Shondaism's

Dear Sweet Teacher,

I have been thinking today about a phrase that you said you a few days ago. As we were driving in the car and you saw a sign for a Chrsitmas craft show, you said, "If I could go to that I would be as happy as a pig in a trough." It reminded me that you have a language and words all to yourself.

Check back on this blog because it will be updated with shonda words...

I love you because of the way that you express yourself!

Wrapping, Wrapping Paper and Boxes

Dear Christmas Present -

This is the year for wrapping paper. We have gone through roll after roll. We have wrapped so many presents that we have ran out of boxes and had to run to the store to buy more..:( You know, watching you over the past few days has reminded me of the care that you take of something special. You add that little touch. Whether it is wrapping presents, making a meal, or buying a gift.

I love you because you add the little touches to my life.

The Imax and The Christmas Tree

Dear Sweet Bottom -

This weekend we went downtown to watch Polar Express in the Imax theater. I will never forget the look on the kids faces as they saw the large screen and then together we got to share in this wonderful Christmas movie. Afterwards we ate at the ESPNzone (one of my favorite places) and then walked to see the National Christmas Tree on the Whitehouse lawn.

Although the night was not all that we hoped that it would be or all that we expected I want to know that there is no one else that I would want to share these expereinces with. You are my one true love...

I love you because of who you are not just the experiences we share...

Happy Birthday To Me

Yesterday was my birthday. I won't tell you which one because you already know. I wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I appreciated all the little things you did to make that day special.

Thank you for waking up with a smile on your face and joy in heart because it was my birthday.
Thank you for taking me to lunch - the place I wanted (Pizza - you know me so well)
Thank you for sending little love noted to me througout the day.
Thank you for making me a special dinner - cola chicken, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and bread...

Thank you for your very special card.
Thank you for the Apples to Apples game from the kids
Thank you for the watch.
Thank you for the special birthday cake (shaped like a football) it was wonderful

But most of all thank you for making each day of my life special. I love you because you make everyday like a birthday....

Christmas Lights in the Daytime...

Dear Light of My Life -

Yesterday I had a new experience with you. We were down in Newport News VA and went to the park where we shared our first kiss. They had their Christmas lights up for people to drive through in the evening. However, we couldn't be there at night so we decided to drive through the lights and act as if they were lit up. We had such fun and I deeply enjoyed laughing with you. We saw toy soilders, fish, shells, santa, presents and so many more things...

After we drove through the lights, we drove back through them to get to our spot. There in our spot we shared some kisses that I will always remember.

I love you because you help me to see things like I have never seen them before.

Christmas Shopping and more shopping -

Dear Christmas Bunny -

This past weekend was declared Shonda's shopping day! Now, you know that I love to shop and spend time with you, but you have a way of taking Christmas shopping to a whole new level. We decided that you would spend Sunday shopping while I watched the kids. I will never forget the look on your face when you returned. I could see joy deep down inside. It wasn't because you went and found something for yourself, but rather because you were able to find presents for the people that meant the most to you in your life. You so love making other people happy!

This day reminded me of another day that we shared together recently...the day after thanksgiving. We stayed up all night (me, most of the night) so that we could be at Wal-Mart at 5:30 a.m. to get the best deals. this was a once in a lifetime experience, and I mean for me a ONCE in a lifetime expereince - lol. No, I really enjoyed the experience, but more so I enjoyed you in the experience....

I love you because you make every holiday a great holiday. Thank you.

Christmas is in the Air

Dear Christmas Bunny -

This week we went and got our Christmas tree to put up. We went out to Butler's Orchard and could not find the tree that we wanted and so we made our way to Home Depot. After shaking and unwrapping many trees we finally picked the one. I just knew that whatever tree we would pick you would make beautiful. We got it home and put it into the stand. The kids put their ornaments on and before the night was over Christmas filled the house.

You have a way of making the holidays come alive. I look forward to each day with you, but the holidays you make very, very special.

I love you because you are the best gift that I have ever received....

New Houses and New Beginnings

Dear Hottie -

Yesterday we went and looked at new houses in the Point of Rocks area. Although we didn't find what we were looking for, I enjoyed the experience. I told you years ago that someday we would find a house and have a the house of our dreams. I now realize that any house that you are in would be the perfect house. One of our most fun filled date experiences has been looking at houses together. I think secretly we both have had a deep desire to have the family life and the home that we have always dreamed of. I realized yesterday that I know that with you all of my/our dreams will come true.

I love you because you help me to realize of my dreams...

Laughing and Falling over a Couch

Dear Amazing -

A few days ago we spent the day together. We went into a department store to look at couches and bed frames. We lost ourselves in the moment. In one particular area of the store a song was playing on the TV. You begin to sing the song to me. I held you tight and began to you softly. I knew that we were close to a couch so for fun I positioned you right in front of the arm and in the middle of one of our kisses I pushed you back and together we fell onto the couch. We were both laughing and it was a moment of pure joy!

I love you because you help me to lose myself in your world even in the midst of a department store....

A Surprise Drink of Water

Dear Baby -

This past weekend we took the kids (Carlie and Kale) to Catoctin State Park north of Frederick. We wanted to spend the afternoon looking at leaves and walking the paths of the park. We also took Sheba, our 11 year old Dalamation with us. As we were driving to the park we stopped at a gas station. You said that you were going to go in and get drinks for us all. When we got to the park you gave us each our drinks. Then you got out a paper bowl and some bottled water which you had gotten for Sheba.

I love you because you care for even the least of us.

P.S. We had a great day at the park. We played all kinds of games as we collected leaves. Then we threw down a blanket next to a creek and we saw who had collected the biggest leaf, the smallest leaf, the most colorful leaf, the most unique leaf and the most perfect leaf. I didn't win any of the contest but I did win in life because I have the most perfect person to share my life with....you :)

Little Dishes of Candy

Dear Shonda -

You and I are both confirmed chocalotahoics. We love to share choclate. Recently we decided to sell our houses and buy the house that we would have when we got married. This week we were putting the finishing touches on my house to have it show ready. As I was doing work in the backyard, you decided to run to the store. You went to pick up some air freshers to give my house the clean, new smell. When I came in from the backyard I noticed that you had purchased something else - you had gotten chocoltes. You bought them to put out for people that would come by and look at the house. However, before we left we had eaten most of the cholates...

I love you because of the special little touches that you add to my life.....

Malls, Gifts, and a bug called Destiny

Dear Amazing -

This past Friday during lunch - You and I decided to play a lunch game. We decided to go to the mall and spend 20 minutes trying to find a gift for each other to communicate our committment of faithfulness and our love for each other. We arrived at the mall and started our game at 12:30 pm. Only once in the 20 minutes did we run into each other although we found out later that we did both go to another store as well.

After 20 minutes - actually 25-30 mintues for you, we arrived at the food court and exchanged our gifts. I went first and gave you a wax seal set. The seal had the letter "A" on it which symbolized the names that we have given to each other (you - Amazing and me - Ace which stands for always completely exceptional). The "A" also stood for "I would always be faithful to you".

Next you gave me a card and then a box to hang on the wall with the chinise symbol for Destiny. Under the symbol it read - "Walk the path of your destiny with purpose and an open heart." You said that you gave this to me because you knew that it was our destiny to always be together.

This was a great lunch date - but it did not end there.

On the way back to the car you stopped in the middle of the parking lot to get a little bug off of my back. You saw the bug and said "This bug is beautiful." the bug then attached itself to your hand. You began to talk to the bug in the softest voice. Together you and the bug walked toward the car. Finally, beginning to play along I said, "what is the bug's name". You without missing a beat said, "destiny." And with that the bug few away. You seemed so content and so happy from the visit from the bug. You almost seemed as if the bug was a confirmation of our love.

For the next few minutes we shared some of the softest kisses....

I thought that I would relaize my love for you in this experience because of the gift that you gave to me, but in reality I realized it in your interaction with the bug.

I love you because you lose yourself in the innocence of a moment.....

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Dear Sweetheart -

Last night you and I had a "date night". These are semi-dates where we stay home and try to spend a few hours together. We alternate who decides what we do. Last night was your night. I had mentioned a few weeks ago that I have really missed the chocolate chip pancakes that you make for breakfast from time to time. So last night for dinner you made me chocolate chip pancakes....They were wonderful.

I love you because you go to great lengths to give me what I desire.

Who Is Shonda

Shonda is my girlfriend and soon to be my wife. I have created this blog so that she knows that I am constantly thinking about her. There are so many reasons that I love her and I want to journal so reasons as they happen. This will be a Christmas Gift or Wedding gift to her within the next few months and then whenever she doubts my love for her she will be able to turn here and find out the reasons that I love her...