Little Letters

Dear SLS, 

I've recently {re-}taken to listening to you all.day.long while I work 

and boy is my heart happy. 

Thank you for the memories 

and for what you continue to do to my soul. 

It's beautiful. #spirtwaltz

Dear this Weekend,

 I love the idea of a quiet Friday night,

a celebration of marriage with good friends

and getting to spend Sunday with the family.

Lookin' forward to ya.

Dear Cozy Fall Weather,

I like ya. A lot.

Here's to boots, scarves, sweaters

and a whole lot of warm yummy drinks.

Dear October Baseball,

You make me feel like a giddy little girl. I absolutely love it.

Dear David,

I was pretty excited to start studying you

and it didn't even occur to me

that there are so many other people in your story to learn from.

Dear Hunky Husband,

I'm proud of your persistence.

I think your scruff is absolutely hott.

And well, I just love you more every day. 

Dear Gilmore Girls,

I'm glad I decided to start DVRing you again every day.

Nuff said.

Dear Creator,

You continue to blow my mind.

Thank you for knowing me

and loving me just the same.

A Dozen Little Letters

Dear Lyssie, 

It's been fun having a new roommate this week.

I'm going to miss you when you go back home.

Dear Suitcase,

Can't you just pack yourself?

Dear Finicky Tummy,

Be on your best behavior for the next couple weeks, okay?

I'd really prefer if you weren't too picky,

if you didn't get upset easily,

and really if you'd just mind your own business a little bit.

Kay, thanks.

Dear Summer,

It'll be hard to see you go

especially since you just kinda showed up.

We're kinda going out with a bang

but then I'm oh so excited for your sweet friend Fall to follow.

Here's to sweatpants, warm cups of tea, flannels

and dreaming of places where the leaves change.

Dear Little House on Holly Tree,

We don't seem to spend much time within your walls, at least as of late,

but you've been the perfect first little home for us.

Thank you.

Dear Asia,

Stretch us. Grow us. Open our eyes.

Dear Mr. McLeod,

I think it's a good thing that I still think of your dad

whenever I say Mr. McLeod.

Doesn't that mean you're not that old yet? ;)

PS: Prayin' you shake that cold.

Dear Bread & Wine,

I've been such a good little girl

just letting you sit on my shelf for several weeks

while I await our long flights and international layovers.

I've been saving you for such times as these

and I can't wait to dig in.

Good things are worth waiting for

And I have no doubts you'll be any different.

Dear GVC,

Thanks for being home.

Dear Jay,

I had such a sweet time with you yesterday

celebrating the birthday that keeps on giving.

Thank you for being honest, for dreaming big

and for being such an encouragement in my life.

I love you.

Dear Morning Commute,

You've been unusually glorious the past couple days.

Two days in a row

I hit every single green light on Scripps Poway.

You'd think I won the lotto.

Dear God,

Thank you for being the giver of good gifts

the healer of broken people

and the provider for a world in need.

You continue to do immeasurably more.

And it wows me every time.

Wednesday's Wittle Wetters

Dear This Morning, 

I'm snuggled up in our big comfy chair under the window.

The windows are open, letting in the coolness of morning.

One of my favorite candles is lit

and all feels well with the world.

This is what morning's should look like.

Dear Lord, 

please remind me of this morning

should I become impatient, ungrateful or hurried today.

Dear Bill James, 

I have a severe weakness for donut holes.

Please don't bring again.

Or do. :) 

(thank you)

Dear SYTYCD, 

I love when the all-stars come back to play.

Absolutely glorious I tell you.

Dear Weekly Phone Calls with India,

I'm normally not excited about having a standing commitment every Tuesday night,

but thank you for last night.

The sense of team work and accomplishment warmed my heart.

Dear Volunteer work, 

I must admit I thought you were for high schoolers who were trying to get into college

or for DUI-ers who were getting in their hours.

There are so many people who consistently volunteer there time just because.

I'm inspired.

Dear Daddy,

Tomorrow's bring-your-daughter-to-work-day

except they renamed 'daughter' to 'child' for some PC reason.

It reminds me of all the years I spent tagging along with you

in a work environment that is now a mirror image of mine.

Thanks for letting me ride the train to work with you,

for teaching me about your 'computer stuff'

and for letting me play in the copy room filled with office supplies galore.

I still think of you when I shop for supplies in our own copy room at work.

PS: I swear I'm not crying nostalgic alligator tears as I type this.

Dear Long Haired Self,

I looked at a picture of you the other day

and didn't even recognize myself.

That's crazy to me.

I kinda miss you - kinda don't.

Dear Laughter-in-the-workplace,

You're much needed. 

And much appreciated.

Thank you, thank you. 

Keep them laughs comin.

Dear Baliwalidoodle,

10 days til we leave.

Yahoo!

Dear Mary Magdalene,

Rock our world tonight, okay?

Dear Cute Boyfriend,

I'm proud of your courage

and the way you always put family first.

Do I really get to be your wife for the rest of my life?

This is a dream come true.

10 Little Letters

Dear Humble Abode, 

I've missed you. There's just no place like home.

Dear Weekend, 

I can't remember the last time we had one of you with absolutely no plans. 

I'm jumping out of my seat at the possibilities. 

Dear Juggies,

I'm so thankful for the way we take time to do our own thing.

Girl-time and Guy-time are two of the reasons

our marriage can be that much richer.

Oh, and PS: thank you for indulging me

when I come up with a new silly nickname for you each week.

Being called "Juggies" on the internet is brave to the core. ;)

Dear Kaminskis,

You always make me feel at home.

Thanks for welcoming us back to Poway last night.

You mac n'cheese is like no other.

Dear Friday Friday,

Gotta get down on Friday.

Heck to the yes, baby.

Dear Eat Pray Love,

I'm finally reading the last of your three sections

in anticipation of our trip to Indonesia in a couple weeks.

I don't remember why I ever became bored amongst your pages.

Dear God,

Sometimes I feel like you should be sitting "up there"

looking down at us and laughing at just how long it takes us to catch on.

Thank you for allowing me to make mistakes

and to learn and grow.

Your patience is just unfathomable to me.

Dear Cable TV and DVR,

See ya later gator.

Dear String Cheese,

where have you been all my life?

Why did I never think I liked you before??

Seriously misguided.

Dear Memory Lane,

You really do rock.

For every book or journal I take off the bookshelf I'm trying to re-organize,

I spend five or ten minutes in reminiscent bliss.

So fun.

And Memory Lane?

Thanks for always pointing me back to the One who faithfully walked you with me.

Little Letters

Dear Del Dios Highway,

You provide the loveliest of commutes to work.

Thank you for your winding roads,

your beautifully manicured golf courses

and for not giving me too much of a traffic headache.

I'll miss you.

Dear Cute Boyfriend, 

I absolutely loved that you surprised me and took me out on a date

in the middle of the workday. 

Dear Jack Bauer,

I was thinking about you the other day

and missin' on you big time.

I just can't wait until your return next summer.

Dear Mama and Papa McLeod, 

thank you for coming over for dinner last night.

We had so much fun hanging out, dining alfresco, roasting s'mores and relaxing in the jacuzzi.

I really lucked out in the in-law department.

Dear Jalapeno aioli, 

winner. Good job.

Dear July,

you flew by like whoa. 

You filled my days with family visiting, great meals with friends,

relaxing weekends, and refreshing summer rains.

Thank you.

Dear New Church Building,

I can't wait for you to become our new home this Sunday.

Get ready to rock the socks off Carmel Mountain.

Dear Heavenly Father,

thank you for continuing to reveal my sin to me

while loving me just the same.

You are patient. You are loving. You are merciful beyond belief.

Tiny Conversations with Tuesday

Dear Monday,

thanks for going easy on me this week.

Your kindness does not go unnoticed.

Dear Lunchroom Refrigerator,

umm... I'm pretty sure you swallowed my lunch.

That's no way to treat a lady.

Dear Exercise Ball,

I've been using you as a chair for the past week

and my back is k-i-l-l-i-n-g me.

You are so not the right size for my desk.

Dear Pretty Flowers on my Desk,

thank you for staying alive all week

and for greeting me Monday morning with a smile.

Dear Lyssie Lou,

I am so excited to celebrate your birthday this weekend.

How in the world are you already going to be 22?!

Dear Brand New Phone,

So THIS is what it's like to have a normal battery...

Between you and my car charger,

there may have been small leaps for joy yesterday

Dear Jeremiah Michael McLeod,

I'm obsessed with last night.

Delicious surprise appetizers, BBQing in the backyard,

great conversation and an evening walk

before curling up to watch an episode of Parenthood.

This is what weeknights should look like.

Dear Dirty Laundry Hamper,

BOOM!

Dear Venissimo,

It's a little dangerous having to pass you on my drive home every day.

You see, I can't pass up your tasty treats.

And now all I'm thinking about is finding the perfect cheese

to make a new macaroni and cheese.

Dear Friends-who-live-far-away,

I miss you all.

Dear Parenthood,

you make my heart hurt and smile at the same time.

I don't know what I'll do

when we actually have to wait a week between episodes.

Dear Schanakers,

you're freakin' home.

Heck to the yeah.

Dear God,

thank you for the encouraging words

you speak through people around me.

Thank you for minds that think and problem solve and create.

Thank you for molding us after your own image.

If there's someone's image I'd want to be made into,

it's Yours.

10 Little Letters went to market...

Dear Jeremiah, I know working at 5am isn't high on your list of favorite things to do,

but I loved that you were awake with me in the morning.

Dear Florist at the QC Farmer's Market, thank you for the free flowers.

They bring a smile to my face and they make my cube extra cheery.

Dear Mr. James, thanks for letting me borrow your old desk chair.

It makes working way more funner... yes, funner. :)

Dear Garage Door Opener, how in the world did you end up in my back seat?

I spent forever looking for you. FOR-EH-VUR.

Dear Buddhs, I appreciate you like crazy.

You left your scruff, brought home dinner, surprised me with one of my favorite treats,

gently reminded me what it means to search high-and-low,

and swatted down three flies with your khakis. 

How did I get so lucky?

Dear Hot Air Balloons, I'm not sure you'll ever get old.

I just love watching you scatter across that rosy sky at dusk.

Dear Elliptical, remember me? I'm back. At least for one day. ;)

Dear Clean Laundry, I love you. I love you. I love you.

Dear Vermont, I started day dreaming of your Fall colors today.

The husband put the kibosh on you and brought me right back to reality, 

but don't you worry... one day... one day.

Dear McGoverns, I'm so excited to finally double date with you guys.

Thanks for making time for friends even when life gets busy.

Little Letters

Dear Parenthood, I simultaneously laugh and cry through every episode. 

You inspire me, encourage me and remind me to be grateful. 

You're my favorite show since 24. Congratulations.

Dear Asia, I'm getting so excited to meet you. 

Looking forward to culture shock of a lifetime. Please don't get me sick?

Dear Eve, sometimes I hate you for what you got us into. Just being honest. 

I'm sure I would've done the same thing...

Dear Little Townhouse, I feel like we're past the awkward getting-to-know-each-other-again phase 

and you're starting to feel like home again. There's just no place like home.

Dear Cubeland USA, you're not as a bad as I expected. There, I admitted it.

Dear God, you are good.

Dear America, happy almost-birthday.

Dear Point Loma, thank you. a million times thank you.

Dear Blog, remember when we used to hang out every day?

When you used to hold memories and thoughts and pictures of the day-to-day?

You can thank Instagram for robbing us of quality time.

It's good to see you again though.

Dear Catherine, thanks for being a young, female SA.

I can't thank the Lord enough for you.

Dear Italy, I miss your cobblestoned streets,

your ivy covered villas, your fabulous gelato,

your friendly faces, your beautiful language and your slow dinners alfresco. 

You're one place I'd just LOVE to visit again.

Dear EscoGelato, without you I'm sure I would have purchased another plane ticket to Italy already.

My husband and my bank account are grateful.

PS: You should really consider making the sour cream and brown sugar an everyday flavor.

Dear Blair, the way God is using you is insanely inspiring.

Three cheers to seizing this opportunity.

Dear 10yr old Self, remember when you couldn't catch a fly ball to save your life?

Dear Craft Room, one day we'll reunite. I promise.

Dear JuggyBuggyDoodle, I adore the way you know me.

It continues to blow my mind that I get to be married to you.

Doing life with you is one of my favorite things on this planet.

Little Letters

Dear GoogleMcDougals, we miss your faces already. Thanks for enjoying tasty food with us, taking us to Dr. Suess' house and belly-laughing until our cheeks hurt. Ready to move your Texan butts back to California yet?

Dear eLemonAtors, I've missed you sweet girls. Two weeks of Spring Break is far too long. Can't wait to play with you tonight.

Dear Playground, you kicked my bum on Saturday morning. I've got the bruises to show it.

Dear Ruth's Chris dessert cocktail flight, yeahgurl. yeahgurl. yeahgurl.

Dear DSC, laughed my pants off on the way to work this morning. Thanks for helping to get my day off to a smilin' start.

Dear Mr. McLeod, I'm falling more in love with you every day. I love learning to work together and getting to play together. Did you ever think it could get this good?

Dear UK Family Adventure, with all the planning it feels like we already had such a great time together. Can't believe the vacation countdown is down to 15 days!!!!

Dear Momma, Papa and Lyssie Lou, I love you guys. So thankful to be part of your family.

Dear May Madness, crazy goodness comin' right up.

Dear Women's Bible Study, you've been such a God-send this past year. I'm so thankful for open hearts and open homes.

Dear AliPatt, congratulations on your next adventure. The Bay Area better know what they're getting themselves. :)

Dear Parenthood, (the show, not the nonexistent baby in my stomach kind) we freakin' adore you. to pieces. so good. 

Dear Wednesday Weather Forecast, 80? really? promise? this girl is ready for some dang warmth. Sun-kissed freckles, toes-in-the-sand, weeknight BBQs and cutoff shorts comin right uppppppp!  

 

Little Letters

Dear Murrays, rumor has it you've got heart-shaped cheese and chocolate cheddar lined up for Valentine's Day... #swoon -- Makes me wish I could hop on a plane and fly to the Village ASAP.

Dear gods, I never really thought Exodus 20:3 was something I struggle with. Boy, was I wrong. There are so many of you in my life, it's disgusting. You're motivating me, controlling me, and taking up value space in my heart. Start packin'.

Dear OHF, I'm so excited for your new brick and morter. I'll have to get my buns up there to shop.

Dear Bookshelf, you are uber full these days with all sorts of new goodies. Can't wait to read em all.

Dear Cute Husband, to celebrate my birthday on Monday you: A) slipped Season 5 of 24 into the grocery bags you carried in from the car on Monday. 10 points for always helping me bring in the groceries and a bonus 5 for the thoughtful birthday surprise. Boy do you know the way to my heart. B) drove across town to three different Cleaners until we found a Laundromat. I love your persistence when Siri led us astray C) promised to take care of me in my old age of 26 D) All of the above.

Dear Softball Season, you. make. me. giddy.

Dear Macaroni and Cheese, I miss you. I do. But I'd rather be able to fit into my pants.

Dear Clean White Board, you didn't last long but boy-oh-boy did you make my heart skip a beat.

Dear Papa, I can't wait to come spend the weekend with you. Here's to uninterrupted time together.

Dear Sweet Friends and Family, thank you all for the thoughtful birthday wishes. I had such a wonderful weekend celebrating.

Dear Wednesday, hump day what what?

Dear Superbowl Squares, I play you every year and you can't give me just one win? C'mon! 

Little Letters

Dear Kale Chips, hubby thought you were hash when I packed you in his lunch this morning. My face hurt from laughing when I got his text on my way to work. Thank you for bringing a smile to the start of my day.

Dear Daddy, thank you for intentionally carving out time for lunch dates together. I tear up when I type that because I am your child.

Dear Think Safety Calendar, I look forward to seeing you in my work mail box at the start of each year. What better advice than 'run inside your House if you see A snake in your yard' or 'strangers online are just as bad as the ones in the sun-shine.' Or there's my all-time favorite... 'pull over if you are fighting.'

Dear Alarm Clock, I wish there was a feature that woke me up anyway regardless of whether I turned off my alarm in my groggy state or not. Oversleeping makes the rest of the day a little rough.

Dear James, how did you know that the fourteenth verse of your fifth chapter is exactly what I needed to hear this morning? Oh, your brother told you? Yeah, well He's smart.

Dear CBTL, thanks for being such a cozy place to cuddle up with tasty tea and dig deep with my girl friends. 

Dear Busy Season, I think you're a little confused. You're supposed to just be a season - not a way of life. Remember that? 

Dear Monday, thank you for being easy on me. Please tell Tuesday how it's done.

Dear Jack Bauer, I miss you. Like for real.

Dear Fresh Balsam Candle, I don't care if Christmas is over. I'll burn you til the cows come home.

Dear Frost on the Lawn, I may or may not have woke up the past few days thinking it had snowed. Is that what you wanted? Because you've accomplished your goal. Now get the show on the road.

Dear London, I'm relying on you to fill my NYC fix, okay? I hope you can get the job done.

Dear Jeremiah, I feel honored that you'd trust me with your dreams and innermost thoughts. I feel privileged to walk through life as your teammate. And I feel jump-on-the-bed excited about the special moments we get to share. I freaking love you. 

Little Letters

Dear Olympics, you and I have a love/hate relationship. I freaking love you. Like obsessed love you. Like watch nonstop love them. I am utterly sleep deprived, insanely emotional and well, let's just say I've abandoned all responsibilities for the last week as you consumed my life. I feel no shame. In fact, I think the whole world should stop during the Olympics. One day, ONE DAY... I will see them live.

Dear August, You are OBESE with of out-of-town visitors. It's awesome. Friends from North Carolina, Rome, Mississippi, Texas, Maryland... gah it's insane. Our days are packed to the brim with those we hold dear.

Dear Nail Polish Remover, You don't work anymore. Maybe you're expired or something? I don't know, but I'm pretty sure you're supposed to remove the nail polish off my nails. You don't do that AT all. #fail

Dear Time, How is it August? Someone please tell me. (Okay, don't... I know the order of the months). But seriously, where the heck did this year go? Where did the summer go? As much as I absolutely love summer, I'm supes stoked for Fall. We're closing out summer with a trip to visit our friends in Texas and what's Fall without a little weekend getaway to the city? This year, we're stealing away for a couple days to explore Boston. I can't wait.

Little Letters

Dear Raccoon Eyes, Every summer I pray is the last summer of raccoon eyes but it just never works out that way. Here's to 6 months of looking like I'm wearing sunglasses 24/7.

Dear Italy, sweet Italy.. #yesplease. I know Lyssie and Jeremiah were ready to come home, but I just didn't feel that way at all. I could spend weeks walking your cobblestone and ivy streets, eating your absolutely delicious food and listening to your beautiful language. I love you, I love you, I love you.

Dear Motivation, are you still on vacation? Yup, thought so.

Dear Matt + Lindsay, I love that you're in San Diego. What. a. treat.

Dear Padres, you still suck. We support you anyway, but just so you know... it gets a little annoying when you consistently suck so bad. Maybe the All-Star break will do you a little good.

Dear Littles, I must confess I sometimes scribble your potential names all over my notebook the way my 17-year old self used to doodle Jessica McLeod.

Dear Italy, did I mention I miss you? Yup, just checking.

Dear Jordanna, good luck at your new job my dear friend. You are going to rock it like whoa and the Lord is going to grow you in ways you never thought possible. What a blessing you'll be to all the people you'll work with.

Dear July, you are one heck of a busy month around our neck of the woods. You make it really hard to find rest in this crazy world when you're filled with so many glorious things.

Dear GVC, it sure felt like coming home on Sunday morning. God's presence was undeniable.

Dear Blogging, I just can't figure you at. I'm wrestling with what to do with you these days. I must, I must, I must count my pennies. And at the same time, I long to live the disconnected, offline life.

... and to my best friend, how stinkin' lucky can one girl be. Thank you for switching with me on the off chance that I venture out and order something awful. You're constantly challenging me to put others before myself. Humbling.

Little Letters

Dear Books, thank you for taking me away from the hear&now and into another world. Sometimes I just need that.

Dear CBIZ Training, once or twice a year you take my husband away from me for a week of training in what feels like a far-off distant land (even if it's just Manhattan Beach this year). This time normally leads to: more dinner dates, staying out later, hogging the entire bed and garage all to myself, and remembering that Jeremiah and I are quite the little team. I'm grateful for this time and I miss him all at the same time.

Dear Vacation, remember the little conversation we had yesterday?

Dear Juicy Plums, I've actually been thinking about you a lot lately. Nothing says summer like juicy fruit in the sunshine.

Dear Loft, thanks for pulling my name out of that hat and awarding me a gift card. I'm exciting for a little shopping this weekend.

Dear WCWS, rain-delay? really? Thanks for nothing, DVR.

Dear Mac n' Cheese, this morning my waistline told me we've been seeing each other too much lately. Blue cheese and bacon, garlic and chicken, truffle oil and parmesan, mixed with BBQ sauce... oh goodness I can taste it now.

Dear Italian, we're on to level 38 baby! Think I can hit level 50 before we leave for our trip? Think you could actually stick in my head so that you're helpful on our trip?

Dear Girl Talk, you're cherished. You remind me of high school, but with 401Ks, pregnancy, marriage and home remodels.

Dear Barkers, don't move.

Dear Summatime, it seems like every day I'm throwing a new summer-fun activity on the calendar. Yahoo!

Dear Friday (and Saturday and Sunday for that matter), thank you for being so faithful to come every. single. week. I freaking need you.

Dear Savior, much needed. End of story.

Dear Darling Husband, yous mah fave. Thanks for picking me day after day and for continuing to learn how to love me best.

Little Letters

Dear Vacation, I need you.

Dear Vacation, I long for you.

Dear Vacation, You're consuming my thoughts.

Dear Vacation, I feel like I can't make it through another day without you.

Dear Vacation, Is it time yet?

Dear Vacation, It's been too long.

Dear Vacation, Now!

Little Letters

Dear Vanilla Coke, you are darn good. I had been doing a pretty good job at not drinking soda since the new year. But you... you make me week in the taste buds.

Dear Easter Bunny, step aside. There's a much bigger hero to celebrate this weekend.

Dear Krugers, what a special treat to have you two visit this weekend. I loved picnicing and playing cards, sharing our hearts and trying out new restaurants. You two are such a blessing to us. Now move back closer already!

Dear Interwebs, I'm just not that into you. Need. to. unplug.

Dear Mr. Toney, I'm really enjoyed your CD on repeat in my car. Good work!

Dear Crafts, I haven't worked on any projects in what feels like forever.

Dear Spring, I'm just loving you to death. Bike rides, Farmer's Markets, Fresh Flowers, Warmer Weather... gah!!

Dear Summer, I love you more. Shh! Don't tell, Spring.

Dear Softball, I've missed you this week. This whole Spring Break thing is just plain stupid. Need more dirt. Need more grass. Come back to meeeee.

Dear Schanakers, It looks like you guys are just having the time of your lives in Europe. So stinking fun!! Can't wait to hear all about your adventures.

Dear Momma, I miss ya. Tell Dad too.

Dear Italy, After all that planning, it feels like I've already visited you. I can't believe we'll actually meet in a couple short months. I think it's about time to get back into major planning mode.

Dear Budget, we spend way too much of you on food. Must. Change.

Dear Corporate America, how about instituting a national (or international for that matter), "Spring Break?" I don't even care if it's unpaid. Just make everyone go home. Reflect. Refresh. Breathe.

Dear FedEx Delivery Man, I eagerly wait for you at my door each day. You'll be bringing two new books to my house very very soon and I'm just so excited to sink into them. I can't wait for my new pair of socks, too. (Yes, I ordered socks online... because... I'm special like that.)

Dear Instagram, get ready for it. Husband will be joining next week and his photog skills are off-the-hook.

Dear OTH, really? The end? I think I'm going to wear black and cry like a child tonight as I mourn your passing. I realize you're just a silly soap opera, but I'm oh so sad to see you go.

Dear Littles, I think about you often. Like way often.

Dear Baby Kook, speaking of littles... I just can't wait to meet you. This month? Yes, please. Your mommy and daddy are the greatest ever. You're SO lucky to be theirs.

Dear Grammy, it's April. Birds are chirpin' outside and I swear they sing your song. Know that Papa is doing just fine. He's being taken care of.

Dear Albino legs, get ready. Sunshine's a'comin!

Dear Silas, you still swoon my soul. I don't care if your FoF now or something else by this point. Your old stuff has a VERY special place in my heart.

Dear Cute Boy I Get To Live With, you are fun to the max. Like, um.. the greatest. Thank you for carrying me upstairs when I get too tired, thinking my cooking is tasty even when I don't think it is, and for taking the trash out every single week. Your hott.