Not a Morning Person?

Neither am I. But I am turning over a new leaf. Life has required that of me lately. If you asked me to stay up until 2:00am, I could do it without even batting an eyelash. I always get so much done after the kids go to bed, but....I need to sleep. So I have been scouring all my old magazines, Internet articles, and advice from friends to change this habit that is affecting so much of my life. What I am finding is some pretty interesting stuff.
So what I have come to discover is work within your limitations. I get this one! I always have energy at night and during the day, so I have started prepping lunch items for my children so that they can put their own lunches together and life still runs smoothly. Another little trick, is to prepare that smoothie at night. I love my Blueberry Smoothie with spinach. It makes me feel good just drinking it. But in the morning, I reach for the thing that requires the least amount of energy...and it never gets made. So put all the ingredients in the blender and stick it in the fridge before you go to bed...how novel is that?! It actually worked and the blueberries were still half frozen, the way I like and most of the mess was already put away from last night...
Now for the really doozy....I am getting myself out of bed at 4:45am to go to the gym, while I still can(since we are moving). I didn't do much of anything last week except complain that I had no time to go to the gym. So I did it. I got up after an agonizing night of insomnia and went to the gym with the diehards in the morning. I get back in time to make sure the kids are up and getting ready for school and enjoy my day.
Next, insomnia....I have been struggling with this since January. I just can't sleep at night. My brain is going 100 miles and hour and I can't shut it off. No...I don't drink any caffeine, or take any medication that would keep me awake. Being a light sleeper also is effecting my sleep patterns too. Everytime a mouse trap goes off ( they go off almost nightly....ewww but we live in the country, what do you do?), my husband snores, or one of the kids moves upstairs, I can hear it. When Patrick is gone, I just crank up the Enya and off to sleep I go...but when he is sleeping right beside me, I think I will have to start using my ipod...I need sleep. I know why I am not sleeping...stress...but I am learning to let things go and it still isn't helping. What I really need is a good hot bath and a book, but since that is not an option for the next 1 1/2 months, I must find some other trick to get my self to sleep....

If anyone has any other novel ideas to make mornings easier for me...feel free to comment. I obviously need it!