From the moment Claire burst onto the scene two years ago (and yes, it was quite the 'burst'!), she has been full of enough life and vigor for the rest of our family, too, it seems.
It is only with our second child that we have had to watch what we leave on the edges of counters, make sure the toilet is always flushed (because you never know when she might decide to take a peek), and constantly be re-filling our salt shaker that was recently dumped all over the kitchen table. Yes, she keeps us very busy, humbled, and in steady reliance on the Father of all fathers. Yet, the challenges not only help mold all of us into more of what Christ would want us to be, the challenges also are far outweighed by the joy that Claire Rose brings us. Her toothy smile lights up the room and her deep belly laugh can never be forgotten. She will sit still on your lap for as long as you will have her for two reasons only - to be read to or to be rocked and sang to at bedtime. She is a little ham who we all greet with joy and anticipation each morning in her crib, and each night she melts Mommy and Daddy's hearts as she pokes her little mouth through the crib slats to give us open-mouthed goodnight kisses - as many as we will kneel there for. Claire's middle name (Rose) is special since she was named after her only living great-grandmother, but she could very well have been named Claire Joy because she brings us enough joy each day to last well into the next. Mommy and Daddy love you and thank God for you, little Claire Rose!
Here are some pictures from Claire's birthday party:
Some of the birthday guests (Grandma Hickman, Aunt Linda and Uncle (almost!) Christian):
Caught off guard...
Opening presents:
Skyping with Dan's brother and family in Montana:
Cake time!:
Birthday Girl.
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