Things I Think You Need to Know

This picture has nothing to do with this post... it's fine. "I'm fine!" -Ross  (if you don't get that reference, we probably aren't friends)

+ I've only had TWO Diet Dr. Pepper's this week. Yes, T W O. I'm turning a new leaf for the Summer of Shay, which means less of that dark poison. Keyword: LESS. Also, I'm broke, so I'm trying to make my Swig giftcard last (thanks Tom and Martha!) 

+ Annnnd to really explain that first bullet point, I (like every other girl in the world) have started the Kayla Itsines Bikini Body Guide. Except I'm mostly just doing the workouts, not the entire meal plan because, HI! I'm human. And I live with Chris. And we like 1/2 priced Sonic Shakes every once in a while. But holy goodness, guys! The workouts... I now understand why everyone says "death by Kayla," but at least I haven't ended up naked in the fetal position like I did with Insanity . . . yet. 

+ I recently discovered the greatness that is the Children's Disney station on Pandora. YES I cry every time I sing "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?" when I'm cleaning my house. YES that's the only music that's been played in my house this week. YES Chris is sick of it, and NO I don't plan on stopping. I don't know guys, I guess I'm just not ready to "let it go"... 

+ Not one of my proudest moments, but ... I flipped off one of my neighbors last week. Totally on purpose, too. Before you judge me, just know that he was, as Chris likes to say, "haulin' nutties" in his car down our street and seriously almost hit us. But! It's not even the fact that he could have crashed his car into us that made me so angry, but the fact that my nephew and dozens of other kids (who knew I had such a soft spot for the Gumball Gang?) are always playing on our street! He's not going to be able to get out of his car and just say "sorry about that" to a child he just hit is he? Plus, the speed limit around our townhome is 5mph! I'm about ready to take the Claire Dunphy approach and petition to put a stop sign in front of our house because of him . . .  Do you think I was able to communicate all those thoughts to him with my middle finger? 

+ Speaking of my middle finger . . . it's rare to find it unpolished these days since my mom and sister have converted me to Sally Hansen's Miracle Gel nail polish! Yes, it's on the pricey side, but that's why you have your mom and sister buy it and use theirs because "you're broke" and "unemployed". Seriously though, it's the best. It stays on FOR-EV-URR. 

+ Since I finished Grey's on Netflix and have no plans of watching the 11th season (McDreamy? Really, Shonda?! REALLY?!!) I started watching Scandal and The Blacklist --totally hooked! Anybody else have any other recommendations for shows on Netflix I should include in my Summer of Shay? Please and thank you! 

Happy last day of April! I'm actually sad to see this month go... April was so good to us! But there is ONE good thing about the last day of April. That means...

Sorry, had to. 

obligatory post about graduation

YOU GUYS.... I DID IT! I GRADUATED!

 Like, I've just enjoyed my weekend... stress/homework-free. What!?  It's seriously the best feeling ever. Actually, I take that back... getting a big girl job is the best feeling ever, which I now have as of last Thursday! I'm so excited to start working at Fort Herriman Middle School! I feel extremely blessed to be graduating college with not only a job, but THE job, ya know? 

For those of you still working towards graduation... keep going! It'll totally be worth it. Plus, graduating is kind of like celebrating your birthday. Everyone sends you really nice texts and your parents take you out to dinner and your husband surprises you with a Clarisonic!!! (even if it means he used all your points at Ulta to buy it... still a sensitive subject around these parts ha) Yes, graduation is bueno bueno.

Since my job doesn't start until August, I'm in this weird crunch... like, I guess I should probably get a summer job? Preferably one that gives me discounts on clothes, makeup, or Swig... you know,  the jobs that don't require a Bachelor's degree ;) I guess we'll just have to wait and see what the "Summer of Shay" brings...but I have a feeling it's gonna be big! 

Thanks BYU for such a great education and mostly enjoyable 4.5 years!!! Graham canyon ice cream will be missed, testing center will not.

Emily Alice Hamill Sanderson

So, I've definitely been avoiding this post. . . mostly because every time I would try to sit down and write it, I would get a huge lump in my throat and have to suppress the big ol' alligator tears trying to escape. I thought after my grandma's funeral yesterday I would have an easier time writing, but I was wrong... the lump is still in my throat, and the alligator tears have found themselves all the way down to my neck. I've been sitting here for almost 2 hours now writing, then deleting, paragraph after paragraph because they just aren't good enough. There's so much to say about my grandma Sanderson! So many memories to share! So many things I would love to tell blog world about my grandma, but I've decided blog world doesn't need to know every little detail, every single reason I love my grandma, and every little thought I've had over the past week. Not today, at least.

However, I will say that her funeral service yesterday was perfect. The people there, the speakers, her green casket, the confetti, the wind chimes, and everyone wearing green to honor her Irish heritage--she would have loved it all! And despite it being an emotionally exhausting day, I loved it all, too.

My most favorite thing from the service was my dad's life sketch he wrote for my grandma, which is why I thought I would at least share that with blog world. My dad won't admit it, but he definitely inherited my grandma Sanderson's talent for writing poetry. So here it is. Enjoy learning a little more about my grandma from my dad. 

Mom's Life Sketch

by: Kelly Sanderson

Anyone who knew my mom 

For any length of time

Should understand that her life sketch 

Just has to be in rhyme 

It starts with a disclaimer though

I feel I really should

My poetry skills are lacking much 

While hers were very good

Em’ was born in Payson there, 

In Nineteen Twenty-Eight

Marie and Frank’s first child to them

January 9th, the date.  

Her family lived in Marysvale

The clan remained the same

A little brother soon followed her 

Edward was his name

It was here she made a lifelong friend

We thank you, Nan, for that.

The two remained so very close 

And loved to talk and chat

Em’ and Ed seemed very close  

Siblings at their best

A decade of togetherness  

Was about to get a test.  

Her mother died when she was twelve, 

Her dad within the year 

Orphaned, split, then fostered out,

Not much to really cheer 

Mom was lucky, Ed was not

While he often ran away

The Hansen home eventually 

Made Mother’s life okay

School years in Provo found 

A grad of BY High 

Followed by some college time

She studied at the ‘Y’

She met a handsome sailor man

Blind date initially

They were wed and from then on known

As Jiggs and M.L.E

Pleasant Grove would be their home

For most of seventy years

Ned and Melva and countless more 

Would count among their peers

While in PG the message came 

About her only other

Killed in battle, the Korean War

Had claimed her only brother. 

So now alone, her family gone

Lucky she found dad 

The two of them began their own

Too busy to stay sad

Raising Tom, Ed, Mark, and Steve

An easy task (I’m lying!)

The rest of us that followed them 

Are thankful they kept trying!

Carol was born……Robynn next

Her tragic death a shame

New Year’s Day from that day forth

Was never quite the same 

Sharlene and Kelly wrapped it up

Numbers seven and eight

Kelly will humbly tell you all

Eight tries to make it great.  

Designing floats and posters many 

Her writings such a hit

Countless toasts for weddings, plus

It showcased her great wit

She’d hold us down and tickle us

Even if tears were near

The torture only ceased when said  

“I love you, Mother Dear!”

Outside the kitchen window screen  

One could almost bet

That unsuspecting passers by 

Most likely would get wet

You’d wheel around in time to see 

Mom quietly doing the dishes 

And then proclaim her innocence 

Her halo set…….(She wishes!)

Our parents really supported us 

In everything we tried

Wrestling, dance, and football games

Her children were her pride

She loved to go to Ladies Camp

The best of friends met there

A week of crafts and discussing things

Secrets they would share

Too many friends to mention though 

They loved to just be silly

I’ll mention one, her name was Jo, 

We knew her as “Mitt Millie”

Some quirky traits she also had

She’d drag us through D.I.

Each item looked at… very close

And then would never buy

The kicker though, as we look back

Pleading wouldn’t thwart her

If we were good we’d get a gift… (sigh)

A grab bag for a quarter!

And every grandchild can attest

When she sent regards

Confetti fell all over them 

While opening up their cards

Later on, with kids all gone

There came a mission call

They returned, with two great friends

By the name of Mendenhall.  

When Mark and Erin arranged a trip

Way across the sea

To Ireland with dad and mom

They found her family!

The orphan without anyone

So early on just found

Her Irish side so proudly now

Had relatives abound!

She really developed who we are

And might we add for laughs

We thank you now, we’re grateful for

No waist … and great big calves!

A character now our mother was 

She always made life fun

She lived her life as He would want

To Emily now, “well done!”

This toast is meant for tribute, Mom

We want to make it clear

We really desire for you to know

“We love you, Mother Dear”

What I love more than sleeping in + being braless

As I approached the end of my student teaching, I couldn't help but fantasize about sleeping in, going for a run every day, wandering + cleaning my house braless, and getting back to cooking meals that involved more than grilled cheese once I was done with student teaching. But now that I've lived out that fantasy for more than a week or so, I'm just over it--I miss teaching! No, seriously. I miss it so much. I can't believe I'm saying that while I sit here (braless even!) with a huge bowl of watermelon + watching Kelly and Michael.

What brought on this nostalgia was the oral presentation I had to give yesterday on my student teaching experience, plus listening to the rest of my classmates' experiences didn't help, either. Since this post is long overdue and I could probably write a novel on my student teaching experience, I'll  spare you all the details and try to make this post like my student teaching experience--short and sweet.

3 Things I learned:
-Procedures are vital. Seriously, you don't realize it until you have 5 students asking to go to the bathroom (with phones in their hand), kids getting up in the middle of your lecture to turn homework in, and probably the worst thing of all, having a student ask "I was gone last time, what did I miss?" when class has already started. Ugh. Procedures are l i f e.

-The power of knowing your students. In pretty much all of my teaching classes, knowing student names was always stressed, but I've learned in order to really be a good, effective teacher, you need to know more than just names. Know their hobbies, home life, interests--whatever you can! It shows your students that you truly care about them and love them. It made the world of difference getting to  know my students.

-You never "clock out" as a teacher. Even when you're home from school you're thinking about your students (Why does that boy have no friends? Why is that girl wearing the same outfit for the third day in a row?) I still think about my students every. single. day. I've also found  that almost any TV show I watch or any song I listen to on the radio, I have to make a mental note to put it into a lesson plan. #healthteacherprobs

2 Things I loved:
-MY STUDENTS. Seriously, I'm convinced they are the coolest people to spend 8 hours a day with. Truth: I had students who beatboxed, sang, directed plays, and slackline. Then there's me like, Well I ate Del Taco and took naps when I was in high school... 

-Co-teaching. I don't know if I ever mentioned this, but I had the opportunity to work with another student teacher, Yvonne (next to me in the picture above), during my time at Timpview. We planned lessons together and even taught a class together. It seriously was so fun. I loved having someone else who knew/understood the struggle that is student teaching.

1 Thing I Would Change: 
My classroom. Preferably one with windows and one that I don't have to share with 2 other teachers. Oh, and one that had A/C. Am I a diva student teacher or what?!

A student I will never forget:  
It's so hard picking just one student. But for the student I truly know I'll never forget, you can read about them in this post.


I'm truly convinced I picked the right profession, because even though I love sleeping in and being a "stay at home wife" (totally a real thing ha) right now, I find myself missing that dingy, little classroom I complained about almost every day this semester. Most of all, I miss my students. I like to think that they miss "Big G" too.

Anyway, I better get back to my life of unemployment. Those Reese's cups aren't going to eat themselves during an episode of Grey's Anatomy! Just kidding, I actually do stuff around here... even if it is in the comfort of my sweatpants.

27 Things To Know + Love About Chris

Chris turned 27 today, but really we've celebrated all weekend! Celebrations included dinners, group date + a campfire, lots of back scratches/massages, and time spent with family (+ TWO birthday cakes!). Chris agreed that it was a successful birthday this year.

All Chris wanted to do today was go up to Tidbit and "look for turks" while I scratched his back. 

I think it's safe to say Chris is 27 going on 50, since he really wanted a hose reel for his birthday-ha! Adulthood?! Oh, and please ignore my horrendous wrapping job (it's safe to say that Santa will NEVER wrap presents at our house). Oh, and just to make you think that I'm a really cutesy wife, the Reese's in the water bottle each had a little love note on the bottom for Chris, who actually really ended up liking that gift. 

If you ever want to surround yourself with people that are pumped for your birthday, have the Gourley gang with you! It's hard not to feel loved and special with the Gourley kids around!

Now that I've given you the CliffsNotes on Chris' birthday, I thought it would be fun for you all to get to know Chris--the man behind the blog (ha!)--a little more, so in honor of turning 27, here are 27 things to know + love about Chris Gourley. Enjoy!

1. Chris is the baby of his family.

2. The turning point in Chris' life when he became "cool" was in 3rd grade when he beat Adam Donahoo in an intense game of Speed at recess.

3. His favorite food is pizza. His current favorite is pepperoni, pineapple, and jalapeno (and yes, it's just as gross as it sounds).

4. When Chris was younger, him and his buddies had a lawn mowing business called  "The 3 amigos."

5. Chris' dream vacation is to go fishing in Alaska.

6. He has to have juice or some kind of beverage for breakfast that is not water. "He just can't."

7. When we were first married, and I broke the news that we were out of grocery money for the month and didn't have anything good for dinner, Chris replied with what is now my favorite quote from him to date, "I hate being poor.Do we have any chocolate ice cream left?"

8. Instead of having pets, Chris would rather our kids have trees. He wants them to pick them out and take care of it and take a picture by it every year.

9. One of Chris' pet peeves is when there's holes in his socks, or if they are turned around/not on the right way. 

10. Chris' life motto is work smarter, not harder (which is ironic, since he's one of the hardest working people I know!).

11. Chris prefers toddlers over newborns.

12. There's only one thing that Chris is high maintenance about, and that is the brand of hot dog he buys. No Bar-S for Chris.

13. Chris was voted "Friendliest Freshman," 

14. You're not going to believe this one, but his farts seriously don't stink. He says it's because he "runs a clean system."

15. His favorite basketball player is Tim Duncan.

16. Chris drove a yellow truck in high school called "The Wiz."

17. His man-crush is Thor (Chris Hemsworth).

18. Chris hates roller coasters, but he loves water parks and water slides.

19. He puts tobasco sauce on anything and everything. 

20. Chris only puts gel in his hair if absolutely necessary. He hates having a sticky forehead. Actually, Chris just hates being sticky period. 

21. He's the favorite uncle on both mine and his side of the family. 

22. Chris hates listening to loud music. It's rare for the volume in his car to go above a 7. 

23. He served his mission in Brazil, and dreams of going back to visit someday. 

24. His drink order at Swig is a 32oz Fruit Loop. 

25. Chris always said his future wife would propose to him... and that I did (after he proposed to me, of course)! 

26. Every single morning when Chris wakes up and starts getting ready, he sings  He Is Risen loud and proud. 

27. Chris HATES being sung to on his birthday (but that didn't stop us this year!) 

I love you, Chris! Thanks for giving me a reason to celebrate every April 12th!

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Vegas Edition!

How in the haaaaiilll is it already April?! It's only the 8th and I feel like so much has already happened. For one, I finished student student teaching (post to come on being a big girl + unemployed woes), started looking for jobs, and the cycle of "I really need to quit diet Dr. Pepper" has begun ( + "Ah, screw it!"). Oh! And we went to Vegas with our favorite roomies Tom G and Martha! Even though it seems like we weren't there long enough to even have a shotgun wedding, I still think our time there deserves a "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" post. So, let's just jump right into it.

Ready...set....scroll!

The Good:
-The mini tacos from the gas station somewhere outside of Fillmore (+ eating them at 9:30 am)
-Martha bringing a 24 pack of Almond Joy creamer and a 12 pack of soda because, Dirty Diet Dr. Peppers!
-Having Jason and Deanna join us in Vegas!
-Mandalay Bay Hotel
-the huge pool
-Tom G and Martha getting to the pool early and saving spots for everyone
-Convincing Chris to ride the New York New York roller coaster! Probably one of my greatest life accomplishments hearing Chris yell "Hold on to your nuuuuutttties!" while going down each dip.
-SHAKE SHACK!
-Michael Jackson One show! + getting upgraded seats for no reason!
-Martha sweet talking the usher lady to get upgraded seats as well
-Chris winning $20 gambling
-Having a TV in the bathroom so I could watch Friends while enjoying a hot bath and a dirty diet DP
-Watching the fountain show at The Bellagio
-Fangirling/meeting the Jabbawockeez!
-People watching! (I'm convinced that people watching was invented in Vegas)

The Bad:
-Martha not getting mini tacos from the gas station somewhere outside of Fillmore
-Jason and Deanna getting lost and ending up at Mandalay Bay apartment complex
-Having bad dreams/anxiety every night about being on the 28th floor
-the cold wind at the pool
-Tom G thinking the Michael Jackson hologram was a real person
-Chris gambling
-Not being able to escape the smell of cigarettes
-The service at Outback Steakhouse
-Nobody listening to Martha about the tram
-Not taking enough pictures (or getting a picture of boob lady-see below)
-Only spending 3 days in Vegas

The Ugly:
-Reaching full-blown meth addict status the night before leaving. Packing really brings out those meth addict tendencies in me like plucking/picking my face for hours + scrubbing and cleaning my house like a mad woman at 3am. Truth: I got more cleaning done that night than I have all semester.
-TMI: Not being on a regular pooping schedule--vacation mode is the worst
-BOOB LADY! This was one of those things you really just had to see it to believe it. Picture two watermelons down by your bellybutton and only slightly covered by a pink tube top and you have boob lady


I'm sure there's a lot more I could add to this list, but I'll just keep this like our trip--short and sweet.
Viva Las Vegas!