Blessed Event - Clare's Baptism - June 28, 2009

Sunday was a glorious day. Clare Isabella JiaQi Loepp was baptized by Father Charles Murphy, Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church here in Oklahoma City. Present for her baptism were her mother and father, her Godparents, Kent and Paige Keithly, their daughters, Alice and Mary, her sister, Marina, her brothers, Drake and Drew, her grandad, Keith Matthews, her step-grandmother, Terrie Matthews, our neighbors and friends, Angelo, Sandra, and Daniela Ventresca, and many parishioners and Church friends who love her. She is now baptized child of God.

Mama holding Clare over the baptismal font while Father Murphy baptizes her.

"In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Clare with her Godparents, Kent and Paige.

Clare with Mama, Daddy, Paige and Kent

Clare, Mama, Daddy, Paige, Kent, Mary, and Alice.

High School Musical 2 - Onstage

Last evening Clare and her mother had a "girl's night out." They went to Lyric Theatre at the Civic Center as they began the 2009 Summer Season. Clare has been watching the movies "High School Musical" versions 1, 2 and 3, over and over and over again at home. Her sister, Marina, got her hooked. Last night Clare and Brycie went to the onstage production of HSM2. They reported having a glorious time. Prior to the production, Brycie took Clare to Trattoria il Centro restaurant downtown in the Montgomery building. Brycie's friend, Julia, told her it (the restaurant) "was to die for." They both came home alive so I guess it wasn't "to die for." They did have a wonderful meal and a wonderful time.

Clare and her mother dressed up for the evening.

Clare Will Be Baptized Sunday, June 28, 2009

We are so pleased to announce that our sweet Clare will be baptized at Mass on Sunday, June 28. This is a most special event in Clare's young life and we thank God for His love. We can hardly wait to hear the words . . . "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." We will be so proud to share our photographs of our little child of God.

This is the beautiful stained glass window behind the dome of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in Rome representing the descent of the Holy Spirit.

Dinner with Mrs. Hodges

Last Friday evening, Jim, Brycie, and Clare enjoyed dinner with Jim's sister, Janis, and his brother-in-law, Dave, and Pauline Hodges. Mrs. Hodges (she insists that Jim call her "Pauline," but he can't bring himself to do it) was both Janis' and Jim's high school English teacher. She was probably the most instrumental person in Jim's career choice. She was his speech and debate teacher (and, most of all, his "encourager").

Jim, Brycie and Clare at Cuchina Bravo restaurant in Oklahoma City.

Janis, Dave, and Mrs. Hodges. Thank you, Mrs. Hodges!!!

Father's Day 2009

Father's Day was a fine day. Clare got her dad a card and an outdoor thermometer. Then, Clare and her dad went with Jim's sister, Janis and her husband, Dave, from Jacksonville, Illinois, to have lunch with Grandad. Grandad will soon be 93. Jim got phone calls from his kids.

Clare made her dad a cardboard necktie, so, Jim wore it to lunch with Grandad, and then to the grocery store. He got a number of nice comments on the great tie. Thanks, Clare.

Grandad.

Clare's Prayers

Just listen to Clare's precious little voice as she prays her nighttime prayers then our prayer at mealtime. "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world . . . ."

Tae Kwon Do

Clare is attending summer classes at Villa Teresa Catholic School. The children had an opportunity to sign up for Tae Kwon Do lessons, and Clare was eager to join. She told us that she had a "yellow belt" when she was in China. The other kids need to watch out because Clare's feet and hands are probably "lethal weapons."