Perfect Words

So I've had so much on my mind in the past two weeks.  Plus just being busy.  Just can't find the words to adequately describe how great my life is.  One of my bestest friends/favorite souls and I drove up to the temple this last week and I came to some realizations.  But to put it into words on my blog, I couldn't think of how to do it.  And then I read one of my other best friends/favorite soul's blog and he used many of the words that I have been lacking.  Click here to see the post.  Step by step life goes and we grow.  Gotta love it :)

God Knows What's Up

So let me just say.  This weekend has been a bit of a whirlwind of emotions.  I have been on my knees just a little bit praying to figure out some stuff in my life.  Becoming an adult can be hard.  Grand.  But hard.  Responsibility is hard.  And a bit overwhelming at times.  But like I said, God knows what's up.  He really does.  And for some reason it still surprises me sometimes how He knows EVERYTHING.  I mean, obviously we know that.  But how often do we really understand that?

He has this grand plan for each and every one of us, and I find myself getting constantly reminded that He is in control.  He is so so so involved in our lives and wants to help us all the days.  How blessed are we?

never ever ever ever

sometimes i'm grateful that life changes.

sometimes i get to interview new hires at work.

sometimes i act according to what i want to do.

sometimes i decide i'm going to make a trip to europe.

sometimes i get reminded of my purpose and my goals.

sometimes i get hugs when i need them.

all the time i love the temple.

all the time i have great family and friends.

all the time i have a Heavenly Father who loves me and gives me tender mercies all the days.

Daddy

I have an incredible dad.  This post is my belated but promised Father's day one.  I found the photo above on pinterest and thought it a fitting way to begin the post.  And I'm going to do this one a little different than my mom's.  This is my list of things my daddy taught me/ways that he is that make me want to find a guy like him.

1)  He loves and adores my mom.  All the days.  They cuddle on the couch.  He gets her flowers and presents for no reason (does that for me too.  love random packages from daddy.)  One of the only times I ever remember him getting really really angry with me was when I was probably in elementary and i was practicing backhandsprings in my room and oblivious little kid that I was I didn't realize that mom was trying to sleep in the next room over and I guess my backhandsprings on our second floor in the room next door probably didn't help her.  I have never seen my dad so angry, but for me, it showed how much he cared about my mom.  

2)  He is so stinking smart.  Not only has he graduated from college and gotten a PhD and all that, but he got it from MIT (no big deal).  And while I don't know all his reasoning and thoughts that went into his major and  life decisions like that, I do know that it does provide well for our family.  

3)  He taught us kids to be passionate about something and do what we love.  My dad loves baseball and basketball.  Do any of us kids play either of those sports?  No.  haha.  Did he have us try them?  Yes.  Did we all find our own passions and have supportive parents every step of the way?  Yes.  I can't count the number of gymnastics meets that my dad stood by the recorded so I could watch them later and learn from, not to mention driving me home from practice everyday.  While I might not have learned to set goals and achieve such high academic standards as my dad, he did teach how to set goals and achieve them through other means.

4)  He has an amazing testimony of the gospel.  He got baptized while he was in college, married my mom in the temple, and is an avid gospel scholar.  We have sooooo many gospel books at home, not to count the hours and hours of talks and podcasts he has on his computer and in his car that he listens to.  I have never had a gospel question for him that he hasn't answered to satisfy my curiosity.  He magnifies his calling.  He goes to his church meetings.  He is what I would call mostly an introvert, but he gets pushed outside his comfort zone all the days with his calling and he does it well.  He's had to deal with some intense stuff and I admire him for how much he cares and how much of his life he dedicates to the gospel.  

5)  He loves his family.  I can't count the number of times I went outside with my dad just to play catch and talk.  He loves his new grandbabies in my cute little nieces. He made our house into one with the cool gadgets and games to play at with my friends growing up.  Some place for extended family and friends to come have game nights and fun.  And he loves his immediate family too.  I feel as though with that comes a love of the state of oklahoma, where he grew up and where his mom and one of his brothers still live.  I remember going to visit one time in high school, and when we were flying home, talking about how both places kinda felt like home cause of the memories and people there.  

6)  My dad is so stinking generous.  It's like his favorite thing in the world to give the perfect present.  My parents have to set a cap at christmastime cause my dad goes a little crazy wanting to get everyone everything that they want/need or that he thinks they will like.  Many a package that I have gotten from him while being away (at school, mission or here in CA) have come at just the right times when I've needed them most.  Just a little thing normally, to let us know he cares and that he's thinking about us.  Not only is he generous to our family, but I know that I have seen my parents give things to families in need that can never be repaid.  

7)  My dad had standards for me.  And when I wasn't living up to them, or my potential, I had privileges taken away.  He wanted me to be my best self.  I remember many a lecture in the car on the way to or from gymnastics, normally about grades.  I want someone who is going to expect me to be better, someone who will continue to push me to improve, while loving me along the way like my daddy does.

8)  He always has time for me.  If I am locked out of my apartment in Idaho 2500 miles away, getting a flat tire, needing help with taxes, forgetting to register my car and needing my title overnighted to me, my parents both have always always been there.  No matter the time of day or night.  He even plays draw with me with me even though I am absolutely so horrible at it it's funny. 

9)  He's hilarious.  Ever so witty.  You just have to listen to catch his jokes sometimes.  Family time always was filled with lots and lots of laughter.  Partially because my mom and I both laugh alot, and partly because my brothers and dad are hilarious.  Nerds.  But hilarious nonetheless.

10)  He has always been so incredibly supportive of me and trusts me and my decisions.  He has taught me how to make big decisions and how to follow through with the decisions I make, including the one that moved me 3000 miles away to work a job that doesn't have much to do with my degree.  If I were to say tomorrow that I wanted to come home, he'd probably put my mom on a plane to help pack me up and drive me back.  Well that's a lie.  He'd probably make sure I wasn't making a rash decision but i have absolutely no doubt that if i said I needed to come home there would be no hesitation.  

Mostly this is me just bragging about my daddy.  He's too modest most of the time anyways.  But I love him.  He's the grandest soul.  Best guy you'll ever meet.  :)

Crazies

I've been thinking a bit this week about crazy people.  Maybe because I have some in my life.  But I was thinking about what makes crazy people crazy.  I had a roommate at one point in college who I called my crazy psycho roommate.  I have kids who come into the gym who are CRAZY.  I have parents who come in who are on a whole different level of crazy.  Then I have acquaintances etc. who are crazy.  And this is the conclusion I have come to.

The number one reason that I think people (including myself) act crazy is because they don't know and trust in God's plan and timing.

Example 1:  I had a parent today at a birthday party who was one of those helicopter moms and her child was an 8 year old boy.  in a gymnastics gym.  and she was trying to keep him from doing anything.  good luck sweetie.  but I think if she knew what life was about, she would understand that her child needs to experience things for himself.  part of life is making mistakes and growing, and what a better place to make a mistake than in a fully padded gym meant for little kids.

Example 2:  Crazy psycho roommate.  She had an understanding of God's plan.  She was one of the most giving people I've ever met in my life.  So incredibly nice, and very upfront in her communication.  I learned loads and loads from her that semester.  However, I think that she was missing some of that trust, as we all at times in life do.  Last I checked she's super happy now though so that's good :)

Example 3:  Crazy kids.  Let's take my friend J that I talked about last post.  This one is on me, thinking that he was crazy.  So often at the gym, these kids come in with different lives, and situations.  But I have found with every single crazy that I have had come in, give them a couple weeks and you'll feel that love for them.  And then they're still crazy, but you are the one who understands the plan more.  And then they learn more from you.

Example 4:  Sometimes, people get irritated when they aren't dating.  hahaha.  Sometimes people get a little desperate and act a little (or a lot) crazy.  Makes me laugh.  But it's crazy.  And I admit, I have at times acted crazy when it comes to this sort of thing.  But the thing to remember, as always, is God.  He's great.  He knows what He is doing.  You don't have to rush anything or get all crazy.  It'll happen with His timing.

Which brings me to the conclusion.  I am so incredibly blessed it's ridiculous.  I have the best job on the planet.  Spectacular coworkers and bosses.  Amazing kids who teach me daily.  Wonderful roommates.  Fun friends.  Perfect parents.  US Women's gymnastics winning the team gold.  Gabby Douglas winning the individual all-around.  Life is grand.  Couldn't ask for a better one myself :)

J

Let me tell you a story.  Once upon a time, I started coaching here in California.  And when I started coaching, it was the first time I had coached sooo soo many preschool gymnastics classes everyday all day.  And I've talked about my favorite class from those first couple months here.  I also had my not so favorite class.  Three 3-year olds.  Not hard right?  3 kids, when normally a class has between 5 and 7 kids.  But oh my goodness this poor class.  2 boys.  One girl.  Angel girl who is actually a pretty talented little gymnast who I caught singing popcorn popping one time (but that's a story for another time).

My gym is decently small.  We put classes and little circuits (obstacle courses) in small spaces so we can maximize gym use.  So during the 3:30 hour, as most gyms know, the gym gets to be pretty crowded with lots of classes going on.  And keeping these three kids in our little area and out of the way of getting squashed by bigger kids was my main goal for this little class.  Now.  The class at first was just two, one boy and one girl, and manageable.  But add my dear little friend J to the mix and all chaos ensued.

Luckily I work with splendid other coaches who knew what I was going through and most were understanding when all the sudden J or the other boy would sprint off across the middle of the floor to get trampled.  As I have since learned, it takes three weeks for kids to get it.  And I had J for about three weeks of him sprinting off when my schedule got flipped around and I got taken off his class to coach some of the older girls.  Another coach coached him for a while, and he just lost interest I guess cause I realized I stopped seeing him at class.

And then came this week.  He signed up for summer camp.  3 straight hours of Jad.  With 6 other kids between the ages of 3-4.  Needless to say I was a little scared for this week.  Scared is an understatement.  I had Jad, another girl who just barely turned 3 last week, plus some other characters.

But let me tell you.  I love J.  We finally get each other.  When the huge group of camp is playing a big game, or practicing for their big performance, both J and I know he can't pay attention, so today for example, we took a break and built towers to karate kick down.  I had to leave for part of the day today to set stuff up for my parent tot class that I teach, and he came up and gave me this huge hug.  He wanted to show off to me his winnie the pooh and tigger crocs.

I am by no means a perfect coach.  I still have tons and tons to learn.  But sometimes it's breakthroughs like this that make it worth it.  Still exhausting.  But worth it.   I love it.  I feel like I learn and grow each day, and I don't feel that that is going to stop anytime soon which is exciting to me :)

Characters

So.  I admit it.  I like many an odd character.  I get attached to characters in movies/tv series/books/etc.  In real life too.  I like odd people.  But anyways.  Characters.  I get attached.  In college, I became hooked on Grey's Anatomy due to a roommate from my very first semester and got hooked ever since.  I relate to the characters (i was able to relate each of the characters to myself and my friends from college, with myself being yang).

So I was talking with a friend of mine about characters, and fictionalized love and he was talking about how the kind of love in love songs/movies/shows/whatever isn't real and shouldn't be something that we're wishing for and I got to thinking tonight.  I watch the Bachelor.  haha, this season is the first one I've watched and I must say, it's been hilarious, and of course, I have my favorite characters.

Of course, I'll reactivate Jeff and we'll get married, or convert Sean.  I'll take that one too obviously.  But the one that makes me laugh that is the odd character that most everyone disagrees with me about is Ryan.  I just love Ryan.  Call me crazy, but there are characteristics that he has that I am looking for in a future hubby.  He is funny, goofy, goal-oriented, motivated, hard working, confident, and he knows who he is is because of God....and in addition to that, he wants his wife to be the best she can be.  He wants to showcase his wife and show her off.  I dig that.  I hope I get pushed to be the best I can be.  I don't admire people who plan to or do "let themselves go" after they get married.  stupid.  i think.  but people disagree with me.  whatever.

Love is idealized.  I love love.  I love my chick flicks.  I enjoy watching the Bachelor.  And Grey's Anatomy. I love sappy love songs that get me twitterpated.  I plan to live in love.  I know it's not going to be like that every day.  Come on now.  But life is grand.  Why not be grand in love?  Having someone to share it with every step of the way?  I'm excited for it.  It'll be grand.  The perfect character for me.  How fun will that be :)

I'm not lucky. I am blessed :)

I just love life.  Here is an example of the little rugrats that I work with at camp.  I had the 7 littlest ones with me all week for camp at work and it's a blast and a half.  exhausting.  but fun all the same.  Aren't they the cutest??  not to mention it's my favorite song of the moment.  Plus I hiked a bit in the redwoods yesterday and went to the beach two days in a row with some of my favorite people.  life is grand.  love it :)

Utah/Idaho

So this past week I've been able to spend in Utah and Idaho, cause I've had time off for work because of national gymnastics congress and the olympic trials!!!! (which was wonderfully amazing by the way, not to mention the fact that my boss gave my coworker and I front row seats to the women's competition!  so blessed)  But really.  I can't even begin to describe how blessed my life is now, and when I was living in Rexburg.

Things I dislike about Utah/Idaho:
1)  The wind.
2)  Sometimes the need/feeling of having to be perfect all the time.
3)  Along with that, I think because of that some people turn uber fake/ridiculously happy.  Now I am a generally happy person, but these people take it to the extreme sometimes.
4)  The emphasis on dating.
5)  Classes.  School.  psh.  who does that.  haha

Things I like/love about Idaho (I would say Utah too...but no.  I just love Idaho):
1)  The Rexburg Temple.
2)  Favorite souls.
3)  New fun souls.
4)  Small town parades.
5)  Being able to have people to hang out with all the time if I want.
6)  Surprise seeing favorite souls at random places.
7)  Madison Gymnastics Center, and my gym family there.
8)  It's beautiful. 
9)  Cheaper.
10) Country music.

I figure double the amount of things I like over what I dislike makes sense.  I really did have a blast and a half this week and it was a very much needed nice break from San Jose and work.  I have worked every day except Sundays from the end of January until now...minus Memorial day.  Crazy.  But I love it and I am super excited to get back :) 

And now for my theme song of the moment...well.  my theme song might be a little much, but my favorite song of the moment: 
      
    

Amazing.

I am always amazed at people who are in tune with the Spirit.  And even more than that, a God who cares enough about us to pour out His tender mercies constantly on us.  I am so so blessed, with so so many wonderful things and people in my life.  I had a long week this last week.  Too busy I think looking back on it.  One of those weeks where I tried to do too much.  I fed the sisters on thursday and one of them said exactly what I needed to hear.  I figure as long as I am trying to do the right thing, the right things will happen.  No stressing.  :)