Schedule

First, I want to make very clear that this is NOT a complaint post! In fact, I am so pumped for the next two weeks and I welcome all of the action. This time of year, in my opinion, is about celebrating and sharing. The birth of my Savior is no small event, therefore, every thing I do in this season should be done to the best of my ability and with lots of JOY! After all, He is the giver of my JOY and gave His absolute best for me:)

This Week:

Monday Night: work at church on gathering supplies for Sunday School Gathering

Tuesday Night: possibly go shopping. JC is working killer hours as they are very busy (wonder if they are making wrapping paper from all those chips??) so everything is hit or miss as far as whether or not we get to go. I did some on-line shopping at lunch, but there are a few things I just need to pick up at the store.

Wednesday Night: Church, choir practice and then have the men help me move tables and such for the Sunday School Gathering. I am going to use the after-school hours to buy and organize the fixings for the SS Gathering:)

Thursday Night: The kids have their Christmas program at school at 6:30. I am praying with all my might that Justin does not miss it due to work. But, I guess that is what video cameras are for! Probably some late-night decorating for the SS party

Friday Night: After School, drop kids off and head to church to get everything in order for the SS Gathering. Run home, take shower, back to church to play hostess! Yeppie:) I am SOOOO Excited about this party. I want us to have the BEST time of the year!

WhooooHoooo! What a week. And I will do the whole thing praising God for His indescribable gift! My Savior is Born!!

Mary and her Donkey...

I cannot believe that I am saying this, but PLEASE do not tell Sawyer that the donkey from the nativity scene in not ACTUALLY mentioned in scripture. I mean, it would break his little heart as he did not see himself as an invented part of the story, but a definite main character! I am praying that he can use the costume again at Easter when the donkey was most assuredly part of the story. We have an awesome Easter book that ties the donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to the donkey that "supposedly" carried Mary into Jerusalem; it is an awesome story!

A big thanks is in order! Mrs. Jenny, with the wonderful help of her co-director (and child actor wrangler!) Carla, put together an all-star cast for our annual reading of the Christmas story. It was of special importance to me this year that my kids are reminded that this is NOT just a STORY, but real historical events that took place.

"The Whole Crew"

The Kings from the East

The sheep who came with the shepherds.

They did an awesome job!

Another glimpse at the Royal Family

Then, during fellowship we had a special guest appearance. From Elvis! He did a very special rendition of "Blue Christmas" Justin Tidwell did an awesome job, but I was looking for the jumpsuit!!?? Oh yes and those are his body guards in the background!

Un Venting...

I should have KNOW better than to complain. I must officially Un-Vent because as it turns out, I do NOT have to move my office! Praise God...

Next time I will try harder to...

Philippians 2:14
Do everything without complaining or arguing!!

VENT!!!

I rarely use my blog to vent, HOWEVER...

I just found out that I have to move my office to a new location! Because of new construction, they need my room so therefore I have to FIND a new spot, CLEAN it up, and MOVE my stuff!!!

Lord, grant me patience and one day an office in the "new construction!"

In a nutshell...

This photo says so much to me about my little man. If you know him, you know it is so like him!

SEC Fanfare 2009

Here are a FEW pics from this weekend. WI did not take my big camera with me - wish I had-so all of these are with my phone so ignore the quality. Next time I get a phone, I will pay more attention to the camera. I gotta have my pics!

Justin and Nathan with the Chick-fil-A Cow

Yes, these two ladies are my first cousins. I do not know what happened to make them like this team, but I love them as they are! ~Savannah and Brooke~

The Cottingham Family Tree 2009 Edition

So the day after Thanksgiving we have a family tradition.
FIND A CHRISTMAS TREE!

We are so blessed to live in the "woods" and have access to areas where cedar trees grow. We stopped along the way to admire some long-leaf pine cones. They were beautiful.

I thought I agreed that each kid could bring ONE pine cone home! But they picked up a bunch! its okay because I decided to put them in a nice basket and use them as decor under the tree. At least until we have gifts!

Justin and the kids in the truck.

We found it!! Its coming down!

Its in the truck!

TaDa! You have to remember that you cannot decorate a from-the-woods cedar like you can a bought tree. But the whole process is so great for the kids and for us to experience. And it is great knowing that this tree is straight from nature, another of many gifts from God!

**note to any tree searchers - a) finding a tree that is the right shape, size, and on land that belongs to you (or someone from whom you have permission to cut) is a challange! That is part of the fun. You WILL see about 50 great trees that you can't cut before you find THE ONE! and 2) trees ALWAYS look smaller from the road or through the woods that when you are standing right next to them! Think National Lampoons Christmas tree!!

In Retrospect...

Thanksgiving was a great day. It just makes me so excited for the upcoming Christmas holiday and break. More time with the family is the BEST!

Here, Justin shows off his first Carrot Cake. It was delicious!

Carys and Sawyer with "Their" Ashton

Me and JC. Awww, how sweet!

This picture sums up Carys. Just taking it easy, looking at the world from upside down :) Ah, to be a kid again!

Big Girl for Sure!

Okay, I know this is kinda a gross picture (I took it with my phone) But we have big news at the Cottingham Home!

Carys is a baby no more!

She woke up this morning and said that her tooth felt like it was going to fall out. I was sceptical at first, but sure enough, she has her FIRST loose tooth :)

Of course I will let you all know when she does loose it.

Anybody know what the Tooth Fairy brings these days. Please tell me it is still a dollar or something :)