a thousand reasons to smile....

I recently found myself having a bit of a bad day and feeling an overwhelming urge to throw myself a minor pity party. I have some things on my mind and in my life that are what many would consider legitimate concerns and valid reasons for said pity party. In fact, many would say I am entitled to it. However, I decided against that course of action (the steps leading to that decision make up a different story that I will save for another day) and I am all the better for it. Once I made up my mind, I was walking out of my room when a little sign/plaque/decoration? that I have on my bookshelf caught my eye. It says: "When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show it that you have a thousand reasons to smile."

I love this! (Obviously - I bought it...) Seeing it there that day just gave me an extra spring in my step and reminded me that I had made the right decision in turning my back on the pity party and not dwelling on my problems/irritations/stresses. I may have hundreds of reasons to cry...but I also have thousands of reasons to smile.

So, take that, life!!

So, anyways...here goes the beginning of my grateful list...my thousand reasons to smile today....

PENS

How wonderful it is to be able to write! And have it last. In any color or style. Not having to worry about quills and inkwells (as cool as those things are) is quite a blessing. I am constantly making lists, underlining passages, taking notes, doodling, writing letters....how my life is better because of pens! I love them.

EARTH

Home sweet home. There are many, many things I love about our beautiful planet - not the least of which is the fact that it keeps me alive! I am so incredibly grateful for our Earth and its amazing and wonderful uniqueness. Plus, it's just so darn beautiful! How cool is it that I live here!

THUNDERSTORMS

There are few things I like more than an afternoon or evening thunderstorm spent all snuggled up with a good book in front of a window. I love the sounds and the smells and the sights. Beautiful nature!

GOOGLE

I am not a huge fan of modern technology, but, man do I love Google! It makes my life at work easier. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Research has never been more efficient! Plus, they do all the cool Google doodles. Oh, bright, happy Google - how I love you!

AIR QUOTES

What can I say - they make me smile. Use of air quotes never ceases to amuse me!

LIONEL RICHIE

Speaking of amusement....all I need to do to cheer myself up during a particularly trying day is to imagine any of Lionel Richie's album images of the 1980s.

POST-IT NOTES

Another work-related smile inducer. So handy, so colorful, so much better than using a whole sheet of paper that doesn't stick. No messiness or staple holes or need to ruin a whole document with scribbles. I just love them.

GERENUKS

Such a lovely, elegant animal. Love them. :)

TODDLERS LEARNING TO WALK

I love watching a toddler learn to walk. A little unsteady, kind of awkward...and so dang adorable! Plus, their excitement and clapping and obvious pride at making it a ways is just infectious!

GORDON B HINCKLEY

I genuinely love and respect this wonderful man. President of the Church, prophet of the Lord, husband, father, grandfather, tireless servant...and a great sense of humor. President Hinckley was brilliant - and my inspiration. He taught me how to be funny without being sarcastic and strong, sure, direct and uncompromising while still loving and kind. Plus, he was so cute.

Now, that's a real hero.

happy birthday, rustam!

Today is my brother-in-law's birthday....so, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RUSTAM!!

I knew who Rustam was before I ever met him. I love gymnastics and watched pretty much every televised national and international competition of the 1990s. SO, I knew who Rustam Sharipov was - in fact, I was a fan! There was just something I liked about this little guy with the fuzzy/spiky hair.


He was good, of course, and he just seemed to work so hard - it didn't look like it came quite as easily or naturally to him as it did for some of his teammates. He was good, though. He competed for the Soviet Union - the powerhouse of the Cold War - and was one of only 6 men on the Unified Team (i.e., former USSR) that took gold at the 1992 Olympics. After the 1992 Olympics, Rustam competed for Ukraine, becoming European, World, and Olympic Champion on the Parallel Bars in 1996. He also led his team to the Bronze Medal and placed 8th in the All-Around at the 1996 Olympic Games. He's one pretty impressive guy.



He has since retired from competitive gymnastics, and is now the Assistant Coach for the 8-time NCAA Champion Mens Gymnastics Team at the University of Oklahoma. He is not only an incredible athlete; he is an amazing coach.


Obviously, Rustam is very impressive....anyone can see that. But, while it is super-cool to be related to a two-time Olympic Champion, that's not the main reason I love this guy. In fact, there are many things I love and admire about Rustam. He is an incredibly hard worker and he is extremely competitive. He truly believes that "impossible is nothing." He is always doing something. He is never afraid to try new things and doesn't shy away from something for fear of looking silly or of failing. He doesn't hide his excitement when he's doing something fun. One thing I most admire is his commitment - once he decides something, that's it - it's done and there's no looking back or second-guessing. He always gets things done. I often decide to do something, but then put it off or wait 'til later, but not Rustam. He just does it. I wish I were more like that.

Rustam is a great father. He is kind and generous and never hesitates to help anyone in any way at any time. He always offers sincere best wishes on birthdays and New Year. He is smart and talented and fun and funny; he always makes me smile. He is forever mixing in Russian when he talks (especially when he's frustrated) and I love his turns of phrase (e.g., "Why you do that?" "What time it is?"). And, of course, he has a super-cool accent. Rustam makes me laugh. He can be a bit goofy and he is a kid at heart. He'll dance in a robe and a cowboy hat or climb into the kids' wagon and let them pull him around. I love that he is always willing to join in our traditional family Christmas productions, no matter how goofy the script or ridiculous the stunts and special effects. Whatever the part, he plays it with gusto.






Rustam is also thoughtful. One of my most prized possessions is a beautiful poem he wrote me for Christmas a couple of years ago. It was lovely and thoughtful and wonderful...and I got it in English and Russian! I love that Rustam accepts me - as silly and chatterbox-y and loud and obnoxious as I often am, he always makes me feel welcome and loved. He judges me not on my outward appearance, but on my heart, and I love him for that.

But, mostly, I love Rustam for loving my sister. My sister Amber is one of the most amazing, talented, kind, thoughtful, caring, selfless and beautiful people in the world. She is my best friend and a mother to everyone. But, for so much of her life I think she felt invisible. I prayed that someone would realize how wonderful she is...and Rustam did. He saw her. He saw her and she came into color. And for that, I will love him forever.

Happy birthday and all the best wishes to you, Rustam! I am so glad you are my brother.

a perfect moment....

My little brother, Ethan, recently moved in with me. I love having him here. But, when he got here, my condo was not quite unpacked. After all, I've only lived here two years.... My big sister, Amber (the most amazing and organized person I know) offered to come help me get organized. Knowing my limitations and tendency to get overwhelmed immediately upon opening the door to my as-yet-unpacked "office" (a frightening room full of 1/2 opened boxes and a ridiculous amount of bags, shoes, and who knows what else), I accepted her offer and flew her and her oldest, my 6 year old niece, Ksenia, out here.

We (and when I say "we," I mean Amber, Ethan and Ksenia) spent the better part of a week cleaning and organizing and furnishing (I helped on that part!) my office and guest room. It was awesome.

One night, we took a break and headed to the beach. Now, I live here and can go to the beach any time I want. (I know, tough life and all that....) I love the beach. I love the way the waves crash and I love the little birds that run from them. I love looking out at the vastness of the ocean and up at the immensity of the stars and feeling so insignificant, yet so incredibly important all at the same time - knowing that I am so small in the grand scheme of things, yet He who created it all knows my name and loves me with a depth that I can't fully comprehend.



My trips to the beach are often a time for quiet reflection. But not this night. We arrived a little before sunset. Ksenia has been to the beach before, but it was years ago and she's only 6 - she didn't remember it. As she ran, giggling, to the ocean, I watched her. She was so excited, jumping up and down and dancing in the waves.







She'd run into the waves and they'd crash over her and she'd fall - all the while laughing out loud....that amazing, unfettered, unselfconscious laughter of the innocent that gives life to fairies and heals the soul.







As we played in the waves, I found myself laughing out loud - joining in her excitement. We laughed and danced in the waves as the sun went down. We collected seashells and made a wish on the evening star.

It was magic.





I wished that Ksenia would be able to hold on to her innocence and excitement - that excitement where laughter and dancing can't be contained - forever.

After playing in the water, we headed back up to Ethan, wrapped up in towels and just watched the waves come in by the light of the moon.



Ethan played his guitar and we all sang...The Best Day by Taylor Swift and Last Kiss (a favorite my dad used to play and sing to us as kids).




As I sat there, watching the waves, feeling the sea breeze, surrounded by some of those I love the most, hearing them sing "...I had the best day with you...," I couldn't hold back my tears. (I'm a bit of a crybaby.) It was one of those moments - those moments of pure, unadulterated joy. I wanted to stop time and make that moment last forever. Even as I knew that in a little while, and after "one last song," we'd pick up and go back home and that all too soon I'd go back to work and Amber and Ksenia would go back to Oklahoma....I also knew that I'd always remember that moment.



And I said a quick prayer of thanks to my Father in Heaven, thanking Him for these perfect moments in my life. In a sometimes scary world and in the midst of of a life full of fear and stress and care and worry and pain and loneliness, He allows me those absolutely perfect moments. Those moments that make up my wonderful life. And for that, I am forever grateful.