Farwell to Elder Wirthlin

Elder Wirthlin, The oldest living apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, died last night peacefully in his sleep. I always loved Elder Wirthlin. He was such a cute kind old man. He always spoke of loving everyone no matter their appearance or circumstance. This has really inspired me in my future profession as a special education teacher. I just loved this man and thought that we could all be a little better and follow his example of love and kindness towards everyone. You can read my favorite talk at the following link click here .

Morph thing again

SO a while ago i did this morphthing picture thing to see what our future offspring would look like but we used our grown up pictures and it was quite frightening (see August's post "regretting having children..." So while i am home i decided to try it with 2 of our baby pictures. It is a little blurry because cameras weren't very high tech back then but it looks much better so i decided to re post it!! so here it is the future baby mattoon!!










We are having so much fun hanging out with our families!! i will post pictures soon!!

Digital Scrapbook

I have been digital scrapbook since my Aunt taught me how in the August. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. But i am not too good at it so i am kinda nervous to share. So here are some of my favorites of few that i have done. The first one is using my Aunt Shari's design (http://sharingcreations.wordpress.com) the second one is from SYA'S BLUEPRINTS by Aisyah Roslan. and the last one is my friend Elise's design (PixelGypsyDesigns.com) So enjoy!! leave comments if you like them because like i said i am nervous to put them out there because so many people out there are SO talented!!

Do i look like a teacher?

This is the Picture everyone will see as i apply for student teaching!! i just signed up for my 2nd to last semester at BYU-Idaho. I am going to graduate in July!!! yaay!! I can't believe i will be teaching a year from now!!

Random Picture post

My goal is to post something on my blog once a week. But the last couple weeks have been hard and boring. I have been stressed and grouchy and BLAH. so that is no fun to blog about. I have been thinking of something to post and came up with my own TAG i am going to start. So i chose 5 pictures i want to blog about. ENJOY oh and i pass this on to Stacy, Trish, Becca, Orchid, and Ashley and whoever else wants too and needs something to blog about!!


This is a picture of me and my cousin Braxton oh and his kitty princess. I love this boy!! He is back in seattle. I miss my family so much. Thanksgiving could not come sooner. I recently published a childrens book and he was featured in my story about senses. (when i get it back i will share it with you all i promise)


This is a wonderful picture of me and my husband. A few weeks ago we got our family pictures taken in the garden for our christmas cards. (i am keeping the pictures we used a secret) but this was a pretty good one. Travis was a pretty good sport after i promised him we would have 5 poses and then he could be done.


This is me and opal my freaking best friend last year at halloween. Ha ha we were "beauty and the geek" it was so funny. Me and trav didn't dress up or do anything for halloween so this is all i have to share.


I took this picture when me and my mom traveled to FRANCE my senior year. This is one of my favorites. The Eiffel Tower was breath taking. It was honestly the best trip of my life. I looked for the one me and my mom got together but it wasn't saved on my computer. She is so wonderful.



This is a picture from Toddler Lab. It is my favorite class on campus. The little kids are so adorable. The class is 3 hours and goes by SO FAST. i love every minute of it. I am so close to graduating i just need to keep my focus.

ENJOY

Something to think about

McCall got me addicted to reading this EXTREMELY inspirational blog!! i mean it i am obsessed. But anyways one of her posts was an "I am proud list." At first you might think that it is not good to be "proud" but after reading this post i realized that you should be proud of yourself when you accomplish things and you shouldn't be afraid to admit it. I think that we are all unique and we need to show it off and not hide it away so others don't see it. We need to embrace it. That is going to be a new goal. And with that new goal i came up with my own "i am proud list" So here it goes... they are in no necessary order

I am proud that i was worthy of a temple marriage and that i married someone who equally loves me back.

I am proud that i have deep compassion for those with disabilities and am proud of the patience i have to work with them.

I am Proud that i was born and raised in the church and lived my life as a "molly mormon"

I am proud that i won Homecoming queen because i was nice to everyone and that i wore a modest dress to set the example.

I am proud to be a leader not a follower

I am proud to say that i vote and care about political issues and our nation.

I am proud to be a future teacher in America to help the students in my class succeed.

I am proud to be an AMERICAN and am proud of my rights.

I am proud that i am getting my degree before me and travis start a family so were prepared for whatever happens.

I am proud to a wonderful compromiser no matter how hard it is to give and take.

I am proud to be from the West Coast. Seattle wha? wha!

I am proud of how strong i have become and how independent i am (even though it wasn't until i was married that this really happened)

I am proud to admit that i know there are more important things in life then having clean dishes and a spotless living room.

i am proud to say i am a good friend and i try really hard to make people feel welcome and happy.

I am proud to be the Enrichment leader in my ward and plan activities to strengthen the sisters in my ward.

I am proud to be a wife, aunt, sister, daughter, niece, sister in law, daughter in law and grand daughter

I am proud of my updated blog and my homemade journals and photo albums.

I am proud of my listening ears, serving hands and caring heart.

I am proud of my many talents and skills no matter how small.


AND most of all i am proud of my self in making (and sharing) this list!

Diaper cake

So my cousin is having a baby shower next weekend. I was so excited because i finally had a reason to try and make a a "diaper cake" I was so happy the way it turned out.
All you do is roll the diapers and tie it with a rubber band.



Then put your rolls together to make 3 tiers to the cake.



Then cover the edges with baby blankets.

Finally add finishing touches like sock roses and a stuffed animal topper and ribbon!!



so fun!!



My friend Cham makes them better and she sells hers. so if you are interested check out http://simplybabies.blogspot.com/

Apples!!

So a girl in my ward had this connection to a lady with an apple tree with extra apples so we went and picked TONS of apples. It was so fun and they were free so we got a TON!!! so all day sunday I had my friend whitney over to and we made homemade apple sauce, an apple pie, and an apple cobbler. they turned out SO good. we pretty much filled every piece of tupperware and pierex i own. YUM I felt more like a wife this past weekend then i had the past 10 months!!

Football has begun

so travis started practice this week and is LOVING IT. he is a busy guy though. he goes to school then football then work almost everyday. so we don;t see each other long but were doing okay.

I was at walmart (or target if my dad is reading this) and i got some water bottles but they were too heavy for me to lift out of the cart so i asked this guy in the car next to mine and he lifted it into the trunk, then he saw travis' football gear in the back and asked me whose it was. i told him "my husband is the quarterback for the Wolverines." and he was like "oh my gosh your married to Travis Mattoon!? he is incredible blah blah blah about how amazing he was and how there going to win and he can throw so far. Ha ha i just laughed... Travis is the new Rexburg Celebrity.

Here is our football season relationship in a nut shell. I ask travis who he is on the tv. he says Tony Romo (we were watching the dallas cowboys) then i say "That means i am jessica simpson!!" he tells me never to say that again. ha ha oh what is love!!



here i am in travis' get up. he wouldn't put it on so i did instead. He got way too small of pants so they actually fit me.

we love and miss you

My wonderful grandma Barb died yesterday and she will be missed greatly. She was a wonderful grandma, wife and mother. I have so many good memories at her house with the whole family. I remember getting to sleepover with all my girl cousins and helping her get ready for the labor day picnics. I miss her so much. These are some photos from my wedding. I am so happy for the plan of salvation and can't wait to see her again someday. I send my family my love and am sorry i can't be home right now. I love you.

CONGRATS

Travis was the number one overall draft pick for the BYU-I football league this year!!! over 160 people tried out!! i am so proud of him!! these are his sweet cleats we got on Eastbay!!

Tagged

Rules Once Tagged:
1) Link to the person who tagged you
2) Post the rules on your blog.
3) Write 6 random things about yourself (see below).
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post.

1) I can't draw at all but i can cut like a mad woman ha ha. Its a weird thing but for example i can't draw a flower but i could cut one out of paper perfectly with out lines!! so when i need to draw i just cut it out and glue it on.

2) I learn to teach. I have always known i wanted to teach because whenever i learn something new i want to tell everyone it so they will know it too. I think that is why i always share my opinion about everything.

3) I want a house so bad!! i have all these sweet ideas to paint and drill and make all my sweet home touches. i also want a garden and a organized garage and see through kitchen cupboards. Travis wants to build our first house someday ha ha he's so manly

4) I have always been so motherly. I am very nurturing but i think i baby people and accidently talk to them like they are five. so sorry its not because i think youre five its just my voice.

5) I am really bad at time judgement. I think things that take a long time can fit in an hour (like going to Idaho Falls) or that things will take forever when they don't (like laundry) so i am either late or early all the time.

6) I love love love making friends. I love talking to people. When i am in a bad mood i blog surf or go down my phone list or go over to peoples houses and it makes me feel so much better. I also hate going anywhere by myself so i invite people to go on random errands with me.

So, that's me. I want to know about. . .

1) Orchid
2) Mccall
3) Tricia
4) erin
5) Nicole
6) kelly

My Ten Favorite Things

So i don't have much to blog about. Of course school started and is going great. Trav and i do homework together with the football game on but muted. Its so cute. he loves learning but not sharing and i learn to share so were working on getting used to that. But i didn't think that was too exciting to share so i decided i would go around my house and take picture of my 10 favorite things. If you know me you can guess what is on the list. Feel free to do it too it was pretty fun. So here is the order with my favorite thing being Number one so with out further ado..

#10 Small Notebook

These are my favorite to carry at school because they are smaller (5x7) instead of a normal sheet of paper so they are lighter and you can still take the notes you need in class. the covers are plastic so they last really long. I am not a huge note taker so it saves me space and money to get these little ones. I wouldn't be where i am in school today with out them ha ha

#09 Striped Rain Boots

These babies are life savors in the winter. I tuck my pants in and they stay clean, I wear really heavy socks and my feet stay warm and dry the whole day. Plus i am virtually unstoppable against puddles and mounds of dirty snow.

#08 Tile Picture

I made this in young womens forever ago but i LOVE it. It is a picture of me and my sister clara when i won homecoming queen. I love it because we are so close and happy. Me and Clara never got along like i wanted us too but this picture we are so i think thats why i like it so much. That and we both look HOT ha ha what? we do!!

#07 Vera Bradley Bag

I have a rather large collection of Veras but this one is my favorite. I love the bright color and the handles. The pockets are magnetic and i can carry just about anything i need in it!! I've never met anyone who owned a vera and didn't like it.

#06 Lime Green Computer

I had to put this in here because i love the color and i just got it updated so it works so good. Its so fast and the images are so clear. Its so quiet and i just love it. I can do my homework and play my games while trav is in the front room watching the game

#05 Vinyl sign and willow

This shelf is above are bed. The sign says "Travis and Courtney" "always kiss me goodnight" i love it i think it is so cute and i read it everyday. I also love the little willow couple because my cousins gave it to me and i makes me feel like an adult because my mom always had them growing up. i don't know weird association but true

#04 Heart Necklace

My in-laws got me this necklace for christmas last year and it is so fancy. It is so pretty. It has my birthstone and diamonds up the side. I don't wear it too much cuz i want it to stay shiney and i would be so sad if it got lost but it is by far my favorite jewelry. well besides maybe my wedding ring but thats in a different category i suppose.

#03 Sims Games

I love to play these games. When travis got his X-Box i got to pick out some of the expansion packs i wanted. Then i found all of these on e-bay for the price of one at the store so i won them. I love to make up our future but mostly i love to design the houses and name the children ha ha

#02 Quilt

I helped my mom make this quilt and its been my favorite for many years. I love all the colors and textures. I am always freezing so this definitely keeps me warm. I can't wait until i get my own sewing machine and attempt to quilt like my mom. i say attempt because there are still chunks of this quilt that aren't done but it still works

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST!!!
My Favorite thing in my Apartment
TRAVIS... were you expecting something else?
And i even got a picture:



So there is a list of my favorite things and my blog post for the week!!

So much to Blog about!!!

So school starts tomorrow and I am SO excited. Me and Travis are both going this semester so it will be so fun. We're not taking math this semester because it was the wrong class. but were going to try to take a religion next semester together. I am on the home stretch with only 3 more semesters left. If everything goes as planned i will be graduating in July and student teaching in Fall!!
i have already started on some of my classes. "The Killers" I am making a resource file which is going to be a teaching file with over 100 idea to with little kids. With examples. Made Professionally. So that is going to be tough. But i have been starting them so hopefully that will be rewarding. I made a quiet book and some file games. I also got my own file cart. I felt like such a teacher. It was exciting. It has wheels so i can push it around and fill it with all my ideas. If anyone has ideas of things to make please hand them over so i can use them!!

This is a Page of the Quiet book i made from felt. i made a 20 page book of all different scenes.

This is the cool teacher file cart i was so excited about!!

This is a File Game that has to do with nutrition.

This is a silly puppet i made out of a stuffed animal. I just cut is mouth and made a mouth piece and sewed it into it so its jaw moves.

i had a craft night with my friends and made this adorable frame for my bathroom. i love it so much i am probably going to make even more. It was so easy. I just used a frame and an extra piece of glass and used a rub-on and hot glue. You rub the vinyl or sticker on the extra piece of glass and then glue it to the other sheet of glass so the sticker or rub on is in the center of the 2 pieces of glass and then hot glue it to the frame.



Church was wonderful today. I am turning over a new leaf. I am no longer going to be scared of everything. some may laugh but i am serious. It is time for the Fearless Courtney to Live and Love life. I realized today that my fears hinder my progress in my life. I worry myself sick on my irrational fears But its time for me to regain my life and stop being a scardy cat! I am also going to remember my blessings so i can be happy. This life is so meaningful we just need to realize how wonderful it is. I feel like i waste so much time being sad and i could use that time to brighten others and do things that will make me a better person. This is the only time in my life when i get to go to school and learn and have a ton of friends in my same circumstance. I am going to live the life i have always dreamed about instead of just wishing for it!! Its time for my old motto "life is too short to be unhappy" to be back in my life. I am so excited i just wish i would have decided this years ago!!
I believe that is all the updates on us... So wish us luck with school and hopefully it will be enjoyed but also go by quickly so we can come home foe CHRISTMAS!!

Bragging Blog

Ok so i just have to brag for just a sec. Me and travis just played the Celestial Companion Game (which is like the Newlywed game but cleeaner) where you are asked a question and you both have to write the answer then show them at the same time to see if they match and WE WON!!!! Travis is crazy competitive so he took it pretty seriously but it was so so fun. It was hilarious. i was so proud of us. We love the Christensen's don't get us wrong but it is a big accomplishment to beat them at their own game. So if anyone wants to battle it out and see if they can beat us then let us know. It was just great!! I recommend this game to all LDS couples for sure