Levels of chaos In my mind there is normal, everyday chaos (the rush of getting the kids off to school in the morning). There is an exciting, crazy chaos (kids shredding open their gifts on Christmas morning). And then there is insane, noisy, over-the-top remarkable chaos. This is the kind of chaos which involves adding 5 people to a household of six with a total tally of 7 children ranging in age from 5 months to 8 years. This kind of chaos requires 3 cantaloupes, 4 loaves of bread, 3 pounds of bacon, 7 dozen eggs and more coffee than one can imagine. There was much laughter, movies, morning aerobics led by Uncle Jason, a Skellies concert, lots of dancing,  and messes beyond messes. This is the kind of chaos that is music to my ears. It’s the kind of chaos that only happens once or twice a year. It’s the kind that makes you think you might actually be going insane, but also breaks your heart when it’s over. And after all the chaos ended and the cousins went home to Nashville, I crashed, both physically and emotionally. I was so tired and sad it all seemed to go by so quickly. Yet, I smiled every time I found a little piece of evidence of the chaos. A lost earring, a band notebook, more jewelry and a little stuffed lion. Such happy thoughts and I begin to count down the months to when I can experience such chaos once again. Josie and Opal Josie and Lucy Mae…that time change really caught up to her ah…so pretty… Coleman and Lu Lucy and Judah at the playground   Opal hangs on Andy’s every word… The happiest little girl gets a bath Two days before little Jack’s arrival… Morning aerobics A celebration of Jack’s birth at Spaghetti Factory Opal’s ready to pick up the boys from school   Just a day at the office One of many re-enactments of Man from Snowy River