Wednesday, December 17, 2008

BCJHS Pictures

This was the first picture I took. I always carry my camera with me, but in the shock of it all I forgot I had it . The sight of the flames and smoke so high in the sky was undescribeable.

They really put the water to this side (the left from the back view) in order to keep the fire from the view.



The view from the front after the roof caved in.


This is for Mrs. Jenny. This is the site of her former library.




Wednesday Morning.


Sad News for BCJHS

I am sure you have all heard by now that the old Bibb County Junior High School burned yesterday. I was really a sad time. Somber was the atmopshere among the student body here at BCHS. I heard on student say, "So many memories. My first kiss was at that school." Never mind there was to be no P.D.A. (public displays of affection) at school...

I have lots of pictures and I will post them soon. It is a total loss and what remains of the building will have to be torn down after the investigations.

Thankfully, the building was empty as the students moved to Centreville Middle this school year. There were a few offices located there, and they were able to evacuate quickly. The Alternative school and the technology directors were located in adajacent buildings and as far as I know, all of their equipment was safe.

I will post pictures later.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

SEC...15 Years and Counting!

In 1994 my Grandpa Mike started a great family tradition. He treated his 5 sons and sons-in law to a Christmas Present, a trip to the SEC Championship! And we have been EVERY year since then! Last year, the Cottinghams were unable to attend beacuse of Carys' battle. So, this year was well over-due and we have had a GREAT time. For me, Alabama's loss made the trip even sweeter! If Auburn cannot be here, the next best thing is seeing Alabama lose! Sorry all my UA friends. I LOVE you all but I had a BAD week last week after the Auburn loss to UA! Lots of "jokes" thrown my way!

A lot has changed in our family since 1994! There are now 6 more kids now! Also, I think it is bittersweet for all of us that my dad is not here to enjoy the party. He was afterall, the LIFE of the party!! But we know he would be proud of our family and the FUN that we have!

I want to say a BIG thanks to my Grandpa Mike and Grandma Pauline! We LOVE you both and have such a great time EVERY year on our Atlanta trip!

Here are the best of this years pics!

Every year we eat at Pappadeaux's Restraunt on Friday night. The food is divine! This is me and Carys waiting for our supper!

















Justin and I wating for our yummy meal!















Carys looking at the Lobster Tank at Pappadeax's


Sawyer and Cousin Dylan hang out at the hotel with my "nephew" Bruiser.




Brooke and Me on the Marta.

Brooke and Tasha take a break for a pic in front of the GA Dome.






Brooke in her Houndstooth! Better look now, you are not seeing this much Bama stuff EVER again!






Go Lori Go! Proof we will do ANYTHING for a Free T-shirt!







Former SEC Players!






















Okay, this is my CRAZY Brother and Sister! Chance and Tasha were VERY excited to see Bama in Atlanta. Sorry that you painted your faces for nothing!!!
Look on the bright side...I still LOVE YOU!!

I can HARDLY wait till next year!

Friday, December 5, 2008

O Christmas Tree

Okay, so remember a few weeks ago when I told you we went walking in the wood to look for a tree. Well, here it is! Justin brought it home Thanksgiving morning.
Remember, it came out of the woods and had NO trimming!










Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Thanksgiving in Black and White

Psalm 126:3
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!
This year we have SO much to be thankful for. Sawyer was so excited in this picture! This is how I feel every morning I wake up and realize that there are no doctor's visits today, this week ,and sometimes this month! God has blessed our faithfulness. I must stop and consider...If He can heal Carys as a result of our Prayers and perhaps a change in our hearts, what types of things is He WAITING to do for us in our everyday lives if we will just BELIEVE!

Look at her, you can see the JOY in her eyes. Many things about Carys changed as a result of chemo. Her once bright-blue eyes changed to dull grey. I am thankful that the shiny baby-blues have returned! That is a blessing any parent can appreciate!

Deuteronomy 11:7
But it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the LORD has done!

Thank You Lord!


Sawyer, my sweet son! He too has endured much during these times. We tried our best to keep things normal for him. But he spent a lot of time with friends and family (I thank God EACH day for all of you!) when we were at the hosptial with Carys. Through it all, he has been a pretty "big boy" as he likes to say. Now that we are all back home and in a more normal routine, he has stolen my heart! He is so loving and he melts my heart at least once per day!
Samuel 12:24
But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
Thank You Lord!


Then, there is Justin. I am sure he will be mad for me posting this picture. But I MUST thank God for the blessing of him as my husband. I think hard times either drive marriages appart, or make the bond closer. We have grown closer. We knew God ordained our love, even when others doubted! But now, it has been proven! He is the MOST loving father ever! He was there for Carys each step of the way, never forgeting Sawyer and me.
Thank You Lord!

Both Blessings!

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name!




Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart


Psalm 40
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Future Farmer, Or Something!

Sawyer loves the outdoors! The other night we were putting together a John Deere floor puzzle that Chance and Tasha gave Sawyer last year. Once it was complete, Sawyer stood back and said, "Momma, I sure wish I was that farmer." So Cute! He says that he is going to "farm" horses, cows, chickens, corn, and hay for the horses. Sounds like a plan to me, son!
This last weekend we went for a drive between church services. We have begun a new family tradition, Christmas Tree hunting! We went out in the woods looking for "the" tree. Sawyer LOVED it!



New Chickin' Pictures

Updated Chicken Photos

This picture is for Farrah Daniel. She gave me these chicks lovingly called Lucy and Ricky. I want her to see what good care I am taking of them. They are offically "My" Chicks.


Comming Soon!
Cottingham Chicken Cottage
Nice Appartments for Nesting and Laying!
Afforadable Rates!
On to the Babies...

They are so cute and growing SO fast.


Monday, November 17, 2008

New Additions!

Here are our newests additions to the Cottingham Clan!

This is my favorite! They send you a "bonus chick" and I think she is SO cute!



Our First Two Eggs!

The kids and I have been checking everyday for eggs from our Red Hen Neil. One day last weekm much to our supprise she had laid TWO eggs. Here is Farmer Sawyer with his prized eggs!



Wednesday, November 5, 2008

These Are The Days...

September 2007

December 2007

April 2008


June 2008


August 2008

September 2008

September 2008


Novemeber 1, 2008



These are the days that God uses to teach you the meaning of FAITH. We have a plaque at home that reads "Faith is not believeing God can, Its KNOWING He will!" That is our moto for now and always.

As Friday approaches and the reality of Carys' scans sinks in, I cannot help but look back over the past year. All of the things she has gone through, all of the changes life has brought.

If you have not noticed in the pictures, she is looking AMAZING these days. I look at her everyday and thank God for the blessing of knowing her. The blessing of being allowed to watch her and Sawyer change and grow is such a joy! Her hair is thicker every day. Her strength and physical apperance is so good. I cannot thank God enough for preservering her though all of this.


Please pray for us. I BELIEVE that God will so a might work through Carys. We will TRUST that His plan is PERFECT, whatever that means for the CT results! We have FAITH that He will sustain us and we will enter Friday with NO FEAR!

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 43:1 But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.