little laughter

Here's some recent videos of our boys.

Caleb loves to read books! His new favorite book is called "Inside a barn in the country". He has always loved the ending but now he's trying to repeat what the farmer says. It's just so cute. He also has a little farmer that he plays with, and without thinking the other day, I asked him what the farmer says, and he repeated the last page of this book. I love the way little people think!

And I just love Levi's little laugh...

harvest time

We live in a house that sits on about 22 acres. Most of it reaches well beyond what we see everyday, just over the hill. The farmers who rent the land from our landlord are having a hard time getting the crop to come up right now. This is the second batch of sprinkling they've done on the land. This time they are hoping the flowers come up.

For some reason as I came around the bend about to pull into our driveway tonight, what I saw took my breath away for a moment, just before the logic told the romantic in me that they were just sprinklers. But it was so beautiful; arcs of water reaching all across the acres of land, soaking into the dry earth. I love it here! It is so great to live in San Luis Obispo and also live in the country.

It reminds me of my Grandparents house in See Canyon. They had 250 acres of canyon land. I absolutely loved visiting there as a young girl with my family. They had an apple orchard and as a treat my Grandpa would take us for tractor rides. We would sit up behind the huge wheels, hold on for dear life and squeal with laughter. I miss those days!

Now Caleb and Levi are growing up around the same surroundings of nature and growth; the seasons of planting and reaping; of harvest time! This just fills me with awe, I love how nature is such a picture of what is going on in the spiritual realm. It always comes back to that...

created to create

Since I wrote briefly about singing lately, I decided to write a little more. This morning I had the privilege of singing in our worship band at church, (which is awesome!) And there was a moment in practice that I realized that I was so excited to be singing and making music with these people and to the Lord! I only feel this type of feeling when I'm singing or playing the piano, or writing music. And I didn't want to be anywhere else. I had the opportunity to show some of the songs I had written to our worship pastor at church a few days ago, and I came home elated for the rest of the day.

What is it about music, about worship that totally takes me to another place in my heart and in my spirit? I commented to the other backing vocalist about this, and she agreed. She also added that musicians are different from other people. Something about "the artist" personality makes my head tilt and my eyebrow tweak. Are there only a small percentage of people who are meant to create? Or does everyone create in different ways? Since we are all created in God's image, and He is the Creator; it only makes sense that we, as His creation, would also create.

There is something different about music though, isn't there? I know plenty of people who say they can't sing, but they wish they could. Music is all around us, everywhere we go. And I think about my sons and how they are already growing up around music. Caleb now asks for us to sing. And he throws his arms in opposite directions around his waste and twirls around. Levi hums himself to sleep, and always smiles when I sing to him. I know they are going to be skillfully playing music in the years to come.

I recently felt permission to create music again. I realized that the Lord has made me to lead others into the presence of the Lord through music, so I better get to it. And I'm loving every minute of it.

ah...those eyes

Caleb is the sweetest little boy and I just have to share! I was having a discussion with Matt a few days ago and I happened to be crying and a little upset. So in the middle of it he came over to me with big eyes and kept saying "Mommy" and patting my knee. Then he hopped into my lap with his eyes locked into mine, and he kept saying Mommy and a bunch of jibberish as if he was trying to console me on the situation. I told him that Mommy was sad, and I made the motion down my cheek with a finger, which is sign language for sad. He looked at me and then gave me a kiss on the cheek. I obviously couldn't stay upset after that!

At church yesterday I was in the nursery with him and a few other babies, and I was holding a sweet little boy who was crying a lot. Caleb came over and patted him on the back. I told him that the baby was sad, and made that motion down my cheek. I could see Caleb making a connection in his mind for a moment, then he said, "ug" and gave the baby a hug.

He's been making the distinction between mean and nice lately. And any time he is about to hit Levi or ram his body into my shoulder, he says "mean-a". I quickly correct him and say "nice please." For the most part he repeats me, and becomes very gentle. It feels so amazing to have this little son of mine putting connections together about other people, and how he interacts with them. He has such a soft and compassionate spirit.

look alikes? (part 2)

Ok. Who's who in these pictures? Anyone? These pictures were taken when the boys are 3 months old. Put your guess in the comments of this post.

wedding adventures

We went on an adventure last weekend to Seal Beach to attend my cousin's wedding! It was a first for Matt and I as we have never been to a wedding with 2 babies in toe (and arms.) My cousin Erin was a beautiful bride and the wedding was amazing!

Matt and Caleb missed most of the ceremony and the reception; Caleb's attention span is still pretty short. But we had a great time at the pool before the wedding and Caleb enjoyed the water by the end of a half hour. Levi hung out with his great aunts and uncles and his first cousin's once-removed. (still figuring out their relationship titles.) My aunt Mary Beth is holding Levi at the pool.



The other highlight from our trip was the privilege to sing with my sister again! It has been so long. Ever since I can remember, it was always Halle and I singing something somewhere together. Whether it be leading worship with my parents when we were 2 and 3 years old, or singing in choir together in high school. Endless memories of our voices being entwined. This time we were singing with her husband, Daniel! We sang, "Jesus, Savior" (by Daniel), during the communion moment between Erin and Danny. I just was on cloud nine, because it is one of my most favorite things to do, to sing; and to sing about the Lord, none the less!

Here's my sister, Halle, with her precious Jackson at the wedding. (If you want to read about Jackson's adventures, follow the link to Halle's blog on the right.)

And I had to throw this picture in of my cousin, Julia who is the closest cousin to me in age (out of all 18 on this side of the family). We also have some fun memories growing up! She now lives in New York! And yes that cuteness she's holding is Levi.

We're still working on getting pictures of the four of us together.

good ol' family pics

I thought I would add some fun pictures we took recently. We visited Matt's family for Father's Day in Fresno, and the others of my family about a month ago. Enjoy!

Levi's already attempting the piano.

Levi with Buelo and Buela in Fresno.

Uncle Sam and Uncle Pat with Caleb. Caleb loves his uncles!

Nana with Levi, just hanging out.