The New Normal

I have five children.

The oldest one is six.

Then five years old.

Then four years old.

Then two years old.

Then fifteen days.

Our old routine fell apart in the Great Storms of the South when we lost power for five days. The power had been back on at our place for a scant fifteen hours when I gave birth to our newest little arrow.

Suffice it to say, 'normal' is a word that has yet to re-enter our lives in any meaningful way. But, I am standing on my own two feet, more or less running my house again. Families from our church are still (oh-so-thankfully) supplying my family with meals, otherwise we'd be living off of peanut butter and raisins and apples and carrots.

We are finding a routine...on the days when Mommy has more than three hours of sleep tucked under her belt. On the less fortunate days, there is a lot of movie watching. And my six year old makes the peanut butter sandwiches.

It is an exhausting chapter of life, but mercifully, a very short one. The sleep deprivation passes quickly and fades from memory, leaving behind the sweetness of little feet, precious gurgles, and teeny bodies snuggled close.

Yep, normal is on the horizon. Somewhere. For now, we are resting in His arms while Daniel rests in ours. It is indeed a sweet time.

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.~~ Matthew 11:28