My 6 Loves of Clara

I wish I wasn't always so behind in writing on the blog!  Clara turned 6 on July 25th.  Eight months later here are my "6 Loves of Clara" per tradition.  Unfortunately the beautiful pictures that David took of her that should accompany this post are still waiting to be developed from his film!  These random ones will have to do for now.

1. Your groovy dancing.  I don't think it's possible for you to hear music and not want to sway to it or all-out bust a move!  You think family dance parties are the best!  (Obviously, you inherited your Dad's genes in this. 😉)

2. Your ever-ready song.  I love how you will randomly burst out in song!  Oftentimes it's a song that you made up yourself.  Being able to sing freely makes you happy and uplifts your mood.  You can't wait until you're in 3rd grade and can be in the school choir like Eli!

3. Your sensitive spirit.  Everything and everyone is precious and important to you.  You see the value and beauty of God's creations.  Sometimes when we're out on a scooter ride you decide to go slower with me instead of racing your brothers so you can enjoy the beauty of nature around you.  You have a soft spot even for my #1 pests; getting extremely upset with me when I smash spiders and even ants, thinking they are your friend!  Out on a ride/walk on a rainy day you notice worms out on the trail.  You worry about them and need me to rescue them and place them safely back in the grass. (I eventually told you we had to keep walking and that I couldn't stop and rescue every single one.  When I thought it would be reassuring to tell you that now the robins would have an easier time finding them to eat, you were even MORE concerned for the worms!)

4. Your ability to laugh at yourself.  You have such a silly personality and join right in with the boys in crazy and goofy antics.  You like to joke around and have fun, and can also chuckle at yourself when you do something that could be considered embarrassing, knowing that accidents happen and it's not the end of the world.

5. Your desire to do what's right.  In the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic and canceled church meetings, you sincerely asked me at breakfast one morning, "Mom, is Jesus mad at us for not going to church?"  I gave you a little hug and reassured you that Jesus isn't mad because we are doing just what He told our prophet to tell us to do!  He told President Nelson to have everyone in the world have church at home and that's what we're doing!  You soak in the Gospel teachings and try to live by them.  You love declaring your love for Jesus!

6. Your kind, loyal heart.  You take Ezra under your wing as his little mother and love helping him and assisting him.  You teach him how to color in the lines, you try to put his belt in his pant loops, you rescue him by holding out a walking stick for him to grab onto when he's stuck in thick mud at the creek's edge.  And there's nobody that sticks up for Eli the way you do, even when you shouldn't (i.e., he has been naughty and a consequence is in order and you can't BEAR for him to miss out on anything and be in trouble!).  You love fiercely!