A long 8 months ago life looked like this:
Today things are much happier. And we are enjoying each and every bit of our normal lives.
Fun facts:
Clara no longer has a central line so she takes showers and baths whenever she wants. Sometimes hourly.
Her hair is growing. So quickly!
Her night terrors are diminishing, yet she always seems to find herself in between her parents. She likes to hold our hands just like the good 'ole days.
She has a media addiction. Understandably so, but I'm not sure how to break it...
Her favorite books are "Pinkalicious" and "Fancy Nancy." The other day she "read" them to me. It got me all teary. That happens a lot!
She is our own personal tornado. It's pretty impressive how quickly she can make a mess. It doesn't usually bother me because I know what the alternative could be.
She thinks clothing is optional. Which usually leads to another shower. I could write a book patterned after, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." I would probably title it, "If You Change Clara's Diaper."
Clara won a contest (with the help of you!)
Last night as I was reading The Book of Mormon, I came across these verses in Alma 26. I was overcome with emotion because the words completely capture my feelings. In the words of Ammon:
35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all apower, ball wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a cmerciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.
36 Now if this is aboasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a bbranch of the tree of Israel, and has been clost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, dwanderers in a strange land.
37 Now my brethren, we see that God is amindful of everybpeople, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.
After Clara's appointment in Spokane the beginning of December, her oncologist referred her to hospice. Typically, from what I understand that is done for patients who have a life expectancy of six months or less. When we met with them Clara was running circles and in her show off mode. They remarked that she looked just fine. How we hope that six months comes and goes with Clara still running circles around our home! This much I know: whatever happens in the future for Clara, she is exactly where she needs to be. Home. We all need her home. This is a miracle! And I shout from the rooftops:"Yea, I say unto you, there never were men (or mother) that had so great reason to rejoice as we (me)..."
And so I will continue as I have for many months now to give prayers of thanksgiving for Clara's miracle and fervently pray for her continued health and healing. Thank you all for your prayers and faith for Clara. I have rarely gone anywhere the past 3 months without complete strangers coming up to me and asking, "is this Clara? I've been praying for Clara." To those near and far who love Clara and pray for her know we are seeing and experiencing the answers to those prayers.
29 ...have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have aangels ceased to minister unto the children of men.
