Balancing Act

I feel like since I have been a SAHM mom for two years now that I should have a perfect system worked out to balance the household chores, errands, and activities with the kids.  I don't have a perfect system. I have a system and it works for us, sort of, but every now and again I start to feel overwhelmed with all of the chores and things that need to get done.

I'm also so tired. I don't drink coffee, but I'll drink tea. I tend to stay away from caffeine because anything after 2 or 4 seems to keep me up all night. A light nap in the day means that I've lost some time to get things done. How do you keep energized or motivated to get things done throughout the day?

I'm a last-minute girl.  I hate buying Christmas presents early in the year, because there might be something better closer to Christmas...or more than likely I've forgotten that I already bought something and I go out and buy something new for someone.  I don't pack early for trips because what if I need that shirt or those pants before the trip?  I don't pack early because I also need to do the laundry, but who has time to do several loads of laundry in a day?  So things don't get put away or bought, or done in a timely fashion because what if I still need it, what if I don't need it yet, or how can I do x when I haven't done y yet?  You get the point.

So for anyone out there reading this, how do you do it? How do you stay on top of the chores, errands, and to do list, while still being there for your family?  Suggestions, tips, "this is how I do it," I would love to hear from you.