I love this little boy...

This was today's outfit. Just a day at home. And the backpack weighed at least 40 lbs., filled with evey action figure and Hot Wheels car within a 5 mile radius. He carried it around the house all day. If only I had gotten such a workout today.

And no outfit is complete without a Batman cape.

The Next Great American Band

OK...so, remember how fun it was to have one of our praise team members on American Idol? Well, fun and excrutiating at the same time. Remember how we all got together and rooted for her and prayed for her and spread the word to everyone to vote for her?

Well...

All I am saying is WATCH the new American Idol spinoff - THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND. Watch it. Please watch it. This Friday night, at 8pm eastern on Fox. If you aren't going to be home, record it. You just might see someone you know.

And at next week's show, you just might see a little blogger out in the audience (minus the Mandiva sign)...

Multi-Tasker

She's tenacious. And multi-talented.

Go Mountaineers

One thing that slipped by recently without me writing about it is the fact that my alma mater - well, ONE of my alma maters - Appalachian State University - beat powerhouse Michigan the first week of the college football season. For those of you who don't follow college football, this was a huge deal. So, this put Boone, NC (my hometown) on the map (ASU is in Boone). It has been fun times for all of us App State Mountaineers (our mascot. shut up).

Anyway, last week was the homecoming game. Not only did we get to go, but thanks to our friends Drew, Tricia, Tori and Tristan Derrick, and their awesome Grandpa, Dr. Derrick, we got to see the game from the sidelines. Were my kids excited? I have no idea, because I WAS IN THE CLOUDS. Pure, perfect joy it was. Here are some pics.




And this was our whole tailgate crew. Those are my sisters beside me - Kathy (in sunglasses) and Vickie (with blonde hair). My niece Casey is holding her 1-year old, Trathen. Kathy's boyfriend Jon is behind her in the back. My brother-in-law Lesley is in the back-middle. And our friends Drew and Tricia who scored us the sideline view are in the back right. Their cute daughters, Tori and Tristan, are in the front middle with my kids.

It was a top-10 day.

The Case Of The Missing Blogger

The case of the missing blogger has been solved!

I'm here! We are all alive and happy! Thanks so much for your patience. I can't believe you came back. You are the best blogger family ever. All is well in the Cottrell household. I just apparently turned my brain off for 2 or 3 weeks.

I haven't really been reading blogs or anything much, either. It has been a cray busy time of travel. And school, football and cheerleading has been in full gear. And, of course, the new TV season began. We aren't really big into evening TV. My only evening TV vices are American Idol (which isn't on until January), Survivor (which I am skipping this season), and The Office (which I watch and watch over and over again because I love it). The first episode of The Office this season was so funny that I about threw my back out.

Angela and I have started a new show this season: Chuck. It comes on on Monday nights. We love it. It has everything...it's stinkin' hilarious, suspenseful, full of action, and has a little love story going on, too. Perfect for both chicks and dudes.

I have had so many bloggable moments (a new and frequent phrase in our house these days)...I should have at least kept a running list, so I wouldn't forget. The senoir moments are creeping in more and more lately...and I have forgotten some of the bloggable moments. But I have remembered some, and will share them in the next few days.

Currently in my heart to share is the fact that I am ECSTATIC that the weather here in middle Tennessee is getting cool. I am sitting right now at Jack's football practice, wearing my favorite Appalachian State University hooded sweatshirt. It's actually a little cold. I couldn't be happier. I feel like there is a shaft of light glowing from the heavens straight down to me in my little fold-out chair...I am so happy...surely everyone around me sees the cool weather-bestowing favor of God on me right now...

: >)

Another cool thing happening right now is something that has been in the works for months. I have signed with a management company. What that means is I am teaming with a group of people who are going to help me and my ministry...help us make decisions, like the who's, what's, where's, and how's of what we will be doing in ministry and music for the next few years. I am telling you - I can feel the weight JUMPING off of my shoulders as we speak. Thank You, Lord.

The company is called Blanton, Harrell, Cook and Corzine (is that long enough for you?). In years past, they were simply known as Blanton and Harrell. They have been managing the careers of Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith from their earliest years. And in addition to those two, they also currently work with Point of Grace, Bebo Norman, and Aaron Shust. And they just signed both Chris Sligh and Phil Stacey (from the last American Idol season).

Angela and I are giddy at the thought of having some weight lifted off of us. And we are grateful for these guys and gals, and for how they will speak into our lives and ministry. And we thank YOU for your prayers, as we are continually staying on our faces before God, seeking His will for us, for our family, and for this ministry.

OK...now that I am writing, I don't want to stop. But I must...I don't want to scare you off with an entry that is obnoxiously long.

Football awaits. And then...couch time with Angela...and The Office.

Blessings,
TC

Listening

Kirk Franklin's last project - "Hero."

I cannot get enough of this CD. Love it.

What are you listening to (You CAN'T say Travis Cottrell)?

TC

Denver bound! Texas bound!

Hey, everybody! I hope you are doing well. I guess I was a little more fried after Deeper Still than I expected. I have had trouble forming coherent thoughts, much less writing them on this blog.

I am trying to imagine how in the world Beth Moore left Nashville on Sunday after Deeper Still, only to turn right around and begin teaching and filming her new study on Tuesday. What? What? The Lord does remarkable things through her. Amazing!

Last week, all 5 of use got sick with a cold and virus. Ugh. I took the boys to the doctor last week (before Angela, Lily and I got it), and he said they just had a virus, and it might take them 7 to 10 days to shake it. Fun times. Then, I got it the next day, and had to sing this past weekend on top of a sick throat. I was so glad to have Seth, Julie and Lici there with me to lean on (we had an AMZING time with the folks at First Baptist Church Mareitta, SC, by the way).

By Monday, I could not even croak out a single word. So yesterday, I went to the doctor, who loaded me up on some good stuff to help me be ready for this big weekend. I am feeling better already. A little loopy, but better. I hope to be singing by the Women Of Faith conference, which begins Friday morning.

So Beth and I will be at the Women Of Faith in Denver on Friday. Can't wait! I am asking the Lord to let me be totally healthy at this event. I had strep throat two Women Of Faiths ago (in DC), and was still recovering from it at the last one (in Atlanta). I will serve Him however He wants me to. And if he wants be to be sick as a dog and operating on about 20% of my voice, I WILL DO IT! But, I just don't want to be whining again this weekend to the poor WOF team, who have endured me hobbling in sickness for the past two events. Please pray for me...thanks!

Sick or well - we are going to have a great time in the Word. Can't wait.

Then after Denver, I meet my singers in Corpus Christi, TX for a Sunday with Yorktown Baptist Church. We are looking forward to worshipping with them! their choir is going to join us for some stuff. We love that. If you are in the area, I hope you will join us. Check the calendar on my website for details.

It will be two Texas weekends in a row for me - I am at Houston's First Baptist Church next weekend, the 30th. I love going to Texas.

Gotta go now. Levi just requested some boyish time.

2 Much 2 Say

I have so much to blog about. But I only have a second, and wanted to let you know that I am leading worship at Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, TN (just north of Nashville) this Wednesday night. The service is at 6:15.

While I am at it, I will let you know that I have a concert this Sunday night, September 16, at First Baptist Church, Marietta, SC (just outside of Greenville, SC). The concert is at 6pm.

Hope to see you there!

I will post tonight about the amazing weekend.

I Have One Ticket

Hey, everybody!

I bought a ticket for our babysitter's mom, and she is sick and can't make it. If you know anyone still looking to buy a ticket for Deeper Still this weekend (in the Sommet - the main arena), I have one. Comment on this post if you or someone you know wants it.

I can't wait until tomorrow night! I will be there..with an ever-improving toe...

Blessings!

Travis

ps - here is a family pic from the beach last week...ahhh...wish I was still there...

Fun Friday

Hey, friends. Friday was another great day here at the beach. We spent a lot of time at the ocean...


and in the ocean...



Again today there were no jellyfish! We were so happy. They all must be deeper still...

harharharhar.

We built a sand castle.


And posed.


Then we went to the bay side of the island and went for a ride on a jet ski. We started out with Jack, Levi and myself.


Then, it was Lily's turn.


As Levi watched us drive off...



...he realized that his turn was over...and he was left on the shore...


...and that's not a good thing.


But he quickly recovered, and began flirting with his mom.





It was a fun day!

A lot of you have been asking at what beach we are staying. We are at Pensacola Beach, FL. We love it here. It is not too fancy or expensive, and it is a little less crowded than some of the other beaches that are typical stops for Tennesseans. We are crazy about it.

Have a great weekend!

TC