Chaotic

Its the weekend, and I survived another week. The great bedroom swap is nearly over. Little Man slept in his new room last night (and woke up VERY early this morning). He is so excited about this space.

The Big Man painted it purple, but its very much a Hot Wheels purple. There is a framed spot on the wall that was painted with dry erase paint that really makes the room pop. New mini-blinds and curtains add to it as well. Last night, the Big Man & I hung a Hot Wheels wallpaper border that matches the new Hot Wheels ceiling fan. I am so excited because it makes him happy. And I love when my son is happy (and hubby too)

Today, I need to get the rest of the old room cleaned out and moved into the new space. Then, I need to get the playroom stuff out of my living room and moved into the old room, which will now be the playroom/craft room. And THEN I can reclaim my house. Its been miserable living with the "construction" for the past week. I feel like I am in an episode of hoarders, because there are piles everywhere. I know that it will all be over soon.

The problem is the fact that since there is construction chaos, its spread throughout the rest of the house. That needs to end. I need to have my home back and have it fully functional again. First and foremost, I need to get the living room done, and the foyer. Then I can move onto the kitchen and dining room, and finally the bathrooms and bedrooms. I know that I won't get to the lower level until next weekend.

That's ok-most of the mess down there are things that I want to donate (hopefully they will get out of the house soon). And then I can get all that under control and cleaned up.

There is a direct corelation in my life between chaos and more chaos. The original chaos attracts more and more, until chaos reigns. I can't stand it, because that's not the way I want to live my life-nor do I want my family to live that way. Basically, when things are "chaotic" in my life things spiral out of control very slowly. In fact, you don't even notice it at first and when you do-its almost too late. Skipping a few workouts here and there, sneaking some bad foods here and there leads to not really working out and eating junk food and stuff that is not going to lead to positive outcomes. Its not about losing weight or inches, its about gaining health. I like having energy and I like having a good night's sleep. I like my skin and hair looking good. But most of all I love being painfree. By exercising and eating healthy, I don't have the pain that has been plaguing me for years.

The other part of it is taking care of my family and home. If I can't take care of myself, how can I take care of anyone else? And so it goes.

Basically, I've been stuck in a rut for the last few months (years) and its beginning to wear and tear on our lives. I have noticed a few bad habits that have snuck into my life, and I am not happy about it. One of them is going to bed exhausted every night. I basically collapse into bed, and feel miserable about it. I rush through bedtime every night with the Little Man, because I am so tired. Its not fair to him nor to me, because that time is so special for us.
Basically, bedtime starts after dinner. Well, preparing for it at least. Cleaning up the kitchen and packing lunches are part of it, as is packing up tote bags and backpacks. Bath time, and play time. Laying out our clothes for the next day, to eliminate stress and confusion in the mornings. Washing up and tidying up too, so we can go to bed in peace. (The Big Man needs to go to bed really early, since he gets up insanely early and is not really part of the whole bedtime thing for us). I think that there is a bit of resentment that it all falls on me to do it all every night, but that's just the devil on my shoulder talking.
Actually, a peaceful good night starts with a happy good morning. If the Little Man goes to bed too late (which means mommy does too!), he doesn't like to get up in the morning. That means we're cranky and miserable, and in a rush to get out of the house because we wouldn't wake up. That puts both of us in high stress mode, and it results in yelling, screaming and tears.
Not a great way to start the day.
So, starting when I get up, I need to make sure that I keep my stress level in check. Yoga and exercise starts the day off well. When the house is messy, makes the whole family on edge. So, its the morning tidy up is important. Also, making sure that there's something ready for dinner that night is important. And breakfast, something we don't ever seem to not eat on the run, is important to getting the day up and going.

Neither of us-the Little Man especially-are morning people. Its a struggle to get out of bed and get going, without the vicious cycle starting over and over and over again. If we don't get a good night's sleep, then getting up will be hard. If we don't get up happy, then there is so much screaming and yelling and misery that it can affect our relationship. I don't want that to happen. I hate being the bad guy all the time. And it doesn't need to be that way. Basically, I need to meet my needs before I can get the little guy up-I need to spend some time in prayer, exercise and getting the house in order, then we can get our day started.
Starting the day off tired and at a sleep deficit means that we are tired and cranky. Add to it basically being hungry, and it makes for two miserable people. That just sets the day up for failure, and that's not a good way to be.

So, we have a fresh slate, with a new room and a new outlook on life.