Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The temps droppin'....

It's been a long week (and it's only Monday) of this o' so typical Midwest weather. Nearly every time I walk outside, the temperature decides to drop a few more degrees while I try to keep up by piling on layers. I'm so glad I've got my Momma takin' care of me, mmmmm..... her hot cocoa keeps me cozy! It's crazy to think last summer was my last summer at home. Even though I can't wait to see what's next in life, part of me will always be... at home.

I'd do anything to cuddle with my sister in my bed & giggle. Lay on the wood floor and let the dogs kiss my face. Go fishing. Make crafts. Sing in the shower. Sing in the car. Start a fire. Play with fire (i'm a pyro for sure). Go hunting. Run outside. Chase the dogs outside. Scottwood Floral with Andrew. Hugs from my parents. Hearing my Dad talk in weird voices when it's past his bedtime. Monicals. Walks at night. Slip n' slides. Seeing my little brother run to me when he gets off school. Sitting on the back deck. Black Friday. Kiss Kiss Face. The Blend. Goofy dancing. Laughing till it hurts.

Home.... is where some of my favorite memories are from... don't forget where you came from. In a world that makes you doubt yourself it's more important than anything to remember who you are, where you came from, and what makes you... you. Embrace that. xoxo- court

Saturday, November 19, 2011

A C M



My boyfriend is such an inspirational guy (handsome to the eyes, too :)... When things are crazy and there is so much going on, he can calm me down like no one else can. I don't know how he does it! Things seem to be a little hectic lately... thanksgiving break, finals, projects, papers, and events. Sometimes you have a list of things to do, and you don't even know where to start. Anyone else get that feeling? When I'm feeling like this, Andrew sits me down and says.. "Court... I want you to tell me three things that you are looking forward to this week." When you feel stuck, sometimes just saying those three things you are excited about this week can get you through it. I can't even begin to explain how much this has helped me! He goes on to say, "Now throughout this week use those three things to drive you. Every time your thinking about everything that needs to get done and your feeling overwhelmed, think back to those three things you are excited about. Use that excitement and gear it towards  the things that need to get done." I think inspirational speaking is in his future! What a great man, with the perfect advice!

If your ever feeling like that, try this trick! It really can help.

10/4 good buddy- court

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

"I'll give you one more chance, to give me three more hints."

If you're sitting there right now wondering how this title has anything to do with what I am going to talk about, I don't blame you. The title has nothing to do with this post. :) Just a little inside joke between me and a very good friend of mine. She also has a blog, check it out here


Information... it kills us if we don't know it. Any type of unknown, rattles us. We have a constant dire need to know everything about everyone. The obsession with facebook now a days is insane. Want to know why? Because you can get nearly any information about anyone on there. In.... one...click...of...the... mouse. Information is literally at the tip of our fingers. Dangerous don't you think?

Best said by Albert---> "Information is not knowledge."

Where is all the knowledge we lost with information?

#food for thought. xoxo court

Monday, November 14, 2011

His Unfailing Love..

This is one of my favorite songs. Just listening to it can bring tears to my eyes. It's seriously amazing. And can change your outlook on everything. Click the song and read the lyrics. POWERFUL. 
xoxo court


Unfailing Love- Chris Tomblin




You have my heart
And I am Yours forever
You are my strength
God of grace and power

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My unfailing love
Unfailing love

You are my rock
The one I hold on to
You are my song
And I sing for You

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love
Unfailing love

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still you make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love
Unfailing love

I will praise You
Praise you God of earth and sky
How beautiful is your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love

Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love 

Reminder...

When your life here on earth is done...





















Where will you be??

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Make it an adventure...

You guessed it.. it's that time of year. Everyday a new thing is added to your to-do list. I was reminded today of something I need to do this time of the year. Everyone has those things on their to-do list that never seem to go away. We constantly push it back farther and farther, wishing the next time we look at the list that it has just magically disappeared. But the truth is, it will never disappear, no matter how much we try! On the radio this morning, I was listening to k.love....holla holla! They reminded me that those things that never seem to disappear, are there for a reason. Instead of constantly dreading it, why not make it an adventure? Everything is what you make it. We all have the ability to make things, adventurous! Let's do it.
-court



"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" 2 Corinthians 4:18

Friday, November 11, 2011

Naked Parties in the Sandbox

Last night was a night to remember. We took a trip back to childhood. A night filled with tent-making & shadow puppets. It wasn't until midnight when our 'second winds' kicked in. Several of us were aimlessly walking around the apartment searching for something to do. Light bulb turned on...one word... FORT. We gathered all the blankets and compiled our ideas. The ending product=EPIC! It was pitch black, blankets engulfing you, when suddenly one of my roommates, Jaimie, whipped out a flash light out of no where. I'm not quite sure where or how that flash light got there, let's call it perfect timing. We spent the next hour creating new types of shadow puppets. Some of the animals names were smortney, smailey, and smasey. We had quite the compilation of animals; raptors, snails, caterpillars, seas horses, dogs, frogs, and we can't forget the dancing lady.

I sat in class this morning trying to pay attention, but my mind shifted to my funnier things. All the little moments that happened between my siblings and I when I was younger. I had to be careful though, several times I almost let out a laugh in class. From ages 3 to 8ish, I remember one very important memory. Naked parties in the Sandbox. Go for it, just laugh. I can see it now... my sister, brother, and I all with soggy water logged diapers building a city in the sandbox. My dad is a great craftsman, he can build practically anything. He built us this epic fort, with a monster sandbox. During the summer we'd be in and out of that thing all day long. Always tracking sand into the kitchen and all over the tarnation. This monster sandbox would serve as all sorts of things... the ocean, hot lava, a bed, and even an ant colony. We'd take the hose, turn it on full throttle, and fill the sand box with water. It created this wonderful brown sandy watery concoction. Perfect for summer fun. As we all ran to the sandbox on those hot summer days, the only thing we left on, was the diaper. Eventually, once those got water logged enough, they made their way off our butts and onto the yard.

On rainy days, we were left with little to do. My sister & I were obsessed with dogs. Clearly the best thing for us to do on those rainy days was to play dog school. Nearly every day we played this game, we fought over dog names. We always wanted the same name, Lady. We thought the dog Lady from Lady & the Tramp, was "soooooo pretttty." We wanted to be just like her. Now that I look back on it, that's a bit strange. Considering we are humans, and we wanted to be like a dog. It's so funny how our little minds worked! My sister would play the dog student & I'd be the dog teacher. I even remember sometimes having my sister do things for me, since I was the teacher dog I was in charge. This worked to my advantage! ha... She'd have to go get me lemonade or craft supplies. Sometimes I would even walk her around on a leash. I can only imagine how much of a kick my mother got out of us. I still don't know why she agreed to that? I wish we had it on video! We had so much fun.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Rockin' Roll Mamma

Look at this lady, isn't she cute? It's her BIRTHDAY!



A couple hours ago I was sitting in my usual Tues/Thurs class listening to my teacher stumble through computer jargon. Bored, I took a gander at the floor. Yes, I know this is a very strange thing to do when you're bored, but today it was the first thing that came to mind. On the floor sat a penny, genuine 1982 copper. I bent down, picked it up and examined it. From there I decided it was going to be my lucky penny. It's quite silly to believe that you get luck from a penny, but you never know right? I'm a lucky girl, especially today. You see, today is the day of my mother's birth. Yup, that's right people she turns 25 today. :)

My Mom & I have had quite a few moments. Some recently, some years ago, and some just outright hilarious. Like the time when our family was at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, I was in about 7th grade. (I think?) Hot & anxious, considering it was a bazillion degrees outside and we'd already been there for several hours, we decided to hit up the closest food booth. As we sat on the patio, sipping our ice cold drinks, the unthinkable happened. Who did it happen to? My Mom. The friendly pigeon, flying above, left a little present on my Mom's forehead. We all giggled as the doo-doo ran down her face, almost touching the corners of her mouth.

Or the time this past weekend, we were being 'spontaneous' (right mom? :) Snatched up Matt & Cait and hit the road on an adventure. Menard's was our destination. Out on a search to compile the best set of colors for the re-painting of our basement. We ran in, grabbed a bunch of colors. Then ran out through the Exit doors. I rode shotgun, the paint chips were on the dash ahead of me. Mom went flying around a curve, and the paint chips flew all over my lap. My mom laughed so hard, not a giggle, not a chuckle, but a full-throttle from the pit of her stomach laugh. When it happened the second time, she laughed even harder.

And how could I forget, the time in Maui. Let's just say malfunction while snorkeling. Mom when you read this, I'm sure you'll laugh once more. I'll spare the details, it's our own secret. :)

These are the moments i'll never forget. Your such an inspiration, Mom. Seriously. You don't even know. I'm so glad you've taught me 'your ways,' and made it fun along the way. I can't wait to make so many more memories with you. For now, *kiss kiss face*

xoxo court

Thursday, November 3, 2011

On my mind...

Today is just one of those days. It's takes all my being not to curl up with a good book or pinterest.com with a cup of chai tea at hand.

Then I ask myself, why not?

This world revolves around 'getting things done.' Nearly all of us, daily, are working to cross things off 'our list' for the day. Hustling and bustling around, almost forgetting what this day is all about. Today consists of 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, or 86,400 seconds. Over the course of a year there are 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, or 31,536,000 seconds. It's quite possible that a majority of those hours, minutes, and seconds are circling around our need to 'make progress'.

Why is it that at the end of a day that we have taken time to relax, we feel unaccomplished? Frustrated at our selves because of our lack of 'progress.'

Today, only 86,400 seconds of the 31,536,000 seconds in a year are going to occur. So, put down your check list for a while. I know, I know... your thinking "I don't have time to sit, I need to get things done." But I'm telling you, you do. Take advantage of time. Come up for a breath of fresh air, smell the flowers, smell the rain, make some coffee, do something for yourself...
-court