Couch to 5K, New Years Resolutions and decorating indecisions.

Remember that Couch to 5K goal? Well, I know that I should be done with that by now, but I hit a little hiccup. I really thought that I would be able to keep running the week we moved. However, I wasn't anticipating catching a nasty little cold. Along with Shane. Does anyone know what happens when you get sick and you aren't able to rest at all? Well, you stay sick. During the entire pack, move out, unpack two weeks, Shane and I were sick and I didn't run once.

By the time I felt better I was itching to hit the treadmill. The first time back I thought it was going to be awful, but the most amazing thing happened. I was running! Like, I didn't feel the need to stop and walk. I just keep running and it felt amazing. I ran longer than I ever have in my entire life.

The next day I felt so good, I went to a Zumba class.

The day after that I woke up to a pulled groin and I had thrown out my shoulder. Sweet.

I had to put the running on hold for a couple weeks. By then it was Christmas and I was on vacation. My only exercise was lifting snacks to my face while playing cards.

I did take the kids hiking around my parents home, so that's something right??

Anyway. I decided to start again at week four. This will be a gentler transition back hopefully.

I want to run a 5K this summer. That's goal number one.

My other new year's goal for the year is pretty simple. Actually, that is my new year's goal.

Simplify. 

I have a master list of things that I want to get done everyday:


Pray.
Read my scriptures.
Spend quality one on one time with each child.
Kiss and talk with Shane.
Make healthy meals.
Exercise.

There are lots of other nice things in my life I want to spend time on too, but these are essentials. I have noticed that when any of these things fall by the wayside, I start feeling like a failure. That is a horrible feeling that I would really like to shake. If I can get these things taken care of, I know that all the other necessary obligations will be easier for me to do. I sure feel better about cleaning when I know I've spent time with my kids. I don't mind blogging for a bit at night when I've spend time with Shane. I don't feel quite so alone when I have prayed for help each morning. Exercise makes everything better. (You can find this cute simplify sign here.)

So those are my two goals for 2012. Run and Simplify. I have lots of small goals in place to make those two goals manageable.

One thing I'm starting to do to add a little healthy is making green smoothies for breakfast. 

Thanks to Santa (i.e. my Dad), I've sent my crap blender to the shelves of Goodwill and I'm reigning in the pure power of the Blendtec. 

Wow. This thing is a beast! Love it!!! I can't believe how well it works.

The best green smoothie recipe I've found is my friend Melanie's. If you haven't tried this on your kids yet, you're missing out. Tastes wonderful and you don't notice the greens at all.

We also canceled our cable. It was mostly a financial decision to offset the higher energy bills in this bigger home.  But bonus, the kids now love to go to the gym daycare to watch the Disney Channel

and I don't mind the treadmill TV either. Seriously, watching Toddlers and Tiaras makes me feel so much better about my parenting.

In other news...

I've taken down Christmas and just left out "Winter" decor. 

Though, I never take down Christmas cards until January is over. They just make me happy whenever I see them. (I took the photos in a few of these cards. Look whose figuring out how to use her camera!)

Our home is almost totally unpacked and we've started painting. I still have no idea what to do on this mantle. I know it needs a big statement piece, but I'm not sure what. 

(Love the bird plate mom!)

Then immediately after taking that photo I changed my mind and put the winter stuff on the hutch.

So then I stuck up some painted canvases and a piece from Modern Bird Studios. Maybe a trifle too "loftish" for this particular fireplace, but it will work for the week. I already have a Valentine themed display in mind....

And here's what the kids were doing while I was taking that mantle photo.

Tug of war with the sash to my robe. 

I was wearing said robe at 3pm. My kids were still in jammies.

Getting dressed everyday is not an necessity. Simplify People. 

******

P.S. Thank you for all your wonderful comments on my last post! They were fabulous!