So Much To Be Thankful For

 

Scott and I have so much to be thankful for this season: the health of our parents and sweet Gramps Harry, the relationship and love we have with our siblings and their wives, the honor and luxury we have as Americans, and yummy food on Thanksgiving of course!

I am thankful for my handsome Scott. He helps me grow each day. His spirit, generosity, and motivation to become a better person are some of the many qualities I love about him most. I have no idea how I got so lucky.

We are thankful for our sweet Bernie. We honestly don't know what in the world we would do without him. He means the world to DSD and me. He brings so much joy to our lives.

Thanksgiving Eve some of my favorite OU young men stopped by our Clinton home to hang out. We had so much fun. I heart Alex, Sam, and Christopher!

Happy Thanksgiving 2010. We can't say it enough...we are blessed. Thank you gracious God for our family, friends, and prosperity.

Imagination

Willy Wonka once said:

Hold your breath

Make a wish

Count to three

Come with me

And you'll be

In a world of

Pure imagination

Take a look

And you'll see

Into your imagination

We'll begin

With a spin

Traveling in

The world of my creation

What we'll see

Will defy

Explanation

If you want to view paradise

Simply look around and view it

Anything you want to, do it

Wanta change the world?

There's nothing

To it

This past week me and my two pals Kristen and Allison ventured to the World Creativity Forum. It has never been hosted in the United States. Oklahoma is the first to host this conference in North America.

The conference was full of innovative speakers, inspirational singers, one of a kind artistic creations (balloon sculptures pictured above) and a look into the future.

One of our OU outstanding students (pictured above) Rachel.

Sandi Patti and the Oklahoma Gospel Choir sang as local students walked on stage bare foot ending their walk throughout the city. They are walking for clean pure water to be available throughout the world.

Blake, the creator of Tom Shoes, shared his remarkable story of how he came up with the idea of 'give and get'.

Mmmbop! How cool was it to  see Hanson live! When I was 12 I would have waited for hours to see a glimpse of Isaac, Taylor, or Zach. At lunch they sat at the table beside ours. No pictures for proof, but they were exceptionally nice.

More pictures of the larger than life balloon sculptures found throughout the conference site.

Two of my favorites...Corbin and Sarah.

This was my favorite part of the two day venture. The young man pictured in the middle (Mr. Mistry) is at the verge of changing our technology as we know it. For example, one day there will be no need for computer screens, key boards, or cameras. In fact, he has already made the invisible computer mouse. It is an exceptional journey he is going on. In less than two years his ideas have advanced so strategically, he thinks his ideas will be on the market for purchase in three years. Some "imaginative" ideas I listed below:

no computer screens: your computer will be a mere projection from your "necklace" device

hold out your airline ticket: your computer gadget will automatically show your delays, gates, and other airline information:

no need for cameras: hold up your hands to show your computer what you want to take a picture of; it will snap the moment for you to view later

These are only a FEW of many ideas he was able to share and demonstrate live. I look forward to seeing more of his creativity at work for years to come.

You are an Ogre

"Do you know the muffin man, the one that lives of dreary lane?" Cait and I ventured off to Far Far Away last week to check out the Shrek Musical. We loved it! It was clever, fun, and a perfect night in Oklahoma City. Love you Cait.

The Blind Side

Every once in a while you get an amazing opportunity to meet people along your life journey. To say that ANY DAY I want to meet a celebrity is an understatement. When I am in New York or L.A. I look around like crazy to celebrity spot! Well last week I didn't travel to NY or California to check out local celebs, we had one in our own back yard in Norman, OK.

Last year Scott and I went to the movie theatre (our favorite past time) and we check out "The Blind Side." To say that our hearts were touched is an undertatement. The true story made to movie encompassed the message to look around our very own communities and see where we can help. Sandra Bullock went on to win the Oscar for the part she played- Lee Ann Tuohy. Ms. Lee Ann graced us with her beauty last week on campus. My friend Taylor (pictured above), and Sarah were able to attend her meet and greet before her lecture. She was just as much a fireball in real person as Ms. Bullock played her in the movie.

Her talk was motivating, clever, and genuine. She talked how many other Michael Orr's are in the world that need assistance-a chance. My favorite line of the evening was at the beginning of her talk; it sums up her fun and witty personality.

"Our family used to allow questions at the beginning of our talks and we would thoughtfully answer. However, y'all started asking the same thing over and over...'has your life changed since the movie?' well let's think about this. My life was just showcased on a major motion picture that grossed $30 million in the opening weekend, Sandra Bullock won the Oscar for playing me in a story about our families life, her marriage went downhill, then she adopted a black baby...you're stinkin' right my life has changed." LAT

Cheers to you Ms. Lee Ann. You were such an amazing rock and perfect person to come in all our lives and remind us how significant it is to change a journey for someone else. I hope my days are full of impact such as yours.

Michigan Moments

Scott spends 25% of his month in the great state of Michigan, it was exciting when we realized it would be perfect for me to see Belfor for myself. It worked out since I was in Nebraska and already two states north; it would be fun to head a little more north (then east) and visit him and the Belfor family. It was a true delight seeing the office and meeting magnificent people.
Ann Arbor is a cool college town. The architecture is much like the Cherokee Gothic style OU has. This was outside of their student union.
The Belfor office had an open house the night I arrived. The office was chic, sophisticated, and structured. It reminded me of what the google offices provide. With their open kitchens, lobbies, fireplaces, in house work out facility; it was abundant and appealing.

Who doesn't enjoy a variety? I couldn't help myself! Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper, Diet Mt. Dew, Diet Coke...oh my! These fun refrigerators were found throughout the building.
We went to an awesome Italian restaurant Meditarrianos on our second night. I had squash ravioli with pecan sauce finished with delicate creme brulee.
During the day I had adventures with Amy Roche (Scott's colleagues wife). She was able to come pick me up for some campus corner shopping. I went to the cutest boutiques including the Pink Pump, Poshh, and ate at a fun burger place. Amy is such an incredible mom. We went to pick up Payton and Quinn from school. I found out how active she is in the PTA. All the mom's were commenting and asking her questions about the walk-a-thon at school. She is such an inspiration. I was glad to spend time with her. I look forward to our vacation in May! Florida here we come. Cheers to Amy and her sweet family! And cheers to magic moments in Michigan.

Pass the Pepper Please

This past week was one of the most special and significant occasions I have been honored to attend. Every two years the National Association of Student Affairs has a leadership institute. It was such a special and exciting week in Omaha, NE. It felt like home. My parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents are from Nebraska land. Home of the Cornhuskers! I grew up shouting "Go Big Red!" (turns out I went crimson). Regardless, Omaha was chic and fun. One of the best parts was meeting my sweet cousin Molly. She met up with me one evening after dinner and we got a sweet treat. We were able to chat about school, life, and love. Her family is one of my favorites. I love the Hayes'! Great to see my sweet and gorgeous cousin.
The classic Upstream brewery was a complete blast. I found my milk soul mate Karen from the University of Nebraska. We were at a brewery full of fantastic and delicious beer. What did we order? Milk with ice! I have put ice in my milk since I was 4 and grandpa Harry taught me how yummy milk was ice cold. I have had this habit ever since. When Karen ordered milk with ice, I was thrilled to find a friend who also wanted an ice cold skim brew!
The institute consisted of 40 men and women from the Midwest region. We were put into 3 small groups. Each group was accompanied with a faculty advisor. The picture above was my faculty advisor Dr. Matthew from Wyoming.
My two fearless leaders Shanna and Matt. They attended the institute a few years ago and now were chosen for our leaders of the class. Matt works at OSU (I still liked him) and married a girl from my husbands hometown. We had a lot in common marrying two Wildcats!
There were several highlights of the week, but the one the stood out among the others was my sweet roommate...Pepper. "Is that your legal name?" I asked. "That's right, Pepper Jo Six!" I couldn't help but giggle and share my thoughts of her name sounding like a famous news reporter "Pepper Jo Six here, live on the scene." We laughed and laughed. Our friendship was instant and fun. I am thankful for her love of life, her dedication, loyalty to her husband, her mom stories, and her approach to balancing work and family. She sees the world as a playground. You either jump in and have fun or watch as others around you have a great time!
MLI graduation picture. I already miss this group!
So here's to you Pepper...cheers to living life fully. You are such an amazing mom, wife, and friend. I look forward to "someday" skiing in Wyoming with you and your family. Thanks for your sweet reminders, whether you meant to or not, you can have it all.

Scott's Spooktacular

Boo! Scott's birthday celebrations are always spooky. He was born on Halloween 34 years ago. We were able to have fun with sweet treats and OU football.
My parents and the Rother family were able to join us at the house before we headed to the tailgate and the game.

Bernie is crazy about Cait and Car. He says "Happy Birthday Dad!"
We headed up to Cait's dorm room to check out her decor. Scott had not seen her home. We miss Carley so much. We decided she should sit by us at the game since we spend so much time with Cait! We had Carley all to ourselves!
We hung out at the famous tailgate before watching boomer sooner football.

At halftime I went to meet my sweet friend, boss, and mentor on the field. We were able to have yet another successful Outstanding Senior Ceremony at halftime. Congrats!

Cheers to Scott on his fun SPOOKTACULAR birthday. I am truly a lucky girl. I loved planning and preparing his fun celebration. Happy birthday DSD...and many more!