Top of The Mornin' To Ya!

AZ morning sunrise

Back when Doug and I were very first married I was a morning person. I loved to get up early to start the day (unless of course it was freezing outside). It was a guarantee that my eyes would pop open and be awake at the latest by 7:30am. (even on the weekends--it used to drive Doug insane). I am not sure when the tables turned. In our household Doug has been known to create and say some of the craziest things. One of his more popular sayings is...... in the most high pitched Irish voice, "Top of the Mornin' To Ya!" It can be quite obnoxious, but it has now become a joke in our house. Perhaps having to get up early to be at the hospital at the crack of dawn has done it. At any rate Doug is definitely WAY more of a morning person than I am. Despite my constant battle to stay in bed my alarm goes off at 5:30am whether or not I would like it too. Eventually I find my self rolling out of bed about 15 minutes later (after a few snooze smacks).

Some may think that is a little early, but in order for me to fit in my exercise regiment for the day I really don't have a choice. I really miss loading up my boys in the double stroller and doing my 3-4 mile walk each day. I am afraid with our schedules those days are long over. I have found that running 3-4 times a week isn't as enjoyable as walking.

Our first step

We have been wanting to put Taylor on some sort of exercise regiment for a while. Kids just don't "play" the way they used to. Things such as bike riding, running around, and being outside is becoming a thing of the past. Blasted electronics anyway! Don't misunderstand, I don't think my daughter is fat or needs to loose weight, I just think that getting outside and being in the fresh air does wonders for your soul. I am hoping it will also teach her the principal early to bed/early to rise. Cheesy, but I think Taylor struggles with going to bed much too late, causing her to be dragging ALL day long.

The moon was full and heading up as we were leaving.
Very cool!

We struck a deal with her that if she walks three times a week (MWF) with me for the next month she would in return be able to have a chef party with 5-6 of her friends. (Something that she has been REALLY wanting to do). I think it's a win/win for all. I not only will have someone to go with, but I think it will be a fun time to bond with her. Another bonus is she will also be passing off something in her Faith in God book. Wish us luck!

The Consequence

Vacancy spot in front of the television, very rare!

Due to behavior issues (I'll spare any details) with my boys this past week we were at our wits end, literally. Really, it has to stop! However, Doug decided not only to take away ALL electronics, but the television as well. I'll admit the t.v. portion sorta made me cringe. After all, this was my free babysitter in desperate times, or if I just needed some extra silence in the house. The first day (Monday) Jared immediately proclaimed how incredibly bored he was seconds after walking in the door from school. My thoughts, too bad and you did this to yourself! (mean thoughts I know) Bad behavior has painful consequences (even if it is painful to the parents as well). What happened to loving to play outside as a kid? We have absolutely awesome weather in the winter here, live it up! Again, no sympathy for boredom.

Courtney, to you recognize this 20 year old blanket?

Day 2 was a little better and the kids played outside for about 2 hours. The bonus, it was during the bewitching hours (you know preparing dinner time). The beauty was I was able to get some last minute things done in peace. By Day 3 they weren't even asking for the television. It was like the forgotten old toy. Of course, by this time behavior was improving which meant privileges were able to come back. Quite honestly I am not sure I am ready for the boob tube to come back. Just in the past three days we have actually talked more as a family, studied our scriptures and I got a wild hair and began reading the Christmas Box to the kids. We have also been having fun listening to various types of music inclining us all to dance a time or two. Good times.

Getting ready to walk with the ipod

On a random note, I discovered something I should have done weeks ago. When our weather turned cold at the end of last week my boys weren't exactly thrilled about getting into the stroller in 35 degree weather. I make sure they are bundled from head to toe, but I still get the complaints and whines about different aches and pains. I take my ipod on occasion to allow the time to pass more quickly since I haven't had a walking partner in a while. (*sigh*) It dawned on me that I made my boys their own special mix when I redid my ipod a few weeks ago. Why not let them listen to it? Brilliant! Over the past few days, I have not heard one peep out of them--I guess they are much more interested in listening to this. Just click play. Isn't this song great?



good deed: fixed our house insurance