Pondville Baptist Fall Fun

The afternoon started off with Sawyer (with the help of Mr. Leroy) taking a look around.

Look at Jenna Leigh!

And Bella Kate

Carys Jo



A First Family Hayride!

Jenna And Daddy on her first Hayride

Summer and Bella

Justin and Sawyer

Megan and Lesley

"THE BOYS"

The Grand Ole Pumpkin Patch

The kids LOVED the Pumpkin Patch.

This is what happens when you ask Carys to "lean" on the pumpkins!

Our Family! Good look getting all of us to look the same way at the same time!


The pony rides were a hit!




Um...can you say Happy Cowboy! You can tell his love for horses has not gone away!



Hay Jumping! Who knew all I needed to get them was some bales of hay!

Brooke and Carys on the HayRide.

Justin and Sawyer taking a breather from all the FUN!

Bibb County Homecomming

Okay, although I have posted a million times, I still forget to put the pics up in the right order...Oh well, here goes...

Here is the MIGHTY Choctaw defense lined up against Greensboro. #84 is my student Ryan Martin. He caught TWO interceptions in the FIRST HALF! Way to Go!!

Here is Carys and Justin. It was Justin's 10 year class reunion (Class of 98)

Justin on the field with his class during the Pre-game Show.



Justin and his classmates during the parade. IN THE RAIN!

More Parade.

Justin and Brooke before the game.

I Love Fall

I really do! Everything from the weather (which is fabulous) to the clothes and the food...everything FALL is great!

This is our Fall Display. We need more pumpkins, but we are hoping to go to the pumpkin patch before the season is over.

Here is Sawyer with Mr. Fluff. He is the BEST cat in the world. He puts up with my kids!

Beau...the "one-eye" wonder!


Introducing...F2...He is Mr. Fluff's brother. He is like a clone so we named him F2!

Carys Jo in her flamingo dress. Look at that Hair Grow!

I can't comprehend why she was squinting on the cloudiest day of the year but, it was still cute!

The Saw-Man

Here he is... 2 Years & Seven Months Old

I love Sawyer so much. He has that smile, the one that melts me everytime I see it! I am going to have to work on that before he gets older and learns how to USE it! (I think he already gets the concept!)

Introducing...

The Whiny Sawyer! If you know Sawyer, you know this look! His smile turns to tears if things don't work out. I still LOVE him!

His new favorite movie is Snow White. I cannot believe he likes it so much! He likes it when the Prince Kisses Snow White at the end. That Figures!!

Okay, this is serious! This is the look he gives when he is "thinking!" Who knows what can happen after he THINKS!



Son, you are so big, brave, and wonderful! God blessed us with you and for that we are eternally greatful! You make each day adventrous (to say the least)! I promise to always love and help you. I would love to say I would always protect you, but as we know, I cannot protect you from things God plans. But, I will ALWAYS love you! ~Mommy~

Some people say if they had their second child first they would have NO more!

I say, if I had Sawyer first...I would have ten more :)

The Celabration

Carys Jo Cottingham was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor (stage IV) on October 12, 2007.

On October 11, 2008 we Celabrated! The Celabration was in honor of her Fight and her Victory!

This is Carys with all of her grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparent present at the party.

This is Carys with all of her friends! Thank you all so much for helping us celabrate!

This is Sawyer with his face painted. They all had so much fun!


Carys had her face painted like a CAT! What a beautiful cat she was!



Carys' Grammy awarded her a Badge of Courage for her bravery this past year. It is just like the one the Wizard gave the Cowardly Lion in "The Wizard of Oz"

Carys the CAT and her Pop!

I decorated the Cake Table with pictures of Carys throughout her journey. This is a shot of her in late January 2008; about 2 weeks after surgery.



This is one of Carys' cakes. Yes, me and my mother made them. I tried the Cancer Ribbon about 3 times before getting it right.


And the poka-dots!


We had a great time working with the fondant icing. It was a job! I think they turned out nice. Just call in your cake orders! LOL!

Waiting Patiently

I know they say the best things in life are worth waiting for. This past year has driven that lesson home. I wish there was I way I could take the families who are hurting, fighting, surviving through the stormy times and show them a glimpse ahead to the future. But, I am painfully aware that is impossible because that would take away the need for faith. All I can offer is prayer; and that is the most precious gift any of us could give them. I came across this Psalm when preparing for my Sunday School lesson last week. It was about King Saul and his refusal to act according to God's time table. I understand that I read this from "victory lane" of Carys race, but I hope it offers hope for all who need to "wait" on HIM to move.

Psalms 40

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.

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.
7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."

9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me.

16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!"
17 Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.