Happy Valentine's Day 2011

For the three beautiful loves of my life:

Sophia,

My snuggly little chunk of pure goodness... You've been such a blessing these last 6 months. You are just healthy, tough, and a joy to take care of. You're a challenge of a daily workout since you always want to be held and you somehow weigh as much as a full grown man although you're just the size of a small watermelon. You smile at me a hundred times a day, so that means I now smile 100 times a day more than I used to. Your rhythmic inhaling-laugh is addicting, and I like to get it out of you as often as I can. Amelia is even catching on and figuring out how to make funny faces, noise, and tickle you to get your laugh going... when she succeeds it's just the cutest laughter explosion on the planet out of the two of you. You have a very pure heart and will be a wonderful friend to many. We're all looking forward for you to start crawling and walking so you and Amelia can play together and discover the world together. Happy Valentine's Day my perfect little cherubim from Dad.

Amelia,

Having you in my life has just completely rocked my world. I can barely remember what life was like without you, but I know it wasn't this good. Your sweet voice just commands my attention, and I hang on your every word. You exhibit a special talent at melting hearts that is surely a gift from God. There is absolutely nothing better than when you grab my cheeks and plant a kiss on me... well... now that I think of it... I think that ties with when you greet me with "Daddy!" and run towards me with open arms when I come home. It's so hard to say no  to you especially when you work those big puppy dog eyes with your head cocked and "pleeeeeeease"... figuring out how to discipline you will probably the biggest challenge I will face in my life. I have trouble being upset with you and mostly laugh when you gallivant around like you're the high queen of the world. You're an awesome big sister and treat Sophia to so much love and affection, it inspires me to be a better man. You seem destined for greatness in this life, and I am very excited and honored to be able to stand behind you on your journey. Happy Valentines Day my sweet, beautiful angel from Daddy.

Melissa,

I love you so much it hurts, right here. I am just fascinated by you. I feel like I know you so well, through and through, yet you maintain this capacity to surprise me. There's a deep well inside of you that connects to a great reservoir of the Holy Spirit. Anything can happen when you draw from it. Your ability to see right through me, intuitively see right through the schemes of this world is truly amazing. I spend all this time with my brain researching and trying to put all the pieces together on complicated issues... and when I come to my conclusions... you already seem to know them in your heart. You can't explain them by retracing the 50 steps that got you there like I do... but yet you somehow arrive at the same destinations as me, right on time.

I am truly proud of you. You have come into your own and really bloomed into this wonderful new supermom person. You've really transitioned so well, and consistently put the needs of your family ahead of your own. I feel so hopeless and lost without your help with these little girls, even when you're away just for a couple of hours! You're just light years ahead of me on your ability to simultaneously entertain two babies while still somehow accomplishing everything you set out to do. My hope is that I will never make you feel held back in life, unsafe, uncared for, or unsupported. Whatever you want out of this life... I want to lock arms with you and stroll there together. Every challenge we will face... I'm so grateful to be able to face it with you at my side.

Also, you're smokin' hot, and every bit as beautiful today as the day we met. You're beautiful without even trying... an effortless natural beauty... the envy of womankind. I never get bored of you. I want to be around you every day. I can barely sleep in a bed without you in it. It's like the best part of me is missing when I'm not around you. God really chose to extravagantly and undeservedly bless me when he set me up with you. There is no other explanation.

Happy Valentines Day Sweetheart,

Clint