The Levee Family

I realized that I have not blogged about the part time job that God dropped into my lap a few weeks ago. I had been planning to return to the classroom this school year by being a substitute teacher at my boys elementary school. I was ready for a little more involvement in their school and for some adult conversation, you moms know what I mean! I had just gone through all the trouble to locate my 5 professional references from when I taught science back in The Woodlands and send in my application when I got a call from a friend. Apparently a girl from our church had been trying to call me and I had not gotten the messages (she was calling my old number). So I called the girl and listened as she describe how their science teacher had moved and they were in need of a teacher for the 5th and 6th grade science classes. Being that a couple of people from the school knew me and that the directors had been praying for God to bring them a teacher - I had a job if I wanted it - school started in 2 weeks! Wow, God sure works even when we aren't expecting it! So I took the job and started working on the curriculum. I am teaching the Apologia curriculum and we incorporate a lot of Charlotte Mason ideas and the classical education model into this school. This particular school is a University Model School. The students can register for classes just like college (at least the 5th grade and above can - grammar school has to go all day). At this point the older students (school of logic) meets Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. The teacher will develop a lesson plan that the parent will follow on the days at home (Wednesday and Friday). This is a great set up for parents to have more involvement in their child's education without having to do all the planning and curriculum choosing of homeschooling. So off I go on this journey of being a part time science teacher. Ryan will be at pre-school while I'm working on Mondays and at a friends house for the other days. I'm only at the school 3 hours each of the days that I teach - what more could a girl ask for? So for all of you who were wondering about my new job - there you go! I'm loving it and have a great group of students. Six 5th graders and three 6th graders :-)

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Monday morning came early around here. We started off with blueberry muffins for the first day of school...don't worry - I don't 'cook' breakfast like that all the time on crazy school mornings - just for special occaions :-)
The boys put on their new shirts they got from their Nana and were ready to go. We had to pose for the usual 'first day of school pictures' before we left the house.



This is the first time to get them in a 'first day of school picture' together! Jackson started Kindergarten and Austin is in the 2nd grade.
Austin is in Ms. Mabry's class and has several friends from last year in his class.
Jackson is in Ms. Mobley's class for kindergarten. There are 5 kids from our church in his class! I don't think we could've even planned that if we had tried.
*the first day went well and they both had a great time...drop off on Tuesday though didn't go so well - Jackson started crying and didn't want to go. Please pray he'll have a great day so we won't have to go through the crying tomorrow!! I didn't expect that from him - he's been so excited and ready for school - he's not my crying kid either! I felt so bad.

The Cotten Family Reunion took place this past weekend at Brookhaven Retreat in Hawkins, TX. We had about 75 Cotten family members in attendance. I love the family that God allowed me to be a part of. We have such a rich Christian heritage and are blessed with a close family. Not everyone was able to attend, but it was nice to catch up with everyone who was. There are only 2 brothers left from the original 7 siblings. My grandfather, Hoot, and his brother C.J. We are so blessed to still have these great men living to share so much about their lives.
This is the Harvey Cotten branch of the family. In the middle are my grandparens, Hoot and MeeMee is what we call them. We are missing a few cousins from generation 3 but we still have quite a large branch on the family tree!
My boys and their first cousins being a little silly in the middle of trying to get some cuter pictures!

Jeremy turned 35! It's official - he's moved into his mid-30's...it won't be long until he's 40! You'll notice I don't post about my birthdays :-) The boys had fun painting this banner for him. Jeremy enjoyed coming home to see it hanging on the garage door.