| rocky mountain elementary |

at the end of each school year i always get a little emotional. watching those students leave my classroom is a little harder than one might imagine. teachers spend 10 months with those kids, teaching them not only the curriculum they need to know, but how to be successful individuals. the group of kids i had this year was a different bunch. i told them i expect BIG things from every single one of them. they were all so motivated, determined, competitive, hard workers and truly had a special light about them.

i'm so grateful that i have had the opportunity to be at rocky mountain for the last three years. i truly feel blessed and know that the Lord had a purpose in leading me there. and because i was led to rocky mountain, i was also led to breck. double win!

i am going to miss my rocky mountain family. the friendships i've made. and the life long lessons i've learned.

Teacher things!

They say it takes an army to raise a child. 

I may not be a mother, but I am enlisted. 

Somedays being a teacher is hard, real hard.

I've never worked so hard in my entire life.

A lot of people don't understand the actual job of a teacher. 

Most people think all I do is arts and crafts.

But it's more than that. So much more. 

Although my job can be stressful and a lot of work, but I wouldn't change it. 

It is the most rewarding thing I have ever done.

The other day, my little cousin (2nd grade) said to me, "Stephanie I bet you're going to be a good mom because you are a good teacher." Touched my heart! Teachers (and Mom's for that matter) may not get all the credit they deserve, but it's little things like that keep us going. 

With all of that being said, I was awarded with the Outstanding Teacher Award for our entire school this year. I was SHOCKED! And HONORED! 

My Dad said to me, "If that doesn't tell you that you are doing a great job, I don't know what will."

I can't believe that this next school year will be my THIRD year of teaching. Time is flying!
Love all my kiddos and this rewarding job of mine.

Halloween

You guys. I thought the first week of school was tiring.
WRONG. Halloween week definitely tops it.

Anyway, here's a few things I've been up to:

1. Witches Night Out at Gardner Village with my two Stacie's. Witch, please.

2. Definitely was rocking fifty shades of nerd for Halloween. However, I am pretty sure everyone (and then some) was a zombie of some sort. What is with everyones obsession with zombies? #overit

3. My FAVORITE costume at school was the most simple of them all.

Jake, from State Farm. I was DYING!!

3. A little girl who was in my class last year and is also in my class this year, remembered that November 1st I was officially their teacher. She brought me an anniversary gift. 

It was the SWEETEST thing. I was shocked she remembered! Love kids.

4. Halloween night I was pooped! School for sure wore me out. 

However, a few of us went to Slab Pizza in Provo to celebrate. 

5. Last but not least, in class we were also celebrating Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico for November 1st. Our kiddos earned an extra field trip, so we were stoked it was the day after Halloween. I love Tammy, she is definitely one of my favorite teachers to teach with! #butreally 

I've learned so much from her and we know how to keep it real and have a good time! 

{how we were feeling the day after Halloween}

Halloween was fun, but I am so glad it is over! 

I am ready for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. 

But I am not ready for it to fly by. Boo.

Anyway, tis the season to be Merry! 

"Hey that's my name!"

"No, sh*%!"

Ten bucks if you name that movie. 

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 :) 

❤️

The Bug

You guys.
School has started.
I literally had so many nightmares before the first day.

{banana gram brown nosers ;}

Really, I didn't know that the nightmare would be the fourth day!
Don't worry, I got sick. Who gets a sub on the fourth day of school? This girl.

I literally bawled when I left (I went to school being sick).
I was devastated. I let my kids down. Parents down. And myself down.

So I go to the doctor, he gives me the Z pack and I am on my merry way.
Then I find out Courtney's hair was completely gone. I lost it again.
THEN girl things decide to happen. Awesome little cherry on top. 

Needless to say, I had a great weekend. Did nothing and loved every second.
The only thing I really did do was go to a bake sale my cousin put on for Courtney.

{this wasn't even half of the treats}

Her medical expenses have QUICKLY added up. Paying bills? No fun.
If only this teacher had a million dollars to give my sister and her family.

Courtney is such a lucky little girl. So many people are praying for her everyday.
So many people want to help. And so many people are being so proactive in her behalf.

{bake sale super star showed up for a few minutes}

IT IS INSPIRING  I cannot wait for an opportunity to pay it forward.
It is overwhelming that there are such kind people in this world.

Having a bug? Stinks.
Having Cancer? SUCKS. And that's putting it nicely. 
I wish Cancer upon NO ONE.
For real.

Sincerely,
taking life one day at a time.