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! 

Joy in the Journey.

Seven years ago, the unknown was placed before me. I anxiously and excitedly packed my things for college and headed to Rexburg, Idaho. All I knew was college was for me. It screamed adventure, hot single men and independence (and independence means the world to me).

I was so brave.

Or so I thought.

I checked into my first college apartment and began to unpack my things. One by one, I began to meet my roommates. And one by one, that fearlessness of mine began to turn and run the other direction. Finally when I met the fifth and last roommate, I lost it. That courage of mine withered away and I was convinced this college scene was not for me after all. I cried hysterically to my mom and begged her to let me go home with her. That experience allowed me to quickly realize that life never goes the way you think it will. And since then, I have learned just that. 

These past seven years (more like past two), have taught me to "Never Say Never" because every time I say, "I will never do that" given time, I usually find myself doing exactly what I said I wouldn't. 

Examples?

"I will NEVER not use my college degree"

I worked at Nordstrom for almost 3 years before teaching.

"I will NEVER live in Provo, Utah"

Guess where I live? Two Years strong and I still love it. 

"I will NEVER marry a Utah boy."

So far, some of them have been the most appealing. 

Catch my drift?

So this has led me to wonder: have I been finding joy in this journey that has had a way different course than I could ever expect? In moments of stress and disappointment, am I dwelling on the negative or finding the positive? 

I wish I could say 100% without doubt, that I focus on the positive. But I can't. Right now, I'm focusing on all the things I can't change, rather than focusing on the things I CAN control and the things that DO make me happy. Right now, I am choosing to dwell on perfection rather than progression. I let the silliest things stress me out. 

Starting Monday (because that is the only day possible to start anything) I am going to be that courageous 18 year old girl who was ready to grab life by the horns. I am going to be that person I know I can be. I am going to focus on the things I can control and let go of the things I can't. I am not going to stress over the silly, insignificant things. I am going to laugh more. Compliment more. Listen more. Because progression in the little things is more important than perfection in all things. 

YOLO.

Little Letters

Dear Spring Break,

Please don't end. Like, ever. 

Dear Justin Timberlake,

You've officially are the most repeated artist in my iTunes library.
"Mirrors" is one of those songs I can't (and refuse) to stop listening to. Props.

Dear Self,

Get motivated. Now.

Dear Budget,

Please find that "money tree" that everyone talks about. I'm still looking for it.

Dear Boys,

I. Don't. Get. You. 

I am one bad date away from buy a cat and calling it a day. 

Is it me? Or is it you? I'm going to say you, because I'm pretty awesome. 

Dear Provo,

I'm sucked in. Help.

Dear Tinder,

I went on my first date. Check.

Dear Stacie,

Thanks for continually dragging my butt to the gym.

Dear Running Shoes,

I promise I will give you some TLC. Starting Monday :)

Dear Room,

Clean yourself. Thanks.

Dear Elder Scottie Johnson,

You come back in 32 days. I can hardly wait.

Dear Self (Again),

Congratulations on blogging. It only took you three point five months. 

{The Welcoming Crew Awaits}

.

Little Thoughts.

.:I got another (yes, ANOTHER) student day. Let me remind you I am a newer teacher. I am trying to figure this all out. And I've gotten the last three new students. AHH!

.:My mom said that studies show that the third week of January is the most depressing week of the year. I never felt that was true until 2013! I need sunshine. Motivation. A break. A good run. A million dollars. And a man would be nice.

.:I'm grateful for friends. I really have come to understand what the true meaning of friendship is. What is takes to be one, and who really has your back through thick and thin. My roommate and good friend, Katie (from BYU-Idaho) has really defined true friendship in my life. She always has everyone's back and best interest. I feel like because of her example, I too can be a better friend and person.

.:Scottie comes home in just over three months. Whhaa? Where did the time go? Because I'm not really sure. He really has blossomed in his mission. I am so proud of that kid. But I am SO excited for him to be back. I can't wait to party with that kid.

.:Boys suck. We've all been there, right? Note to self: never continually give someone a green light when you actually meant a red light with railroad flashing caution lights!

.:By the way, did I mention it's the third week of January?

#woof

Remember That One Time...

....that I blogged four months ago? Yeah, me either.

In four months a lot can happen. 

Like quitting your job at Nordstrom and becoming a third grade teacher (three years later and I'm actually using my college degree. Shocking, I know.) 

I took over for a teacher who's husband's job took them to Kansas. So after two interviews, I was entrusted with those 34 little rascals.

And now there is only four months left of school (catch my drift on the four months thing?)

 {sweet little notes}

Life has been stressful and a whirlwind all at the same time this last little while.

I am just trying to make the most of it and make every second count.

I am loving the people that I work with and my kids are hilarious, so it's all worth it.

Fallish

Falling off the running bandwagon is no bueno. Why? Because the restarting part isn't my idea of fun. After Ragnar, I became pretty inconsistent with my workouts due to life being a tad bit busy (excuses, I know). 

These past couple of weeks I've been in the "recharge and restart" phase. Surprisingly? It's been good.
Maybe its because I have a couple of awesome running partners. OR maybe it's because it's been a stress reliever.
Either way, I am pleasantly surprised.

We've had some unbelievably beautiful runs this past week. It makes me wish fall would stay a little longer. Not only that, the crisp air and changing colors reminds makes me homesick for Spokane.

And what's fall without a little football? 

And without parents?

They practically live here these days #RetiredPeopleProblems 

{this picture makes me cry for so many reasons}

So Utah? I usually like you. 

But in the fall? I love you. 

So keep that scenery coming.

And the parents too :)

Oh and maybe, just maybe, a win for those Cougs?

Thanks.

Lisa's Birthday

Today is Lisa's birthday.
Words can't describe how much I love this girl.

{gotta love the old school pics}

At her wedding this year, I shared a favorite memory of her:
When we were in High School, we made it a nightly tradition to go sit on the ends of each others beds and help each other pick out an outfit for school the next day. We'd talk about everything from the boys we liked to her leaving for college. Those nightly chats about our clothes, turned into a circle of trust and friendship. She made me feel like the coolest little sister ever.

I always joke it was tough growing up as her little sister because she was so perfect (even in those overalls).

Well, news flash people: I wasn't joking. She really is such an amazing person to look up to.

She's helped me through the worst of times and has been there for the best of them.

I am so thankful I have her not only a sister, but a best friend (as well as all my sisters) ♥‎

New York City

Five days.
Seven girls.
Fashion Week.
New York City.

Need I say more? I could probably stop right there. Our girls trip to New York was the trip of a lifetime! In the spring, a few of us talked about going to New York for Fashion Week in the fall. A few of us turned into seven and before I knew it, we were partying in the Big Apple.

Was I the typical tourist? Of course! Embraced my inner Asian (might have taken 800+ pictures...)

{Mr. Winn & girls at the 9/11 Memorial}

{Little Italy}

{Grand Central Station}

{Janers!}

{Times Square}

{Kim Kardashian. Life is complete}

{Our signs were a hit}

{Savannah Guthrie, Today Show Co-host}

{Birchbox event. Free samples? Like legit ones? Alright!}

{Jersey Boys}

{Did I have the chills after Newsies? Yep. It was THAT good. Jack-main character}

{Olivia Palermo-from In The City}

{Rock N'Roll bike tour that took us across The Brooklyn Bridge}

{Best day ever!}

{Kate. Love her}

{Stace and I at Top of the Rock, overlooking Central Park}

{Concrete Jungle}

Oh! And I can't forget the pics from my phone...

{Best street ever}

{Jef Holm & Emily Maynard from the Bachelorette}

{Our ten seconds of fame on The Today Show}

{Our new friends}

{...we had to}

{Serendipity Frozen Hot Chocolate. Amazing}

{Beatles baby aka Strawberry Fields}

New York City in a nutshell.

It's going to be pretty hard to top this trip.

Holla!

♥‎

Lessons of a Grown Up

I always hated when people told me that one day I would turn into my parents. What did that even mean? And how was that even possible? I never really bought into that saying and was annoyed when people would even say that. However, this past summer I've seen that saying come to pass.

Each and every year is a learning year for different reasons. I have learned so much about myself in a short six month period (since commuting to work in February). Who knew that such a small change could make a such a big difference?

If I don't leave work by 5pm each day I hit dead stop traffic on my ride home, which makes the commute just shy of an hour. Yesterday happened to be one of those lucky days where I clocked out at 4:59pm. I was thrilled that I wouldn't hit too bad of traffic and would (hopefully) be home by 6pm.

I was exhausted and wanted some sleep (and caffeine-but I'm trying to be better :). I thought, "If I can just make it home, I'll take a quick nap, eat, workout and go to bed."

Somehow one thought led to another and I got thinking about my parents. My dad always left for work around 6:30am and wouldn't get home until 4 or 5pm. Then we'd eat dinner as a family, he'd help bathe us, help with homework, run us to sporting events etc.. or watch a tv show with us (which most of the time he'd end up falling asleep-haha). And then would repeat day in and day out.

I complain about not being able to have a social life after 10pm or not ever having time to catch up on sleep. But I can't even imagine having a family on top of being tired all the time from commuting and working all day.

Thinking about that made me so grateful for my parents and the sacrifices they made for my siblings and I! Now I know why Dad ALWAYS took cat naps. He was exhausted all the time (now he's retired and thats a whole different story). Turns out all those people were right and that I am slowly turning into my parents (who knew?). 

{Family minus one BIL}

Moral of the story? 

Cat naps are needed for sanity and survival #fact 

And all those people proved me wrong, dang it.

Guess I'm a Johnson through and through!