6th graders on L.O.V.E.

I start each of my classes with a journal. Today, I asked my students what love means to them and the answers I got are too good not to share.

"Love is a desirable bond bringing everything together."

"Love means having loving parents to protect you."

"Lots of hugs and kisses."

"Love means they spend time with you."

"Love is male and female friends in childhood who keep being friends. Some time they can tell they like each other and soon they fall in love and get married and live together forever."

"Love is to care about someone."

"Love means act nicely and go on a date."

"Love is to have people in your life."

"Love is something people like forever."

And my favorite is: "Love is the biggest feeling in the world."
I couldn't have said it better.

world cancer day

2014 is off to a roller coaster of a start. My brain has been overflowing with so many thoughts, stories, and ideas that I think the idea of getting them out seems more overwhelming than just letting them bounce around in my brain.

I woke up this morning and saw on instagram that the marrow transplant of a sweet girl in Utah has worked! The tests have come back and there are no signs of cancer! What a blessing and a sure way to start your day with the happiest of tears.

I also realized that today was World Cancer Day.  I feel like a lot of my blog has been surrounded by cancer the last two years, and I thought to say sorry, but I won't because cancer has become a part of me.

I think of those 9 months where Primary Children's became a second home for my family.  I think of my perfect, sweet brother whose life is forever changed. I see all the things Porter has continued to do, never letting his prosthetic keep him from enjoying life. Those 9 months were more than hard, and I can't even imagine what it was like for Porter, but they are also full of memories that still make my heart burst in gratitude and love.

And then I remember how blessed and lucky we are to have him still when so many have lost loved ones. When I learn that a friend of mine has lost a loved one to cancer, or I meet someone who has fought through cancer, my eyes fill with tears. While I know I have always been sensitive, cancer brought my heart to a whole new level of sympathy.

Since we met lots of kids while Porter was going through treatment, I talk a lot of childhood cancer, but my family has been touched by melanoma as well. CNN had an article this morning stating that cancer rates are expected to raise dramatically.  They even said that W.H.O. predicts "imminent human disaster." 50% of cancer cases can be prevented , 90% of cancers are curable if caught in stage 1.  Watch for signs and symptoms. Be aware! Check out these myths, I found them very helpful.

Summer dreaming

Last night I got the call.  School was cancelled for today.

This is the third time this month that we haven't had school.  And it isn't because there is a lot of snow, but because it is "bitterly cold" according to weather.com.  We are living with "life-threatening and historic cold air outbreak(s)".  They said that exposure for as little as 5 to 10 minutes could cause frostbite!

I have to admit, weather.com has been a little dramatic, but it makes me feel like I am not being such a baby when I complain that it is freezing.  Our windchill put us at -40° at 9 am this morning.  brrrrrr.

It is so cold that...

the inside of Ashton's car was frozen.  No joke.

It is so cold that Ashton is talking about missing the sun!  This is huge.

My husband has never understood my love for sitting in the sun.  As a young child he got a nasty bad sunburn and is paranoid that it will happen again.  We spent a week last April in San Diego and just the thought of getting a burn made him uncomfortable.  When we went to the beach, as soon as he got out of the water, he hid under towels making sure no part of his body could see the sun.

Last night he told me that he couldn't wait for this summer and sitting in the sun with me!

And today, all I can think of is the fun we will have now that he can appreciate the sun.  I am dreaming of beaches and wakeboarding.  Of cruises and beautiful islands.  Of snorkeling and sea creatures.  Of sand between our toes and the sounds of waves.  Of birds chirping and delicious Mexican food (my ultimate summer craving).  Of tube wars and cliff jumping.  Not all of these will happen, but it is my dream.

Oh the loveliness of summer!

Summer means sun dresses, swim suits, water, lakes, beaches, boats, hiking, shorts, adventures, sunshine and smiles.  Summer is joy.

I could probably write about why I love summer forever.

(And don't worry - we will douse ourselves in sunscreen before any lounging in the warmth of the beautiful sun will happen.)

time with my mama

Guess who came to visit?

My sweet mom!!!

We had her for a whole fabulous week.

Sunday, was cold, but not as cold as it has been, so we thought it would be a good time for a little walk around a nearby lake.  It was pretty much freezing.  We did the whole loop though, and I loved every minute of it, just talking.

Monday, we took mom to see the temple.  Of course, we got hungry and it was just so convenient that our favorite burger place is only a few minutes away from the temple. It was as delicious as ever and mom approved.  (The place is called D-Spot. Seriously, to all my Minnesota friends, you need to try it.)

Tuesday, mom took us to see Frozen.  My students (and the whole world) have been raving about it since it came out and Ashton and I still hadn't seen it.  Plus, mom was also looking for a reason to see it again and we were a good excuse.  Of course, we loved it!

Wednesday, mom and I had a night out on the town.  We started by visiting Midtown Global Market.  I almost feel like I am traveling while I am there, like I am back in Mexico (depending on which part of the market you are walking through).  They even sell mate and tapas for empanadas!  After exploring the market, mom and I went to the Timberwolves Kings game.  Tickets were awesome, thanks to my best friend, and my mom now understands the obsession I had with camping out for good seats at BYU.  Being that close to the action is a whole new experience and once you have had it, it is hard to go back!  We had a blast and were able to cheer loud for Jimmer when he scored his only basket of the night.

Thursday, I took mom to the Mall of America.  How cool is it that I live less than half an hour from the biggest mall in our country?!  Mom took most of the pictures, but I did get a cute one of her.  Thursday night we ate in (yummy pizza) and played Farkle while watching basketball.

Friday, we went back to the movies and saw Jack Ryan.  That was followed by Shepherd's Pie and more games, Rummikub this time.

Saturday, was our last day with mom.  We had some serious snow fall Friday night, which was nice because it covered up the dirty snow that has been on the ground for far too long, but terrible because now we have so much snow!  Ashton worked all morning so mom and I went to Target.  But, before we could leave, I had to spend forever brushing a good 6 inches off of the car.  Target was fun, always my favorite, especially when I have gift cards from Christmas to use!  Following our Target trip, we met up with Ashton at home.  Mom began making a birthday cake for herself, for us, and Ashton took a nap (poor guy had to be to work at 4 am!).  While he was sleeping, mom and I went to see Minnehaha falls.  I had seen the falls over the summer, but heard that they were beautiful frozen.  Stunning.  For dinner, we took mom to Raising Cane's, yum!  And then came home to celebrate an early birthday.

This morning, I dropped her off at the airport.

I hate goodbyes, but I am so glad that I got to spend this week with my mom.  I am grateful that I was able to celebrate a birthday with her.  Grateful that I get to call her mom.  She is full of love, happiness, and beauty.  She gives up so much to make sure we are happy.  I know there was a lot she missed this week, just so she could be with me.  That makes my heart feels like it might burst.

** I also want to thank my dad for sending her to me this week - I know running the house without her is not an easy thing.

twothousandthirteen

It was a year of change, growth, and love. Of tender mercies and life changing blessings.  It was the best year of my life so far.

In 2013 alone, Ashton and I began dating, got engaged, married, and then moved to Minnesota - how could it not be my favorite year!?

We have had so many adventures and are loving life together.  Ashton is constantly doing little things that make me happier than I ever thought a man could make me.  He is so positive and patient, so giving and always willing to help.  He is the best.

Ashton is going to Air Traffic Control School and loving it.  He is really good at it too.  He also picked up a job deicing planes at the St. Paul/Minneapolis airport.  That has been an adventure - crazy hours and he once even got mild frostbite on his pinky finger.  Saying it is freezing in Minnesota is an understatement.  He teaches the 17/18 year old Sunday school class and loves to play church basketball whenever he can.

As for me, I am teaching resource at a nearby middle school.  It is challenging and I miss my elementary days, but I know this year is making me a better teacher.  I am in the nursery in our ward and I have fallen in love with each of my little kiddos.

We look forward to the adventures coming in 2014 and can't wait to share them with you.

"Clouds" Choir

Last night, Ashton and I went to the Mall of America and sang in the "Clouds" Choir.  This was something I had been looking forward to for at least three weeks.

The "Clouds" Choir shirts.

I have mentioned Zach Sobiech a few times before, the first time being almost exactly a year ago.  His song has touched my heart and has left an impact on the hearts of all who have listened to it.

Cancer does has this strange way of bonding you to anyone else who has come in contact with it.  I never met Zach, but I feel like I knew him.  As I watched his parents talk with reporters and then address the crowd of 5,000, I so badly wanted to hug them.  For nearly all of 2012, I felt a small portion of the pain they live with everyday.  I watched my baby brother fight for his life and I am thankful everyday that he was able to make it out strong.  I am thankful that my brother, as of December 9th, will have been cancer free for one entire year.  The Sobiech's didn't get to see that with their Zach and it breaks my heart.

There were so many people there.         I will forever and always be Porter strong.

So my voice (and tears) joined in with thousands of others as we sang for Zach.

I fell down, down, down

Into this dark and lonely hole

There was no one there to care about me anymore

And I needed a way to climb and grab a hold of the edge

You were sitting there holding a rope

And we'll go up, up, up

But I'll fly a little higher

Go up in the clouds because the view's a little nicer

Up here, my dear

It won't be long now, it won't be long now

When we get back on land

Well I'll never get my chance

Be ready to live and it'll be ripped right out my hands

And maybe someday we'll take a little ride

Go up, up, up and everything will be just fine

We'll go up, up, up

But I'll fly a little higher

Go up in the clouds because the view's a little nicer

Up here, my dear

It won't be long now, it won't be long now

If only, I had a little bit more time

If only, I had a little bit more time with you

We could go up, up, up

Then take that little ride

We'll site there holdin' hands

And everything will be just right

And maybe someday I'll see you again

We'll float up in the clouds and we'll never see the end

We'll go up, up, up

But I'll fly a little higher

Go up in the clouds because the view's a little nice

Up here, my dear

It won't be long now, it won't be long now

The official video from KS95 can be watched here.

My video is here.  I apologize for how shaky it is. 1. I was very emotional. 2.  We were three stories up and I am terrified of heights.

Buzzfeed did an very neat article about the event and that is here.

Being there was truly special.  I wish I had recorded our first "practice" round of singing because it was my favorite one.  After we sang it the first time, I think even the radio hosts who were putting on the whole event were in awe at how emotional and beautiful it sounded.

Porter is just 3 days away from being cancer free and every day I am reminded how blessed we are to still have him, that he is strong, that he has adjusted to life as an amputee, that he smiles a lot, that he drives, that he has a job, that he is halfway through his senior year, that he is preparing for a mission, that he is living life like any 17 year old boy should.  Those 9 tough months we spent at the hospital seem like so long ago, but my life will never be the same because of them.

today, I am thankful for...(part 9)

my husband's laugh.

I find myself laughing at his laugh more than I laugh at what we are watching.  I am lucky I married someone who laughs hard and laughs often.