Yay!!

Today is a Big Day on the Cottle farm!! We got our very first ....wait for it....egg!!
We have been waiting for quite some time and it finally came. We arent sure which hen is responsible, but I think it might be this beauty!!
Yay for our very first egg!!

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.**