Struggles

I have been struggling lately.  It seems like no matter how hard I try, I just can't stay on top of everything.  What is everything?

• My son - I love him so dearly, but I have no idea what to do with him. Today we were at lunch with my mother and sister-in-law, and he threw a fit as soon as he realized there would be no more chocolate milk.  Do I take him out and spank him?  Do I try to bribe him into being quiet with ice cream?  Do I let him get out of the high chair and sit on my lap?  (I did all of these things.)  And why is he behaving this way?  Is it really because of the milk, or is it because he's tired?  Is he just angry, or does he really want to sit with Nana instead of with me? 
• My job -  It's April.  April sucks.  Kids don't want to work, and neither do I.  In fact, I left a huge stack of grading on my desk simply because I couldn't summon the energy to grade it.  Lately I have a love/hate relationship with my job.  I like contributing to society, I like interacting with kids and co-workers, and obviously I like the paycheck, but I hate dealing with difficult kids, I hate going home completely beat at the end of the day, and most of all, I hate how I am constantly wishing I was with my son.  (Although, lunches like the one today make me feel less like this.)
• My house - It's a wreck.  Okay, it's not really a wreck, but there are toys everywhere and *confession* the dishes I washed in the dishwasher on Tuesday still haven't been emptied.  Laundry is piling up, we are out of groceries, and I find myself more and more tempted to go out to eat instead of dealing with it all.

Ah, okay.  I've unloaded.  That's all I'm going to allow myself.  Here's how I plan to make next week a better week:

1. Schedule time at home. Part of my issues stem from the fact that I have been out three of the past four nights for the KU game, a movie with my book club kids from school, and church.  Next week, I only have Bunco Wednesday and church Thursday.  This will give me some good time at home with my husband and son.
2. Go back to my morning routine.  Since I was up late so much this week, I've been sleeping in and haven't been doing my usual morning routine.  I know this is affecting both my outlook and energy. Even just spending dedicated time praying in the mornings would help!
3. Come up with a chores schedule. I am of the belief that if I can just get things organized enough, my life will be easier. This is either not true or I have never been organized enough.  This weekend I'm going to sit down and write out a daily chore chart, which I will post.
4. Return to reading for pleasure.  Since I got my Nook, I have averaged about a book a week.  This week, I have read NOTHING.  I plan to change that this evening.
5. Count my blessings.  There are so many things I have that I don't deserve.  How ungrateful of me to complain about a few lousy little things.

Next week will be better!