5 years old...where did the time go?

Happy Birthday Claire! I can't believe you are 5 today. You are such a sweet and loving little girl who has some fire and sass like no other. I want you to know that we are so lucky to have you in our family. You have taught your dad and me more about strength, humility and prayer than anyone else in our lives. Thank you! You inspire us daily.

We love you so much and hope you have fun tomorrow with your Nutcracker Party and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Love you so much!

Mom and Dad

Claire

(I am warning you now that this is a slightly long and rambled post. I have so much in my mind and heart at the moment I just can't seem to organize it into a nice short post.But since this is my best form of family journal I feel I need to get it out. Ever feel that way? Sorry!:) )

I am constantly amazed by this little girl. She is teaching me so much about life that I can't even begin to tell you. This past Monday she started her 3rd round of constraint therapy. That is where you cast the strong arm to force the weak arm to work. This time has been a bit rougher for her than other times. She is now pretty independent and I just took away her only form of independence. In short I suck as a mom. She hasn't said that but I think she feels a bit betrayed. Every day she asks me to take her back to Shriner's so that they can take her cast off. I keep telling her that she needs it on for 2 more weeks and she will get big tears in her eyes and say "OK mom. Just 2 more weeks!"

I am amazed at the wise and determined personality that is in this little girl. I feel like I am going to cry every time she falls or can't keep up with the other kids. My heart broke tonight when she started to cry and ask me to read her one more story. You see every night she "reads" to herself books until she falls asleep. Without the use of her right arm she can't hold the book up so she just waits in the dark until she can fall asleep.

I don't know how to be a parent to a child with special needs! I am trying to do what I think is right and trying my best to follow the advice from the professionals but sometimes I want to say to the therapists that work with us, "Can you tell me what I am supposed to say to my little girl when she comes in crying because she can't keep up with the other kids?" or what to say to my 5 year old who the other night told me, "Mom. Tomorrow I think we need to teach Claire how to walk normal. You know. Like not drag her feet anymore." None of them have covered these topics with me. I wish they would.

The thing is that I am learning, as I am stumbling along this road that I don't need someone to tell me how to respond. Because Claire is showing me how to respond. Daily.

This past Sunday was the Primary Program. She had one line and to be honest I didn't know if she was going to say it at all. As her class stood up and took turns to say their parts Claire got right up there and said her part loud and clear. She didn't even hesitate and didn't care that the others could not understand her as well. She was proud to do it and I was proud of her! My mom and I sat in the audience and both just about started to cry. I couldn't believe that my little girl who was not supposed to talk or walk just did both in front of an audience.
She had just taught me once again how determined and independent she is and will continue to be. I am so thankful for this little person who continues to teach me daily what I need to be grateful for and what I take for granted. Thanks Claire!

Claire's sweet prayer

I had to post this since I use this as a form of journal keeping for our family. Claire and Emma got haircuts this past week. Emma got a trim and Claire went for the bob and bangs. Kent is out of town right now so I can't post a picture of the new do but tonight Claire had a very sweet prayer.
When she prays you can only understand probably 50% of what she is saying. So tonight when I heard her slow down and very clearly say "Thank you for my beautiful bangs from Kia" I couldn't help but smile. She is such a little sweetheart!

Emma vs. Claire

"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you, hate you, hate you!!! and your crossed off my list FOREVER!"

That is what my sweet 5 year old yelled at me yesterday when I told her she had to go to time out. It was so funny I couldn't stop laughing.

In the other room Claire was cleaning up the dolls like I asked her. After doing it her response was "I get a treat now mom?"


What happened to listening to your parents and just obeying without rewards? I know I did that ALL the time!:) (For those who don't know me this is where you insert a ton of sarcasm)

2 years ago...

This week marks a big milestone for our family. It was two years ago on Friday, February 12th that we found out about Claire. It was 2 years ago that our lives changed and that we entered a new world. It was 2 years ago that my love for my husband, little girl and faith grew to a new level. Amazing how much can happen in 2 years!
I don't know how many of you have had the missionary experience in your home. It is amazing how long those 2 years seem! I remember the 2 years Kent was on his mission in Switzerland and I was living in London. I remember walking along the streets and out of the blue thinking to myself "Kent is only an hour time difference from me but _____ months/years away." It really seemed like it lasted forever!!!

The past 2 years have at times seemed the same. There have been moments that seemed to last FOREVER and yet the days and weeks and progress flew by! Claire is a miracle! I know that I talk a lot about miracles but she truly is. When the Dr's told us that she might not ever walk and speak I didn't really know how to comprehend that. Now I am grateful I didn't really ever have to comprehend that. Claire is speaking like any other 3 year old and walking like a champ. She still has her moments of needing help that a 3 year old doesn't have and I am starting to have the "mom" moments where someone asks me whats wrong with her. The greatest thing I have learned from Claire though is that you need to be happy no matter what. Seriously. There is something very special about this little girl that just touches and melts hearts with everyone she meets. I love her soooo much and am grateful for her sweet spirit in our family and the lessons I learn from her daily. Thank you Heavenly Father for blessing me with this sweet little angel! I feel honored to be her mom!!!

Kittens anyone?

Tonight the girls were playing in the backyard when 5 little kittens came out to see what the noise was. Yes...I said 5! 3 are solid black and 2 are black with white paws. One is very interested in the girls and let them pick him up and pet him and everything. Kent and I are NOT animal people in the dog/cat sense. We are however new parents and have a soft spot in our hearts when it comes to babies of any living thing. So...does anyone want a kitten? They are adorable and the girls have been playing with them for the past hour. Like I said before, we are not dog/cat people so we are not keeping them. As far as we can tell we can't find a mom so if I don't have any takers I will be calling animal control. Let me know if you are interested or know of anyone who would like one.

Claire's new do..

I guess when I go upstairs to pump and feed the boys I need to make myself very clear. I told the girls no fighting, treats, Popsicles, whining etc. I didn't say no cutting your sisters hair with the kitchen scissors. Honestly! What was I thinking?!
When asked why Emma cut her sisters hair her response was "I just didn't like Claire's bangs anymore!"
What do you say to that?

Claire's debut on Youtube

I just wanted to post this quick link to Claire's debut on youtube.
A couple of months back the National Ability Center asked if they could share Claire's story along with other participants stories for a little video they were putting together. The video was shown at their big fundraiser and hopefully helped them raise money and awareness for the programs we have enjoyed!
If you want to check it out you can view it (hopefully, if I did it right:)) at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTpj26qDnsg

Brain Injury Association of Utah 5k Run, Walk, Roll

Hi everyone,
I just nicked this off Charlie Cooper's website (see the side bar) and thought I would try and pass along the word. This is a great opportunity to support an organization that helps kids like Claire. I don't think you need to be "in shape" to do this so we would love to see you there!!!:)

Brain Injury Association of Utah
5K Run, Walk & Roll 2009
When: May 16, 2009
Where: Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, Utah
For Sponsorship or Registration information please call the Brain Injury office at
801-484-2240 or 800-281-8442 or you can look on their website.
Hope that some of our family can be there! (Maybe not me and the boys but Kent and the girls? But who knows?)

It's Official!

The past three weeks have been miracles after miracles. The biggest one in our family is that Claire is officially walking! She has now decided that walking will be her main mode of transportation and I couldn't be more relieved and happy. She walks everywhere now and like any regular 2 yr old she wants to now do everything by herself. She has also started trying to speak more as a result of walking (the Dr.'s think). She still isn't really communicating in a form that you can understand,but she signs and points and tries to get her ideas across and they usually do make it.

I just have to say that these things are miracles in our family and I am so thankful for them!
Congratulations Claire! We couldn't be more happy for this huge milestone!:)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAIRE!!!

Today Claire turns 2. It has been a bit of an emotional time with me (hormones I think:) but to look back on the year we have had with Claire and our family I can't help but be amazed at how courageous and unbelievable my 2nd daughter is.

It has been fun to watch her grow and learn and discover new ways to do things that most of us take for granted that our kids just know. Such as walking and talking. I am happy to report that our goal was to have her walking by her second birthday and while it is not the mode of transportation she chooses on a day to day basis, she can walk down the hall when she needs to. She has also started to say a couple of words such as "go", "whoa" and most recently "bye".

I know all of you who have kids will understand my next statement...My daughter has taught me more in this past year than I feel like I have learned the past 5 years. I am so grateful to have her in our family and to have her smile brighten my day!

WE LOVE YOU CLAIRE!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

love,
mom, dad and emma