Half Marathoning.

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed I ran my half marathon this past weekend. What you may not have noticed is the fact that Chris got up at 4 in the morning (you read that right, FOUR!) to drive me to American Fork High School to catch the bus--I think it's safe to say that's the first and last time that'll ever happen ha. Wanted: running partners. Now accepting all applications! 

But seriously, if you run, we should be friends. I'll promise to remember to put on deodorant and brush my teeth before our runs! and keep my loud breathing and passing of gas while I'm running to a bare minimum. Promise!

Anyway, moving on to better things! Like the half marathon! This was probably one of my favorite races I've ever ran (I like to act like I have ran a lot of races and know what I'm talking about when it comes to running, when really, I've only ran 3 other races. Hashtag running a marathon problems). The race was so beautiful! It didn't hurt that it was practically all downhill either. Although my  back might disagree with that statement.

I think what I enjoyed most about this race was that it really opened my eyes to the world of cancer. At the beginning I felt like such a running-for-cancer impostor because no one in my family is suffering, or has suffered from cancer, but then I thought of the few people in my life that are suffering from other illnesses. It's just devastating. Not only for the sufferer, but for all the family and loved ones that have to witness it. I was just filled with gratitude the whole way down the canyon, and I got to learn first-hand how hard it is to run underwater--I was in tears the whole time! 

Even if you run 13.1 miles... you're still on mother duty.

I love knowing that no matter what kind of trial I'm going through, whether it be a life-threatening illness or shoot, even something as simple as a bad hair day, I have one of the best support groups ever. 

--------------------------

the best things in life aren't things

cheers June, cheers.

I feel the need to confess my love for this month of June because man, it has just been so daggum good to us Gourleys! It's not even half way through and it's got me writing love letters to it. So, what does June mean to me? Let me tell you (in bullet form!).   

June means:

+Discovering the ultimate mix of frozen fruit from Costco (there is pineapple AND mango in it, people! winning.) and making a smoothie every.single.day. maybe even twice a day. Since you're all dying to know what the secret ingredient is in my smoothie, it's just an expired (expiration dates mean nothing to Chris, and I mean n o t h i n g--the kid made an egg salad sandwich with expired mayonnaise) bottle of pina colada mix that we got as a gift from our wedding... ya know, seven months ago. No worries! The smoothies are worth any food borne illness we may acquire from them.

+My sister turning 20 years old! And me attempting to be crafty... what?! I don't know what's more shocking... the fact that my little sister is not a teenager anymore, or that I actually MADE her gift this year? Don't worry Shelbs, I bought you some sandals to go with your homemade gift ha.

+Almost sinking a pontoon boat up at Strawberry. If you ever want to hear Chris swear, just sink a pontoon boat, and make sure he is in the front when all the lake water starts gushing in. Other than our boat almost sinking, camping was really fun with our friends up in Fruitland. And by camping, I mean staying in a cabin. We weren't even there for 24 hours and the truck was filled to the brim with all our stuff--food was definitely a priority (as it should be). 

+I'm running another half marathon! Except this time I won't be dressed up as what was supposed to be a zombie, but ended up just looking like a more homely, tired, just-rolled-out-of-bed Shayli. Actually, I'm sure that's exactly what I'll look like. Yay for 4:00am bus rides!

+Lunch dates with Lauren, and discovering the greatest tacos known to mankind. These tacos left me speechless. That last sentence was a lie. I can't and still won't shut up about these tacos. I just want to fist bump the creator of the carnitas tacos so hard! So just go to the Blue Poblano on center street in Provo, okay? Truth: I went there TWICE within a 72 hour span.

+Spring semester is coming to an end! Which really means my sweaty backpack lines are coming to an end! Not even my 8-10 page final paper can bring me down. 

+Strawberry Days! aka the only time of the year I eat strawberries, and that's only because they're drowning in cream. I live for the crappy burgers and excuse to wear cowgirl attire (rodeos are the only acceptable setting in which a full grown woman is allowed to wear her hair in pigtail braids, le duh) that comes from the Strawberry Days Rodeo.

+MEXICO! MEXICO! MEXICO! I better say it one more time for good measure.  MEXICO! In less than two weeks me and all the Gourley fam will be in sunny Cancun. Words can't even express how excited me and Chris are to go. Truth: We were late to church on Sunday because we spent so much time looking at the virtual tour (http://www.valentinmaya.com/phototour.htm) of the resort we're staying at. Is that horrible? Probably. That's why I am not Relief Society president. You best believe I've already got my spot at the pool picked out. Chris has also informed me that this will be my first real vacation with TomG (my father in- law), because apparently vacationing is a little different with him. I've already gotten a little taste of it with my perfectly laminated travel tag to put on my luggage--Tom is efficient, to say the least. I kind of love it. I'm anxious to see what else comes along with traveling with the Gourley gang! I know it's going to be magical laying out on the beach, with a strawberry daiquiri in each hand (I have a feeling Cancun is a bad idea for the thighs). Ah, MEXICO! Please come sooner.

cheers June, cheers.