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 :)

konfused.

Sometimes life is confusing.

Especially for my Kardashians.
They are pretty konfused lately.
I kan't keep up, kall me krazy.

No but really, life can be confusing.

Sometimes life has you wondering. And sometimes you need a change. Nothing crazy, usually something small. That's where I'm at. I need a change. Or maybe I am used to constant change and THINK I need one, but don't.
Or maybe I just need a shopping spree and a diet coke. Maybe that's all I need. 

Speaking of change, fall is by far my favorite season. I love all the colors in fall.
The other week my kiddos made leaf monsters. I loved this one. Ninja turtle?

Oh, and partying with these peeps?
Nothing makes me happier.

NBA preseason has begun. 

And I am pretty stoked about it.

Plus, that new jumbotron is pretty rad.

If you need me, I'll be relaxing.

Watching a lot of Eric and Jessie in bed.

Reading. Getting a massage. Or just painting my nails.

THANK YOU FALL BREAK // I NEEDED YOU.

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.

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.

S T Y L E

I've come to the conclusion that I only love two seasons: Fall and Spring.
Winter? Snow? I'm a fan for the month of December and then I'm good.
Summer? Blazing (Utah) heat? Eh, I'm more of a 70-80's kind of girl.

Which is why I am more than ready for the crisp air of fall.
I feel like my closet is more of a "fall weather" closet and I am ready to put it back to use!

Here are some looks I am digging for fall:

 

 

 

< short boots
< camo
< graphic t's
< leather
< front ties
< cargo green
< denim anything
< 90's grunge

Fashion is what you buy. 
Style is what you do with it.

<3

Lets talk about stuff

Lets talk about the fact I have insomnia for days. Always.

Hence writing this at 4am.

Lets talk about.....(insert song lyrics here)

Lets talk about the fact that I have 6 dates this week. You read that right, S I X.

I'm feeling a good blog post coming...

Orrrrr that my 7 year old niece says the funniest things.

The other day we were at my cousins for dinner and the convo went like this:

Alli, "do they have spray butter?"

Me, "no, probably not,"

My Mom," here's some regular butter."

Alli, "how do I use regular butter, just like spread it on??"

I was dying. Clearly, they don't eat "regular" butter often ;)

Lets talk about how I can't get my butt to the gym in the last 3 weeks.

Orrrr lets not.

Lets talk about the fact that I now have a tv in my room.

I'm never leaving my bed. Like, ever.

Orrrrrr that I've decided to wear a head wrapish thing every third Friday when Courtney admitted for chemo. Soon she will lose her hair. And It will be heartbreaking. But lets be honest, she will be the cutest chemo patient there (umm but really). We gotta rock the wraps and stay positive!

                              

We can do hard things. 

Oh yes we can. 

xoxo

F A M I L Y

For family photo's we were given a color scheme.
However, Lisa, my Mom and I have similar taste in clothing.
At one point we all were thinking about wearing chambray shirts.

Lisa said, "I don't want a family picture from the nineties."
Oh, you mean like this?

(Did you seriously not think I wouldn't include the Kardashians in this post? Get real) 

Don't mind that Lisa and I are Mary Kate and Ashley in the middle of this picture. Twins or not, I am obsessed with our new family photo and more importantly, obsessed with these people.

Plus, we're kind of cute #sorryimnotsorry

We always have each others back. We laugh until we cry.
We play a mad game of Rummikub and/or Headbandz (true gamers, I know).
At the end of the day, these people are the ones that matter most.
And I am totally satisfied just rollin with my homies.

Lates.

♥‎♥‎♥‎

The 'C' word

My life has forever changed.
To what extent, I am not sure yet.

C A N C E R.

Cancer is something you hear about. It's something you know happens.
But it only happens in other peoples family, right? Never your own.

Cancer is one road our family is suddenly going down and there is no way out, but to just keep going.

Why. Why. Why.
So many questions.

Tender mercies have been shown. Like how my entire family was suppose to be in Glacier National Park this week. Everyone had work off for this week. However, when the news spread, we bagged Glacier everyone came to Utah. Although Utah is no Glacier, I wouldn't want to be any place else.

This is the first time my family has been together in 8 years. E I G H T years. Crazy. 

Courtney is strong and we can do hard things, this I know.
I also know that no matter what, our Father in Heaven is going to hold Court's hand throughout this.
He gives his toughest trials to his strongest soldiers. And she's one tough cookie.

#TEAMCOURTNEYELISE 

A

L

L

T

H

E

W

A

Y

Now who's ready to go kick Cancer in the grass??? (Well, you know what I meant)

Courtney is!

XoXo.

A Little Bit of Summer.

You guys. My summer has been awesome.

I get to work on things for my classroom at my own pace and in my own space (holla)

I get to wake up when I please (however, I am usually up my 6:30-7am most days by choice)

I get to work out. A L O T (something I neglected from January to April) 

I'd say the best thing about my summer is that I've had little stress and a whole lot of freedom! My first year of teaching was a lot of work and I felt like I was constantly playing catch up. Thank goodness for summers because this next school year is going to be a lot more relaxed. Hopefully.

 {Ragnar}

{SWAG: Sweaty Women & a Guy}

{Olympic Gold Medalist & host of Nickelodeon's "Figure It Out" Summer Sanders}

{Water Days}

 {Mini Golfing in the Thunder and Lightning}

{Putting Kylie to work in the classroom}

{Centennial Trail in Spokane}

{Where my heart is A L W A Y S}

I wish I had more pictures of what I've been up to-they were on my old phone. Boo. 

I still have a month left and I am soaking every ounce of it up!