My Mission President

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

This is a picture of my mission president, Lindon Robison.

On the mission, he inspired me to be a better person. 

  Even though I have been home for 5+ years, when I think about him and what he taught me, I am still inspired to do and be better.

The World

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die 

 

I want to see the world.  And I want my kids to see it too.  I feel like the more we are able to travel, the less pressure we will put on ourselves to "Keep up with the Jones" and the more grateful we will be for everything we have in our lives.

Jared and I have a world map hanging in Noah's room that we love to go and stare at.  We put pins in all the places that we have been to together.  We hope to be able to put pins all over the world, but especially in:

• Peru (I need to see Machu Pichu.  Jared's been and loved it.  But no pin until we are both there together.  I also love peruvian food and want to eat some while in that country)
• Venezuela (Angel Falls)
• Brazil
• Argentina (of course, as I'm typing these, I would like to add..."if they are safe." If the countries hate Americans, I do not want to be there.)
• Hong Kong
• Australia
• New Zealand
• England (we are going next year, yay!)
• France
• Switzerland
• Holland
• Egypt
• South Africa
• Greece
• Alaska
• Costa Rica
• Japan
• Thailand
• Oregon
• Maine

Ok, I now realize I could type forEVER all the places that we want to go to, so for now, you can just have a taste. ha ha  Jared needs to start making some serious ca$h so we can check these off the list.  One day, when we have a really fancy office, I want to have a fancy world map in a frame behind the island desk and in between the custom bookshelves.  Ahh, one day!

The Hubby

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

What the Music in Heaven Sounds Like

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Josh Groban

You know you love him too.

Suzy

I'm taking a break today from the blogging challenge to blog about Suzy Kaye!  She is getting so big- 5 1/2 months, where is the time going?

Although I haven't captured it too often in pictures, Suzy loves to smile and laugh.  It's my favorite.

Noah and Suzy are best little buddies (thank goodness---it didn't start out that way).  I catch them holding hands a lot (no, I didn't make them for the picture).  It's so sweet!

Love those big eyes!

She's working on sitting up...almost there.

Suzy with her boyfriend, Max.  Max is only one month younger than Suz.

Ready to eat!  Suz is actually always ready to eat.  No problems there!

I love her sweet face and calm personality.

Hanging out with brother.

Suzy's Quick Stats: (this is more for my benefit than anything)

• 13 lbs 13 oz (29th percentile)
• 24 inches tall (17th percentile)
• Head Cir 41 cm (29th percentile)
• 1 tooth coming in
• On a great schedule: 2 naps a day and wakes up at 3:30 am for a bottle.  I can handle that.
• Nicknames:  Suza, Su-Su, Suzy-Q, Suz, Suzily, Suzer, Su-Su Bug, Baby Sue

True Love

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Ahhh, so happy to replace the previous post with this!

I feel like Sebastian from Little Mermaid

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

 

Oh my goodness, I am going to puke just looking at this picture!

My Little Buddy

Day 10 - A picture of the person you hang out with the most

Instead of a picture, you get a video that I took this morning.  I tell Noah all the time---I am so lucky to be his mom!

(Start video at about 1:20 for a shortened version of the general idea)

My Savior

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most





(painting by Greg Olsen)

You HAVE to see this picture!

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh

As soon as I saw what picture I was supposed to pick for today, I knew EXACTLY which picture I would use.  This picture was taken when Jared and I were first married back in September 2007.  I don't know how he ended up with a plastic bag on his head, but I told him he looked like the Pilsbury doughboy and he started playing the part.

My Most Treasured Item

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item

I know that my family isn't exactly an "item," but they are what I treasure most. 

The Good Life

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

I don't know who this person is lying on that massage table, but I would like love to trade places with them!!!

Espana

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory

I served a mission in Spain.  One of my favorite memories is when my parents and brother came to pick me up afterwards.  We traveled around to my old areas and had a great time.  Here is my brother, Dad, and I eating "chuch" on the streets of Cadiz.  Ahhh, I can't wait to go back!!!



My Night

Day 04 - A picture of your night

My night consists of getting kids ready for bed so I can:

1. Read

2. Play the piano

3. Talk to Jared

4. &/or Blog/Blog Stalk/Email

But most of the night is getting kids ready for bed.

We used to have a terrible time getting Noah to bed until...dun dun dun dun:

Noah's Night Night Map

Now, getting Noah ready for bed is a breeze.

We just had a little help from Dora to give our son the motivation to want to follow instructions.  We made this poster for FHE a couple months ago and Noah does a great job going to sleep now.  Hooray!

I took this picture the other night b/c it was just too cute- I always want to remember.

Sweet Dreams Little Noah!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

I had to interrupt the Blogging Challenge to blog about today!!! 

We had a GREAT Valentines Day!  Best one yet!

Jared and I already went on our Valentines date on Friday, so today was all about our family.  First off, I dressed everyone in red.  Even Jared was wearing red and pink stripes under his sweater! ha ha

Grandma A. surprised us with an awesome Valentines package that arrived today.  Do you think Noah liked it?  Maybe just a little...

Today, I was at the computer and noticed that it got really quiet in the house.  I looked for Noah and couldn't find him anywhere.  Since he's done this before, I quickly realized he was playing hide and go seek, his new FAVORITE game.  So, I started looking in hard places for him.  Sure enough, I open the coat closet and this is what I see!  Ha ha, funny kid!

For Valentines this year, I decided to start something new.
About 2 weeks ago, I wrapped up 4 shoe boxes for each one of us and cut holes in the top so we could slip little love notes to each other.  Then I filled the boxes with candy and we got to open them after dinner today.  It was a fun project that cost nothing at all!  I just used stuff that I had around the house! 

And for dinner tonight, I did personal heart pizzas and red jello jellybeans. 
Simple. and Festive.
The balloons and single red rose was courtesy of Jared- he surprised me when he got home from work.  My FAVORITE part about getting them was the corny line he said to me- "Courtney, will you accept this rose?"  He was totally kidding, but I ate it up and loved it!  There's nothing like feeling like you are in your favorite show! Ha!

Jared's thought bubble: "Court, stop taking pictures and let's eat now!"

My boys!!!

I know I look awful in this picture, but I just wanted to prove that I was, in fact, a part of today.  I just didn't bother to get ready today considering all I really did was go to the gym and clean.  Cinderella, I know, I know.

My heart pizza creation!  I kneaded the dough myself!  I was pretty impressed that it actually turned out how I pictured it in my head!  Yay!

Please excuse my child's pizza face. 

I absolutely love his reaction to the M&Ms. Ha!

And last, but not least, Suz with her love notes.  The red scribble was from Big Brother.  Thanks Noah!  She loves you too!

Hope you all have a Happy Valentines Day.  And Kyle, Rachel D, and Laura M- Happy B-day to you guys!!! xoxo

My Favorite Show(s)

A picture of the cast from your favorite show

I have two.

Closest Friend

 A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

I am lucky to know this pretty lady!  My mom!

10 Facts

Here is a picture of Jared and I from tonight.  We went out on our Valentines date a little early.  Dropped the kids off at a sitter, went and had a nice dinner, went outdoor ice skating, then out for dessert.  To sum it up in one word--- PERFECT. or romantic. or refreshing.

Anyways- the blog challenge.  Today, I'm to post a picture of myself with 10 facts.  Here are some things you may or may not know about me:

1. I have kept a journal since I was 8 years old.  I write all the time.  I write about what I think is important at the time, but looking back, it's almost always silly.
2. I love glitter.  I love it in my nailpolish, in shimmery makeup, on stickers, on pencils, on shoes, in body spray... I know, I'm 12.
3. I love school.  If I didn't have any responsibilities (cough-kids...) I would get my Masters degree, then my 2nd Masters, then maybe a PhD.  I love learning and I especially love learning in an organized setting that pushes you farther than you might go on your own.  I also really like taking notes (weird) and studying (more weird).
4. I almost always have cheesecake on my birthday.  My mom always put the year I was turning in cherries.  I love that.
5. I have tried so hard to love scrapbooking and couponing.  But I just don't.  I wish I did.
6. When I was little, I always dressed up as a princess or a fairy for Halloween.  I alternated years.
7. I went through a skater phase in college where I longboarded, snowboarded, and wakeboarded frequently. 
8. I still know all the words to "Gangsta's Paradise."  Love Coolio. Ha!
9. I play the piano everyday.  I used to write my own music and need to get back into doing it again.
10. I have run 4 half marathons and am training for a 5th!

Happy Weekend Everyone!  I'll see you back here tomorrow. I have to say, this was a very fun blog post to do.  I'm liking this challenge (well, day 1 anyways!)

30 Day Blogging Challenge

The first 'different' thing I decided to do for my blog is to do a 30 day blog challenge.  I have to post a picture each day so you can all get to know me better.  I'm excited to do this and learn more about myself as I find the pictures that describe who I am.  It's funny how quickly I could turn blogging from being a chore, into a 'reward for doing chores!'

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Day 04 - A picture of your night

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

Day 10 - A picture of the person you hang out with the most

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

Day 19 - A picture and a letter

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

Day 25 - A picture of your day

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

Blog Makeover

Alright. I'll be the first to admit that my blog has gotten
 L-A-M-E.
I update it about once a month and try to recap what we do.  But I am tired of doing that.  I stopped liking to blog.  It became a chore.
The last thing I need is another chore.
So, I decided to change some things.
I made a list of what I do pretty much everyday.  My REAL life.
-laundry
-cleaning
-organizing
-kids
-Dora
-making meals
-cleaning them up
-working out
-getting ready
-teaching piano
-kids to bed
And then throw in the occasional holiday, get together, date, and/or trip.  And that is my life.  Now when I first looked at my list, I thought- I must be the most boring person living today.  Why can't I be creative and fun like my friend Sheena or trendy and cool like Chelsea?  But then I took a step back and thought- Why can't I be content just being me?  While my life doesn't seem super exciting, I really do love it! And I'm ready to embrace that.

So, here's to me blogging about my every-day.  I want to capture this phase of my life where I am able to stay at home with my little kids.  and where the most exciting part of my day may or may not be getting to take a shower.  I have a feeling that I am not the only one out there that feels the same way.

I hope you will see me a little more often on here.  Yea, I am actually really excited about it!