{ courtney kicks cancer }

Courntey has come such a long way in 2k14.

Ending Chemo.
Growing her hair back.

Her poor body has been through so much. I am amazed as I go through pictures her transformation throughout it all. Looking through pictures of her starting chemo blows my mind. She really does look so sick. But now? You would never know that her body went through so much in just one year.

Make-A-Wish foundation is so amazing. The fact that they go above and beyond to grant a child's wish is inspiring. I've heard of a kid getting signed to the Utah Jazz for a day, Disneyworld (which most kids choose) to meeting a celebrity of their choice. Make-A-Wish spoils kids with cancer (as they should).

Courtney's wish was to go to Disneyworld. So yes, the entire family got an all expense paid vacation to Disneyworld. They had the time of their life and what a fun memory for the Simon family.

After the trip, Courtney got to raise a stained glass star which will forever be in the Make-A-Wish building here in Utah. They threw her a little party with cake and ice cream, had cardboard cut-outs of her favorite princesses and then she raised the star. We are so blessed that she is happy and healthy! Because unfortunately, some kiddos aren't so lucky. About 3 months before Courtney was diagnosed, a boy at my school was diagnosed with cancer. A happy little 1st grader, who got done playing at his soccer game complained of his side hurting and not being able to breath so well. His parents took him in and come to find out he had spots on his spine. Last winter, he was off chemo and healthy enough to come back to school. What a school celebrity! The kids loved little Owen. We had done fundraisers for him and his family and the kids at school were his biggest cheerleaders. However, Owen being at school didn't last so long. Soon after his return, they found his tumors had spread. Back on chemo he went. This past fall his family was also able to make the Disneyworld trip (they have on-site support and medics for treatments). After he came back, things went downhill quickly and the little guy passed away in November. My heart broke for that family. What a fun last memory that family had going to Disneyworld though and the fact one child's wish came true before passing on. 

Cancer? Don't ever come back. Like, ever.

Week of Halloween

The week of Halloween was wild, but fun. My favorite part of the week was definitely a present a student gave me. All week long my class learned about Halloween in other countries, in particular in Ireland. One tradition they have is to eat this special bread as a way of telling fortunes. If you find a coin in your bread, it means you will have good fortune and will be rich. If you get a ring in your slice of bread it means that you will be married within a year. So what did I get from a student?? A doughnut with a ring in it. Can you tell they are so concerned with me getting married. Love it.

I also went to Thriller. So fun! I am not coordinated (slash can't sing) but it was awesome. 

Oh and Halloween? I was a Spelling Bee Champion. I will say I was pretty proud of how my costume turned out. I mean, I wanted to be a Queen Bee or should I say Queen "bey" (beyonce) but I had to remember I needed to be at my 9 and 10 year olds level. Halloween at school FLEW by, it's pretty much a wash of a day but is so fun for the kids. As for me, I wanted a nap when the day was done!

My fourth grade team. They are the best. 

What did the ghost say to the bee?

BOO-BEE!

(Pretty sure a student told me that...haha)

T H O U G H T S

Little (or not so little) thoughts:

+ Dear life: Last week was possibly the worst week of the entire year. Everything went wrong. Everything broke. And my brain ended up in the lost (and then maybe found). When I asked if the week could get worse, it wasn't a challenge. Sooo thanks for ignoring my rhetorical question and ending my week with a speeding ticket. Def NOT the cherry on top (looking forward to a new week...).

+ I'm obsessed with floppy hats. I've bought two in the last two weeks.

+Bring on No-Shave-Novemeber.

+ Stoked for Thanksgiving. And to make our annual holiday music video.

+ And to see this bundle of joy. There's nothing cuter than a baby giggling.

+My parents buying a place in Park City was probably the best decision they've ever made. Well, besides having me of course.

+ Everyone needs to read the book Wonder. IT'S THE BEST.

+ Scandal is my favorite TV show. I can't get enough. Jake Ballard? GET AT ME. Breaking Bad is a close second right now (although I had to take a break for a min...)

+ Halloween on Friday means this week will be nuts. But so fun. Can't wait to party with my kids.

+ TOMORROW, October 27th, IS THE DAY. T.Swift's CD comes out. Headed to Target at the butt crack of dawn to get her bonus soundtrack. Oh you aren't? Sucks to suck.

+ I just want 500 million dollars, a Lexus IS 350, a bearded man AND a baby. Too much? Didn't think so.

{ nyc}

I'm not going to lie, 2014 has been just as rough as it's been good. If that even makes sense. I've had some downs, but I've definitely had my fair share of ups, especially when it comes to traveling.

In June, some friends and I had made plans to go to Thailand (umm yes please) in October. I had bought my plane ticket, but some things had fallen through. So as I was driving somewhere in Montana on my way to Washington, I called to cancel my flight and luckily, I got every penny back. But I was super bummed. I think my parents could tell too. Which is when they suggested I join them to go to NYC in October instead. I mean, whether they felt guilted into it or not, there was NO way I was going to pass that up. NYC is the best!

It was nice going back and not having to do all of the touristy things. It was fun to try new things. Don't get me wrong, if I was going to NY with someone who hadn't been before, I would hands down do all of those things over again. And funny I say that because last night a friend asked me if I would go with him. Well, DUH. 

Some of my favorite things from my trip:

+ High fiving Jimmy Fallon (top moment of my life thus far. Like, TOP) and going to his show. Especially when he looked me directly in the eyes and said "Hey, how's it going?" Gave me a sweaty (Ew) high five and then went on his merry little way.
+ Motown on Broadway
+ 9-11 memorial. We spent four hours there! It was awesome.
+ Biking over the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge (and my mom almost getting ran over like ten times)
+ Trying so many yummy restaurants (Amarone and Sombrero in particular)
+ Rowing through Central Park (cutest thing ever)
+ Chelsea Market
+ Manhattan Temple

Favorite quote from my mom:
Dad: Let's go get a treat
Mom: Ok. How about a McDonald's Ice Cream Sundae?
Me : (Jaw dropped) Mom, we are in freaking New York City!! There's no way I am going to McDonald's! (My parents love their chain restaurants :)
Mom: Whhhat?? I love their Ice Cream Sundaes!

We ended up going to Junior's in Times Square. MUCH BETTER than McDonald's. Sorry Mom!

OR when she kept standing in the middle of the bike path and almost got ran over a million times. My Dad kept getting SO mad at her (fellow biker). Seriously, my parents were cracking me up.

(I may not look as excited as the lady behind me, 

but I was pretty sure my heart was pounding)

(Our eyes were making love in that exact moment)

(Rockefeller Plaza)

 (Brother in law, Scotty, was in town for work so we met up for dinner)

 (We like selfies)

 (Where the columns once stood. The foundation of the Twin Towers)

(fun facts)

 (The last column standing from the Twin Towers)

 (Fountain from tower 1)

 (MoTown on Broadway!) 

 (MoTown on Broadway!)

 (Fall in NY is perfect)

(Gelato, baby)

 (Brooklyn Heights. Look close and you can see the Empire State)

(Our selfie game is strong)

(Our new biker friend....name to be remembered... but check out dat Brooklyn Bridge! 

 (Central Park. The best)

 (He did all the work)

("and what's up with those duck lips?" EW!) 

 (A place of peace for the city that never sleeps)

 (Subway shots)

 (Best cookies in the WHOLE world)

(Chelsea Market) 

 (Chelsea Market, in an old Nabisco building)

The best part about this trip was the weather! If NYC could have zero humidity all of the time I would consider living there for a while. But it's that darn sweaty, humidity that I am not a fan of.

Such a fun trip and such a fun memory to have with my parents.

L O V E them! 

Until next time New York.....

Relationship Goals

...but seriously.

Jam It Out

Sometimes I don't get how people do not listen to music. I have a few friends that really only listen to very minimal music. I understand there is nothing wrong with that but music speaks to me when my own words cannot express the way I am feeling or thinking at that particular moment in life.

So much music lately, so little time.

Shout out to T.Swift for getting it. And me.
It's not like I am counting down to October 27th for her new album or anything...

soo this happened.

I GOT JIMMY FALLON TICKETS.

I seriously have been freaking out all week long. I knew my chances were slim, but it was worth a shot, right?! Everyone kept telling me they've tried forever but have never had any luck. Ew.

When this page popped up telling me that my reservation was successful, I read it at least 5 times. I couldn't believe it and still can't. I am SO pumped.

Now my next goal is finding a way to get a pic with him.....

Soooo Jimmy? I'll see you in October.
PS I've loved you since before Fever Pitch #truelove

back to school

Is summer really over?? Boo.
Those two months flew right by!

I can't believe I am starting my third year of teaching. It truly is getting so much better (and easier) with time. I think that goes for just about anything in life: GIVE IT TIME.

Last year I taught the 3rd/4th combination class and this year I am just teaching 4th, which I am super pumped about. Fourth grade is seriously my favorite grade. The kids are like little-big people. Old enough to understand, but young enough to not sass back. Not only that, it's Utah state history in 4th grade. Umm hello! Fun!

Joni (the one is the nautical blazer) has been one of the best people I have ever worked with. There are so many great qualities about her. She is soo understanding, forgiving, hard worker, creative, loyal and a great listener. I seriously could go on all day about her. She is like a second mom to me! She has been teaching for over 20 years, and is seriously a pro. I am lucky to be on the same team as her.

 4 fingers for 4th grade! 

Obsessed with my team! 

Not to mention I have the sweetest little class (little in people and little in size: 26!). 

I can tell it is going to be great year! 

{ Roomie Love }

I love these girls. Like, a lot. We've shared many laughs. Many tears. Frustrations. Fears. Heartbreak. Tons of dating stories. I can't imagine life without these girls. Not living with these girls and not seeing them on a daily basis is going to be rough. Gillian bought a town home and Stace is moving to Salt Lake.

Some memories:

• Catching the best moments on video (aka broken bed)
• "Steph J, you smell phenomenal"
• Endless afternoons at the pool 
• Hallway chats
• Three thumbs up
• Tinder probs
• Broken stool
• Neighbor Mike
• Tarantula
• #1010
  

The memories go on. I am so happy I have had the experience of living with these girls. I have learned so much from both of them. Mostly, how to be a better friend. Gillian is the most selfless person I know. Not only that, she might say otherwise, but she has her life together. Always setting new goals and reaching new heights. She is someone you trust with all of your heart. Stacie is so light-hearted, fun and a friend to everyone. Always finds the party and doesn't over think things (which is something I am terrible at). She is also a great listener.

I feel so lucky to have the girls in my life. They are my sisters from another mister. 

Here's to our new adventures!