A New Year & Massive Changes

Are you a morning person?

I am not.

In the past, Ryan has gotten up with our oldest son, gotten him breakfast and taken him to early morning Jazz band practice on his way to work.  And then I've slept in a bit, gotten the other boys up, ready for school and out to the bus stop.

But I thought it was time we made some changes. So, now we're all getting up together. Ack! I hope I can keep it up. Weston isn't doing Jazz band this semester, so we don't have to get up quite so early as before. I'm also getting up before the kids a little bit so I can get my running in....Weston wakes up while I'm running on the treadmill and comes to say hi to me.

Before I was trying to find time to run in the morning after the boys got on the bus, but then it seemed like my whole morning was about running. I had to find something to keep the girls busy. And then find time to snag a shower after. I also tried running after the kids were in bed. But then I was so so tired.

So, now I get up, run without wee ones around (this is lovely), we have breakfast together and then Ryan takes Weston to school and Emmett and Sam get some stuff done. They get their chore done, do their reading time or Emmett does some piano practicing. It's so great.

Don't get me wrong though. I'm still not a morning person. This isn't easy. And it's even harder for me to make myself go to bed earlier so I can get enough sleep. But I can already see this is better for our family. I love our time together in the morning. And it's giving me a jump-start on the day. I've been feeling overwhelmed and as if I don't have enough time to get everything done (I must be a mother.) and not that I can do everything now, but I feel happier about what I'm getting done in one day.

Another massive change I'm making has to do with writing. I needed a specific time of the day that is all mine. That I can get the words down.  In the past, I've tried to fit writing into the cracks of the day....in the morning while the girls watch Cat in the Hat or at nap time or after the kids are in bed and then I stayed up way too late. But I like how Mette Ivie Harrison sets aside a couple hours after lunch for her writing. She doesn't let anything disturb her. And when the time is up, she closes the office doors and goes back to her family.

Brilliant, right?

So, here we go. Nap time is mine. I've tried this in the past, but now I'm getting serious people. I need to write. I need to get this book written. But I don't want this Novel Beast to take over my life. I need to know when I'll write. And then when I'll stop.

I should be able to get around two hours of writing done each day this way. I only got a half an hour yesterday since Zoe woke up from her nap early and snuggled up on the couch. This was then proceeded by the surprising sound of liquid gushing.

Yes, the flu has come to visit. Fun, right?

So, there you have it. Massive Changes for the new year. Let's hope I can keep them up!