This much

I love you this much:

20!

Happy 20th Anniversary!!! I love you more every year - I certainly appreciate you more every year. Thank you for all of the goodness and joy that you give me, I am absolutely the luckiest man on earth.

Early Drive

I love you because you're getting up early to get out of camp and not worried about missing your glory moment. 

Summer Nights

I love you because of warm summer nights in Davis, with the smells & sounds of tomato harvests.

Before

I love you because I've always loved you, even before I loved you

No Drama Momma

Upon leaving camp this morning, we discussed some of the drama involving people at camp. Whatever your faults are, you're very unlikely to stir up problems like some people do. Who needs it, right? I love that you don't create crazy drama around you!

Eye Boogers

I love you even with eye boogers. (You mentioned boogers and earwax, but I don't think we need to push it)

Camp delays

I have been trying to post daily, but now that I'm almost at the deadline, I've averaged about every other day. Tried to post at camp, but no Wi-fi. Oh well, I have a feeling you'll love me anyway, which is just one more reason to love you!

sober reminders

I love you because you remind me that we have everything.  Not that I want to hear it, but you remind me anyway.

gangsta tagger

I love you because you can spray paint like a gangtsa.  Except in your case it was a large P in solid black paint on our doormat. But you looked really ghetto while you did it, homegirl.

Miracle DC

I love you because I was all hot & sweaty and thought, "please have cold Diet Coke, please!". And I opened the fridge and saw this:

Best wife ever. 

cool air

I love you because the air in our house is cool again.  OK, that's kinda lame, but it did make both of us much happier...

gentle

I love your sweet, gentle soul.

Love

I love you because of your deep, honest love for The Lord.

grumpy

I love you because you seem to like me even though I'm getting grumpier all the time.

sleeping beauty

I love you because you looked so peacefully asleep this morning.

beautiful

I love you because you are beautiful!

BBQ Chicken & Parties

I love you because you really know how to tell me how to read a cookbook.  That was some good chicken!  No, really I love you because you're the first one to think about throwing a party for someone who is moving in, moving out, or just needs a party.  You're amazingly unselfish.

Yellow Paint

I love you because you want a pretty yellow house.

Pardon the Interruption

I love you because you never interrupt me to answer the phone, a text a kid, a doorbell, a dog bark, a dinosaur jogging down the street...

Beach

I love you because of family days at Stinson.

Sleep In

I love you because I slept in while you went to the early game in hot Elk Grive.

massage client

I love you because you think my make-it-up-as-you-go massages are actually good.

power driver

I love you because you can drive really far and not fall asleep.

Proud of my gas

This morning I explained in great detail the massive gas I had last night. You were so happy for me, in hopes it would relieve some neck pain. 

Must've been a funny conversation to listen to, and it made me love you that much more.

Massage Table

I love you because you're cute when you hint at getting a massage.

KISS

Because KISS 

Golf Buddy

I love you because you gently forced your way into my solo golf game last night, which turned into a fun date.  You have always been a fun date - if I can just pry you away from the kids and your %$#@ cell phone.

Hell's Afficionado

I love you, even though you are a little hard on some of TV's finest chefs. 

Crisis Manager

Having just lived through the biggest family crisis yet, I think that we weathered it pretty well.  Last night we talked about how differently we each handle things, and how we compliment each others' style quite well but definitely not perfectly.  We had a couple of little conflicts, but for the vast majority of it we were totally united.  I am grateful for the fact that we are together on all the big stuff.  I can hardly express in words how enormous that fact is, or how great our current joy & relief are.  I love you Joanna; you're so much tougher than you think.

Not a vacation blogger

I love you because you'll forgive me for not blogging while on our vacation.  Not that this particular vacation was very joyful, but it all ended well.

Parker

I love you because we are in Parker for 10 days. 

Stretch Purves

I love you because Sophie is playing All Stars and just made a beauty play at 1B - stretched and fell to the ground, but kept her foot on the bag - OUT!!

Miss Tizzy

No, not Mrs. Tizzer.  I love you even though you throw the occasional tizzy in the middle of the night and force me down the hall.  And I thought you loved the dulcet tones of my snoring.

6th Grade Graduation

I love you for all that you have done for our kids at Birch Lane over the last 14 years in a row.  Birch Lane will realize next year how much they needed you, but I know it now. You are an amazing, unselfish and beautiful person, and a loving good mom.  I love you for all of that and much more.

Fini

I love you because I just finished Seminary and you supported me all year long!

Sophie

I love you for giving me this precious little girl. We have special arrangements for tonight's SFGiants game.... And she got the flu.

Talk Help

For the first time ever you suggested major edits to a talk before I delivered it. After I swallowed my pride and took your advice, it was much much better. I love you for trying to get into my head and make me better. I love you for sticking with me when I'm impatient and even a teensy bit rude/jerky. I love you whole world.

Hell's Kitchen

I love you for watching this awful show with me.

My babies

I love you so much for the way you love our babies. They are blessed to have a fiercely protective, honorable and devoted mother. I admire the job you do as their mother.

the hard times

there are hard times, and then there are the heart-wrenching hard times.  I love you for being with me through all of them.

Road Trip

I love you because you don't think I'm toooo crazy for doing this road trip.

Sprinklers

I love you even though...  (I know I shouldn't start that way)  .....  you are sprinkler retarded.  It's very cute.

When Scott met Joanna

I love you because we can watch When Harry met Sally together for the 50th time and still laugh. 

and another 80's reference

I wish (and sometimes pretend) that my 80's rocker voice was exactly like Tom Kiefer, lead singer of Cinderella.  You know this, and you still love me.  For that I am a very lucky man.

another 80's reference

I love you because you know all of the words to some pretty bad 80's songs.

Clean house

I came home today to a clean house. I love you for a clean house, especially when you consider the three kids who could care less about how clean it is.

you believe in me

Like the Kenny Rogers song - but she believes in meeeeee....  Ok, this is serious sentiment and I've ruined it with that reference.  But I love you because you always seem to see good in me and believe good things about me, even when I'm in the tank.

Softball Mom

I love you because you were the hottest softball mom in the bleachers over the weekend, and you always cheer on our babies and they can hear it!

Happy Birthday

To my sweet girl. Lunch w your sister, then shopping, then dinner & movie.  Love you!

Skyrockets in flight!

Afternoon delight. Aaaaaahhhhhh ----- Afternoon Delight!!!!

Proud of my gas

This morning I explained in great detail the massive gas I had last night. You were so happy for me, in hopes it would relieve some neck pain. 

Must've been a funny conversation to listen to, and it made me love you that much more.

Day 2

So I'm laying around not eating. You're sticking the fridge with sugar free jello and pudding. I'm high as a kite, so this post is taking a while (I just nodded off)

I love you!

I really, really need you

I had surgery this morning and I'm hurting. All I could think about coming out of the surgery was "where is Joanna?" Once they let you in and I felt your touch I was totally calmed. You are the love of my life, and I'm helpless without you.  

Sweet morning

I love you for kissing me 'good morning'.

Cinco De Mayo

I love you because you are my hot Latin lover.  Happy Cinco de Mayo, my little Chihuahua! 

Puke Cleaner

One of your many finely-honed skills was on display early this morning, as you cleaned up after Jake's puking.  We have cleaned puke together many times, and I think you are among the world's best.  I love you for your ability to clean up the barf.

Scary Dr. Visit

I love you because you are going to the doctor with me today.

Couch Surfer

After enjoying 5 nights of Maddy being home, you will relinquish your couch for a real bed (Maddy's bed).  I'm so sorry for the snoring, weird breathing, kicking, sweating - wow, this sounds sexy - and burping, farting, etc...  It must really great to be my bed-mate.  I love you for putting up with 20 years of sharing sheets with me.

Everything

I love you because I already have everything (you). And hotel trips...

Sleepy in Seattle

I'm downstairs at breakfast, you're upstairs sleeping away. I love "Trip Joanna" even more than regular Joanna!!

Easter

I love you because you love The Lord, and also because you've made our home so beautiful for the holiday. Craft skills in full force!

Mother of Mr Patriot

I've always loved your patriotism, but never more than this night. I love you!

Sensitive

I love you because you are very sweet and sensitive. You cry at nice things.

Lilly

I love you because you gave me Lilly. 

Church

I love you because you're staring at me for being on my phone in church, because you don't know I'm doing this.

You approve of my love affair

I love you because you understand my dirty, scandalous love affair with Fenway Park even though I am a faithful Giants fan.  You don't judge me.  In fact, after having been there twice with me, I think you are also in on the affair.  Damn, I love going on trips with you, and Boston was a special trip.  Our family trip was FOUR years ago, and still a highlight of my life.  You make everything in my life better.  And you have sexy eyes.  I'm a rich man.

Sinatra

I love you because Frank sang all those songs about us.  This morning it is "Love is Here to Stay" - not for a year, baby, but forever and a day.  Why? Because I knew you "Where and When".  xo

artichokes

I love you because you make me artichokes for dinner, and still let me eat mayo.

ordain women

I love you because we agree about this, and the way we agree about this. 

Merry Christmas in April!

Today I love you because you made Christmas cookies for my seminary class (studying 3 Nephi 1).  Not really because of the cookies, which were yummy, but because I thought of it Thursday morning in class, blabbed it out to the students, then dumped it on you because I really didn't have time to do it, anyway.  So really, I love you because you're my steady back-up, partner in crime, co-star, etc...  Thanks for having my back.

because you make good toast

Nothing dramatic, but you made me a nice little toast and yogurt breakfast today and I love you for it.  I think you get extra points because you made it at 5:45AM!

Sexy Baseball Texts

I love you because you text me during games to gripe about bad calls that go against the Giants.

Arizona

I love you because, once again, you were very happy to see me take a fun trip with the boys.

Facebook Fiend

I love you because you don't care about Facebook.

breakfast

I'm the luckiest guy in the world because you like to make me breakfast.  One of my favorite breakfast meals is very simple: toast & juice.  That's what you made for me this morning.  So yes, I love you because you made me toast.

Humm-Dinger

It's a cool, old-fashiony word and I think it describes you.  I love you because you're a real humm-dinger.  Makes you want to throw a baseball.

pretty flowers

I love you because you plant pretty flowers in our yard.

Just like Honey

A great 80's song, which also reminds me of another reason I love you.  I asked for your help on a project at work, just needed some post-it notes and highlighters in a bag, with some honey (as part of a joke).  You went full décor-mode and tied them up with string, put little honey bees on the bags, etc...  Very cute, way over the top, but really looks nice which makes me look good.

I think I could ask you to rob a bank for me and you'd do it.  You are so supportive and classy and wonderful.  And I love you for all of those reasons.

you stink

... so nice.  I love you because I know your smell.

Top O' the Mornin"!

 

I love you because you get all Irish on St. Patty's and make the best corned beef & cabbage.  I even like the little carrots.

sweet momma

Today our littlest baby flowered into womanhood...  As you told it, she cried and stressed and generally freaked out (as I suspect all little flowers do).  Your response was to coddle, cuddle and love her.  Not that you would have treated her any other way, of course, but one of the dearest things about you is your sweet, tender touch with our babies.  I love that you are my kids mother.  I want my kids to have the kind of sweet-hearted mother that I grew up with.  Where it counts - this stuff - you are kind, loving, generous and wonderful.  You're also that way with me, which means endless babying from cradle to grave for yours truly!

Whenever I consider these traits that I love so much I can't help but also considering the alternative, and how hard it could have been if you were not the woman I hoped you were.  It's an enormous gulf between a joyful loving home for my children, and one that could have been cold or careless.  I'm blessed by the way you love our kids.  They won't appreciate it until later, but I appreciate it now and love you deeply for the way you love my babies. 

sleepyheads

This morning I woke up about 10 times thinking it was 5:30.  Rough night, followed by a rough seminary class.  Not sure why, but Lilly slept in, too.  When I returned home to crash post-lesson at about 7:45 the house was still totally silent.  Maybe there was something in the air last night, but Jake and Sophie were also still asleep, and Lilly was sleeping through the morning classes.  You were in our bed, sawing logs.

Trying to figure out how this makes me love and/or appreciate you...  Maybe its just the fact that you don't think I'm a total wimp for crashing out for a couple of hours on a Thursday morning when I should be at work.  Maybe its because you seem to like me no matter what.  You are the kindest most supportive wife a man could ask for - and I do appreciate that.  I love you, girl.

flowers in the garage

I love that you buy flowers to plant - and usually more than you have time to plant.  Ok, it sort of bugs me that some of them die in the plastic tray... But it's a sign of being an optimist, not to mention a person who likes beautiful things and who is willing to work to make the yard look pretty.  Those are all good things, and I love you for them.

Yardwork

We puttered around the yard a little this weekend, including some weed pulling and the first mow of the year.  It's odd how year after year we are having the same discussions - when should we fertilize the grass? Should we get an aerator and plug the yard, too?  What kind of flowers should we plant?  Is that blackberry ever going to grow? 

Some people, including me a few years ago, would feel trapped by the repetition of it.  Its starting to feel like a warm blanket to me, comfortable.  You buy more flowers than you can plant, I do as little yard work as possible...  and another year comes and goes.  I love life with you.

Post #100

And all you wanted was a little, tiny list of reasons why I love you.  100 blog posts to the world later, and still going strong.  We had a very nice weekend, starting with me sleeping through The Grapes of Wrath and ending with a long lazy Sunday.  There was also some Cap'n Crunch.  Damn I love you girl. 

You spin me right round, baby

Feeling a little light-hearted at the end of a very busy, but good, week.  I have had some road time and have overplayed my 80's Pandora station, and I'm always such a boob about memories.  Then, oddly, I seem to inject you into those memories as is we actually knew each other back then - probably because 1. you lived it, too and 2. because I honestly can't remember not being with you.  So here's to the 80's, and the time machine DeLorean that brought us together back then.  Or something. 

old home movies

We've lived so much of our lives together, and I'm amazed at the memories we have shared.  I wish we could go back and re-experience it again (here and there).  It's been good and bad, easy and hard - and I wouldn't have wanted it with anyone else.  You're my perfect partner, and for that I am the luckiest man alive.

And the Oscar for best wife goes to ....

I just wish you had an Oscar-winners' checkbook - but other than that, you're the best ever.  You win other awards, too, but this is a PG-rated blog.

Welcome Home!

Only a slight delay later... so glad to have you home.  I was welcomed home after work to big hugs, meatloaf and a warm bed for the first time in 10 days.  I'm glad you had a good time, but I'm thrilled to have you home.  I love having you in my room, keeping me warm!

almost home - nope...

Broke down in Lovelock... sounds like a country song or a horror movie.  And why does this make the list of reasons I love you?  Well, after almost running out the door to go save your life, I didn't have to because you sucked it up, spent the night in Fallon and took care of it all yourself.  You even talked to auto shop guy about the transfer case.  No, you don't know what it is - but I barely know what it is, so who cares!  You are tough, that's never been in doubt - and another reason I love you.

Shark

I heard someone say this and I thought it was perfect: I love you more than sharks love blood. Bingo. Great visual, too.

a running theme

... that is NOT about running, that's for sure.  You're still up in Idaho, and we chatted on the phone before I went to sleep last night.  But you let me talk to you about what I studied in the B of M yesterday, what I learned and how it applied to my current searching situation.  I'm so grateful to have a sweetheart that lets me search, discuss, vent and wonder about all those deeper, more important things.  I love you.

52 things to make your life better

You just emailed me about a book that will change your life if you just change 1 thing each week for 52 weeks.  Never mind that I couldn't remember what I'm supposed to change by week 4... But you don't have 52 things to change!  And that's safe, too.  In fact, it's not even a compliment.  If I made a list of 22 things you needed to change you'd curl up in a ball and cry for a week, never mind 52!

I love you just like you are, and it's funny how the longer we're together the more we jive.  Old habits seem less important, and being happy together more important.  I'm lucky to have you.  Just don't hand me a list of 52 things to change...

Idaho Woman

I just got to work and saw your cute Valentine's framed picture (with your hot new glasses) and it made me smile.  You're up in Idaho, sleeping in, relaxing, enjoying the snow and doing scrapbook.  I hope you're having a great time - I miss and love you dearly.

Happy Valentine's Day

 

 

I love you for buying me Valentine balloons and putting them in my car last night.  It was a sweet surprise.  I am a very lucky man, indeed.  No, not because of the helium high I'm getting tonight, but because you thought about it ahead of time and that makes me happy.



Hell no, we won't go!

This morning you joined a bunch of people in a protest at the school district office.  I love you for standing up for what you think is right.  I am glad that you didn't burn your bra or get tear gassed....

Your Indominable Spirit

Tonight at dinner you and I disagreed about whether or not it would be too awkward for Lilly if a young man lived with our family for a school year. It wasn't a fight or even an argument, just different opinions. I concluded with the fact that I really didn't care all that much, and since you felt strongly I would be happy to go with your point. Agreed upon the solution, but not the reason, you proceeded to argue your point even further. Jake got into it at this point, and he and I chuckled over why you kept trying to prove your point when I was clearly supporting your decision, even though I didn't agree. You then stopped. For a minute. More like 10 seconds. The after it again... This time Jake and I were laughing out loud and I said, "you know what babe, you're right!" You laughed and thanked me for agreeing with you (even though you knew I really didn't)

If this were at all a serious disagreement, it wouldn't have gone down like this. Maybe years ago, but not any more - we've outgrown that, I like to believe. Bt doggone it, when you have your head set on a point you are one stubborn lady. Thankfully, you're that stubborn of some very important things, and you make me a much better man, father, husband, high priest, teacher, businessman and sweetheart for it. I love you for your powerful, indombinable spirit, and I'm lucky you are who you are.

3rd Touchstone

I mentioned that I have 2 touchstones to my faith.  Really I have 3, and you're the 3rd.  The other 2 are personal, spiritual beliefs that are almost unquestionable things.  You are my 3rd (not in order of priority) touchstone because you allow me to question, seek and discuss.  I know you wish I'd move on, and you're being patient with my journey.  I love you for your faith, patience and unconditional love.  I am a very lucky man.

crab feeder lady

Ok, you're just cute.  You texted me about getting the little tabletop butter warmers for a crab feed.  I went to Ace to buy them, and when I gave the girl my card she said, "You know your wife was just in here, and bought this, right?"  It also makes you smile about being in a smallish town...  Anyway, it just struck me as really cute.  I love you.

saying goodbye

Yesterday we went to say good-bye to my sweet old Grandma.  It was much harder than I thought it would be.  I was so thankful to have you with me, and to have you guiding the kids through it at the same time.  You were so sweet to her, too.  Thank you, dear love, for being exactly the woman I want, need and adore.

encouragement

We all have our days in the dumps.  Right now I'm having my own.  Today I love you for your encouragement when you know I need it.

car keys

A couple of days ago I said I love you because you gave me Jake.  Today, in a fit of rage, he hid my keys and had us both digging through the garbage before I found them.  So today, I love you because you dig through the garbage for me, and keep me from killing my sweet boy.

You said what about Candy Crush?

Yes, my love, sometimes Candy Crush is a "dirty son of a bitch".  Your words, my total agreement.  My capacity to love you grew a little with that one.

Sharing Deep Truth, and stuff...

We recently struggled on this topic, but today I shared a thought from the scriptures with you and you were very supportive and happy to hear it.  That probably sounds like crazy talk to anyone else, but you know what I mean.  I love you for being able to share very important, even sacred, things with you.

My Boy

I love you for giving me him:

Hot New Glasses

You're always pretty. And when you get your hair done, it totally changes your presence. I've always been struck by how you can turn on the sexy when you choose to. (Usually it has something to do with  clearing out a schedule, a trip out of town or a nice hotel).

But this time it was simply a new pair of glasses. Two pairs actually. But it was a surprise that the second, just in case, backup pair looked so HOT. Talk about the sexy hot librarian look! 

But the funny thing about it, and you can really, honesty, flip a switch - is that when you knew I thought they were sexy... Look out! 

I love you for a million reasons. Today it's because when you choose to be, you are the sexiest woman alive. And you're all mine.

You give me life

Ok, technically you give me lives in Candy Crush, but it's still a very good reason to love you.



Queen of Craigslist

You were right, I was wrong.  I could never believe that someone would buy our old, junky swing set.  Not only did someone buy it, 9 people contacted you to inquire.  Nice job, we're $100 richer and you were spot on.  Love that you stayed on it and got it done.

Fly Killer

After killing 10,000 flies for you and Sophie (ok, 2) last night, I was getting cranky (I was in bed, reading, all warm and cozy) When the next juicy maggot fly came in you grabbed the swatter and whacked one off of your lamp - 1 swing = 1 kill.  I won't write down what you said after that...  But if loving you for killing flies makes me wrong, I don't want to be right!  Nice kill!



Christmas (Movies) In January



One thing I love about you is how much you love Christmas.  You love it so much, that you record every corny Lifetime and HGTV Christmas movie there is, but then you get too busy to watch them.  But that's ok, that's why January was invented!  Last night I caught you up in our room watching another awful Lifetime movie - I swear I could write one in an hour - and you were as happy as a little Christmas clam! 

It's very cute, and just one of the millions of little things that I love about you.

Back to Maddy's room

So we've had a lack of a spare room with the holidays, Kylie's extended stay and Grandparents.  Last night you bailed out for the first time in a while.  Reminded me how much you are willing to do for me, letting me stay in the big bed while you find refuge from the snoring.  So sorry about that - and thank you.  Love you, sweet girl.

Napa 2014

A great movie out, several nice meals, 2 good nights of sleep and NFL football.  Am I missing anything?  Hmm...  Another great Napa getaway because you make it so wonderful.  I enjoy having you all to myself, more than I can say. 

3 hours til a weekend away

need I say more?  Our annual Napa trip is waiting for us, and I cant wait.

No Body Heat

I spent the night in a hotel in Oakland last night. I didn't sleep well. I have lost the ability to produce heat in my own toes, so I was be-socked last night... I'm glad you still keep me warm.

call this morning

On a very personal call from an important mentor, I was again reminded that one of my greatest assets is the woman I married.  Maybe I need an outside reminder on occasion.  Probably not, but maybe.

Grumpy Diet Guy - Day 1

Growl.  But I love you anyway, even if you think I need o lose weight, which is crazy.

Rat Killer

There is a dead rat in a trap, and you are very happy about it.  For some reason that makes me laugh. 

Happy New Year

What better way to celebrate the new year than with an electric blue horse?  Actually, today's post is easy because of a conversation that we had over the holiday, which was: how can I act that shows you that you are loved?  Great conversation, very selfless and a little revealing, but no real surprises.  If anything, the surprise was that it takes very small acts, although specifically important to you or me, to show love to the other.  What we appreciate is probably different than any other person or couple, but its our stuff, and we both acknowledge those little things. 

Best of all, you thought to discuss it and that makes it easier to make it happen.  And that makes me a very, very lucky man.