Good Morning!!!

Today has been AWESOME - and it's not even 7:30am (CET) yet. I am so happy right now that I don't know what to do. I wanted to tell the whole world how great this morning was. I think it is a culmination of a lot of things. Lately I have just been tired and over stressed with work and other things in life. I feel like I haven't had a minute to sit down, like I was at a breaking point. This morning was, I think, just what I needed.

It sort of started last night. I got home from Milan (work trip) just before midnight. Before going to bed we talked to Curt's cousin Justin. We love that kid so much! He is leaving today to the MTC and will be a missionary in the San Fernando, CA mission. To add to the evening's excitement, Curt was amazing and worked so hard while I was gone. He cleaned the entire apartment--and not just that--he also went downstairs and completely organized our cave (that is the storage unit we have in the basement of our apartment building). I don't know how he did so much after a full day of work and a bike ride. What an amazing husband. I always knew I was lucky.

I woke up at 6:30. This may seem normal...but it has become extremely unusual for me. I used to be an early bird, that is, before I was pregnant. Now I try to sleep in as late as I can. I generally sleep in until at least 7:30 on work days, and whenever my body wakes up on weekends. Pregnancy has made me love (and need) my beauty rest.

I woke up so early so I could FaceTime with my mom and sister (Kristin). They have been traveling around Europe since the first week in June and we haven't been able to talk. This morning they are in Switzerland! They are in Lugano and are heading to Lucerne. Next they go to Paris and on Saturday--they will be HERE! I can't wait to have a few days with them. I love my family so much and have been away far too long. It's been 50 weeks since I was 'home' in Utah. Mom and Kristin are doing well and seeing the world. It was so great to talk to them. I love technology!

After I talked with them I tried to go back to bed, with no success. I decided to just check my email. More good news was on the way. First I saw we got our Olympic Tickets! We are going to the Men's Soccer: Men's Gold Medal Match, Men's Victory Ceremony and men's volleyball: Men's Bronze Medal Match, Men's Gold Medal Match, Men's Victory Ceremony. Wow we sure lucked out! Something that was SO relieving was the timing. I had requested tickets in 2 separate blocks of days so we could make a trip out of it. Some were the 1st week of the olympics and the others were in the later week of the olympics. Fortunately the lottery worked out in our favor and we're seeing events 1 day apart. We'll have a fabulous time in London (with the rest of the world).

The next email I read was from a woman I love and respect. Her name is Janaina and she lives in Novo Friburgo, Brasil. I had the great privilege of teaching her when I was a missionary in the Rio de Janeiro North mission. She is a kind, loving and incredible woman. I had two email addresses for her, but despite my efforts had lost contact with her. The last time I saw her was when my mom and I visited Brasil in July 2008, right before Curt and I got married. We visited Janaina at her home and it was awesome. I can't describe the joy her email brought me. I am excited to continue to communicate with her. It gives me hope that I'll be able to speak with more of the people in Brasil I met and love. I've been able to stay in contact with Edmar and her family from Terra Vermelha, Espirito Santo and that has likewise been a great blessing.

So this morning was a tender mercy. I think I needed something to keep the sun in my sky and help me get through a week of work before vacation. Then I can see my family in Utah and recharge my batteries. Happy Wednesday! This is why Wednesday is my favorite day of the work week. It never fails me.