Desert Letters

First Communion

2007-04-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

Sarah-

Congratulations on your First Communion this weekend. I know it was hard for you, and a lot of work that your Mommy and I don’t give you enough credit for.

You looked so beautiful. I know you got sad when I told you that the next time I was going to do this with you was when you were all grown up and you would be getting married, and in a way it makes me happy that you want to stay little. You and Sammy did so well when Mommy and I got married yesterday. I am so glad that you were allowed to help out. Grammy and Grampy even cried when you got to make the sign of the Cross on our foreheads.

I love you very much.

Love,

Daddy

Disneyland

2007-03-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

Sarah, Sammy, and Ben—

What an amazing week. I could never, in a million years, have imagined how much fun I had this week with you and your Mom. But you know what? The reason we had so much fun didn’t have a whole lot to do with Disneyland. We had fun because we got to spend four days together, with no outside distractions. For four days all of us were completely happy.

When I held you, Sarah and Sammy, at the end of our trip it dawned on me how quickly you were growing up, and how soon I won’t be able to hold you like that anymore. Although I was happier than I’ve been in a long time, it broke my heart.

It was a moment I’ll never forget.

Daddy

Tournament

2007-01-22T12:41:00.000-08:00

Sarah and Sammy--

I was so proud of you this weekend. You have come such a long way in the past year that it brings tears to my eyes. Sammy, I love the fact that you're still young enough that you are more impressed by the stuffed Tiger attached to your trophy than you were about the trophy itself. Sarah, you showed me more courage and determination than I think I will ever have by continuing on even after you were scared and hurt, and doing it to a level better than any of the other girls you went up against.

I am so proud of you guys.

Love,

Daddy

I Miss You

2007-01-19T13:07:00.000-08:00

Ben,

I'm sorry we've been away from you for so long. The rest of the family has been so busy in your first year with other activities that you're just too young to take part in. I'm hoping that the move to Alabama will alleviate that--but in the meantime we say goodbye to you almost every day, and I'm limited to seeing you on weekends and evenings, and if you manage to wake up in the early morning hours.

On that note--wake up early again. I have treasured those dark mornings when it's just you and me watching TV at 5 am. Sometimes I feel like it's the only time I have with you alone and I love it, even though it means getting 2 hours less of sleep.

You're getting so big so fast. With Sarah she was it--and got every second of attention she wanted. Even with your brother it was pretty evenly split, so I feel like we got to watch intently as his little body grew. But we've been so busy that we haven't been able to watch you grow as much as I wish we could.

I love you,

Daddy

Windy Night

2006-02-07T07:17:00.000-08:00

Dear Sarah,

I got mad at you last night because you wouldn't stop whining while you were 3/4's asleep in your bed. With your age I feel like we've gotten to the point that the assumption is being made that the sounds coming out of your mouth are always a whine unless proved otherwise. I didn't ask what was wrong, never mind that the Arizona winds were howling outside or that it was cold and dark in your room. The only thing I thought of was that I was tired and you were being needy.

I want you to know that I missed an opportunity last night. I missed the opportunity to calm you down and watch you sleep in the dark. I want you to be needy now, because soon you won't be, least of all for me. You are still one of the most beautiful visions in the world when you're alseep.

Love,

Daddy