Getting my act together...

Basically, I'm a lazy person. That doesn't mean I don't work hard at doing things, but my nature is to take it easy... I won't go into my life's story and try to blame my mother for the way I turned out, but I have had to learn to run a home by trial and error...lots of error! And, believe me, our first several years of marriage were no bed of roses...poor Roger...he's a saint! Anyway, having lived a few years now, I know myself a little better and know that I operate best when there's structure in my day. As a matter of fact, I've been surprised at how calm and peaceful it can be when you set goals and boundaries in your life, not just with what you want to get done for the day, but in what you choose NOT to do (sports activities, church activities, computer,etc..). I was reading Crystal's blog and I've been re-inspired to get something in my life taken care of: My morning routine. I had mentioned in a previous post that I love to sleep. I like napping and can do it just about anywhere and at any time of the day. I like laying in bed after I wake up and just thinking... or praying... or listening to my Littles as the are getting around downstairs. Here's my dilemma... I have 5 children between the ages of 6-16. The bottom 4 are home schooled and my oldest goes to school. When they were younger, I taught them how to get their own breakfast. This was during the childbearing years when, between sleepless nights and nursing, my poor older kids wouldn't have had breakfast until 10:00 a.m. if they didn't learn how to do it themselves. However, this has allowed me to not have to be involved in breakfast...they can do it all by themselves. Well, now I feel like I'm missing out. I usually come downstairs as they are putting their dishes in the dishwasher (yes, we'll definitely continue with that!), but then my oldest is off to school while the younger are off to get ready for the day...etc... So, my little challenge to myself is to get myself up and downstairs to be a part of breakfast. Unfortunately, this means I'll need to get up earlier. Ohhhh, I wish I was a morning person. I WANT to be a morning person. In order to meet this goal, I will have to make myself go to bed earlier. So, here it is...
I, Trish Y., do solemnly promise to do my very, very hardest to go to bed no later than 10:30 each night. It's official...you are my witness...
The rest of my oath...
--get up at 6:30 (quiet time and get dressed)
--7:00 - breakfast with family (unload dishwasher)
--7:30 - set out dinner, start a load of laundry, make sure kids are ready for the day, tidy kitchen
--8:00 - start school

What do you think? I'm going to start tonight, just to give myself a running start for next week. How is your morning routine? Any of you "morning people" have any tips on how to make the most of my mornings? Or, any of you "night owls" that have good morning routines...how do you do it!