Happy Birthday Claire...

21 years ago a beautiful baby girl was born...










1st birthday!



...the pride of her parents...

...a joy in their lives!

age 2 - what yummy cake!

The years passed on...

3 already!

As she continued to grow...

Birthday #4

5th Birthday

...In sweetness,

Smiling 6

...JOY,

7th Birthday

9 years old at Easter

8!

Birthday #10!

...and Love.

11 - see that smile!








Before we knew it...

12 years old

14 years

Age 13 with Birthday bread (for Lent =)












Miss 15

She was a young lady!

Sweet Sixteen!

Mature,

...Kind,

17 years

at her suprise 18th Birthday party

...and beautiful.

Her gifts and her talents amaze all who meet her...






19 - wow!

20 already

...As she continues to be...










...Christ's giver of LIGHT!

Happy 21st Birthday!

We love you, Claire!

Affectionately,

Your Staff

We were in WI

for the weekend (since Thursday evening, actually), enjoying good times with extended family and a few nights with Grandpa and Grandma. For me, it was a much-needed mini "getaway" on their farm in the country... and after the grey skies and dampness we'd had here for at least a week, waking up Friday morning to a brilliant blue sky and a coating of sparkling snow on the ground was a welcome change! We were all spoiled by Grandma's wonderful goodies and meals, and had time for some of what I call "the simple joys"... like traipsing around the farm feeling the snow crunch under our boots, laughing and breathing deeply of crisp, cold air, and with no destination in particular.

I looked at Sarah and remarked, "Being here makes me a child again."

But now, we're home, and there's plenty of grown-up work to do, so... adieu for now! I hope your holiday was a joyous one too!

P.S. Don't forget today's Solemnity of Christ the King! There's a nice article here (don't mind that last year's date is on it–the Solemnity is every year!). And Amanda has a lovely prayer posted here.

How Refreshing

that when your ten-year-old brother's friend comes over, the activity of their own instigation and choosing is not computer games, Play Station, or television, but...

this.