Beautiful Life





Hey child up and go; A big world is out there waiting for us to live in every day. Outside you will find, there is love all around you; Takes you, makes you wanna' say; That it's a beautiful life and it's a beautiful world and it's a beautiful time to be here, to be here, to be here. -Fisher

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Sidelines


Within a week of being home from China, Claire was sitting on the sidelines.  Her brothers had a baseball game.  And that was just the beginning.  You see, our kids are team players.  Baseball team, basketball team, swim team.  So, Claire?  She's spent a whole lota time on the sidelines. And, pretty much as soon as she could talk....in English, that is, she wanted to know when she could get off the sidelines and into the game! 


Today was her day!

Claire wants more than anything to play Upward basketball.  But she has to wait until this fall when she is old enough.  So, we thought we'd try Upward Soccer to warm her up.  Today was her first game!

And when they called her name, she ran through the tunnel all by her big girl self.



Mom and Dad?  Yeah, we cried like big ole babies when we saw her coming!

Because she was so proud of herself and was giving high-fives like all the other kids. 
And because we still remember the baby that came home from China.
The one that doctors told us not to count on walking.

But look at her now!
Whoever thought this would be impossible did. not. know. Claire.



Today she got off the sidelines and got in the game!


She is the smallest player on the team.  And the slowest. 
Neither of these facts occurred to her today!


She was in.the.game.

And, that was all she cared about!



Everyone was sweet about it.  They gave her a chance.
They cheered her on!




Even when she was often left behind.



So, she made sure to wave to all her fans.
On the sidelines.
Where she was not sitting today!


'Cause she?


Was in this game!
And she was lovin' it!




Until.....



She decided to come off the field in the middle of a period....... because she?


Was done!

"I'm tired now"

She pretty much did this until her coach came to get her.


And take her to the bench.


But it was still fun, and she got Best Effort for her first soccer game!
YAY CLAIRE!


You did a great job and you will sleep well!


And the princess went home and put on her tutu!
Because that's how we roll, baby!

Guess what? 
She gets to do it all over again next Saturday!

8 comments:

The Sharp Family said...

Oh. My. Goodness. You have got to stop posting. I cannot keep crying like this! What an amaing story!! Thank you for sharing that with all of us :)

Annie said...

YAY Claire!!!!!!! I was crying just reading this post! I can imagine the water works from ya'll at the game!!! Amazing:)

Michele said...

Hi!! I just saw that you became a "follower" of my blog! Thank you! I am encouraged that people actually want to follow our journey to Willa! Your daughter is precious!! All of your children are! What a blessing to have FIVE! I am working on my husband already for number FIVE! LOL!

I just wanted to leave a message for you. We sure have a lot in common! We also homeschool. We are from Charleston (although we now live in NC. ALL of our family is still in Charleston), and we both have big families! OH! And we both love Jesus! Cool huh? I look forward to getting to know you more!

The Source said...

CLAIRE...way to go, big girl! You look so awesome running out of the tunnel!! I can from your happy smile that you had a great time during that game. We are all very proud of you!

eastandwest said...

Yay, Claire!!! We love that determined spirit! She's pretty darn cute out there too!

Yvette said...

Way to go Claire!! You rock girl!

wingepr said...

OH and I sit here in tears as well (at work no less) God is so Good! That is an awesome post, and I"m so thrilled for her.
Way to go Claire!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

Way to go Claire! That was awesome to see!!!