I've been thinking a lot lately...

about how DESPERATE I am to put another stamp in my passport and trust me if money wasn't an issue my passport would be full.

Someday I will have money. Someday I will see more of the world that was created for us. I think often about my short time living abroad and how much I miss it.

It's funny though because halfway into my trip in China I would go out and lay in the middle of the playground and look up at the night sky and see planes and imagine myself on them going back home. I missed home so bad. I missed my family, my friends, American food, warm showers and private bathroom stalls. After being home for awhile I realized how silly that was. My family will always be here, so will my friends.

America will always offer hamburgers and pizza.

My beautiful cousin Erin is currently living in Ecuador. She had only planned on staying there a short time, but after much consideration she decided to stay there longer. She emailed all of us recently telling us of her decision. She was told some great advice by a friend and the quote has stayed with me.

"There's too much to see right where we are to chase places we miss."

I wish someone would have shared this with me when I was living abroad.

Reunion.

Sarah, Melissa, Me, Harmony and Lindsey

The last time we all were together (we are missing our missionary, molly) was for Lindsey's Bachelorette Party....4 years ago!!

I have known these girls since we were like 10 or 11..maybe sooner?

They are apart of some of my favorite memories. These girls were with me when I went to my first church dance, these girls were the first ones I told when I had my first kiss, these girls are the ones I got in trouble with when our parents found out we played the "pass out" game, these girls were around when I fell in love for the first time and they were there for me when it ended. These girls were a huge part of my past, they continue to be apart of my present and will forever be apart of my future. I love these girls like sisters because they basically are.

3 husbands and 1 and a half babies later we still are the BEST of friends.

Was it just me...

or did it look as if this years LDS Christmas Devotional was a special Apostles edition of Jeopardy?

(I couldn't find a bigger picture)

"I'll take ' Book of Mormon Stories' for 500, Alex."

blasphemous? probably. funny though? yes.

Can't wait...

I go home for Christmas next Wednesday and I can't think of anything else.

A list of things I am sooo excited for... (in no particular order)

1. Just being home in general...such a great feeling.

2. Parents

3. My bed

4. Meg, Jack and Stella

5. Mom's cooking

6. warmer weather

7. Going for a T-swift drive with Keri

8. Seeing my HS best friends

9. Bunco Girls

10. singing while my dad plays the guitar

You're InVitEd!!!!!

...to my pity party.

Time: Now-Who know's

Place: Here

What to Bring: Advice

Sooo..I have been feeling a little down the last few days. Well, if I am being completely honest..probably a few weeks.

There are a lot of things I don't understand, but at the top of my list is BOYS.

I don't get them. It's like men are from Mars and we are from somewhere totally different or something...

The dating world is constantly changing. The do's the dont's. I can't keep up. So much competition out there. I feel like I need to take up juggling or something...juggling and breathing fire while jumping on one foot, cross-eyed. I need something that makes me stand out from the crowd because apparently being a good person, cute, fun, creative, funny and spiritual is not enough these days. What about a good cook? or someone who is good with children? oh wait..no..no..that doesn't help either.

I heard a quote once that I loved and I try to remind myself of it every once in awhile.

"Don't focus on finding the right person, focus on BEING the right person"

As much as I agree with that..it's easier said than done. We are created to want companionship..are we not? I am starting to think only girls were created that way. I feel like boys are getting a little lazy these days. If a boy wants to go on a date...he asks a girl out. I'm not saying that its easy for them. I understand they may get nervous and worry about getting rejected, BUT if a girl wants to go out she has to wait to be asked. I can put myself out there, be friendly, be flirty, focus on BEING the RIGHT person and it still doesn't guarantee me a date on Friday night. I don't mean to be a complainer..I guess I have just had a streak of bad luck with boys as of late and its left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Something that should go away with some frozen yogurt...

It's the most magical time of the year...

I love christmas.

Lucky for me I can still feel the magic when this wonderful season comes around.

Aleksi and I have been ITCHING to decorate our little house for the holidays.

So the second Thanksgiving was over we replaced our pumpkins and fall decor with garlands, candy canes and glittered christmas trees.

It's really important to Aleksi and I (since we are both far from home) that we make our house feel like a home.

I think we have done a fabulous job if I do say so myself. We love being there. It's so cozy and inviting.

Here is what we have been up to...

My Fa La La and Christmas tree corner. I love how it turned out. My Fa La La is backed with old music sheet paper and I hand wrote the letters with red paint and glittered them.

(Sorry the pic is a little small. I am having some problems uploading my pics.)

The candy filled dome came from Williams-Sonoma (candy from the dollar store). My Yarn Christmas tree: I created a cone shaped tree with red cardstock and wrapped and wrapped red yarn around the whole thing. Didn't take as long as you might think. Music Sheet tree: I'm sure you can figure that one out. Super easy.

I am especially proud of my garland. It looks legit. It looks like my mom would have done it..which is saying a lot. The picture does not do it justice really, but you can kinda get the idea.

Cranberry Tree: You need patience and TIME for this one, but its worth it. You need a styrofoam cone ( I found one at the dollar store) and I actually strung the cranberries on string and wrapped them around the cone. I had rhinestone straight pins and stuck some through some of the cranberries to help support and to add a little something more. Glittered Trees: I created two cone shaped trees painted one red and one green. While the paint was still wet I sprinkled with glitter. I love glitter. Book Christmas tree: I just cut 1 inch by 3 inch strips and glued them onto a paper cone starting from the bottom. I used a pencil to curl the tips up.

I found that watching The Polar Express while crafting really helps. :)

Merry Christmas!

blast from my chinese past..

Shawn was one of the guards at the school I taught at in China. We became bosom buddies. I would go visit him on a daily basis and he soon saw what apparently no american boys can see. Shawn would write me letters, tell me he loved me and he even bought me flowers one time. After I returned back to the states we did a pretty good job about keeping in touch for the first few months..then life happened and the emails stopped. It's been over 2 years since I last talked with him, but yesterday I opened up my inbox to a special little chinese treat.

Hi, cortney, i miss you. I have not keept in with you for about tow years. are you married? or you have boy friends? I do want to enbrace you again. Last year my parents introduce me a girl friend. we had kept in for about a year. at begins, we were crasy in love. but later we often were to quarrel about our future. last month we parted company. these days i am unhappy. say yours things.

yours, shawn