It's such a fun time in life right now... to see these two young babes growing and developing. What a sweet gift it is to be a mother! Levi is getting so alert and smiley, and Elijah is starting to recognize letters in words!

Here are Levi's first ever smiley pictures. I can't believe it's already been two months!

Ok, so I like this picture a little bit better. For one fleeting moment, Elijah let Levi sit on his lap. I can't wait for the day that the boys can finally play together. I hope they'll be good buddies and eventually brothers in Christ who can encourage each other. I'm already feeling the desire to try again for a girl. What do you suppose the odds are that we could have a girl?

Not to much to say right now... Nathan's parents are here for a visit. Everyone still seems to be healthy (praise God!).

Here's a quick pictures of the boys from this morning.

I can't believe it, but my baby turned two yesterday! We had quite the fun time celebrating, too! We started out by taking him and his girl friend Sophia to the children's museum. Then, they got some chicken nuggets from McDonald's. In the evening, our friends the Hardy's let us come to their house for cake and ice cream. (they baby sit him pretty regularly and treat him like family). So, all in all, it was a fun day for Big Mr. E.

Here are some pictures from yesterday's festivities.

Elijah with his birthday cake

Levi sleeping in his car seat
(where he's been sleeping at nights... 9 hours last night!)

Elijah getting ready to shoot hoops on his new basketball goal.

Elijah and Sophia at the Childrens' Museum.
Levi on the big foam legos at the museum.

I think the RSV virus is officially on the run, and maybe even out the door! It's so nice to have everyone back to about normal. Levi even finally has his voice back, so I can hear him cry (and you may ask, this is a good thing?) Yes indeed, I missed his little cry.

Today Levi is 6 weeks old, and on Friday Elijah will turn 2. It boggles my mind that time can go so quickly. It's such a joy to watch these boys growing, maturing, and developing into who God is making them to be. I beg for God's wisdom to know how to shepherd and encourage them into fearing God and prizing Him above all other things.

My prayer for each of my boys (and for Nathan and I) is Deuteronomy 13:4,

"You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him, and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him."

Reading John Piper's "The Swans are not Silent" book #3 really reminds me of the need to persevere in the faith. I don't want my own heart to grow lazy or indifferent towards Christ. Nathan and I are reading through the Bible together, and it's been humbling seeing how often Israel forgot that God was their King. Time after time God would rescue them, discipline them, and restore them to a right relationship with Himself... but shortly thereafter they were back to chasing idols. That's why I want to daily meditate on Deuteronomy 13:4. If I can follow, fear, obey, listen to, serve, and Cling to God... I trust that in the end, I'll be able to say with the Apostle Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have run the race..."

Anyway, sorry for the tangent. On a lighter note, here's a picture of my boys that I took last night.

Here's one more fun comparison picture of the boys. Elijah is actually 27 weeks in his picture, while Levi is just 4, but I think they still look quite a bit alike.

Slowly yet surely everyone is starting to feel a bit better. Being sick sure makes you appreciate health!

Here are a few pictures from Levi's stay in the hospital. I'm so thankful that it's over! Levi seems to be doing a bit better, though now he's going bald! The top of his head is absolutely hairless, and if I touch the other parts, the hairs fall right off. Is this normal? What do you bet his new hair will come in red... te he.

Levi after getting his Spinal tap, Ivs, and Cath...



On his way to get a chest x-ray


Mommy finally getting to comfort him


All hooked up to the machines


Big brother coming to say hi