What's half a dozen??

Six....six is half a dozen.  Six is also double the size our family was just a few weeks ago. Six will also be our head count starting next Wednesday.  Big Brother and Little Brother's little sister will be coming to live with us as well.  She is 1, and the Brothers are soooo excited.  I think Tater is excited to add more girls to the house!!
As our number continues to grow, I think about what all has changed.  The best way to describe it is that our NORMAL has changed.  The very way we define things has changed.  How often does Webster update his dictionary?? I'm not sure.  But for me, there are a few definitions that have drastically changed.  Please see the list below:
Dinner - This used to be a time where the three of us sat around the table and talked about our day. Tater would study if need be and it was quiet and peaceful.  Dinner is now the three kiddos sitting and eating and Papa and I refilling, encouraging two little monkeys to stay in their seats, reviewing manners, and answering questions about what we would do next.  Papa and I eat later, or sometimes forget and just go to sleep instead.
Bedtime - We used to send Esther to bed at 7:00 to read for 20 minutes and then one of us would go in, read a Bible story, say prayers, give kisses, and then retreat to the living room with the other to watch TV.  Bedtime is now every man for himself!  Big Brother still struggles with nightmares and night terrors and needs quite a bit of chill time before he is ready to go to bed.  He and Papa lay on the couch and watch some calm cartoons.  Tater reads a book to Little Brother, we say prayers, and then Tater and I lay in his floor until he falls asleep. Once LB is asleep, Papa can bring BB in and sit with him until he falls asleep. Tater sometimes falls asleep in the floor, so she is then carried to bed in true princess style.  Sometimes I am still awake when Papa comes to bed, and sometimes I have already passed out.
A clean house......no scratch that.....let's just say a 'picked up' house - I have a basket or container for everything. Tater has lived with this system for seven years.  She understands that toys are grouped according to their kind and put away in this manner.  Well.....BB and LB understand the concept of cleaning up our toys...however, the Little People are chillin with the hot wheels who are mixed in with the dinosaurs who used to go in the basket in the living room but have now been relocated to the boys room.  My new policy is....off the floor so I don't twist my ankle.
Relaxing - My relaxing time used to be an episode of Bones enjoyed from my red recliner where I can see the birds eating out of the bird feeder in our front trees.  Relaxing is still in my red recliner, however I often have at least two children and one dog in my lap, Bones has been replaced with Handy Manny or Dragon Tales, and the birds think I've died.
It has taken two weeks to rework our definition of NORMAL. And guess what?? It will take two more weeks to make a new one once Little Sister comes. The coolest thing?? This Momma who does not like change, enjoys her order, and loves routine.....goes to sleep every night with a smile on her face.
There is no good reason I should be enjoying this insanity.  Not one.  It is hard, messy, loud, and sometimes down right horrible.  However, there are two little people who are learning to love again, learning to trust again, and learning what family can look like. More important, they are learning of the unconditional love that their Heavenly Father has for them.
The month of October holds many important dates: LS comes on the 1st, Bio mom and dad have their first court hearing on the 8th, and the first hearing for the kiddos is on the 23rd.  Please continue to pray for all involved. There are many people that are involved in making decisions for this kids, funny though.....I have never seen them at 9:00 when BB is showing no signs of sleep, or after dinner when LB is throwing himself on the ground in a full fledged tantrum. I pray that they seek God's wisdom and guidance.
Thank you all for your prayers and riding in this wacky wagon with us :)