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!

March 25, 2008

agreed. 

March 25th is always a bittersweet day for me. 

Seven years ago the feelings were mostly bitter, 

but every year I've been able to find more sweet.

I love my Chris.

I love my family.

I love my friends.

I love my life.

I'm grateful for the March 25th's that remind me how truly blessed I am.

March Madness

While there has been way more basketball watched in our house this month than I care to admit, this post is not about basketball--despite the misleading title of this post. No, this post is about the madness that seems to have been our life this past month, a "life-update" post if you will (we love those, right? Indulge me!).

This whole month has just been kind of a blur. Between Chris playing on 4 different sports teams + getting a new calling in church,  and me finishing up my last month of student teaching, I feel like there hasn't been a whole lot of time for anything else. I can't remember the last time I ate anything green/grew from the ground + was on a regular sleep schedule. Truth: I took five naps over the weekend. I also slept over 26 hours, which Chris was kind enough to point out to me after my nap on Sunday. I guess that's what happens when you stop sleeping during the week (something I will not miss about student teaching).

But let's be honest, the real madness started this last weekend after I bought two bags of Reese's eggs. I tried so hard to stay strong and not purchase any Easter candy until next week, but Target got the best of me (as usual). Those eggs in the bowl are all that remain, which I'm sure it's safe to say will be gone by the end of the night. Sorry swimsuit season, but I regret nothing. NOTHING! (...yet)

Also, Chis was kind enough to remind me that he hates fake flowers because they "look tacky." Probably not the best thing you want to say to your sleep-deprived wife during March madness, dude. Just saying.  (...But is Chris right? Are those flowers tacky and I just don't see it?? Help a sista out!)

Anyway, here's to making it through the last few days of the madness we're calling March! Which I guess I shouldn't complain too much about, because I know it's only going to get crazier with graduation and applying for big girl jobs.  *mini heart attacks* I wonder how many Reese's eggs it's going to take to get me through that?



Update: There's only one Reese's egg left in the bowl... Chris better know how much he is loved.

Thursday-ness // a happy list

Thursday's are kind of bittersweet for me.  I hate that I have to wait until 11pm for Chris to get home from school, but I also kind of like the fact that Thursday has turned into "my day." Meaning, I can spend 8 hours with just me (Shayli likes Shayli) and do whatever I want and have no one to answer to...is that bad to say? But today I decided to spend "my day" with my best friend, Whit. Oh, and my family, because let's be honest, that's really who I'm with when Chris is gone. Hence, a happy list! 

But first, the struggle that is taking a picture in the blinding sun, and not being on the same page when taking pictures ("Wait, we're taking a "cute" picture now, right?)

+ Getting amazing feedback from my teaching adviser this morning (apparently it's good to talk about your Pinterest board to your class). 

+ Pulling off a fake pop quiz for my students to introduce the topic of stress management. I was able to keep a straight face the entire time! But I'm still shaking from the stress of deliberately being mean.

+ Going to The Hot Potato* because you're a duh face and forgot to bring your temple recommend/clothes to go do a session with Whit. 

+ Getting extra fries AND an extra shake because the waitress at Hot Potato could not get my order right (that I put in on an ipad). 

+ Getting the following text from my mom: 

"Where are you today? I have a drink waiting for you. (my love language)

+ Taking a long, hot bubble bath + listening to a playlist that consists of Cher, Whitney Houston, and the Hairspray Soundtrack (making mama Sanderson proud). 

+ Being in bed BEFORE Chris. So rare around these parts.

+ Not having to plan a lesson for Friday. Ah, bless you A/B day schedule. 

* My thoughts on The Hot Potato... great concept (it's like a fry bar! choose your style of fry + seasoning + sauce), decent food, terrible service. Oh, and their chili cheese fries aren't as good as Del Taco's. But let's be honest, nobody's chili cheese fries can beat Del's. Also, raise your hand if you think Swig should start serving french fries! Rant over.

my confession in fourth period

Let's talk about my fourth period class.

Ah, fourth period... such a love/hate relationship. Love that they participate and make me laugh--a lot. Hate that they are so chatty and get off topic--a lot.

But today I just couldn't help but have nothing but love for them. We were going over basic first-aid today and were discussing bleeding/bandaging and I showed them this picture:

class: "Oh my gosh, Mrs. Gourley! Why would show us this?! Eww!" 

me: "Because you need to know what types of bleeding there are. Plus, I think it's fascinating." 

That's when I made the mistake of going off on a tangent about how I went to phlebotomy school and learned how to draw blood. Then I made the bigger mistake of telling my class that I love to see, and I quote, "big, juicy veins." That's when I knew I was done for. Half the class roared with laughter and the other half had their eyebrows raised like did our teacher really just say that? + one student immediately said, "Umm... could you please not use the word, 'juicy' to describe veins, please?" 

After reassuring my class that I am not a vampire, I tried to continue on with my lecture. 

me: "Okay, so what is the purpose of bandaging?" 

class: "TO COVER UP BIG, JUICY VEINS!"

... I couldn't even get mad at them. I was laughing too hard! What freaking little smart-A's! I am happy to say that we made it through the rest of the lecture, but the phrase 'big, juicy veins' was shouted out probably 20 times more than need be during a first-aid lesson. That's what I get for being chatty and off topic, I guess. 

Maybe this is just one of those you-had-to-be-there moments, but I wanted to document--I had to! Because today was probably one of the funnest days I've had while student teaching and definitely one of those I made the right career choice! moments. Also, I have a feeling that I'm going to need this post to look back on when my fourth period class ticks me off on a different day. But for today, I'm just going to love them and be grateful that there were no penis jokes made after I confessed that I love big, juicy veins.