You find what you look for

One thing my family is really, really good at is laughing.

That's kind of our thing--it's what we do. We laugh. Some families play sports, or do outdoorsy stuff, or argue and debate, or are just quiet and content. We laugh. Every time we're together, we laugh so hard we cry. Every time. Usually, we're laughing at ourselves. Sometimes, we're laughing at something funny we read  or saw, or a ridiculous hypothetical situation, or whatever else. But generally, it's us poking fun at us. It's done with so much love and good humor, though, that it never feels like anyone crosses a line. It just feels like we have a really great handle on not taking ourselves too seriously. I LOVE this about my family and am deeply grateful for it.

I went to Utah this past weekend to celebrate a cousin's wedding. Much of my extended family was there. We're a cohesive bunch (read: smother-lovers) who spend most of our spare time hanging out together, when we can. And when we do, this is what inevitably happens:

Seriously, these people are not insane. I promise. (I know it looks a little questionable to view a whole string of pics depicting people laughing hysterically.) They are just the most sincerely joyful, kind, open-hearted bunch of people I know. The joy that we have is real and deep...it comes from love for God and family, and from our faith. One of my very favorite Book of Mormon scriptures says, "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." Love it. I know that joy and laughter are not the same thing, but I think laughter is often a manifestation of joy.

When was the last time you had a good laugh?