new wall and valentines

We had a great weekend!
Thursday we got our car back and are so happy!! But that whole rant deserves its whole post. so stay tuned.
Friday my boss for work came to town and took us out to lunch. It was wonderful!
The rest of the weekend was fabulous as well.
Travis hung our pictures! I love that this is no longer an empty wall!



Even though the Colts lost we had a great super bowl sunday. The Dockers pants commercial was my favorite. It was the one with the "I wear no pants" song. Funny. The human bridge one for Budweiser was pretty good too. Some left us thinking "what the heck was that"

The Super bowl was even more enjoyable this year because i had a craft to make! I made Valentines for my friend Jennifer's kids to take to their classes. Sound familiar? I did this last year too... http://courtneytravis.blogspot.com/2009/02/happy-valentines-day.html
Anyways this years turned out so cute!! Take a look
valentines!



A fancy purse box and flower valentines. The tag says "Be my Bud-dy"!


This is for a little boy that loves frogs. Frog box with balloons with frogs inside. The tags say "Hoppy Valentines Day"



And this is a space station with rocket valentines that say "You're a Blast" They are made with a sugar tube and a Hershey's kiss.

It was so fun making them and i can't wait to see if they like them!

I also got my Valentines gift already!! It is wonderful! I got it early but can't share until valentines. SO one week I'll post about it!

Have a great week!

The Curse is Broken

Ok so I need to document this crazy curse now that it is finally over.

For the past EIGHT (8) years I have been sent to the hospital every 2 years and 1 month apart. Don't Believe me read on:

In 2001 I moved Lake Stevens. I tried out for the softball team. While I was pitching I got hit in the face with the ball and broke my nose. This was in SEPTEMBER

In 2003 I was 16 and had just broken up with my first boyfriend. I went on a date with a new guy named Steven for the first time. We went bowling, I got hit in the face with a bowling ball. Yes that really happened. I was "sneaking" up on him he didn't see me and BAM... 5 deep stitches 7 or so outside ones. This was in OCTOBER,

In 2005 I was dating Greg Hardy and he loved to ski. He taught me how and we had seasons passes. I was going down a hill, went off a jump, did a triple back flip... Ok the last 2 parts might not be true but I got knocked out and don't remember. Next thing I know I was being back-boarded and skied down the hill in a gurney sled. Broken Scaphoid (thank Kaci for the correct spelling) this itty bitty bone that connects your thumb, wrist and pointer fingers. It is the 2nd hardest bones to break besides your femur! Had to get a titanium screw in there. This was in NOVEMBER!!

Finally in 2007 I was getting married and was SO excited. Opal and I loaded up her car with all my wedding stuff and belongings we would need for the winter break. We were making progress through the mountains listening to kiss the girl off the disney soundtrack and we hit ice, hit the guard rail and totaled the car! We hitch hiked to Spokane and went to the hospital. I had a really sore back but checked out fine. Opal broke her hand. It was quite the night! I had to fly home to sign the wedding license and luckily Opal's sister lives in Spokane. This was in December!

January 2010 would have been my time for a hospital trip but it didn't happen. I held my breath every day praying and wishing I'd be okay. Now it is officially February and I can safely say the CURSE IS OVER!! Hooray!

Golden Birthday Bash

Travis turned 24 on the 24th of January so this is called a "golden birthday" since i don't remember mine (I was 5) I vicariously lived through him and went all out.

The weekend started with Texas Roadhouse. Travis' favorite steakhouse. He ordered a fancy steak and he could cut it with a fork. I got the ribs at 2 and Travis finished those off too!
Here we are with Tom, Mindy and Nicholas


Then we went shopping and got some great deals. Travis ended up bringing home seven new movies and a new video game. I got a new coat at old navy.

The next day we had the party. Travis went to Tom's while i decked out the apartment in decorations and cheezy birthday favors. We even personalized the party hats! It was a lot of fun!

Cricut Cards!

So if you don't know what a Cricut is I will tell you. It is a personal die-cut machine that has these cartridges that create letters or shapes at a touch of a button. Basically they are amazing!!
So I got to work today and made cards!! I also made some samples to send to my sister in laws and my mother in law. They are big into scrapbooking and card making!
Here are the cards I made today.













These next pictures are of the actual Cricut. For those who are curious of the size of the cricut here it is. Also the picture of the key pad. They come off and go with each cartridge. Then you just select the size and what you want and Voila cut and your ready to glue!

Donated Hair!

I thought I would share a picture of my hair I chopped off. It was 8.5 inches and Pantene accepts hair 8inches and more so I am going to donate it to them! I am really excited to share my hair with those in need.
Also here is a picture of how i styled it this morning. I am going to get some product tomorrow. I love it.

New Stuff for a new year

So yesterday I say "I freaking hate my camera. We definitely need to invest in a new one soon." Travis' response "I have a really nice one! You can just use mine!" sure enough he has a nice camera from his mission that actually takes clear pictures, has red eye and a self timer and holds a charge. It has just been in our Laundry Room collecting dust! So I am happy to show off some new pictures!I made travis play with the "new" camera with me!





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Yesterday I got a CRICUT!!! I found it on Craigslist, brand new, the lady got it for Christmas and knew she'd never use it so she sold be over 500 dollars worth of cricut stuff for $145!!! I was so excited. I made tags with my friend Mindy in like 5 min!
You have to see this baby in action!


Travis is cooking right now. Making us Chilli Dogs. Travis got a new game from his dad that he plays all the time. Call of Duty. So now I can be crafty and while he plays. I am going to try and make a craft once a week. Since I get home from work at 5. I am also "helping" Travis take Book of Mormon, Family Foundations and Capstone Foundations.


And my new calendar from SNAPFISH.com came! I love it. It is the Collage Calendar. I definitely recommend it. If you are looking for a cute calendar to make they got them... and they are 35% off right now!

So there is this weeks update.

Hair cut!!

For my end-of-student-teaching-present my 2nd grade teacher gave me a day spa package that included a massage, pedicure, manicure, haircut, facial and tanning! I was so excited. Today i got to get my hair cut. Anyone in the Eastern Idaho area you NEED to go to Retreat Day Spa. I love my hair cut. The environment was awesome! It is in Idahofalls right by the mall. Their visit their website here

Here are the Before and After
I had enough to donate! YAY






And the Back!



Its the shortest i've ever had it but i love it! and the bangs haven't had those since 8th grade. Its a nice change!

Shout out to Travis

Wow. I just have to document this. I get home and the house is completely spotless. Travis had cleaned our whole place while i was at work instead of sleeping. It was the best surprise of the day, week, month, YEAR! wow
I also am going to start doing some more crafty things and posting it on my blog. I have about 3000 things bookmarked to my computer and need to start checking them off. So wish me luck and check back to see the crafty things i've made!
Also i want to start cooking and making a meal plan. So if you have any EASY recipes you don't mind sharing send them to court.k.mattoon@gmail.com!

Travis loves school, I love work. Life is good.

news from the mattoons

Today was the first day of Classes in Winter 2010 semester. I finally feel like I graduated because I didn't go. I went to work. I love my job. What a blessing it was to get it!!

Travis LOVES his new classes. (sigh of relief!!) He is so excited for his coaching classes and he found out that one of his classes will actually give him a certification to be able to coach conditioning!! So that is pretty neat. I think it is going to be much happier around here the next couple months!! Which is always a good thing!!

Another thing i love about my job, there are two adorable labs that the owner brings in everyday (more room outside and in the warehouse to run) I love dogs!

Travis is sleeping (worked last night and then had class from 8-1) and I am having Reeses puffs for dinner!!

New Years Card Poem!

The Mattoons in 2009
Wow another year has gone by.
This whole decade seemed to fly.
We look forward to a brand new year.
A lot of changes are happening without any fear.
Courtney died her hair back to brown,
After 5 years of blonde, she loves it down.
We worked extra hard during school,
Study, study, study was the house rule.
We survived working and school all rolled into one,
but in our spare time we tried to have fun.
Courtney Graduated and now has a Bachelor’s Degree.
A special education teacher, she can now be.
Travis will have his AA this semester, which is great.
He is looking for a coaching internship and cannot wait.
In July we moved to a new 2 bedroom apartment and love it.
We even had room for a brand new red washer/dryer to fit.
Courtney’s sister Clara moved in for the fall.
She was great, we really didn’t mind it at all.
We saw our families multiple times throughout the year.
We enjoyed it so much, it brought us great cheer.
All and all we are surviving each day.
We living the dream what can we say.
We love all our friends and family so much.
Please enjoy this New Year and keep in touch.

Leave your Address in the Comments if you want a New Years Card... sorry i am late i'll regret it if i don't do it!! Better late then never

Look who's back, Back again!

Ok so after months of absence from my lovely blog I've decided to return.

I really do love blogging.
I've just been very busy, and pessimistic....
It is very hard to blog when you are barely treading water in life.
I like to be known as a pleasant girl... so the phrase "if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all" took hold of this blog.
But after surviving the only legal form of slavery left in this country (aka Student Teaching) I can finally breathe and smile.

I loved student teaching but it was A LOT of work. I loved the students and especially 2nd grade but the phrase "Oh well my student teacher could do that for you" got really old really fast. There is so much pressure that comes with student teaching because your teacher has your future in their hands with a little thing they call "Letter of Recommendation" You think I am being Dramatic but I'm not kidding. I loved teaching but pleasing the teacher and proving yourself is exhausting. In the end I learned a TON and am better for it.

Anyways enough of that... I survived and my Diploma will be here in 4-6 weeks! Hallelujah! Can you believe I am a college grad... WoW!

Now for Some Mattoon Highlights

Top ten without pictures sorry!

10. We survived a semester living off of one part time job!!! Wowza!! We should win a prize. Our savings "saved" us and we avoided debt! My sweet wonderful husband took 16 credits and worked nights bless his lovely stubborn heart!!

9. I Survived student teaching and got extra experience by extending until December. 12 weeks in Special Ed 6 weeks in 2nd Grade. Wrote an IEP/Eligibility report for a little boy with cerebral palsy. Took me 30 hours. Mother said it was the best IEP written for her son! BOO YA BABY!!

8. I turned 22! Went shopping with the girls, got yummy red robin and a heated mattress pad from my mom that is just HEAVENLY a must have for Rexburg. So now I sleep nice and toasty.

7. My Friend Mindy is having a baby!! and so is my cousin Jess. My two married BFF's! I can't wait. Both will be here in MAY!! Hurry up May!

6. A new movie has finally replaced my top favorite movie. It was Edward Scissors Hands for the LONGEST time (go ahead and roll your eyes but that movie is amazing for so many reasons) But the new movie is (drumroll) The Blindside. Oh my gosh it is the best. If you have not seen it you need to go ASAP! It is just incredible!!!

5. Travis decided he doesn't want to teach. So we changed his major to Generals. Got him signed up for a Coaching Cluster and signed him up for 21 credits! He will have his AA in April and we are looking into our options to get him away from BYU-I and into the Collegiate Coaching World so he can start climbing that Totem Pole.

4. My little sister living with us was such a great idea. So suck it all you haters. We had a blast together. Even Travis didn't mind it (ya right they are best friends)! Even though Clara had a rough start at school I think she enjoyed her time with us and I can't wait until she is back on track in April (although she is happy to be in Seattle, who wouldn't) I bawled like a baby when I said good-bye. I didn't see that one coming.

3. I got a new Job. Well 2 new jobs. I am going to be an account/assistant/secretary for this satellite company in Rexburg. It is great pay and I am enjoying an office job until I can get a job in a classroom this fall. I am also going to do some PSR work (Psychosocial Rehabilitation. I will work one-on-one with a child and their family both in their homes and in the community to help them gain skills needed to reduce the impact their mental illness has on their life. Mental illness ranging anywhere from ADD to Schizophrenia. I don't know who I will be working with yet but I am glad I found something so I can still work with children a little bit.

2. Had the best Thanksgiving with Travis' side of the family. Went to his G&G house. GOT A SERGER!!!! If you don't know what that is it is basically a sewing machine on steroids! Holy cow I love that thing. Mesa is her name and making things fabulous is her game.

1. Christmas with my family and Travis' for a few days. I love my house at Christmas time. I love Jesus. We were so ridiculously spoiled. I got this book of all our past christmas pictures, clothes, jewelry, a Coach purse, perfume, new rain boots, a sonic care tooth brush the list goes on for days. Thank you mom and dad.

So there you go. All that waiting and checking my blog for updates had now paid off (don't pretend you didn't do it) So leave a comment and welcome me back. Love you all.

We hope you had a very merry Christmas. I am looking forward to this new year and hope you all are safe and happy during this wonderful season.

Courtney's Back, Tell your friends
Look who's back, Look who's back, Look who's back- Slim Shady

popsicles

Today I was teaching my math group about "even groups" like a precursor to division. I told the little boy I was working with, "The popsicle man gives you 4 popsicles, but says you have to share them with your brother. How many will you give him so you both have the same. So it is fair." He divided the popsicles and gave himself one and made another pile of three. I told him that doesn't look fair and his brother had more than him. He replied, "well Mrs. Mattoon, if I eat too many popsicles I get a tummy ace so I just want one." You can't blame him for being so smart. Sometimes these kids are so clever. So then I asked him what he can eat more than one of. He replied, "cheese." so I changed the problem. "if you had 4 pieces of cheese would your brother get three?" he said "heck no" and divided them evenly. Man I love what I do!

East Idaho State Fair!

We decided to get out to the fair this year!! We didn't go on any of the rides but we walked through all the animals and saw horses, pigs, and rabbits. But not just any horses, pigs and rabbits but enormous versions of these animals. People wonder why i am terrified of horses. It should be pretty obvious when you see how absolutely gigantic they are. They could trample and kill anyone at will. I wanted to see some of the little boys in my class show their rabbits for 4-H but we missed it. It was a great time at the fair for some cheap entertainment. Clara and I supported the Tiger Troops (boy scouts of america) by purchasing some yummy elephant ears and travis went with a burger and fries and the rest of our elephant ears. It was a great little trip.







Yesterday was also a great day. Clara is now all moved in and adjusting to Rexburg. My mom left early sunday morning with my brother and we were sad to see them go. Thanks for everything!! We love you.


Also clara brought her camera and i found a couple more pictures from our seattle trip to share. Enjoy!

Ahh the life of a teacher!

I love love love Special Education. SO i always knew i liked it but now i know i love it. It is the most rewarding thing i have ever done. (mind you i am not a mother yet) but it is just so much fun.

A funny story to share. Today one of the little boys in my class was sad. I asked him what was wrong. He said he had to go to the dentist. I said "you don't like the dentist" he replied saying "my grandma gets mad when i go to the dentist" i asked why she gets mad and he said "cuz i bite the dentist" I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. I could just picture this snaggle tooth little 2nd grader sitting in the dentist chair. Ha ha.

My sister will be here tomorrow and i can't wait. I love my family!

We have successfully been on a spending FREEZE for the last 2 weeks. Travis got laid off and no one is hiring... i wonder how long buying nothing will last... i am so proud of myself honestly!

A funny question for people who pay electric bills. How do you conserve energy... i was not pleased with my energy bill and would like to cut back. How do you do it? i mean other than turn the lights off when your not in the room and don't use the heat?

My new Niece!

I need to show off my wonderful amazing niece KayleeAnn. She didn't come when we were home!! i was way sad. But here she is in all her cuteness!!