Come to Me

Great song by the Goo Goo Dolls, you sent it to me a while back.  Now that you've been away for 4 days, I'm ready for you to come to me.  Miss you.

Amtrak to Oakland

There are women that we both know, who would never, ever, have ridden the train to Oakland airport to save their man the hassle.  I love that you are independent, strong and happy to try something new.  You sometimes think that that independent thought is frustrating to me.  No, you're thinking of the %$#@ recycling crap that gets stacked in the laundry room.  That crap drives me nuts!  But you, I love.

Patient to a Fault

When I think about having to live with me, I think, how are you not completely insane?  Then again, maybe you are but we're both too nuts to notice.  But you are definitely patient, and that will help when you see that my attempt to write every day in this blog hasn't gone perfectly. So thanks in advance for being patient with my blog that you don't know exists... I love you very much.

Dating in High School

So yesterday in the middle of a crazy day at the office (thanks Obama), I send a text saying that 80's music reminds me of when we dated in High School which, of course, we didn't.  Funny how time messes with your memory.  I didn't even like most of the 80's music that we now hear when it was the 80's, but I love it now.  Maybe that's why I connect the dots of us being together back then, even though we were states apart and totally unaware of each other - my memory is simply failing.

We may not have been together then, but we should've been.  We would have had a lot of fun.  Maybe too much fun... hubba hubba....  I love you, girl.

Olive Trees and double-checking

Looking over 1 Nephi 15, I realized that I never did understand that olive tree thing.  How do you graft a natural branch, again?  Anyway, thank you for double-checking my math.  I love you.

Hopelessly Devoted to You, oo, oo, ooh

I'm no Olivia Newton-John, but you might be.  Nobody is more devoted, defensive, faithful or stubbornly loyal than my wife.  Even on a bad day.  I love you for that.

Sitting in the jury room

Nothing like sitting with 11 strangers for days on end to make me appreciate my wife. 

I love you.

You are a sweet momma

You sent a very sweet text to Jake last night, wishing him goodnight since he's on a camp out. I love to watch you love our kids. They need it, like all kids, but they're MY kids and it means the world to me.

no cheating!!!!!!

I don't think either of us have worried about cheating for 5 seconds.  On one hand, that's the way it ought to be.  On the other hand, what a great assumption to have - and for it to be true!! Seriously, there is as much chance that I'll start at second base for the Giants tonight in LA as there is that I'll shack up with some floozy.  And believe you me, brother, they're lined up at the door!

So it is totally, honestly assumed, but we don't cheat, we don't worry about cheating and it aint never gonna happen.  What a great, albeit implied, feature of our marriage.  I love you, girl.

She didn't punch me in the face

Last night I was reading in bed and she nagged me until I turned it off.  That's the truth.  Then, when I was a jerk and complained well past what was necessary, she didn't vow to punch me in the face after I fell asleep.  Thanks honey.

Hard Day

Today is a hard day.  Damn doctors don't know anything but what they barely remember from medical school and end up leaving you feeling sick AND dumb for asking questions. 

Harder yet, you have no idea the incredibly positive influence you have on everyone around you.  Of course people are surprised that your health is poor and that you're exhausted - you're superwoman.  I love you so very much. 

Volleyball Purist

My girl grew up playing volleyball. I didn't. I can play a little. Very little. But she was a baller in her day, and still loves the game. Now Lilly is playing and playing very well, too.

Today Lilly had a tourney. Joanna let me sleep in and went early, I came later for bracket play. Joanna took Sophie home and I did text play-by-play for Joanna. 

When I got home and was describing Lilly's awesome game, she corrected me constantly. Ok, so you "dig" not "field" a ball. You "hit" or "kill", not "smash" a ball, and you play on a court, not an infield... Whatever!! But I do love that she has a love for the game and has passed that on to Lilly. It's a very cool mom/daughter link, and is one more little thing that makes me love Joanna.

Hole In One

No, I didn't drop one in the cup with an 8-iron.  Maybe someday.  But Joanna got up at 5:30am and made me a very nice breakfast before I went off to teach.  I hesitate to use this today, because I think I already used the "she made me breakfast" reason, but man, 5:30 is early, and I really, really, appreciate a good breakfast.  And her hole-in-one breakfast sandwiches are the bomb.  With yolk.

She ain't judging!!

After 3 whole days of teaching early seminary, I went home and crashed out for 4 hours!! Major wimpage...

She nudged me awake at noon (yes, noon) and said I must've needed it. Seriously, I just proved my total wimpiness, and she's not judging!

In all seriousness, I love that she is the most supportive, dedicated and devoted wife a guy could ask for. Thank you, Lord for giving me this sweet woman.

Because we lift each other

I love Joanna because she lifts me up in the ways that I need to be lifted.  In the 19+ years of our marriage, she has done more lifting of the other party than I have, so it's been unfair to her.  When she lifts me, it's typically in an emotional or more often spiritual sense.  When I served as Bishop, Joanna oftentimes was the last thing holding me together.  When I left her, it's usually something on the temporal side, like paying the bills, finishing off the dishes or completing some project around the house or yard.

Any way we would slice it up - who lifts whom and how - we are a pretty darn good fit.  Sometimes we're both strong together, and sometimes we both need a hand, but the latter is very seldom.  As for me - I love her for the way she has so consistently and courageously lifted me for 19 years.  I love you, girl.

First Day of Seminary

Holy cow, 5:30 is early! And Joanna got up with me and made my breakfast. I love that girl.

She makes me better

This evening Joanna shared with me the Relief Society lesson about supporting the priesthood. Specifically, she mentioned Jake and I as Home Teachers. Last, she showed me that the RS VT leader had already called her for last months report, this being the 1st... 

Never one to miss a broadsided hint, I asked Jake to make the calls for HT visits, which he did. So now it's the evening of 9/1, and we already have appointments set. She makes me better, and that is making Jake better, too. I love that girl.