Bittersweet

Yesterday was my Grandpa O's funeral, and it was an incredibly spiritual experience. It was great to be around all of our extended family, we have so much fun with them. It was a lovely way to end our Thanksgiving break. Now it's time to get ready for the end of the semester... 15 days until glory!

Glorified Gratitude

We had a fantastic and exhausting Thanksgiving this year. It started with us braving the storms Wednesday with a drive to Idaho. It was great seeing old friends, making lotsa food, watching Christmas Vacay, and attending Tangled. Can't wait till Christmas!

Reunited

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Man Cave

Exhaustion

Feasting

Hat Making Diary

This semester I've been taking a hat making class and it has been A LOT of fun. Our latest project was a Regency bonnet. We had a great time making these, next... a Hennin!

Snow Day

Soo as most of you know yesterday was "the blizzard of the century." We had most of our classes cancelled and the university itself shut down at 2 pm. Pretty exciting! So Jake and I decided to enjoy our possible last meal on the earth at Olive Garden and went to Walmart to stock up on our snow day supplies. Well being sick to our stomaches from our OG meal we ended up leaving with Jello and fruit snacks. We love to be prepared. The rest of the night consisted of a bubble bath, movies, Yahtzee, jello jigglers, Chik-fil-A, cleaning, etc etc... it was a lovely evening. I love snow days!

Grandpa O

Well along with the craziness has come some sadness and joy this week. Last Saturday my Grandpa Olsen passed away. He was 92 years old and the life of the party, loved music, loved to laugh, and man, was he a fighter. I know that he is in a much better place, with my grandma, running and dancing all over the place. I can't wait to see him again, I feel like we'll be best of friends.

Sunsets

I've been slacking on my grateful posts... Last week we had the most lovely sunset. So thank you Heavenly Father for that, I needed it.

madness.

Wow... so much to catch up on. the past week has been crazy and it's not even finals yet! So get ready for a plethora of posts. Let's start from the beginning...

Sara Barielles. I really didn't think she could match Ingrid. I mean that concert was top notch. But she did. Everything was on schedule this time, which was fantastic. We were even closer than last time. And she grabbed all of our hands... which seems weird that it made me so excited but it did. I loved it. Favorite song? Gravity, of course. Here she is in the flesh. Well digitalized, but formerly in the flesh.

The Youngins

Lovely...

Fantastic Lights

Yeah... that's right.

Her biggest fans

he's the air I would kill to breathe.

Tonight. Sara Bareilles. In The Venue. I've been trying to conserve energy for our busy and music filled evening later. Hours waiting in line... freezing... driving back at midnight... but I know the minute she stands on stage and sings Gravity, it will all be worth it.

Seasons...

As we enter into the fourth and final season of the year... I will now reflect on the past three and what I love about each one of them. (thank you Katie Perkes for the idea)

Summer...

My faaavorite season. Sun Shining, Flip Flop Wearing, Bike Riding, UV Bathing, No School, Lots of Family.

Spring....

Snow Melting, Color Returning, Fresh Smelling, Flower Popping, Shorts Wearing, Spring Breaking kind of season... its the season that lets you know there is happiness waiting around the corner. The light at the end of the tunnel. Best part... the week off of school.

You all know why I love Fall... and Winter, as much as I despise you... I'm excited for sledding, white hot chocolate, Christmas tree decorating, gift shopping, and rocking out to holiday music.

I love to see...

Seriously? This is what I see when I drive home from campus every day. And being the spoiled spoiled girl I am, I've never realized how grateful I am for it until now. Oklahoma doesn't have mountains or temples like this. Have I told you how much I love the temple? It's the place I run to when everything seems to be falling apart. It's healed me in so many ways and I will forever be grateful for it's blessings. Wow, I live in a beautiful place.

Catch Up

Ohh alright so I'm behind on my gratitude smatitude. Sue me. Sunday, I was very very grateful to spend time with two of my nieces and nephews. The first time I went home and met Jake's family, these two were there for Halloween.

And wow did they melt my little heart. Those brown eyes... that blonde hair... their huge personalities...I loved them then and there. I swear. Moliere. It wasn't until the night before our wedding that I met the other three chillins. We were besties right away. I mean Will tried to lift up my wedding dress that next day... so fast fast friends we were. AND THEN.... Oliver was born. Words cannot express how much I love that baby. I would drive 12 hours to see that baby. (and almost did...) Bottom Line? Nieces and Nephews are one of the greatest things to happen to me in the past two years. I love being called "Aunt Courtney" :)

Early Thanksgiving

This weekend we got together with the Kearns family and had a early Thanksgiving. It's been fantastic to say the least. Us girls were in the kitchen all day long yesterday, baking all sorts of delicious creations. I was in charge of sweet potatoes and pumpkin crumble. I love having two Thanksgivings... so today I am grateful for food. Lots and lots of good food.

Cookin, cookin

Ohh how I'm grateful for my Kearns sisters. I don't get a whole lot of "girl" time in Logan so coming to Draper and seeing late night chick flicks with the girls and cooking for hours the next day is a breath of fresh air. They are all examples to me in so many ways, so lucky to have married into such a fantastic family. Missed you Julie and A2!

Here are some things I love about them...

Smash: such a fantastic cook and mother, if I ever need advise on anything, I call her. In fact I basically want to be her when I grow up. Hilarious. Soo cute. Witty.

Nancy: raised 7 incredible children, beautiful, strong, card maker, great cooker, swim teacher, wonder woman. Dare I say more?

Courty: the sister with my same name. adorable, always dresses so cute, TP partner, craft music and fashion lover (like myself) best friend.

Melody: my gorgeous cousin. sweetest girl I know, so pretty and talented.

Ames: she has the biggest heart. she makes me laugh harder than anyone, (especially when her and Jake get together). she's always making the most of everything, always wears her heart on her sleeve, always herself no matter what.

Julie: Mother extraordinaire. Such an example of strength. She's lovely in every way, and so much fun to be around. Can't wait to move closer to them!

A2: Beautiful. So kind and sweet. An amazing mother and wife. She is a great example to me (since we basically chose the same life) we have so much in common, I really hope we end up in the same place someday!

Veterans Day

Ohh how I'm grateful for the military. Growing up I didn't really understand the commitment and courage it takes to serve in the armed forces, then I met the Kearns family. I am blown away at the strength and bravery these men have. I am very lucky to have one of them in my life. I am so proud of him. I know life in the military will be one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences we'll have, but I am looking forward to it. It will make our family closer than I could have ever imagined.

Senioritis

Soo this week I've been stressed to the max. It's not like anything real big happened, I just started thinking about the 23 credits I'm taking next semester and the research paper/test I have coming up and just sort of... crashed. Like had a nervous breakdown. Couldn't get off the couch. Wanted to drop out. I thought to myself... What if I never use this major? What's the point? I just want to be done. I can't handle this. That sort of thing. So I cuddled and cried with Jake for a bit, and came to this conclusion. Court. This is a huge opportunity you've had here. How many people get to go to college in such a fantastic place, take awesome classes like hat making and pattern drafting, pay nothing for it, and actually graduate? You have to finish these four years of hard work and hell. No matter what it takes.

Therefore, tonight I am grateful for school. Stupid stupid school. Thank you for pushing me to my limits. Oh, and by the way, I am going to conquer you. I don't care if you make me cry and scream everyday. I don't care that I will live and breathe design projects after projects, and have no life whatsoever. I will sleep at the school if I have to. But I am going to graduate. Watch me.

Lauren "Joy"

Two family posts in a row... this is some one I call sister. you've heard me talk about her before. she is someone I have grown to be very grateful for. mostly because she's the one friend that I feel needs me as much as I need her. life will be very strange and lonely when she's not around next semester... no more random drop bys, family dinners, drama talk, work outs, etc. Pretty much can't even think about it. But I guess I have to get used to it anyway... I am crazy proud of her for getting out of the bubble and "living the dream" I know it will change her life, and I can't wait to see what great things happen for her.

He won!

This man, who I call father, ran the New York Marathon yesterday. Pretty impressive right? The guy is pretty much a machine, he completed the race in 3 hours and 42 minutes! So I'm pretty grateful for him, because without his crazy will and determination I wouldn't of had such a blessed life. Thanks pops.

When the leaves fall down...

I am thankful for Autumn. Logan always has the best fall colors, I love them because they make the world seem so much more... artsy and warm. I love walking on the dry leaves, love hearing them crinkle under my feet. I love when the leaves fall down and get stuck in your hair. I love jumping in large piles of them. I love wearing scarves and sweaters even though I don't have to, because it's still warm with a slight chill. It's a lovely season, its hard to imagine the time where these colors will be gone and all that will be left there is white. White fluffy snow. Everywhere. At least there's Christmas.

"It's the end of the line, Smokey Joe."

As lame as this sounds I am really grateful for DVR. Last year we didn't have cable, and to now have the ability to watch whatever shows we want, whenever we want, on a big screen, is fantastic. I would not have gotten through the summer without it, thats for sure. However, it does make it hard to stay focused most days.... gotta love technology. so spoiled.

I'm also grateful for good tippers. I worked a busy busy shift tonight, which could have been miserable but I had a lot of good tips, so thanks to the special people I served tonight that had the kindness in their hearts to tip me well. We need more of you people in this world.

Punkin

Yummmm I love pummmmpkin. Lately I have been pumpkin crazed. I have made pumpkin muffins, cookies, shakes, snickerdoodles, crumble, and I plan on making pancakes, cinnamon rolls, bread, cake, etc. So thank you, person who figured out how to make such a strange/gross food into a fanstasically delicious dessert. It's my favorite. Can't wait for pumpkin pie....

Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!

Last night Jake and I went to the USU production of Seussical the Musical! It was a great little date night. I loved seeing all the costumes and scenic lovelies I worked on come to life. The actors were fantastic and the music was delightful. I would tell you to go see it but it's almost over, so if you can grab one of the last seats on Saturday... see it for sure!

So my old boss called me a couple days ago and asked if I would start working Fridays at the shop again! I love that job... no heavy dishes, no disgusting uniforms... just me and the pretty brides playing dress up. So yesterday I was grateful for this job, it's what I hope I'll be doing in twenty years. Except I'll be the owner and it'll be called Gumption, the best boutique in all the land.

Tonki's

Today I am grateful for these little beauties...because they are warm, fluffy and comfy. I have never been much of a shoe girl, probably because I am so tall and have such big feet. So these are ideal for me and my lazy shoe wearing habits. Unfortunately they won't look like this for much longer... they'll get gross and brown and stained due to the wet weather soon to come. You can find them at Fashion Footwear for $35.00

Tacos and Jarritos

Ohh I love college. The last 2 weeks have been devoted to making this hat I like to call... Satan. It's left my fingers red and swollen. So glad it's done.

I am so grateful for this crazy man I call husband. As cheesy as it is, I still can't believe I found such an amazing guy to spend the rest of my life with. He is by far the funniest man on this earth, he is annoyingly good at everything, and the most handsome and loving man I know. He's going to make an incredible father and I am so excited to have eternity to grow up with him. And those eyes...? Dang.

P.s. I highly recommend that you check out Costa Vida's Twilight Tuesday Tacos. They are fantastic. I would also suggest you pick up a Guava Jarritos from your local Smiths to wash them down. While watching Toys Story 3. Yuuummmmy.

Thanks

My sister Lauren gave a fantastic talk in church about gratitude yesterday. We weren't suppose to come but naturally Jake and I formed a stake out at her apartment and followed her to the correct church building... sneaky sneaky sneaky! It's always nice to be reminded about gratitude because it's definitely a weakness of mine to not show it. I get soo stressed about the smallest things and completely forget to notice the great things that happen to me daily. I am so worried about getting to class on time that I forget to notice the gorgeous colors outside, the lovely white Jetta I get to drive that belongs to me, the new music I'm listening to and the incredible mountains that are right in front of my face. I'm so exhausted every night from school and work that I forget to kneel down and pray and give thanks for the life I have, the husband I live with, the job I have, and the classes I get to take. What good does that do? How is that making life any easier? Seriously. I am incredibly blessed in so many ways and since it's November, the month of thanks, I am going to list something I'm grateful for every day.

This weekend was full of friends. Ally and Isaac were able to come for the entire weekend, and Sunday I received a surprise visit from my best friends Caitlin and Jess. I loved it! I am so grateful for friends that go out of their way to come spend time with me, I will miss them so much when I move far far away.