pumped to report that I have been migraine free for almost 2 whole months now. I don't know if I can attribute all of that just to running, but I definitely feel the difference that exercise has made on my overall health and I think I can safely say it's had an impact on my emotional and mental health too. I just feel proud of myself for being able to do it, and sticking with it. My energy is much higher and I feel some of my agorophobic tendencies receding (the fear or aversion to really exerting myself is something I struggle with every now and again).
How I will keep up my routine of exercise through the fall and winter is a mystery waiting to be solved. But my lovely friend Susan encouraged me just this morning to think about getting into the pool and conquering my next big fear, which is deep water and swimming in it.... I was never taught how and have always been terrified to try.

On days like today I feel like I just might be able to do it.

Anyway, these were all just random little notes about what's been going on around here as we fall headfirst into a new year and all the new adventures that come with it.

What new adventures are you embarking on????


cheers.

4 comments:

  1. I always feel the need to buy a new calendar in September, because it feels like a new year to me too! So proud of you for the running, and happy about your migraines!! That's great news Ashley :)

    Oh, and if it helps encourage you at all, my mom didn't take swimming lessons until she was about 48 or so! But she did it, and was very proud of herself! (not sure I'd trust her to save me, because she's a panicer!) haha

    Great post- I feel like I'm all caught up :)

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  2. As sad as I always am that summer is ending, I really do love Fall, and all the "newness" it brings with it! I just wish Fall lasted longer here in Alberta, and wasn't so eager to plunge into winter...

    About your running, you are an inspiration!! I would love to do something like that, but alas so far it hasn't happened. But perhaps I could manage to at least get up a little earlier, to shower and start my day in a more peaceful tone (my mornings are exactly as you described: at long last I haul myself out of bed while the kids jump on me and tear my room apart).

    And I agree, give swimming a try! It's great and pleasant exercise :)

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  3. So good to be 'on' again and peeking in on your sweet little world. It is funny, but I have missed you, my little Blog friend and I think of you often. I have prayed for you as you wind down to fall and embark on this new year. I am eager to be more connected again and hear all about what God has in store for you and your sweet family.
    Blessings!
    Tiffany

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  4. Love it all Ash. September is the best time of year for sure - I love getting back into the routines as well.
    And, on the swimming note, I have been scared of water since about 8 or 9 years old. Just yesterday we took the girls to the pool and I did something previously unfathomable...I dived into the deep end! Only a short lived panic attack while I was underwater, but then I did it 3 more times! I think you should get in there and give it a go. ;)

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