June 9, 2011

Welcome Home, Clara!


The full story to come later.  But we are home and so deeply grateful for each of the steps that has brought us here.  Prayers for a good first night all together in our home.  And thanks be to God for the many abundant blessings in our lives and for the precious gift of Clara.

90 comments:

  1. WONDERFUL NEWS! Have a wonderful night together at home. :)
    Mary Foster

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  2. Woo-hoo! So glad to see you are all finally home together!
    Jennifer Durham

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  3. Amen! So thankful and happy right now! Guess what Chrissy... you're now an official "stay at home Mom" for a bit! Can't wait for the details, but right now just keep doing what you are doing! Much love to all three of you!
    Susie & Randy

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  4. WOW!!! I am so excited for you, Robert, and Clara:) I hope you will have a "good" night!!! Love, Mary Ann

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  5. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! I'm so happy for you!! I have goosebumps and tears!!! Congrats!!!

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  6. Clara, you've come a long way baby. So so happy for your family, Karla

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  7. AHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhh. So so happy for you all!
    xoxo
    Katie Davis

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  8. Gasp! I did NOT expect that picture. I'm in tears. Love you guys! Praying for a wonderful night together.

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  9. Now that's the best news I've heard all day!!!

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  10. PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!! What terrific news!!! Clara will get to be in her own bed tonight!
    Joanne

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  11. I have an unbelievable joy in my heart after seeing this post! Good luck and best wishes!

    Steph (a friend of Frank Johnson)

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  12. You just made my heart smile! Was praying this would happen tomorrow and squealed with delight when this came on the screen. I can not even begin to imagine how you feel tonight. God bless the sweetest parents I know ... and the most precious little girl! GOD is so-ooooooo good!

    Dee

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  13. The most beautiful picture yet!
    How wonderful to know the images we have been praying are coming true tonight!
    Melissa

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  14. Praise GOD! You have waited for this moment for SO long! Thank you for sharing your story to see how God has worked in and through you. BLESSINGS!

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  15. I have goosebumps! I will never forget the night we brought Carter home after 4 months in the NICU at Duke. First order of business: taking a picture of him in the crib underneath his name on the wall, since we didn't think he'd ever be able to use them. Congrats and way to go baby Clara!!!

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  16. A picture is worth a thousand words!! I have been watching little Clara since the day she was born. So happy to see her home! XX00

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  17. I'm so excited for you all!! I'll be praying for a smooth transition :) Thanks for sharing the news!

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  18. WOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
    Congratulations...

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  19. Praise the LORD. I am so happy for each of you. GOD bless you on your first night home. Robert and Chrissy, I bet you don't sleep a wink tonigt, just watching little Clara sleeping peacfully in her bed. How exciting. Love to you all. Janna

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  20. What an incredible photo - and milestone. I've prayed so hard for this day. God bless you for sharing. Please do take pics of Clara in her nursery when you can. My prayer image for so long was one of Clara in her room. Thanks be to God!!!

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  21. Oh wow! I'm so excited and happy for you all! Thanks be to God is SO right! Have a wonderful night! Can hardly wait to see pictures of Clara in her very own nursery!

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  22. unbelievable! how incredibly wonderful. enjoy her!!!!!!!!1

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  23. We are friends of friends who have been following your journey and praying for Clara. SO happy for you all! What wonderful news. Best of luck in the weeks ahead.

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  24. We don't know each other but you delivered the day after I delivered my little boy at Forsyth and we know some of the same people. I have been following little Clara's story here and I am just thanking God that she is home with you today! What a fighter! God is so good!

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  25. God is so GOOD! i love the change of scenery for you all! :)

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  26. Lori Hawkins BeckJune 9, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    Wonderful!!!!
    Just wonderful!!!

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  27. God is SOOOOOOOO good!!! My family has been in prayer all week for Clara Mae to come home! What a delight it was to "check in" on her this afternoon only to discover that she made it!!!! What a journey! Thrilled for your family and excited to read what God has in store for you all! Blessings!

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  28. My favorite picture yet! Congrats!

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  29. God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

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  30. YAY CLARA! We are SOOO happy for you....you're home is complete :)

    We love you!

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  31. Praise God from whom this sweet blessing flows!!!

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  32. So happy for you guys! What a miracle!! Have loved following your story and praying for all of you. Continue to keep us up to date now that you are home. But for now, go enjoy that sweet baby girl in the quietness of YOUR HOME!!

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  33. I'm crying, I am so happy for you all!!!!! We love you!!!!!!!!!!

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  34. Oh my! I was praying for tomorrow and trusting God to honor your heartfelt prayers to bring Clara home on Friday.. I just love it when God does miraculous things to remind us all that He is in control and has wonderful plans for His children. I am praying for a sweet first night at home. I cannot even imagine the joy you and Robert must surely feel and the depth of gratitude you have for answered prayers. My oh my...my heart is crying thankful prayers to God. You have both been such a testimony to thousands these past months and have ministered to Clara and to all of us who have stood with you in prayer during
    some very dark and stormy days. The rainbow embraced you today for sure.
    Rest in knowing you have been given a miracle. Tend to Clara and tend to
    each other...sleep in heavenly peace!

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  35. YAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  36. Way to go Clara!! We have prayed and prayed for this day to come. We miss you at Shady Grove and hope to get to see BOTH of you soon! Good luck tonight!

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  37. Amazing Love, how can it be?! Amazing journey! Amazing grace! Rejoicing with you, your family, and the Lord! Imagine how pleased and glorified the Lord is by this day! So thrilled for you! Lots of love, Bev Estorge

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  38. Hallelujah! I'm so happy for yall!

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  39. What a wonderful surprise to click on your blog as I do every night and see "Welcome home Clara" as the newest entry. I am so thrilled for your entire family. Clara's story has touched so many lives and she is such a little fighter. I remember so well the thrill of bringing the boys home after 78 days. Enjoy every minute and we will continue to pray for daily blessings and good feedings for Clara. You have been such an inspiration to our family. Sending much love! Kathy Gibel

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  40. Yipppeeee! Welcome Home!
    Susan Cain

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  41. CONGRATULATIONS!!! So glad for you and for Clara!

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  42. So glad I decided to check the blog tonight! Enjoy your first night at home together......so happy for all of you!
    Jodi

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  43. What an amazing blessing! Thank you for sharing your story with so many of us. Clara is a picture of God's grace.

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  44. Did my daily Clara check and was THRILLED to see this wonderful surprise picture. To God be the glory! Our prayers will continue...Can't wait to see Clara Mae in her precious little nursery. So thankful to be on this amazing journey with y'all!

    Connie

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  45. Giving many, many thanks! A great day indeed.

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  46. So happy for all of you. I too was praying for tomorrow home coming, but thrilled to see your "whole" family at home. God Bless! Hope you will continue to share your story with us.

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  47. So excited for you!!! I can only imagine how thrilled you both must be! I was so excited to bring my little ones home after just a short hospital stay...this must be AMAZING for you! Have a good evening! :) Julie McAvoy Hover

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  48. PRAISE GOD!!!!!! HE IS TRULY OWESOME!!! Thank you for sharing. This has lifted up my spirit and reminded me that HE IS FAITHFUL

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  49. Congratulations! So happy for you all!

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  50. Oh Chrissy and Robert - You both have such an incredible faith. God is so good and we are praising Him for allowing Baby Clara to finally be home. I hope you all had a good, sleepfilled night. You have no idea how many strangers have been praying for you all. PRAISE GOD!!!! Marge (Shelley's mom)

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  51. Wonderful news! I am so happy for y'all I teared up. God is good! I can't wait to see her at home in July. Amy Cherry

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  52. God is good. I'm sitting here with tears of joy running down my face literally. I'm so happy and thankful for this day and for sweet little Clara. She is a lucky little girl for sure to be part of such a wonderful family both heavenly and earthly. Prayers continue.
    MN

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  53. Thank you, God and Clara! You've made my day!!!
    XO,
    Tanna

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  54. I am speechless. Praise God over and over and over again!

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  55. I can't shake the feeling that I am coming to the end of a really great novel. A happy ending, to be sure -- but I'm always a little sad when a good story ends. You've been gradually weaning us all from the hourly updates, and I have missed my daily Clara fix. All this is right and appropriate, of course. So much better for you to be busy with diapers, feeding, and snuggling, than with keeping Clara's public informed! Soooooo happy for you ALL that one chapter is ending and another is just beginning. So exciting! Thanks for including us all on your amazing journey, and rest assured that we wouldn't even THINK about stopping the prayers . . .

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  56. Thank you all so much for your wonderful support and prayers. What a walk this has been. The joy we felt yesterday was sacred indeed. We feel so loved and so blessed.
    Mary Ann
    Clara's grandmother

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  57. OH BOY!! So glad to finally hear this. Way to go Miss Clara Mae Hardy. Praying for a smoother road ahead. So happy for you folks. GOD bless!

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  58. God Bless you all! Wooo Hooo Clara!!

    Nicole Jones

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  59. AWESOME! WoooHOO! Congrats you guys, I'm so glad things are going great!

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  60. I just jumped on to catch up, haven't even had my first gulp of coffee yet and lookie here! Now I have my shed my first joyful tear of the day! From the bottom of my heart, there's nothing but sheer happiness for ALL of you...

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  61. Frank and Laura McNairJune 10, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    God is good and God is great,
    Clara's home after a long wait!

    So many prayers and so much healing,
    But HEY! it's God with whom we're dealing!

    I'm sure you've cried and been frustrated,
    But it's quite a witness how you've both waited.

    Faithful, patient with lots of love --
    Reminds me of the Lord above.

    Now the three of you can settle in,
    And your happy home life can begin.

    Remember this -- know what I'm saying?
    Just cause you're home we won't stop praying!

    Love to you!,
    Laura and Frank

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  62. I have tears in my eyes looking at the picture of your family on your front steps. I am beyond happy for all of you, Clara Mae truly is a miracle.

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  63. I am so happy! Thanks be to God!!!!

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  64. Welcome home, sweet girl!

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  65. Congratulations!!! What an amazing journey Clara has had! Enjoy being at home with your miracle.

    Michele
    Mom to Andrew
    CDH/ECMO Survivor

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  66. Chrissy and Robert,
    I am so enchanted by this whole story. This morning, after reading the fabulous news, I looked back through the blog as a reminder of where you've been. I had never read pre-birth posts before today, but I went back to January and read this with tears in my eyes:

    "Sometimes my prayer images are almost just daydreams and they feel more practical than theological. I just imagine Clara here, at home, with us. I imagine her in her crib, resting peacefully. I sit in the glider of her room and imagine holding her in my arms and rocking her to sleep. I imagine giving her baths and feeding her and hearing her cry and changing her diaper and making silly faces at her and singing songs to her and reading books to her. I imagine our lives here being normal and pray that image will become a reality for us. I know that most expectant mothers probably imagine all of these same things, but for me it’s not just a meandering glimpse into the future; it’s a plea with God for it to come true."

    Now this is not just an image but a reality! Praise God for daydreams, for parents who are bold enough to plead and pray, and for God's will in making such dreams come true.

    Blessings to you all,
    Linda Smith & family

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  67. Praise the Lord! I couldn't be more happy for you all! God is so good, and I am so thankful that He let me witness this miracle!
    Praying for smooth sailings from here on out!
    Mary Catharine

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  68. What wonderful news!!!!

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  69. Best. Picture. Ever!! I'll miss seeing you guys at the hospital, but I'm so glad you're finally home where you belong! Great news. (btw, there's a dingo on your porch...careful!)

    Barney

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  70. I was so happy and excited to here your mother announce at the awards program this morning that Miss Clara was finally at home, it brought tears to my eyes!!! Stephanie Mathis

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  71. I am so happy for you guys! As soon as I opened the page and saw that picture a huge smile came on my face and tears filled my eyes. I don't even know you, but your story has touched me so much. I pray that things continue to go well for your beautiful daughter!

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  72. I am smiling from ear to ear, this is such an amazing gift and blessing!! So happy for all of you, Welcome Home Miss Clara!!!!

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  73. Hello,
    I am Elaine Hughes (Holli Hughes mother). I am so glad you finally got your precious baby girl home. Alot of prayers have been answered. Holli will miss seeing her Miss Clara. From what I hear from Holli, Clara is surely a lucky little girl to belong to such wonderful parents. I feel as if I know you myself. I am sure Clara will continue to bless your lives as Holli has ours. God bless you.
    With much love,
    Elaine

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  74. Woo hoo! Clara Mae is home! Thanks be to God he is a miracle worker! Welcome home Hardy family!!!!!!!! love and blessings, The Welsh Family

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  75. I am overjoyed with you! May the Lord continue to bless you all...and may you continue your lives through this blog for each of us to truly experience the wonder of prayer.
    Love,
    Twyla Lovinggood

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  76. Praise the LORD. I am so so glad this day is finally here. We will pray for restful nights. May God continue to bless you both and Clara.
    Love,
    Randy and Annette

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  77. How wonderful! I will continue to keep you all in my prayers for more healing and and easy transition to home life.

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  78. What wonderful news!! Praying your first night and day at home were blissfully uneventful. Can't wait to see pictures!! Much love to you all,

    Amy McAvoy Diamondidis

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  79. Soooooooo happy for you all!!! When I opened the page and saw the picture I couldn't help but cheer out loud. You don't know me but I sure feel like I know you. I saw your link on facebook right before Clara was born and I've been following you everyday since. I have been praying for you and Clara. I'm soooo thankful and happy that you are all home together. Keep the blog going, I look forward to watching this gift from God continue to grow. May God continue to bless you all everyday of your lives!

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  80. I am a fellow teacher who has been praying for your sweet girl every day... this picture brought tears to my eyes! God is so GOOD! Enjoy having your precious baby at home!

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  81. God has been so faithful to answer all of our fervent, heartfelt and desperate prayers for Clara! WOW is all I can say! So glad y'all are home.....together......to snuggle and cuddle!!!! My prayers will not cease as I am sure your little "boxing girl" still has some things to rise above! Love to you all. Enjoy and cherish that sweet, little bundle of JOY
    !!!!

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  82. Wonderful news!!!!!!!!!!! PRAISE GOD from whom all blessings flow! love ya'lL!! xoxo

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  83. Sandra Shumate CurtisJune 10, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    Clara's grandmother Karen was my neighbor, friend and classmate at Overton in Nashville. I always have loved Karen and her family. I have followed Clara's progress and knew she would make it home. She has a lot going for her. God bless you all during this new chapter in your lives. Please keep Clara's fans updated. Best to you, Sandra

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  84. Hey, Chrissy and Robert,
    I have followed along with your blog. De has faithfully posted to FB. What a miracle baby! Your strength and perseverance been such an inspiration to trust God and realize my blessings.
    Thank you for your beautiful story. I can't wait to read the next chapter!
    Still praying! Suzie Hecht

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  85. What a beautiful love story!

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  86. Great post, and great website. Thanks for the information! nd centre

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