Joshua's Beloved

Joshua loves Claire. Claire is nine. If I could hand pick a wife for Joshua, it would be Claire. She is the nicest, most helpful little girl. I hope Audrey grows up to be like Claire, and I hope Joshua can marry someone just like Claire, if not Claire herself. Although she is 6 years older than him. Bummer.
Joshua is not ashamed or embarrassed of his affection towards Claire. He would proudly announce to all who would listen, "Hey. I'm going to mawwy (marry) Cwaire." When his sister or friends would tease him about having a girlfriend, Joshua would say, "Yep! Me do. And I'm going to mawwy her!" If I wanted Joshua to try a new food, all I had to do was tell him Claire liked it and he would automatically like it too (passive aggressive much?). Most little girls would be embarrassed to have a little boy be obsessed with her, and probably not be very nice, but Claire was so sweet to Joshua. Before we moved, Claire gave Joshua a framed picture of her, and he sleeps with it by his bed every night.
This picture was taken the morning we moved.  Great wedding video material huh? Ha! Joshua (and I) wish.

 

We love this little family.  These four little girls have one great mama, Leah, a great friend to me who is the best example of service. She would do anything, for anyone.  I'm so grateful we lived close, that we got to carpool to and from school, for the endless playdates at each other's houses, the park dates, and that we got to be such a big part of each other's lives.  
The day we left Texas.
Joshua, Audrey F, Audrey, Hallie, Claire, and Julia.