Princess Millie

Today my heart has been heavy.

I found out this morning that little miss Millie Flamm passed away.

I am at a loss of words.  She was perfect in every way.  She fought cancer like a princess.  She made Porter smile when he didn't have much to smile about.  In fact, she made all of us smile.  Millie had your heart the minute you met her.

On Christmas Eve, my family and I went up to Primary's to wish Porter's cancer friends a Merry Christmas.  I will never forget how excited Millie was to receive a simple stuffed animal from us.  She squealed.  She hugged it.  She smiled.  She thanked us.  What a sweet memory.

Then there was that time when she was supposed to go to the Justin Bieber concert, but couldn't and nearly all of Utah reached out to Justin, asking him to visit her.  And he did.  And I will forever love him for it.

This is what my dad posted on facebook this morning, so I apologize to those who have already read it, but I have to share.

"We're sad to report that our little friend, Millie, passed away this morning. You may remember Millie from the news stories when Justin Bieber delayed his SLC concert to visit her in the hospital (she had tickets for the concert, but sadly she relapsed and could not attend). She was an amazing little girl who had the whole Thorkelson family wrapped around her little finger. We are deeply saddened at the news of her passing. 

Saturday, June 29 there is a 5k in her honor and to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancers. Details can be found at www.milliesprincessrun.org. We encourage all Utah friends and family to join us. Sign up before June 22. Last year it sold out, so hurry.

Lastly, we share the video her family made a few months back. What a beautiful little girl and family! I believe in a loving Father in Heaven who has the power to make all things right in this world, and the next. I know Millie and her family will once again be reunited. http://youtu.be/RROMOL-BxRk"

I am so grateful for the example Millie was to all of us in her short life.  She fought with grace and a smile.  I wish I was in Utah to run for her on the 29th - so if you are in the Salt Lake are, go run it for me.

Her family was unbelievably strong and spent more time at Primary's than we could ever imagine.  When we went on Christmas Eve, they were all there with a little Christmas tree up on the window ledge.  I can't imagine how hard Christmas in the hospital must be.  My heart hurts for them.  I hope they know how much we look up to them, what an example they have been and continue to be, and that our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Cancer sucks.

AF Half

Today was the American Fork Canyon Half Marathon.

I ran it last year and still get emotional while thinking about it.  It was quite the experience, one I will never forget.  I ran it for Porter, who was in the thick of his fight against cancer at this time.  The first "run for..." sign that we saw along the trail was for him.

I am grateful for that run.  Grateful for those who ran it today.  Grateful for those who run for their loved ones fighting cancer.  This beautiful run donates all its proceeds to cancer patients in our community.

 I am grateful for Spencer who ran with me.  Grateful for friends and family who supported me and my family for those long 9 months and continue to do so even now.

This morning, I got a text from one of my aides who was running it saying, "Look who I met!"  Then I got this picture.

I missed home instantly.  My aunt Michelle is on the left and DJ is on the right.  Michelle does everything for her nieces and nephews.  I had no idea that she was running today and I wish I was running with her.  I spent a good part of this year watching DJ transform.  She has worked so hard and today ran a half marathon!  I couldn't be more proud of them and I wish I was there to cheer them on!

This run will forever mean so much to me and I hope that maybe next year I can be there again.  My life has forever been changed by Porter's battle.  It is something that still hurts when I think about it.  How lucky we are to still have my handsome brother with us when so many aren't as fortunate.  No matter how cancer touches your life, it changes it entirely.

I am grateful for my Porter.  Who turns 17 in 6 days.  Completely cancer-free and getting ready for his last year of high school.

I am feeling homesick for the first time since we moved to Minnesota (a whole two weeks now).  Good thing Ashton is totally worth it.  Love love love.

***I  must confess that I haven't ran more then 5 miles since my go at the half last year.  I don't know how I did it, but I have a feeling it was probably all thanks to my Porter Strong bracelet.

all that green

I have a headache from applying to every single school district in a 30 mile radius (which is like 7), which is funny because I am pretty sure my last district was pretty close to being 30 miles itself.  Sure hope one of these districts realizes that I am a pretty amazing teacher and hires me fast!

So I am taking a break by updating the blog and listening to my current favorite song on repeat (Blurred Lines by Robin Thick ft. T.I. and Pharell).  AND I LITERALLY JUST GOT AN EMAIL TO SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW!!!  Send me some luck on Thursday morning :)

Anyways, I just wanted to talk about how GREEN it is out here.  That is probably my favorite thing.  Ashton and I have been on quite a few walks and I have my camera out almost all of the time.  So I have a lot of pictures of the beautiful scenery and my husband.  I love it.

Seriously, it might be one of my favorite parts of the day.  I love this man and I love the adventure of living in Minnesota with him.

Even the adventure of last night when I didn't buy bug spray and poor Ashton's neck looked like this...

He had at least 12 bites on his neck alone.  Don't worry, I bought bug spray first thing this morning.

So far, we just love Minnesota.  Everyone is so nice to us.  Our ward out here is fabulous.  And it is beautiful.

our first home

After a 19+ hour drive, following my parents and the trailer full of all our stuff, split between two days...

we made it to our new home!

Minnesota is unbelievably green.  Our apartment is perfect for us and has an amazing view.  We have been here for exactly one week and this is what our home looks like now...

This house is definitely becoming our home.  We still have a few pictures to hang up, but we have been busy building furniture too.

Ashton sure did a good job building our chairs, kitchen table, bookshelf, TV/entertainment center, two side tables, and coffee table.  Seriously, he keeps making me fall more and more in love with him.

I am the luckiest.

room 201

For the last three years, this room has been my favorite place.  It was my favorite for many reasons.

1.

It looked like this.  Colorful.  Dr. Seuss themed.  Happy.

2.

It was full of these amazing students.  And my two wonderful aides.  The people who filled my classroom changed from time to time, but they always made it a better place to be.  I miss them so much.  It was hard to say goodbye and I wish I could be at all the birthday parties and fun summer events.

3.

They celebrate life events with me.  And I am so glad that they do.  They are my favorite to run into and it melts my heart when they invite me to be a part of their life through birthdays, baptisms, bbq's, and such.  I had Ashton keep his cell phone in his pocket at the reception for the sole purpose of taking pictures of me with me students.

4.

My aides.  I couldn't find one of just me and my two aides (they don't easily take pictures), so here we are with Cami and two of her aides.  These ladies saved my life on a regular basis.  I loved working with Tammy and DJ.  Tammy was my aide for the whole three years I taught in room 201 and DJ for the last two.  I miss them so very much.

The staff at my school in general was pretty amazing.  I worked with a very supportive principal who had my back and I knew/saw that from day 1.  The secretaries were a huge help and my go to's.  The lunch ladies were so sweet and patient with my students.

I just miss my school.  I am happy to be here in Minnesota, but I was a part of a family at EVES.

honeymoon weekend

Our wedding was Friday, May 24th.

Monday, May 27th was Memorial Day.

May 28, 29, and 30th were my last days of school.

May 31st we began our road trip to Minnesota.

We didn't have a ton of free time, but we got a weekend at the Stein Erikson in Park City.  It was fabulous.  They gave us pretty chocolates.  We had a super fancy dinner.  We jumped on the bed.  We sat on the balcony.  We studied for Air Traffic Control School.  We got amazing mexican food and visited Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for my favorite apple pie caramel apple.  And to top it off, we got to drive in Michelle's super cool Audi convertible.

And I fell even more in love with this handsome man.  I am the luckiest.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

May 24th, 2013 was the happiest day of my life.  Everything was perfect.  I couldn't have asked for a better day.  The sun was shining.  We were surrounded by all of our family and closest friends.  I loved it.  Love love loved it.  That much love and then so much more.

I don't have the wedding pictures yet, but here are some that I collected from everyone else.

Officially Mr. and Mrs. Smith

The most stunning bouquet ever.  I loved them.  Thank you Lizy!

Luncheon and some of my favorite girls

The beautiful reception

Surrounded by people I love

Dancing with my daddy

Cutting the cake with my handsome man

I told you.  It was the perfect day.