Loads of good news!

UNDERSTANDING.

Now I understand. I've often observed how parents love their children. In my life, I personally have known what it feels like to love God, my husband, parents, siblings, cousins, friends, and my students at school. Never until now, however, have I known what it is like to love my own child. Previously to having a child of my own, I have been shocked at times at the sacrifices parents will make for their children. I've also noticed how easy it is for parents to triumphantly brag about the accomplishments of their posterity. Now I know why. Even though "loads of sleep" and "Cammie and James" can't exactly be put into the same sentence, I just have to say my heart is exploding with love for little Miss Clara! When we are out and about, people will say, "What a cute baby you have," in a sweet voice. I'm sure they do mean it, but I just want to proclaim to them, "No, you don't even know. I don't think you realize HOW cute she is and HOW amazingly adorable and how much light and joy and love she radiates into the world!!!!" So I'm guilty. Go ahead and put me on the list. The list of parents who gush over their kids. I won't try to hide any evidence. Now I also have a bit of a glimpse of how much my Father in Heaven loves me. I am His daughter. No wonder He asks us to love one another. No wonder that He is disappointed when we are not kind to one another and is pleased when we build each other up and help one another. We are all His children.

Daddy-Daughter crash on the couch. Not posed!

BREATH.

Speaking of loving my daughter, there is one thing I love about her that has been completely unexpected. Her breath. Not sure why, but the smell of Clara's breath makes me happy. I truly enjoy being so close to her face. Strange, I know, but it really smells good! Maybe all babys' breath smells sweet and that is why someone decided to name a beautiful tiny white flower baby's breath. What a special flower. Well at least it is to me--possibly because I remember my Mom putting them in my hair after I was baptized. Also James had them surrounding the single rose that sat on the table during our first Valentine's Day dinner (a fancy, delicious Italian meal he prepared himself, by the way) as a newly dating couple.

BLESSING AND BLESSINGS.

Clara Bright Clark was given a name and a blessing on Sunday, June 17, 2012. We brought Clara home from the hospital on Mother's Day and James was able to give her a blessing on Father's Day. No better gifts could we have had as new parents. Uncle Ben received the Melchizedek priesthood that morning, just in time to join the circle of men blessing her. Clara did not make a peep and listened intently to the blessings in store for her as she follows God. We were blessed to have Chuck and Mike Clark, and Pete, Michael, Richard, Dan, and Ben Johnson assisting in the blessing along with Bishop Roberts. Clara was given wonderful blessings from God through James.

SMILES.

I say this is a legit smile. Clara is overjoyed to have had wonderful visitors fly in just to see her! First, Uncle Peter from Portland, then Uncle Michael & Aunt Sarah from San Francisco. Clara is such a lucky niece!