Dear Samantha, 

After these few month as serving as your "stand in" dad, I want to write to you so that you will know just how much I have enjoyed our brief conversations during the week. You are truly a delight and a very special young woman. You are an amazing blessing to your children and husband. I know that Chip feels that he is the luckiest guy in the world that you married him. I remember many times how he would go on and on about how beautiful you are - and he's so right about that! Those who get to know you are truly better for meeting you. 
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Turner,

Every morning that I arise I thank God for the wonderful privilege it is be your earthly father.  You have no idea how much joy give me everyday, especially the days we are together.  The past couple of days we’ve had together have been the best for me.  You’ve had visits from my friends who love you so much and tell me all the time how much fun they had meeting you and it’s apparent from your reactions to them, that the feeling was mutual.  You also had visits from other children which was awesome to see your interaction with them.  You are such a well behaved little gentleman in the way you shared your toys and just took in every visitor and were just so content with watching everyone around you.
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Good-Bye 03/28/2012
 
Ariel, 

Today I said goodbye to you. You are now on your way to Utah to start your new life with your husband, Ron. For some reason this goodbye hit deep inside me. You are truly moving on to your new life with a new address, new job and your own apartment. I sit back and smile proudly when I think about you. You truly have grown up to be more than any father could ever desire in a daughter. You are so beautiful. You are so kind, generous, bright, intelligent and wonderful. You have succeeded in so much and along the way you have deeply touched so many lives. All of this and you're just 22 years old. It seems like so much has happened, but it also seems like it went so fast. 
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It's All Good 03/19/2012
 
Dear Glori Girl...

You're here! 

I have been so anxious to write you again. But you're a lot of work. We've been kind of busy. But in the middle of the busyness your mommy and me have loved hanging out with you, just looking at you, and introducing you to all the people and places that have been waiting for you. We introduced you to your GiGi, Mama Beth, P-Jay, Papa Bill, your uncles and aunts (though some only through daddy's phone), our neighbors, and a lot of our friends. You've already been to our church, my office, Philz Coffee, Town's End, and the Apple Store--and we're just getting started! 

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Our Day Together 02/21/2012
 
Turner,

Spending the day with you brings me so much joy.  Yesterday our time together was so awesome. Even though you had a little fever, we had such a precious time together.  You fell asleep in my arms three times and it was just such an amazing feeling to having you lay in my arms.  I enjoyed it so much that I didn’t even want to put you in your crib and just lay on the floor or couch with you and just “puma chill” as your Uncle Jason calls it.  
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Any Day Now 02/14/2012
 
Glori,
Are you ready yet? Because your mommy and me are. Everybody is! We are all so ready for you to be born! Your mom and I just had our last birthday class (this party is so important we take classes to get ready for it) and we just had our last visit with the doctor. Everything looks great and you are going to come any day now...
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Glori, 

About a week ago I went to a baby shower. A baby shower is a party all about celebrating a new baby. This one was for you! And I have now officially been to one more shower than you (just saying). 

Since I had never been to one before I had a lot to learn. And when I first got there I was amazed. A room I had been in many times before had been totally transformed. I almost didn't recognize it. Your mommy's friends and mine spent hours decorating the whole place. They made special treats and planned everything just for this special day. They also brought us...I mean you...so many wonderful gifts. We had such a good time celebrating you with all our friends. It was so much fun!
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Dear Moriah and Jadon,

I wanted to write to you so much sooner. Your Mommy and I keep a blog of your lives. (Well, to be honest, Mommy does most of it.) Anyway, just know I have been busy being your Daddy. Moriah, you were so cuddly tonight. During the weekend you seemed a little upset, but I felt as if you were trying to make me forget all about it. Well, you did a great job...you tend to always do that to me.  I love you so much.
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Dear Soleil,

I remember the first time I met you. You were born at 4:24 am on October 31 last year. When you were born, you cried briefly but not a lot. Your eyes were open and you were already trying to hold your head up to look around. I remember holding you seconds after you were born and just staring at you. You were staring right back. You looked like you were looking for answers. 
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Emilee, Kali, Josiah, and Elijah…

As of the time that I’m writing this, each of you are very young and yet so different:
  • Emilee, you are 6 years old and in Kindergarten! You have your Daddy’s stubbornness and your Mommy’s tender heart. Your smile makes my worst day bright and everyone says that your laugh is intoxicating. You are so smart! And sometimes too clever for your own good. But you are very special to us. And you are a terrific big sister!
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