So I haven't swayed from my plan. I'm right on target! Everything is going well, I'm staying organized and I think I've developed a pretty good routine. School starts for Marissa one week from today. We get the puppy in 11 days and Christian's pre-k will start back up on Sept. 6th. We are BUSY! :)
Here are some changes I've made:
4:30AM wake up for morning workout- I'm home and ready to tackle the day by 6:15; no longer do I have to worry about getting that workout in between the crazy hours of "life". We all know that busy moms have lots of priorities, and those don't necessarily have anything to do with "mom". I'm really loving this time to myself and I like that it doesn't cut into my family or work time.
Speed cleaning- I have organized myself so that I can clean my house, top to bottom, in two hours flat. This is a GOOD cleaning too...no skimping! I put all my cleaning supplies into a large bucket, I start at the top floor, clean one room at a time, don't allow myself to run all over the house collecting things, or get distracted, etc. I just work literally from the top to the bottom-taking all the supplies with me as I go. I don't stop to check email, I carry the phone clipped to my pants with an ear piece in so I can utilize both hands if I'm on the phone, and I just move move move until the job is done! Nothing feels better than having the house completely clean by 10AM on a Saturday morning and having the entire rest of the weekend WORRY free!
Kids and Chores- I have strictly implemented and enforced a chore list for the kids. Having them help, helps me A LOT! They make their beds, bring their laundry to the laundry room, water plants, gather all the trash and put all their toys and belongings away. Sounds simple...and its probably something they should have been doing all along. The way I see it, they are helping out around the house and character building!
Prep before Bedtime- I get everything ready for the next day the night before. I lay out my gym clothes, pack the gym bag, have my water bottle filled and ready to go and breakfast front and center and ready to warm up and eat! I have lunches packed, and my outfit for the day planned out. I'm working on getting the kids' things ready the night before too. I think that will help tremendously!
Go to bed EARLY- I need to get my full 8 hours if I'm going to operate at this pace. If my brain is tired, its not clear and if its not clear, none of these plans will happen.
So I'm sticking to it and really happy with how things are going! FORWARD MARCH!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Kicking Butt!
I made sure I set some goals for this week to help me get organized and in the mindset for the school year. I am SO glad that I did! I'm kicking butt! I cleaned the entire house and did all the laundry (and put it away! That in itself is HUGE!)I also did some major meal prep; protein oatmeal pancakes, banana protein muffins, got all the fixings for salads, etc. I'm feeling on top of the world and just ready to tackle the week.
I think my greatest accomplishment thus far is that I was able to pry myself out of bed this morning and get to the gym! 4:30AM is UGLY, but I know the rewards will be HOT! :)
I'm going to start listing my goals on Sunday mornings and seeing if I can stick to the plan. I think this is a great way to stay motivated and organized in life...
I think my greatest accomplishment thus far is that I was able to pry myself out of bed this morning and get to the gym! 4:30AM is UGLY, but I know the rewards will be HOT! :)
I'm going to start listing my goals on Sunday mornings and seeing if I can stick to the plan. I think this is a great way to stay motivated and organized in life...
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Routine Readiness
For the month of August, I'm desperately trying to get back into a routine so that I don't go into shock when the beginning of the school year arrives. I've been getting up at 4:30am, going to workout, home by 6:15 and then I start the morning shuffle of breakfast, showers, packing lunches, and getting the kids where they need to be and rolling into the office by 9am. This has been great practice and I think I'm getting the hang of it (a few minor lapses, let's call those "MONDAYS", but overall I'm doing very well!)
My biggest concern and reason for getting into this routine is that I know that life is drastically going to change when we add the puppy to the mix. Puppies are a lot of work; housetraining, crate training, exercising, feeding, playing, etc... Those things take TIME and puppies don't understand that there is a 30 minute commute, that the kids have to be at a certain place at a certain time and that she's only going to get about 20 minutes to do her business and then she's just SOL until our next stop. I've got to get myself organized so that I can devote the necessary time to get the puppy acclimated with our lifestyle and make sure that this transition is a happy one. I know this is not going to be easy and that there are going to be times when I question what the hell I was thinking bringing a dog into our craziness, but I know that this is going to be a lifelong commitment that brings our family much joy.
This morning, I realized that a 4:30am wake-up and a 7:30am school departure time does not really allow much time to dilly dally. I've got to make sure I've got a system down and that I'm fully prepared to get things moving in the morning. I think I need to sit down with my hubby so we can develop an effective plan... However, we all know about plans, right? I'll plan and the kids and dog will plan something different.
My biggest concern and reason for getting into this routine is that I know that life is drastically going to change when we add the puppy to the mix. Puppies are a lot of work; housetraining, crate training, exercising, feeding, playing, etc... Those things take TIME and puppies don't understand that there is a 30 minute commute, that the kids have to be at a certain place at a certain time and that she's only going to get about 20 minutes to do her business and then she's just SOL until our next stop. I've got to get myself organized so that I can devote the necessary time to get the puppy acclimated with our lifestyle and make sure that this transition is a happy one. I know this is not going to be easy and that there are going to be times when I question what the hell I was thinking bringing a dog into our craziness, but I know that this is going to be a lifelong commitment that brings our family much joy.
This morning, I realized that a 4:30am wake-up and a 7:30am school departure time does not really allow much time to dilly dally. I've got to make sure I've got a system down and that I'm fully prepared to get things moving in the morning. I think I need to sit down with my hubby so we can develop an effective plan... However, we all know about plans, right? I'll plan and the kids and dog will plan something different.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Lazy Summer leads to the Busy Fall!
I'm still here, its just that summer has KILLED my routine and I can barely remember what day of the week it is most of the time. This summer, I decided not to register the kids for tons of camps/activities. Marissa has gone to a few piano lessons, and I did register her for 2 camps, Theatre and Choir for a couple weeks in August. We spent a lot of time at our beach home and then visited my family in Kansas in July.
Its just been a very laid back summer and I'll admit that I've been totally slacking with working out, blogging, housekeeping, etc. I'm just enjoying the down time and spending quality time with the kids. I find myself sleeping in more, playing outside more, going to movies and relaxing more than I ever have in my life! Can't complain; except for the fact that I've put on a little weight. LOL! I'm not worried though, once I get back into the routine and on a workout schedule and back to the business we call life...I'm sure I'll drop the weight very quickly.
As we get closer to the school year, I'm trying to get back into a routine so that its not a shock to my system come September. I'm trying to get up and out to my workouts before the family wakes up. We're also getting our puppy Labor Day weekend, so I need to get organized in preparation for this wonderful addition to our family!
The kids' activities this fall are exciting. Marissa will be doing piano, chorus and hip hop dance, while Christian starts martial arts! We'll have a busy schedule ahead of us and I'm both nervous and optimistic that this coming season is going be full of wonderful new things!
Its just been a very laid back summer and I'll admit that I've been totally slacking with working out, blogging, housekeeping, etc. I'm just enjoying the down time and spending quality time with the kids. I find myself sleeping in more, playing outside more, going to movies and relaxing more than I ever have in my life! Can't complain; except for the fact that I've put on a little weight. LOL! I'm not worried though, once I get back into the routine and on a workout schedule and back to the business we call life...I'm sure I'll drop the weight very quickly.
As we get closer to the school year, I'm trying to get back into a routine so that its not a shock to my system come September. I'm trying to get up and out to my workouts before the family wakes up. We're also getting our puppy Labor Day weekend, so I need to get organized in preparation for this wonderful addition to our family!
The kids' activities this fall are exciting. Marissa will be doing piano, chorus and hip hop dance, while Christian starts martial arts! We'll have a busy schedule ahead of us and I'm both nervous and optimistic that this coming season is going be full of wonderful new things!
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