The Heart and Ballet

This morning was a little magical. After working out with me, Ellie asked if she could do ballet. I told her that of course she could and put on some classical ballet music for her. In the middle of her performance, Ellie and I have this conversation:

Ellie: "Mama? Mama! For real, I can here my heart talking."
Me: "You can? What is it saying?"
Ellie: "My heart says, 'I love my heart.' Like, when I'm loving someone. My love is to marry someone, like, when my heart says, 'I'm in love.'"

I honestly think these special moments are why God puts children on Earth. Everyone needs to be touched by a child. It could be a niece, nephew, student, a friend's child, or your own. It really doesn't matter. In all of our beautiful and chaotic lives, a child brings normalcy, joy, and magic. The magic is in his or her eyes. It's in their tiny voices when they speak. It's in the hugs so tight that you think you could never escape. Then you just melt right into that tiny little body who is keeping you safe and comfortable without you even knowing it. The magic is there for the taking. It is full of life, vibrancy, and is the most vulnerable kind of magic you will ever know.

Our Cake Monster

I think it's safe to say that Caleb is our messiest child, at least when it comes to birthday cake! He couldn't even wait for it to be placed down in front of him before sticking his tiny fingers in.

Here is a little progression the first birthday cake eating:

Connor and Eliana were very proud of their baby brother and couldn't resist a cake licking too! 

 Ellie and Papa started a small frosting fight. 

 Then, we laughed because Connor was almost pacing back and forth. He doesn't like getting messy. I think watching this whole charade was making him twitch! haha...That's our Connor.

What a fantasic first birthday Caleb had. I suppose I should get going on his first photo album, eh? All in due time, my dears. All in due time. 

Holy Schmoley! Caleb is one!

"How long will I love you? As long as stars are above you. And longer if I can." -Ellie Gould 

It's no surprise that Caleb, was, well, a surprise. Moving past the times that you may have talked to me us during pregnancy, the eye rolls, and the jokes that we were "two and through," we honestly couldn't be more elated to have this lil guy in our lives. Were we so shocked that it took nearly all of pregnancy for it to sink in that we were, in fact, having a third child? Yes. Were we nervous as heck? Yes. Has this past year brought us more sleepless nights and stress? Yes. However, this past year has also brought us more joy than we thought possible. October 2, 2015-October 2, 2016 has taught us how to seek more grace, how to communicate more than ever, and just how strong we are individually and as a family.  You see, Caleb is the smiliest and happy kid. He has a smile for everyone. He learns from his big brother and big sister in ways that astound us. Lil CT was brought into this family to teach us, make us laugh, and to give us one more little human being to love with all of our hearts. 

Having a child changes you. Having three teaches you. What are we if not a student of this world? We need to except change and see it for what it is. Caleb is one of our three. I am so grateful. I am overwhelmingly humble. I am a parent three times. I think my heart grew 100 times. 

Keep smiling little man.  Stay happy. Laugh. Love. Live life to its fullest. That's really what this journey is all about, kiddo. We love you more than you can ever really understand.