coming back to joy

I've realized lately, that I focus a lot on the hard things of life when I write in this blog. I just watched "Julia & Julie", which by the way Matt and I laughed almost all the way through. Not because it's really funny, but because it's so true to real life. And in the movie, Julie started writing a blog. I realized along with the main character that blogging can tempt us to focus so much on ourselves and our struggles and triumphs that we can wake up one day to the harsh realization that...what?...I'm not the center of the universe??? It is very tempting to go there in this little world I've created online!

So I'm in search of something to really celebrate in life through blogging. And one of those things is obviously raising these wonderful children in my life. Sometimes I get carried away with how much I just want to snuggle them and say over and over "I just love you!" In light of this I thought I would add a video of one such moments caught on video...this is rare footage, folks!

Here's to the joy in life!


AND...today is Caleb's 3rd birthday! It has gone by so fast. It's hard to remember just having him to ourselves before Levi was born. He has grown up to be such a passionate, sensitive, and lively 3 year old...and we wouldn't have it any other way. He fills our home with joy and a zest for life and love. Happy birthday Caleb!

Early morning IHOP breakfast this morning. He's learning how to hold his fingers when he says, "3!"

I had to include these pictures from the SLO Children's Museum. He spent so much time on that firetruck and he loved dressing up!

we have another walker, folks!

Levi is now walking...almost consistently! He is going to be 10 months in a week. And it is absolutely precious to watch! It feels new all over again. I see the excitement in his eyes as he is trying out his new discovery. And yes, we applaud him after he collapses on the floor. Levi is ever increasingly a tremendous joy in our lives! And he is now sleeping through the night! It took a few nights of letting him scream (heart renching), and our neighbor and roommate asking if everything is ok at 2am, but we broke through and he is now going back to sleep on his own. All I can say is "Hallelujah!" What a difference a full night's sleep makes.

Caleb is now talking non-stop...I'm not joking! He repeats the same question over and over until someone either answers him or says something in response. And when he's watching one of his cartoons, he says the lines simultaneously with the characters. It's pretty hilarious! I thought we were a long way off from this stage, but here we are. I am even more aware of what we say now. Because we have a parrot in the house.

Here's one of the only video's I've taken that capture more than just Levi taking one step:

our two-year-old

Our firstborn son turned two yesterday! Caleb is such an amazing boy, and we are so blessed to have him in our lives! He seems to have grown up so quickly since Levi was born.

In the last couple weeks, Caleb has started to distinctly say, "Yes!" Not Yah, but Yessss! It is so cute! One day, he just started to say it, it wasn't a gradual thing. And just yesterday, I noticed that he was clapping to a song in rhythm!!! I was so impressed. Yep, I'm a proud momma!

Daddy got Caleb a cookie with "Happy Birthday, Caleb" written on it, as you can see in the video. And even though Caleb had a cold, I gave in and let him have the sugar coated sugar cookie...I'm a softy sometimes.

In case you're curious what his pajama shirt says, it says, "Judah is my middle name". Yes, it used to say "trouble is my middle name" but we just couldn't put that on Caleb. So Matt changed it to reflect the truth. Pretty funny!

daddy and lego's

Matt has always been the king of building in our house. If there's a shelf that needs to go up, he's the one to do it; if there's a patio that needs to be put in, he's on the job; if there's boxes and boxes of Lego's from birthday gifts throughout his life, he is the one who knows what to do with them.

Then, enter Caleb Ens, also interested in the plethora of Lego's to be built into something great for all to stand in awe of his masterpiece. And in his mind, Daddy needs to share his toys...for the greater good.

How can daddy resist?

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...

brotherly love

Caleb is learning how to be a nice big brother. He's doing pretty good, for the most part. In this video, you'll see Caleb pointing out Levi's eyes, then mouth. He loves to try to give Levi his pacifier, and give him kisses. He really is excited to have this little person in our home.