A long sweet summer

Dear Hailey,

As things are winding down this summer I must once again catch up and write as I promised myself I would. I have been seeing more of you lately and that is good. My fears of Mommy and my fighting causing terrible consequences are relaxing and we seem to be doing better.  Although we are still not living together, at least we no longer are screaming and even have been together with you for hours at a time. I know that you must want things to work out, as do we, but that will take a little more time.

Daddy was very hurt and so was Mommy and each of us have needed time apart to sort out things in our mind and to consult with God to heal our wounds. Daddy has made some mistakes and apologized for them, and Mommy has as well- which is good. We have both made trips to the Temple and want to continue to go until we feel the Savior has fully healed our pains. We also want to meet with the Bishops so we can discuss things that have been said, done, and move forward. Nothing has been decided as of today, neither good nor bad, but it was a good day!

I went with you and Mommy to the doctor's office today and you behaved so well. I hope you get better. I'm afraid that each time you come visit Daddy you get sick right when you get home. I hope that doesn't mean anything. Then we had dinner as a family at Wendy's house and I gave you a bath. That was a nice treat as I haven't been able to do that for a long time.

Recently you stayed with me at the Schoen's house. It might have been the first time Mommy left you in who knows how long. I am glad that she trusted me enough to take care of you. We had so much fun!  On Saturday, we went to the Mall. You must love that because you asked me to do that for you. We rode the train, climbed in the fun area, and you loved it.  Then we had a party. We had BBQ'd and you ate a hamburger and we dipped our feet in the pool. I wish I could have gone swimming with you but the pool wasn't ready for that. Ironically, the day you left it was, but only for one day because the next day a huge tree fell into it and closed it down for the year.

I heard you have been going to the park and water pad with Mommy and Wendy and the other babies; she tells me you have had so much fun. I wish I could have gone, but I am very busy trying to make my business work. It is harder than I thought, but someday everything will work out great!

I have so much to write, but I think that if I can make a habit of updating this on a weekly basis it will be much better. Someday Hailey, when you are old enough to read this you will understand how things have to be for now.

I want you to know that I love you very much and never stop thinking about you. I wish I could be there with you everyday, but I know you are in my heart. I truly hope you feel the same way too. I don't ever want to regret missing some of the most important parts of your life, but I know everything will go according to God's plan.  OK see you soon!

Love,
Daddy