A Unexpected Change

Dear Biggest Cheerleader -

I found out this week that I was going to be laid off.  This was unexpected and unwelcomed.  However, the wonder of this situation was how you have supported me and loved me even through difficult times.  Thank you for doing that again and being the thing that I live my life for.  I love you so much...

Your Adoring Husband

Our New Little Jelly Bean

Dear Mommy to Be -

We just got back from the doctor where this picture was taken.  This is the first picture of the newest addition to our family.  I love you so much and I can't believe we are doing this again, but I am glad we are.  I love that our family is growing and that I get to have another special blessing with you!  You are the best wife and mother ever and I can't wait until we get to meet our little jelly bean!

Ace

Our Special Little Night

Dear Mommy To Be -

Thank you for this special night that you prepared for me to tell me about our special arrival.  I was so shocked when I came upstairs and found a trail of jelly beans that led me to the bedroom where you were waiting for me.  I loved the special frame and engraving that you had of your belly to tell me "what our love created". 

I am so in love with you and I love the fact that our family is growing.  I just know that we are going to love this little jelly bean and this bean is going to bring so much laughter and joy into our life.  You are the best mommy any baby could ask for.  This little bean is going to be so lucky to have you as it's mother.

Thank you for being my wife and thank you for this special little gift!

Our Disney Leg

Dear Minnie Mouse -

We just got back from the Disney portion of our 2010 Family Vacation.  I really enjoyed going to Disney World this year.  Kaiden had such a good time as he got to see all of his Disney friends.  One of my favorite pictures is all of us with Mickey and Minnie:

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I  know that a lot of things have changed since we starting going to Disney over the last few years but I really do enjoy all of our trips to Disney.  This year was special because of how Kaiden loved Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Gupy, Pluto, Daisy, and Chip and Dale. 

I also enjoyed getting to celebrate your birthday in Disney.  I was glad to get you the princess package - because you truly are my princess.  Lastly, I will remember the chocolate fireworks party.  It was great to get such a great view of the fireworks over the castle. 

Your Special Micky!

Our Mexican Vacation

Dear Baby,

We just got back from our 2010 Family Vacation.  We spent the week in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.  I think we will always remember this week and our first real trip to Mexico.  We accomplished so much in a week.  Just a quick recap of the week...

• Saturday - Arrived at the Hotel and went into Playa Del Carmen
• Sunday - Week to church and then ate lunch in downtown Playa Del Carmen
• Monday - Toured the Resort and then went to Cancun
• Tuesday - Toured the ruins at Tulem and went to the beach at Akumal
• Wednesday - Hotel Day
• Thursday - Tour with Edventures - snorkling, swimming in the Cenotes, lunch on the beach, ziplinning, and swimming in the lagoon.
• Friday - Trip to Cozumel and the kids swimming with the Dolphins. 
• Saturday - Leave

One of the highlights of the week was when we got our beach pictures. 

I really love our family vacations.  Of course I just love being with you.  I can't wait to see where we go next year.

Ace

Kaiden's 2nd Birthday Party

Wow - I can't beleive our little baby is already 2!  We spent the night at Chuckie Cheese and Kaiden had fun watching and looking at all the games.  We had a good time with your parents and the kids.

I know that the 8 greats are our thing, but I though for Kaiden's 2nd birthday I would recount the 8 greats of Kaiden's first 2 years...

1.  My First Day of Life (June 3rd, 2008) - I was so proud of you and all your hard work to deliver me.  I couldn't wait to be held in your arms.

2.  My trip to Niaragra Falls (June 2009) - It was so beautiful and it was my first trip out of the country.  I love that our family travels.

3.  Our trip to Key West/Palm Beach (August 2009) - I have now been to the southern most part of the United States.  The water is so beautiful and I loved playing in the water at Hawk's Cay Resort.  You guys do such great trips.

4.  New Year's in Disney World (Jan. 31st, 2008) - I know that I slept through the fireworks but I really enjoyed seeing Disney World for the first time and earlier in the day I was able to stand on the beach and feel sand for the first time.

5.  My First Christmas (Dec. 25th, 2008) - It was so much fun opening presents.  I know I feel asleep in my Bumbo but it was only because I was having so much fun and simply was exhausted.

6.  My first steps at Grandma and Grandpa's House (May 2009) - It was my first flight and it was to Missouri.  I was glad to take my first steps in front of the family.  I love my family so much!

7.  My 1st Bithday Picture (June 2009) - I love being the center of attention and getting my picture taken.  Some of my pictures turned out great and I love that you guys made me so handsome.

8.  Just Every morning that I get to snuggle up with you!  I so love laying in bed with you and cuddling!

Kaiden's Birthday Lunch

Mother of My Children -

It's Kaiden's 2nd Birthday - I can't beleive that he is already 2!  I am so glad that we had him and that you are his mother.  He has added so much to our lives.  I really cherish these moments in our lives.

I really enjoyed having lunch at the park together.  It felt like our little family.  Kaiden was eyeing the park the whole time and he wanted to go "Wheeeeee."

I enjoyed watching you push Kaiden on the swing and of course we enjoyed watching him go down the slides.  Today was a great day!

Kaiden's Birthday Weekend

Dear Mommy of a Two Year Old -

This weekend we went to Sesame Place outside of Philadelphia.  This was such a fun day and I love the family trips that we take.  It was fun to watch Kaiden looking and watching all the people.  It was also fun to watch Kaiden on his first real waterslide!

I think we will always remember this day and how COLD the water was.  It was adorable watching you hold Kaiden in a towell on your lap.  You are such a great mom and I fall in love with you all over again each new day!

My Sexy Hot Wife

Dear Hot Sexy Wife -

You are so damn hot!  I am so in love with you and am so lucky that I get to spend my life with a woman that is so sexy and hot!  After all of these years you still know how to get me going.  I have so many great memories of our times together. 

I swear you could be a model!  You look so hot in this picture.  I am amazed how beautiful you!  I am the luckiest man alive!

Happy Mother's Day

Dear Mother of My Children -

Happy Mother's Day and thank you for being the glue that holds our family together.  You are a wonderful mother and a terrific wife.  I love you so much and I am so glad you are the mother of my children. 

We celebrated by taking you out on Saturday night to dinner at Buco De Bepo in the Kentlands.  I enjoyed eating at this family style restruant.  We went to church on Sunday and then I fixed steaks and sides for dinner.  We gave you your present (pajama gram) and then we went to "The Melting Pot" for desert. 

Overall - this was just a small way to show you that we love you.

Happy Mother's Day!

Our Rocky Month

Dear Amazing -

This month has been a difficult one for us - maybe, the most difficult since we have been together. We found out 2 weeks ago that there was something wrong with the pregency and we have now lost our little bundle. I know that we are both so sad....

I just wanted you to know a few things.

1. I am so proud of you! Sweetheart, years ago when we first got together I told you that I loved the way that you handle things with Grace and Beauty! You have done it again. I have been amazed at how you have been so strong through this. You have been so brave and I have been so impressed by you.

2. I love you so much - and I always will no matter what! You are my best friend and my soul mate. Sweetheart, I want you to know that there is nothing that you could do that would make my love for you lessen. I love you unconidtionally.

Amazing - I love you and I know that together we can overcome anything. Thank you for being my wife and my best friend!

Ace

One Last Hunt!

Dear Mother Hen -

Yesterday we celebrated easter with our church and had one finally easter egg hunt for the kids. I took this quick picture with you and wanted to post it here. I love this picture with you and Kaiden and how you helped him to find all his eggs. I love you and I love our special days together.

Our Family Tradition - Easter Egg Hunting

Dear Easter Bunny -

This past weekend we celebrated Easter with the family and WOW what a weekend. On Saturday we went to a park outside of DC and had our family pinic and then hide the eggs from the kids. You and I hide almost 80 eggs and found them all except for 4. I always enjoy our family pinics - even if we have to do them inside on occasion because of the weather.

I took each of the kids picture by the Washington Monument, but I thought Kaiden was cute in the way that he just sat down. I so enjoy this baby and I so enjoy our family. Thank you for being such a great mom and for helping us to have such a great family!

We also read a special little book to kaiden and the kids during lunch called the "Little Red Caboose." Of course you know that this is the book we are sending to our parents to tell them the news that you are going to be having another special baby to add to the Gosnell family.

After we finished with the hunt we drove into DC and got on the Metro to eat at Union Station. I enjoyed leading my family through the crowds at the Cherry Blossom festival. I still remember our first trip to DC and how special that was for us. Everytime I am in DC I think back to that trip and how much we were in love and we just wanted to be together. I still feel that way....

At Union Station we told the kids the news and they were greatly excited. I love how we treat special things as special. Then we headed back to watch the fireworks over the river. We found this special spot and enjoyed the warmth and lights of DC.

Then we headed home. I love you so much and I love our special memories and moments.

Our Special Little Gift

Dear Mommy To Be Again -

This past weekend you gave me one last surprise anniversary gift. You wrapped up a series of train cars with one extra car - the caboose! You told me we were going to have another baby.

I AM SO EXCITED! I cannot beleive that we are going to have another addition to our family. You are such great mom and I know that you are going to do great over the next 9 months as we prepare for our little caboose to this family. I love you and I am so proud of you for carrying my child. I love you sweetheart!

Pictures from our Anniversary Weekend

Happy Anniversary Baby -

I was just thinking about our weekend at the Inn at Perry Cabin. I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed our weekend.

This first picture is you in our room. You are so beautiful. The fireplace reminds me of our fireplace. I so love our home and how when we go away we remember our home and how we look forward to coming home together.

You are where my home is. Don't ever forget that. We belong together - FOREVER.

This picture of our special night thinking about ou wedding at Namale. I love this picture of you as you are watching our wedding video. This night was so special as we read our vows to each other.

I will never forget our wedding day. It was the best day of my life! I am glad that this year I recorded the notes from our wedding jounal. It really made me feel close to you as I remembered what we wrote and what I was feeing when we wrote it.

We should watch this video every year - just so we can remember. Although I know we will never forget...

This last picture is us on the grounds of the Inn. I like the water in the background. I think this day we always be in my mind as the day we laughed as we looked through the little shops in St. Michael's. Also, how Kaien wanted to jump as he walked between us.

I do love you and love all of the memories and the "8 Greats" that we share together. Our life is what I always dreamed about. I look forward to our next 46 years together.

I love you baby - I always have, and I always will.

Ace

Our Anniversary Day

Dear Bride of 4 Years!

We just celebrated our 4th year Anniversary by spending the day relaxing and going on a date in the evening. We spent all day upstairs in our room. We had the kids serve us breafast (cheese toast and cinmmion rolls) and lunch (pizza) in bed. This kind of reminded me of the food I ate on our wedding day.

We wrote in our anniversary book (reflections of the year and our notes to each other.) I so love this book that you gave to me.

Then we exchanged our gifts to each other.

This year I gave you 1. The 50 year book from our wedding and a framed box of th puzzle of my vows and a picture. 2. A picture of a plane and a sky writing of the words "shonda marry me, kenneth" to remind you of when I asked you to marry me. 3. A bracelet with diamonds in it.

You gave to me - 1. A book about kisses and a choclate heart rose. 2. A wallet from coach. 3. And a Peter Lik picture of a beautiful sunset. I was so amazed that you got me a PeterLik for our anniversary. You are so amazing.

Then that night we got ready for our date..



I had arranged for Ray and the limo that brought us home from the Airport to pick us up and take us downtown to a Co Co Sala - a chocolate resturant in downtown DC. This limo ride was a nice reminder of how special the ride was home from the airport. I remember how excited you were and how you loved seeing the "Just Married" flags flying from the window of the limo. You are my princess and I love doing special things like this to show you how much I love you!

We ate dinner at Co Co Sala - http://www.cocosala.com/. This is Washington DC's only Chocolate lounge and Boutique. I really enjoyed taking you out on the town. You are the best date and thank you for another memorable night.

I love you with all my heart!

Ace

Our Jounal Entry - Our Wedding Day Part 2

This is what we wrote about the reception after our Wedding...

Kenneth:

We had pictures taken - then off to the beach for the Meka dancers and the kava ceremony. The Sunset was the most beautiful one that we had seen this week. Everything was perfect. We were honored by a traditional Kava ceremony. This is very sacred n the culture. Everyone was quiet as you could tell this was meaningful and profound. Then the meka dancers performed. It was as if the whole villiage particpated. We were overwhelmed by their performance. We were even able to participate. It was a tremendous celebration - one that we will never forget!

Shonda:

I am so glad we got a video of this. It is something that no one would be able to even imagine otherwide - absolutely incredible!

After the dancers performed and each shook our hands, we danced our first dance while our guests watched. Honestly, it felt like we were the only two on the beach. I sang to Kenneth as the song played.

Kenneth:

I felt the same way and I love hearing her sing to me!

Kenneth:

Then we cut the cake. The cake topper looked great. We ggently gave the cake to each other. We were glad to share this moment with our new freinds.

Finally we were able to have our dinner in a private shelter right on the beach with torches burning all around us. It was a wonderful way to end our day.

Kenneth:

Once back at the bure - we gave each other the first of our wedding presents. I gave Shonda a bracelet that was engraved witht he words "I love you Shonda - Kenneth" and on the other side it said "Destiny 3.7.06". and then she gave me a PowerPoint presentation of pictures and words of our times together over the last for years.

I was not only surprised, but I was speechless. It touched my heart very deeply because it was so special.

Our Jounal Entry from our Wedding Day - THE WEDDING

Here is what we wrote about our wedding day!

Kenneth:

Our wedding day - the day started with breakfast and talking with Mary and Danielle about the ceremony. After breakfast we went to the prayer mountain at the villiage to pray. Together we climbed the mountain with the help of our our guide Villie. This was amazing experience. Once at the top we prayed together for our marriage. What a way to start our day and our marriage. And so incredibly cool to be able to do this together!

Shonda:

After our jouney up the mountain, we came back to the resort and had a picnic lunch in the hammocks outside of the gym. It was our wedding day, and yet we were very relaxed and just enjoying the day.

After gathering Kenneth's attire for the wedding and moving it to the Kava Bowl, we headed to the spa. I enjoyed some time in the aromatherapy pools as well as a dip in the hot tub and a sit under the massaging waterfall. This was incredibly relaxing as well as inspiring as I was able to look out over the ocean and watch the waves.

Kenneth:

My Spa treatment included a pedicure and a manicure. This was a first. It was nice way to relax before the wedding. After the spa I headed back to the Kava Bowl in my robe to get ready for the ceremony. There I met the preacher and talked with Omar while I waited...

Shonda:

Meanwhile I went back to our bure to shower and begin to prepare myself for the ceremony. Samantha came over about 3:30 pm to help me with my hair. Having her there was a Godsend! I was able to relax and continue my makeup as she dried and straightened my hair. Carolyn came over shortly thereafter and Danielle not to long after that. They repeatedly told me how beautiful my dress was and what a beautiful bride I would be. Samantha saved the day by putting in a spur of the moment braid with her necklace, as my hair kept trying to curl up in the humidity. She did a really good job and everyone liked it a lot.

Once dressed, the girls helped me finalize my jewelry decision, touched up my lipstick, made sure I had my old, new, borrowed, blue, and stuffed the penny in my shoe, and off we were to the carriage (golfcart) to the ceremony site!

Kenneth:

While at the site - I talked with the guests and the choir and the minister. The site was decorated with flowers from fiji. The arch was beautiful. Everything was set. We all were waiting for the grand entrance of the bride. I could not wait to see her. I knew she would be beautiful - and then I saw her and all I could think was "WOW" - "SHE LOOKS AMAZING!"

Shonda:

Once at the WALA Deck the four fijian warriors escorted me down the deck and to where the guests and Kenneth were waiting. When I saw him I immediately felt at ease and at that point it didn't even matter who else was there watching or what the decorations looked like. All I could do was look at him. He looked incredible and I could tell from his "Wow" that he was pleased! :)

Kenneth:

The choir sang as she entered. Then the preacher started the ceremony - it was wonderful. The ocean, the mountains, and Shonda as my Bride. My favorite part was when Shonda gave me her vows! "WOW", they wew amazing, just like her.

Shonda:

The entire ceremony couldn't have been any more beautiful. Kenneth's vows to me were wonderful and very heartfelt and the sand ceremony was a beautiful culmination of the two of us blending our lives together. The minister announced us Mr. and Mrs. Gosnell and everyone came over to congratulate us. The choir members did the same and many of them said "may God bless your marriage." Keith and Richard had done to the villiage to buy Fijian men skirts and also bought us a kava bowl, which they gave to us after the ceremony. Everyone was so wonderful.

Jounal Entry March 6, 2006 - One Day to our Wedding

This was our journal entry from the day before our wedding...

Shonda:

After a very restful night due to cooler temp's and soothing rain, I woke up around 7:30 and began by relaxing in the room cushy chair and working on my vows. Kenneth got up and got ready and then went to the Kave Bowl to check e-mail - sending a hello to everyone.

Once ready, we went down and had breakfast with Omar and Caroline and then headed into town to fill out our legal documents so that we can be married in Fiji.

Ken:

The town reminded me of a small town USA. I was surprised by the amount of people and how dirty it was. However, the people are friendly and I felt right at home. We went to the market and bought a couple of necklaces and a mat (to be given as a gift). At one of the stores Caroline and Shonda bought Mary a pair of earrings that she liked. She was very thankful and seemed greatly appreciative of their gift.

After the trip to town it was back to Namale to finish planning the wedding.

Shonda:

Mary talked us through the various options and details and even let us pick our wedding day lunch and dinner menu. Kenneth was thrilled to be able to order a cheeseburger and friend chicken.

After all the arrangements were made, we back to our room (Loloma) to get ready for our scuba trip. Kenneth decided to go kayaking while I went diving with Caroline and Samantha and Dean. We even got to pass him on the trampoline on our way out - how cute!

Kenneth:

My kayak trip was fun but tough because I was constantly going against the current. First, I went out to the trampoline and jumped around a bit and then made my way to the beach in front of our Bure. I got to see many fish and even an eel. I want to go out again - but this time I will go when I am not against the tide. Maybe Shonda will go with me. I was glad to do this and glad that Shonda was out diving, but I missed her terribly!

Shonda:

Diving was an incredible experience! I actually wasn't afraid of losing my mask at all - I was more concerned with not losing the camera, touching coral I shouldn't, and accidentlly holding my breath. I just kept telling myself to relax and focus on the fish, and I'd be fine. I saw so many beautiful fish! I even saw two clown fish swimming around in an anemone. They were so cool! We found out afterwards that we had gone at a really choppy time. they saud we were very brave - and that we went down 35 feet for 30 minutes. I am really glad I went.

Kenneth:

Before dinner we decided to get one last look at possible places to have the ceremony. We looked at the Blowhole Deck, the Conference Center Deck, and the Beach. Although all of them are beautiful we decided to have our ceremony at the conference center deck. We just kep thinking about how we would love to have our ceremony at any of these places back home. They are all so beautiful and we can't wait for tomorrow :)

Shonda:

I second that!

Shonda:

We finished the evening in the Kava Bowl after dinner doing a little bowling, a little air hockey and are now back at out bure and Kenneth is getting ready to give me my second gift (pre-wedding). Last night he gave me the "key to my heart" willow creek figure and said he was giving me his heart. It was incredibly sweet!

We are both so relaxed, so excited about our wedding and so glad we chose a destination wedding at Namale!

Our Jounal Entry - March 5, 2006

Here was our jounal entry on March 5th - 2 days before our wedding:

Shonda:

Today was a spiritual awakening. We began our morning with a trip into the Nandi village to attend the Methodist church service. The people were incredibly welcoming and warm. The choir was unlike anything we had ever heard. The whole church only held about 125 people, but you would have thought 500 were singing because of the volume and harmony. It was an unbelievable expereince. I even recognized "Bringing in the Sheaves" and was able to sing along in English as they sung in Fijian.

The village chief welcomed the Namale guests, and the service continued in Fijian. We were fortunate to be there on a special day (the first Sunday in March) which was there service designed for giving - The Feast of the Tabernacle. It was truly amazing to see these people, who have so little, give with big smiles on their faces.

After church, we were invited by the minister to his home. We sat on a mat, handwoven by the ladies of the village, in an open almost empty room in the front od his home and particpated in a Kava ceremony.

We were amazed at how little he and all of the people of the villiage had and yet even more amazed at the hospitality, and his wife invited us all to stay for lunch. This was especially special as we had all just talked about how the Fijian minister's family lives by faith receiveing to live on only that given by the village to the church.

As we left the village we were shown a tent up on a hill and when we asked about it, were told that it was a place where the people of the village went to pray - what a testimony to worship!

Ken:

After Church the group headed back to the Kava Bowl to talk and relax. Then to lunch and then to the Dive Shop. This afternoon was our first expereince with Diving. After watching a short video we grabbed some gear and headed to the pool. I will never forget how silly we looked with our fins and how I started coughing when I got water in my snokel. We both passed the quiz given by the instuctor which was a series of underwater tasks at the bottom of the pool. This was a fun first experience for us both. I have no doubts that diving is in our future and Shonda is going to dive tomorrow with her new friend friend Caroline.

After changing for dinner we made our way down to the Blowhole Deck. the Sun had just sat and the sky was dark but beautiful. The Deck has an amazing panoramic view of the ocean. It also has a special treat of a Blowhole which shoot water up into the air about 15 to 20 feet. This has become a top option for where our wedding could be held.

After a short time hanging out with the other guests we had our dinner. After dinner we went to the Hot Tub and Pool with Omar and Caroline. The Hot Tub overlooks the ocean. We talked for a couple of hours and they invited us to their home in LA. sometime in the future.

Shonda:

We are now back in our bure, reminising about the awe and wonder of our first full day in Fiji and how pleased we are with our choice for our special day. In fact we've already said it will be hard to leave.