Goodbye sun

Today, when I was picking the kids up from school, the skies opened up and dropped sleet all over everything. It began to collect and the ground turned white.

I cried a bit on the inside as I sat in my car hoping I wasn't seeing what I thought I was.

Snow? Sleet? Whatever you want to call it. It was ice falling from the sky. When I walked into the building, the ground crunched under my feet.

Bleh.

We were very fortunate with a beautiful Summer. The temperatures were reasonably mild, with the exception of a few scorching days. We barely had our air conditioning on. I think Mother Nature was playing tricks on us. She gave us a great Summer and, in turn, is giving us a crummy Fall.

It has been cold and rainy. And the lack of sun is very unmotivating. Is that even a word?

It's such a good thing Connor and Sasha have theatre class on Mondays, and preschool on Wednesdays and Fridays because if it weren't for those classes, we would be hibernating already.

Boo.

However, on a positive note, the weather is supposed to be fairly nice this weekend. At least it's not going to rain. We have a Halloween party through my Mom's group on Sunday. I can't wait to see the kids all dressed up in their costumes.

That is, if they survive tonight. Both of them have been up and out of their rooms once already. Sasha is crying again, saying, "I can't put my sheets on." It won't be long until she's out of her room again. And I'm up there...again.

I was going to try to get a run in tonight, but there's no way I can do it now. Not with them still being awake. But, that's ok. I'm getting exercise with all of the running up and down the stairs to tuck them back in.

I guess that's one way of looking at it.

My new goal

While I was in England for my cousin's wedding, I decided enough was enough. I needed to do something to get myself back in shape. Or should I say, put myself back in better shape.

Because "marshmallow" is not a shape I want to be. And that's exactly how I was feeling.

My friend, Kelly, had told me about the success she had with the running program Couch to 5K.
http://www.c25k.com/

Basically, it is designed to get you from the couch to running 30 minutes straight (or a 5K) in 9 weeks, exercising 3 days a week. Obviously, depending on your physical condition, it could take a bit longer. Right now, I am on week 5 and loving it.

I have never been one to love exercising. Hell, I have never even liked exercising. But, funny enough, I've always wanted to be a runner.

I've passed runners on the road, all fit and zooming by, and have had a small twinge of jealousy. And every time I hear of people finishing a marathon or some kind of timed run, a part of me wishes I would have the motivation enough to be one of those runners. Completing a challenge. All fit and running and all that. I never thought I could be a runner. I mean, I couldn't even run up the stairs without getting winded.

But that has all changed.

This program gives me the mini-goals I need to be a runner. Or at least a jogger, which is still way more than I ever thought I could be. Each week, they increase the running time and decrease the walking time. So far, I have been able to keep up with the program. I can run for 5 minutes straight without stopping. Thursday, they increase it to 8 minutes straight. Then, this weekend, it jumps to 20 minutes w/out walking. Yikes!

My goal is to run a 5K, which is just over 3 miles. Straight. Without stopping to walk. Once I get to that point, I want to decrease the time it takes me to do it. Then, I want to register for a 5K run, hopefully raising some money for one of my favorite charities, and finish it.

And, as an added bonus to all of this, my shape has begun to change. I'm not where I want to be, but I'm no longer marshmallow-shaped!

Sweet!

Aaaaannnd, we're back.

Remember all of the things I mentioned were happening in September?

And how I was completely stressed out because the entire month was going to be absolutely stressful and busy?

Well, September happened. That is why I haven't posted in over a month. September.

Phew.

And, I just realized that we're already halfway through October. I swear, where does the time go?

So, now we're busy with Fall things. Like upcoming Halloween parties, trick-or-treating and sugar rushes.

Connor and Sasha are at an amazing age right now. They understand so much more than they did in previous years. They "get" trick-or-treating and have picked out their own costumes. Connor is a clown. Sasha is Abby Cadabby (a Sesame Street character). I'm very surprised with her choice in costumes considering we don't watch Sesame Street anymore, and haven't in over a year, but whatever. It's her choice and she loves it.

Both of them find the leaves changing completely fascinating. As we drive, they point out all of the colors they see. They cannot wait to rake the leaves and jump in the pile. They mention it nearly every day.

I love how they see the world with fresh eyes. They're excited about everything. Most of us take the change in seasons for granted. In fact, I think a lot of us see Fall as the beginning of the end. For, no matter how beautiful it is, after Fall comes the cold, miserable Winter.

I am very grateful that I have them to slow me down a bit. To appreciate the color of the leaves. Really appreciate them. Sometimes it gets awfully hard to stop and get down on their level to do that. But I really try to do it.

After all, they're only three once. And before I know it, they'll be zipping by, not even paying attention to the color of the leaves.

I want to make the most of each day I get with them while they can still show me how to make the most of my days. Does that make sense?

I promise to post more. Things have begun to settle and I have the time now.
And I owe you some pictures, too.

In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful Fall view you get. It'll be gone before you know it.