Sisters in Zion & Armies of Helaman

This is my brothers mission in Romania! Jeff is the 3rd from the left, on the top row. (he looks a little tired, but he looks good) I am so grateful that he has a mission president and wife that have an active blog!! Don't they sound fantastic? I think they sound sooo good, and I was in tears through the entire thing. Possibly because I love to see my brother, or maybe it was the sweet spirit they brought through this song. I love you Elder Suppes!

Kind reminder...

5321, those were the numbers I have come to memorize as I pull into their trailer community each and every Wednesday night. I drive through and pull up to the cute trailer and sit and wait. I cant go in because Kylyn gets embarrassed that she sleeps on the front room floor, so I sit and wait. I have gotten to know the mother from teaching her in Gospel Essentials, and now that I am back in Young Woman (YAY!!) I am getting to know her daughter too. I love these two women and I am grateful for their example. Here is why...

I pulled up to their house and they had Christmas lights on their front porch. This was new from last week, so I got excited to talk to them about their Christmas traditions on the ride over to the church. As they snuggled into the warm car, I complimented their lights and asked when they had put them up. They had done it that morning. Kylyn was beaming!! She went on to explain that this was their first Christmas season in a home. Ramona (Kylyn's Mom) had been a truck driver and they typically were on the road. Since the accident, they had settled into their very first home this year. Romona is now not able to work, and due to a heart complication from the accident she can never be left alone. So sweet Kylyn volunteered to stay home from school and watch her Mom everyday. She is one of the smartest and most tender girls I have ever met. I asked if they had put up a tree yet, you know this being their first Christmas in a home. Just as I said it Romona started shaking her head, I could tell instantly I had said something I shouldn't have. Kylyn looked down and got teary eyed. Romona explained that she didn't have the funds to buy a tree. They were grateful to their neighbors for giving them their leftover lights this year.

Kylyn through her damp eyes said "I love this time of year. Everyone is so nice, so kind, and they are much more receptive to hearing the gospel from me this time of year." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She went on to explain that she goes through her community each and everyday this time of year to preach the gospel to her neighbors. She may not have a tree, but she has the true meaning of Christmas. I was in tears and I couldn't say anything. Kylyn said "Mom, I have never had a tree before, maybe we could get one just this year?" Romona now teary eyed said "Sorry Kylyn but its not in our cards this year. Lets appreciate and enjoy our lights."

I dropped them off at the church and pretended I had an errand to run before mutual started. I couldn't believe the lesson I had just learned from this precious 12 year old girl and her newly converted mother. I have always had a tree, haven't you? I have always had lights, haven't you? I have always had decorations and a BIG Christmas dinner, haven't you? I have never gone door to door to preach the gospel to my neighbors, have you?

This darling ritual of picking these ladies up for Wednesday night activities has changed me. We always hear and are taught the true meaning of Christmas, but it wasn't until last night that I really got it. Thank you Ryder family!


*Names and numbers have been changed for privacy purposes**

Why do I open my windows??

So I can hear as our roosters learn to crow!!!

Its so cute, Brigham and Parley will take turns crowing for hours. I love living here!

I guess its that time of year....

Seriously, we found this the other day while driving along some back roads...

Aww...

Please all you photographers out there don't cringe at this picture. Try to look past the grainy or whatever it is that is off in this pic. I know it didn't come out the best, but I love the expression on Todd's face!!

I was going through our wedding pictures and found this one. I had never seen it before, and I am in love with it. I wish it had come out more clear, or I knew of a way to make it more clear.

If only I could see this face on him everyday!!

Poor Lulu...

Lulu has had a rough go of it lately. If you go outside you will see her moping around, and just lying there. Its sooo sad. Instead of coming to greet you she will look in your direction, and then go back to sleep. Why so sad you ask...

It all started Sunday. On our way home from church we saw Lulu and the coyote playing, but of course Mr Coyote ran before we could get in the house and get the gun. A little later I had woke up from our "Sunday nap" and I look outside and realize Lulu was no where to be found. Lately this means only one thing....Mr Coyote!! I yell to Todd and ask if he would be willing to shoot on Sunday. He says "yeah yeah, but I wont get him anyway. He is being protected by Heaven." (haha, he thinks the reason he has missed the coyote three times is because someone 'up there' wants to save the coyote) About 30 minutes pass, and here Miss Lulu comes followed by Mr. Coyote. I yell to Todd and he jumps up, runs to the gun, and heads outside. Mr. Coyote sees him, but casually runs off (I guess he too knows there is no need to book it because obviously the Heavens are watching out for him). I dont even get out a chance to make it outside when I hear BOOM. Todd yells for the smaller gun and says "I got him". He runs over to where poor Mr Coyote is trying to get away, but cant because he has a broken back. Todd shoots him once more and it is over. Mr. Coyote is expired!

Now, you would think I would be kind and keep Lulu and Kaylee away from this poor scene....no for some reason I dont. I let them come over and Lulu just looses it. She runs away and lies down, the poor thing is traumatized. Who knew dogs would understand what is going on. All she can do is watch from a distance as we dispose of the body. So sad.

After that she wouldn't come anywhere near us. We noticed she was limping but she wouldn't let us check it out. Finally, three hours later Todd can get close enough to see she has split her paw wide open. We dump yarrow oil on it,and hope for the best. Now she is keeping her distance from us not only because she is scared of Todd, but now she is hurting because of her deep cut. Later that night she lets me cuddle her and I notice a HUGE HUGE HUGE dog tick on her face. I pull it out, but accidentally snapped the body off while leaving the head in. So now I am digging at her face with sharp tweezers trying to get a tick head out of her face, she has a cut open paw, and her very best friend has been murdered. Sunday was not a good day for Lulu.

Where is she now on this Tuesday morning, is she over her sadness, has she dealt with the loss, has her paw healed, has she had any other encounters with ticks....

She still watches for Mr. Coyote to come out from the fields to play, her cut is sealing up nicely, and she has had 3 other ticks that I have had to remove. With all of that said though, I think she is going to be ok!!

**Killing the coyote was really really hard. I think if we all had to kill for our meat, we would all be a little less inclined to eat as much meat as we do. Sad.**

This man of mine....

Todd and I have a different relationship than other couples we know. We bicker, we argue, we tease, we laugh hard, we can sit in silence for long periods of time together, we LOVE to make other people uncomfortable, but most of all we love big time. Todd travels with his work, and always has. We have been married almost six years, but it feels like we have only spent 2 together. (I know that is exaggerated, but that's how it feels)

We don't have kids so when we are at home we have zero distractions. People will ask if we go on dates, or have family movie night, or FHE, or whatever it is normal couples do. But truth be told that is our every night. I get Todd to myself all the time. That can be a good thing, and other times it can be overwhelming.

The reason for this post is a simple one, he has been gone for a week and I am feeling it, he is feeling it, and we just need to be back together. Life for us isn't meant to be apart. I can handle two maybe three days away, but anymore than that and it gets to be too much. This man is my other half, he makes me a better person, and he makes my life better every single day. This week has been a tough one on us, and I am ready for it to be tomorrow. Tomorrow he comes home, tomorrow I dont have to crawl into an empty bed, tomorrow I get to drive him crazy by smothering him with my love. If I could fast forward any day, it would be today.

I love you Todd and I can not, I repeat, I can not wait for you to be home!! I love you

My cute brother Dallin

A few weekends ago we had a short visit from the NC family. Dallin got to spend the weekend with us, and we had a blast. (Or at least I did, Im not sure about Dallin but I think he had fun)

I wish we had taken more pictures but the only one I snapped was Dallin driving the tractor. He was so excited for this, and couldn't wait to get out there and drive. I was a little nervous, because I myself am not too fond of driving the thing, but he picked it up and had a blast!!




We are excited to have the family come back and hopefully we will get to see them soon!! Love you guys

Brigham, Parley, and the 10 wives

Completely sacrilegious I know, but these are the names of our 2 roosters and 10 hens. I am not naming the hens because they will eventually be meat that I eat, so I don't want to get attached to them. We picked them up last Friday and have had such a fun time getting to know our newest friends.

Here is Brigham. He is an adorable 16 week old Cochin Rooster. We are anxiously waiting for his crow to come in, but he is just such a sweet fella.


This is Parley. I can not for the life of me remember what breed he is, but I fell in love with him the minute I saw him. He is a little temperamental, but that just adds to his personality. He is struggling a bit with the others hens at the moment. They do not like him, and will peck him when he gets close, but time will work itself out and hopefully they will all get along.


We are so excited to get the farm up and going, and are looking forward to our next addition. I am researching now and trying to decide between fainting goats or sheep. Only time will tell...

Watching the storm roll in...

Over the past few days sweet Nashville has had some pretty rocky storms. Up where we live now we rarely see anything, but yesterdays storms were a bit different. I was watching the news, and it was saying that in 5 minutes the storms would be right over my house. On the radar, they pulled up street names and BAM there was my street. They we weren't reporting any tornado sightings at this point, but funnel clouds and circulations were for sure there. Now where my house is, we are pretty well protected from any tornadoes,(were are up on a hill and our house is near the trees, so my pastures might be hit, but not the house). Within a few minutes the rain stops, the clouds roll in, and it turns pitch black at 1 in the afternoon. Todd is OF COURSE traveling, so I call him up and head out to the front porch. I watch as these funnel clouds come rolling and, and lo and behold I see rotations....

Here is the funnel cloud making its presence...


As it blows along, at 65 miles per hour, it is for sure rotating...


When it all of a sudden drops down. I couldn't see, because of my gorgeous yellow trees, if it touched the ground. However, I saw plainly that it dropped pretty far down...

It was a pretty exciting day. The dogs, cat, and chickens were pretty huffy about it. Its strange though, there can be terrible storms and nasty winds all around, but when the actual tornado comes rolling in, it almost stops. It clams down, and then it goes dark. Very creepy and very unnerving. I am grateful now more than ever, that we bought a home in the trees and up on a hill. It makes for great weather watching!!

Check it out...

Step one of operation chickens on the Cottle farm complete. All we need now is a fence around the pen (this weekends project), and chickens. Our little farm is finally turning into a farm!! Yay!!

Doctrine of Salvation...

I recently started reading Doctrine of Salvation, Volume 1, by Joseph Fielding Smith. I have been reading for maybe 3 weeks and I am only on page 89, that tells you how in depth this book is. I have been awakened and strengthened in my testimony since starting this book. The simple truths of the gospel are expounded upon, and talked about in such detail, that my spirit literally gets giddy when I pick it up. I remember while Todd was reading this series he would lean over and quote me things here and there, and the look on his face made me smile. I honestly suggest this series to everyone. You truly will be strengthened as you read the words of this amazing prophet.

One thing I read this morning made me stop and think, I can not move pass this passage until I share it with everyone I love. So hold on here we go....

"It is my opinion that the great stars that we see, including our sun, are celestial worlds; at least worlds that have passed on to their exaltation or other final resurrected status. This is in conflict, of course, with the teachings of scientific men, who declare that the sun is losing its energy and gradually cooling off and will eventually be a dead world. I do not believe the Lord has any such thing in his plan. The Lord lives in "everlasting burnings" we are informed. President Brigham Young has said that this earth when it is celestialized will shine like the sun, and why not?"

When I read this I took a deep breath and realized something...since moving out to the country Todd and I have a gorgeous view of the stars at night. There are no other house lights dimming the sky, there are no street lights in view, all you can see are the gorgeous stars and moon. When I sit out on our porch at night I feel at peace, I feel so clam and relaxed, I feel like somehow I am closer to my Father in Heaven along with my brothers and sisters up there waiting for me. Now I can only see why. Those great stars I am looking at are celestial worlds, how can I not feel strengthened?

Are you serious??

That is the response I get just about everytime I tell this story, so before I get started I want to just say..Yes I am very serious. And just as a teaser, here is what has been on my kitchen table every day for a couple weeks now..

It all started a few weeks ago. I noticed this black looking dog hanging around our house, but it never seemed to stay around for very long. That was until one Sunday morning. I was up early making something when I noticed Lulu down the driveway a bit. She was herding this black dog and not letting him leave. You see that is a trait of Australian Shepards, and one of the reasons we got her. She was circling this thing and not letting it leave. Well, I ran to the shower and told Todd to get out now and come and look at this. We both watch as Lulu plays with this dog, but then eventually leaves him alone when we call her in.

It wasn't a few days later when we see the black thing making "S" shapes up through our pasture towards Lulu. When she sees Mr. mysterious black dog she just gets as giddy as a school girl on a first date. She will wag her tail and run right up to him and want to play. After that encounter Todd began becoming suspicious. "This thing doesn't walk like a dog, it dogs really look like a dog, and it only comes out at dusk and dawn." He then says, "I think its a coyote". I immediately freak out and run to the computer to do some research. And this is what I see under the Bing search "TN Black Coyote"...

Boing this is it!! We have a coyote roaming around our pastures, and our precious Lulu has become best friends with the thing! Super scary business... As a result we have been on coyote stake out every morning and evening since. Todd has shot at it twice, and hit it once, but unfortunately he shot it with .22 and only injured the thing. (No worries we uped the gun and now mean business) Two days after that we see Mr. Coyote playing with Lulu again, and he was only barely limping. After a brief siting with Lulu this morning here is Todd taking it up a notch...

Can you see him? He is on the far right in the trees waiting for the Coyote and Lulu to part ways for the day. It weird they have a routine, we see them meet up, and then they will take off for a while, and then right around 7:30 or 8 Lulu comes back for breakfast, and Mr. Coyote is gone again.

Here is a pic I took of Todd not 1 hour ago...

He spotted Mr. Coyote running into a pasture next door and he is just waiting for the perfect shot.

So, as you can see life on the farm has is adventures. We love every second of it though...Ohhhh I just heard the gun fired. I had better run off and see if he got the bugger this time!!! I promise to keep you posted!!

Through our eyes...

Here are some pictures of what we have been up to these days. I apologize to all your professional photographers. The majority of the pics were taken with my phone, and something is always moving or dusk just happens to fall when I want to take a picture.


Lulu sniffing out the hay recently rolled in our pastures...


Todd loving the good life...


Jasper, the newest addition to the family. He takes me to the temple and soon to school. That's right, I applied to college!!! He saves us money on gas, so we love him!!


What we see just about every time we look outside. Kaylee and Lulu loving the outdoors!


This one is kinda tough to see. We have twin baby deer that live in our pasture and they come up pretty close to the house to graze. Its seem however that they are growing accustomed to us too. They will let us walk up to them, and watch them play or sleep. This time I was walking by and didn't want to stand and point something at them, so I ducked behind some trees and tried to zoom in with my phone, hence the poor quality. Well that and it was dusk!!

So as you can see, through our eyes life is pretty darn good. We are lucky to live where we do!! Thank goodness for the chance we had to move back to TN, and re-adjust. We have slowed down again and feel more like ourselves!!

Best Calling EVER...

Within the last couple of months I have been called, set apart, and a working Nashville TN temple ordinance worker. It has been the best calling a girl could ask for. I absolutely love every second of it. I work every other Thursday night, and I try to pick up extra shifts when they need help. It has been a true testimony builder. I have always loved going to the temple, but it is a completely different experience working there. I look forward to continued challenges and learning experiences!

Baking Soda Wonder...

About a year ago I was at Sam's Club and made a purchase I, until recently, am still wondering about. Now, when I walk into Sam's or Costco something strange happens to me. I see things in big sizes and think I all of a sudden need everything! Well, sadly that happened to me once again this specific day. I was walking through and saw 12 lb bags of baking soda, and I grabbed 4. I have no idea what I was thinking or thought, however I have since been paying the price. These bags have been sitting in my basement mocking me and laughing at me. They knew I would have zero need for 48 lbs of baking soda. Well, after the skunk incident I have realized baking soda does wonders in the laundry. I'm not kidding, it cleans whites better and softer than bleach, it cleans my colors without fading the bright colors,it removes odors (like skunk) like nobody's business, and it just cleans so well. So, I guess what I am saying with the post is...if you happen to have 48 lbs of baking soda, and you are not sure what to do with it, start cleaning!!

**It also does great on carpets. Just sprinkle it on and let it sit for a few minutes, then vacuum it up and presto...its like you just had them cleaned!!**

Love living in TN

Todd and I went to the county fair last night, and had a good time. Here are few of the highlights!!

Good ole Tractor pull

And of course a good time Demolition Derby!!

Hmmm...

I'm not a fancy girl, in fact I'm not even a girlie girl. But when these are the pair of shoes that are most often worn by me, should I be re-thinking something here??

Down My Driveway

I see....

Don't let the cute baby one fool you. This horse, only a few moments after this was taken, started running toward me. It was petrifying!! I think I might have peed my pants while running, yelling for help, and trying to stop this monstrosity from coming at me. Seriously, yet another reason I cant stand horses. They look cute but their true colors show when its only me and them around.

4th Weekend in Piney Flatts

We had a wonderful 4th weekend in Piney Flatts, TN. Our good friends, Gail and Dan, invited us to spend the weekend with them at their place. They live right on the lake, and always have something fun going on!!


We went on a boat ride


And we went fishing!! We all caught a little something. Here is Todd with one of his many Blue Gill catches!!

Here I am with a HUGE catfish!! It was so heavy that Todd had to help me pull the sucker in.


And finally my handsome and good looking Todd!!

We had a great time! Thanks guys!!

The View from my front porch!

Aren't Saturdays the best?!!

Meet LuLu

We could not love our new little addition to our family more!! We got an Australian Sheppard puppy yesterday, and we are loving her!! She follows Kaylee around like nobody's business, and just adores her. Kaylee is still getting used to having someone around, but is adjusting nicely. Its hilarious, Australian Sheppard's are herders, and great farm dogs. So, while we are sitting on the porch relaxing, Kaylee will run off to sniff something, an LuLu will follow her to try to rain her in. Kaylee isn't too fond of it yet, but I am hoping she will get used to it soon. Many more pictures to come! Keep posted!!




See her trying to find Kaylee

I know

I know...this is probably morbid and sad to most. But,(are you allowed to start sentences with but?)I feel like this is post worthy! Kaylee had her first kill today!!

Nauvoo 2010

Todd and I were lucky enough to meet his family in Nauvoo, and spend a few days with them there. I went when I was a kid, but this was Todd and his families first time there. It was soooo much fun!! We saw everything (busy 2 days), and we even got to go to a session in the new temple!

I loved every second of it, and I cant wait for my next trip there. Honestly, if you haven't ever been....GO!! It is one of the most inspiring and uplifting trips you can go on. Kids love it, teens love it, and adults cant get enough!! Its the best place on earth!! Here are a few pics of our journey!!


Todd and his sisters (Lauren and Amanda) in front of Lucy Mac Smiths Home.


The family in front of Joseph's Red brick store. On the top level is where the Relief Society was founded!!


The family in front of Carthage Jail




Getting ready to go on an Oxen ride!


Todd and Hayden walking


Christian and Hayden looking out the window the prophet fell from


Seriously?? Todd and Amanda!!

One of the most rewarding and exciting parts of the trip for me was the Browning and Webb homes. These are both my family, and I feel so blessed to have had the chance to go in and learn a little more about them. The Webb's were blacksmiths and were asked to stay behind for a while to build wagons for the pioneers. The Browning's were Gunsmiths, and were also asked to stay behind. The spirit that I felt in these homes were undeniable!! I am so proud of family, and my heritage.



It was a great trip!! We miss these guys already!!