{ 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.

NO MORE CHEMO!

This little pumpkin is done with chemo! She has been such an inspiration to me.

 Every time I walk into Primary Children's I am amazed at the strength I see.

And those nurses!  I think they have a different heart than the rest of us. 

Talk about a heart wrenching job! 

Don't let her adorable little smile fool you though, she was sick and nauseous from her medicine right before this picture. She was siting on my lap and I said, "Courtney, guess who's coming to see you right now?" And she looked at me and said, "Who?" I smiled back and said, "Scottie." That cracked a smile and then I suggested we scare him. She loved it. Scottie was traveling through on his way to Arizona to sell for the summer. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. 

{singing "No more, no more...Chemo...therapy!"}

          

After Courtney cracked her smile, my other niece Alli (age 8) turned to me and said, "You always know how to make her smile, Stephie!"Melted my heart. 

After her smile faded (about ten minutes later), she began to feel sick again. She went into my brother-in-laws arms and asked, "has my hair grown back yet?"

She can now swim and be a normal little kid. 

I am so grateful for my family and to know that families are forever! 

5K Run for Courtney

Today was such a special day for the Simon family. A race was held in honor of Courtney and her battle with childhood cancer. Skills Fitness (Lindsey's gym) and The HERO (Helping Everyone Reach Out) Foundation teamed up, along with many others, to create a fun and successful run!

{my parents always going above and beyond}

 

{what 7am on a Saturday looks like hashtag sleepy eyes}

{before sunrise and honoring the Simon family at the beginning of the race }

{Court's hero, Rapunzel, came to the race}

{these sisters are three peas in a pod} 

{face painting from the Davis Darts v-ball team and the BEST silent auction basket name. ever.}

{rocking our Courtney shirts}
{and Alli rocking the Johnson staple: leopard} 

There was a GREAT turnout for the run and the silent auction was a HUGE success. 

Today I am a little more grateful for families. The HERO foundation has sponsored other children fighting the same battle. One little boy, Cameron, fought a hard fight, however didn't have a fairytale ending. His family was there to support the Simon's, making today even more special.

 

{July 2013 and October 2013}

Courtney has changed so much in the last 3 months. She's the most mature three year old I've ever met. She is extra kind and patient. She has the "it's going to be okay" attitude. And she's always wanting to make other happy, it's the sweetest thing.

That girl is truly my hero.

Two must see's: this and this.

I've been meaning to post the second one forever, but today during the 5k I heard it again and was reminded how much I love it. A friend from high school's little girl and husband are at minute 2:50 of that one.

Grab a tissue.

❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 

A cause for celebration

This weekend was definitely a cause for celebration. 

My niece Alli was baptized. The thought of her being 8 terrifies me.

That means she will be 16 before I know it. Which really means... I'm getting older! Not cool.

That moment when you realize your family drove every possible car to one location.

I guess we forgot the meaning of "car pooling."

ORRRRRR that moment when you're driving and find your other nieces Fun Run sign. Love it!

Because let's get serious. She really is the cutest cancer patient ever. 

Plus she is inspiring with her endurance and spirit of courage. 

She's truly a fighter. 

When I was laying in Courtney's new princess bed, I found this monkey and thought it was cute.

Now what kid puts bandaid pieces on a stuffed animals stomach?

A child with that cancer. That's who. 

Also inspiring? The love and patience Kylie, the oldest sister shows to Courtney. 

They have the cutest relationship. 

Another cause for celebration?

Your class being selected as Cougar Class of the Month.

(Don't worry, I've heard every joke possible)

The best worst part about this? Having an 8 x 10 portrait of yourself hanging up in front of the school.

Cracks me up every time I walk in and out of school. My kiddos are the best though, seriously. 

I am LOVING this school year and I am so proud of my class! 

Last but not least, best Snapchats of the week:

Yes, I joined LDS singles for a month. And I'm pretty sure I will not be extending that....

Stacie did the dirty work for me while I corrected papers. It's like have a personal dating assistant! 

Two girls, one shopping trip to Salt Lake and 4 diet cokes later.....

Any cause for celebration deserves a Diet Coke.

Even if it's just a simple shopping trip. 

Glad Cheryl captured the moment :)

Happenings.

The last few weeks have been B U S Y.
I am still trying to catch my breath.

Life has been good, but a little stressful. Between school and balancing the rest of my life, it can get kind of exhausting. I have learned over the years that I am more of an introvert, rather than an extrovert. I read this study that in order for introverts to "rejuvenate" they need to have time just to themselves. And same with extroverts. In order for extroverts to "rejuvenate" they have to be with people and doing things. So why am I saying this? To illustrate the point that I haven't had that "down time" and I am going crazy! My kind of down time is watching a movie, taking a nap, not doing anything for a night, going shopping or doing a craft. Sounds silly, but I am ready for that down time! Is it fall break yet?!

Anyywaayy, here is what's been going down recently.
                      

Brother + his friends and Me + Jane went to the Luke Bryan concert. It was A M A Z I N G. Really. Luke Bryan brought it! His openers were Florida Georgia Line and Thompson Square. LOVED IT.

However, most of this night we watching lesbians dance on lesbians or THIS:

{Lady in black was REAL impressed}

The parents came to town and we went to the BYU vs Utah game. Talk about heartbreaker. For the first time, I am seriously considering switching sides and becoming a Utah fan. BYU has done nothing but break my heart these past few years. It's like they get the fans so pumped and excited and continually let us down. Lame. 

 {This view though >>>}

{Don't mind my black eye?}

The coolest part of this game? That four University of Utah Football players wore "Team Courtney Elise" bracelets during the game to support Courtney and Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Shout out to Honeycutt (#25), Murphy (#82), Chappuis (#19) and Freeman (#23). That was the real win right there❤️

{Grandpa J and Courtney}

We celebrated Lisa's birthday. She is 29! Holy cow, our family is getting old. 

I am obsessed with this picture of me and the girls. 

Oh and the one on the left? Always says "I am just like you, huh Stephanie!?"
Ut-oh :) Apologies to my sister and brother in law.....

{Remember how I am thinking about converting to being a Utah fan?}

Last, I had to take these pictures. One morning I am driving to work and it the prettiest sunrise you've ever seen. The next day driving to work? We changed seasons! Umm what?! I wasn't ready for winter-like weather overnight. I love fall and want it to stay as long as possible! 

But that's Utah for you! You never know what the weather is gonna be like.

I will say, both pictures are pretty. I am just not mentally prepared for snow :) 

❤️

10 things

My friend and I said that this fall we were going to be better about blogging so we can print our blogs at the end of the year. It's crazy how social media is the new way of life (insta, facebook, vine, tinder...we'll get to the later). And how it represents our life and way of journaling.

So 10 Things, here we go:

1. Since my class is studying Utah state history this year, we will be walking the perimeter of the entire state (about 1,226 miles). This is great because part of the state history of the Mormon Pioneers that walked and settled here. So here's to our year long journey. 

2.  Celebrate my good friends birthday! LOVE HER. I am so grateful for her, she is such a good friend. And when you're with her, it's always a good time. Not a great picture of everyone but hey, who doesn't love The Cheesecake Factory? And shopping? The best. 

3. What's September without a fair?? Hit the fair with some friends. SIDE NOTE: I rode the ferris wheel for the first time in years. Wasn't as magical as I remember it in The Notebook, it was more like The Sandlot. Lame. 

4. Someone got Tinder! Months and months of trying to convince this girl to get Tinder, then she gets it, and lines up a date within a week. ChaChing! Okay, so maybe he wasn't prince charming for her but hey, it's a great start :) #ProudRoommateRightHere

5. Wednesday has become my favorite day because of this commercial. Plus, I'm a Geico member so I feel like it is my responsibility to love Wednesday's that much more. HUMMMP DAYYY! 

6. So using the commercial above, naturally we were thrilled when it was Swiss Days. Solely so we could say in the camel's voice, "SWISS DAYYYSSS!" Cute shops and yummy food.

7. Utah has had some crazy weather recently. People keep complaining, but I am OBSESSED. Thick cloud, rain and thunderstorms? My kind of weather and feels like home. This picture was taken right before BYU's first home football game. We literally got stuck under a pavilion at our tailgate for at least an hour while the rain was out of control and lightning was striking just seconds away. We were soaked! 

8. Ain't nobody fresher than my clique...

9. And last BUT NOT LEAST. Did you know that Cancer is National Childhood Cancer Awareness month? Well, now you do. My life has been forever changed by Cancer. I will give back until I am old and wrinkly. How do people get through these heartbreaking trials? Other people. Amazing and selfless people. People who are constantly asking "what can I do to help" or even those who are donating money or spreading the word. We need each other in this life. And we need people in our lives who have our best interest at heart. 

So how can you help? 

Wear GOLD! This is the color representing childhood cancer. Wear as much gold and yellow as you can. Wear it out, people. Those kids NEED you. 

Is anyone ever expecting Cancer to happen in their family? NO. Donate money. Even just $10. Those bills add up FAST. Here is where you can donate for Courtney. 

Volunteer. At the hospital. For a family in need. At a bake sale. Fund run. Whatever. 

JUST DO IT.

Why? Because as cute as she is, not every day is smiles and rainbows. Cancer is hard. It's no fun. But people carry people through trails. There is a child or family that needs YOU. 

10. Oh, and if you want your own Team Courtney (glow in the dark) bracelet, it is a $5 donation.

Hit me up if you want one! I rep mine errr day. So join the club :) 

                                 

XOXO.