How many more days till........

For the past 3 weeks, the boys have asked "How many more days till Santa comes?"

They are excited beyond words. Even though they are looking forward to the toys Santa will bring, they also have shared with us the true meaning of Christmas. And with that, my heart melts....

This has been (and continues with each day that passes) the most rewarding Christmas season. We have thoroughly enjoyed each Collier tradition from decorating the tree the day after Thanksgiving, placing each lighted deer in the perfect place in our yard, baking cookies and eating raw ones too, giggling about our elf Dexter and the silly places he likes to land. But, most importantly the boys have surprised me with their understanding of this holiday & their eagerness to share with others. Both boys, at age 6 & 3 truly understand the reason we celebrate. They have discussed with family members that it is the day Jesus was born and that we celebrate by exchanging gifts. Carson says "we give each other gifts, but Jesus is the best gift of all."

A few favorite moments so far......

Helping with lights & deer



Train ride to the North Pole

 

holly jolly

Holly Jolly Story Christmas 5x7 folded card

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Life goes on....

Part 1
It is so very true....life does go on, no matter what is going on around you.  Sometimes I find myself wondering what if time could stand still.  I know that sounds so silly, but the world we live in has become so very fast pace!!  Everyone is always rushing, on the go, running late and doing all of this while talking & texting on the cell phones!  I have to confess that I am so very guilty.  I use time in the car to take care of lots of business.  I guess it is because it is the easiest time for me.  However, I have decided to make a few changes and hopefully my family will appreciate it.  Just simple things like nothing during dinner.  As a family, we should be able to sit down for 20 minutes without any distractions.  So, if you call me at dinner time just know I may not answer :) I will call back!!

This change comes partly because a six year old called me out on it(cell phone use while driving).  But most importantly, I realized that this time while my children are young will pass by so quickly.  And, let's face it my kids are going to learn from their parents because all kids do!!  That is not rocket science!!  As they grow and mature, I want my boys to really see that family and tradition are so important.  I can already see how close my boys are....especially at night.  They both want to sit with each other, if only to be together for a few more minutes.  They choose a book to read and then beg for another and another.

Recently, Carson had a 3 day stay in the hospital(thought appendicitis,but was a horrible viral infection).  When we found out that Carson's issues were viral and he was doing a little better, Tony drove home to stay with Mason.  I called to check on Mason and Tony tells me that he is walking around the house completely lost.  He missed Carson terribly.  I did not want Tony to bring Mason to the hospital, but Mason was in great need of seeing his brother.  So, Mason sat beside Carson's hospital bed rubbing his hand and asking if he felt better.  I am fighting back tears as I explain to Mason what the doctors have to do to help Carson feel better.  Mason said "he will feel better as soon as he gets home." 

So tonight, I am so very thankful for so many things......I have to list just a few :)

1. My saviour, Jesus Christ who died on the cross for me and through Him all things are possible!
2.My husband who loves me for me, even though sometimes he got a little more than he bargained for :)
3.Two amazing little boys that love me unconditionally and know that I love them unconditionally too(or to the moon & back according to Mason)
4.Wonderful family that are truly the best & will be brutally honest when absolutely necessary
5.MY Nannie-she gets her on line because she is just that...the one and only 82 year old women that has made the most impact on my life.  She truly choose the rode less traveled and for that I am forever grateful!!
6.Unique gal pals that bring out the best in folks
7.Friends old and new from all walks of life too!
8.Absolute best co-workers
9.Freedom-US Military for defending it!!
10. Beaches and good fishing spots
11. Football, specifically Alabama Football Roll Tide Go Bama
12. Chocolate


"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." - Robert Frost

Let there be Mason.....

Conversations in the car....

While in the car, I think my boys have the best conversations.  Most of the time they have tons of questions, and I do my best to answer them all(and accurately too)!!  No pressure!?!  Even though I have to admit, there has been a few times that I have responded "let's look that one up" :)

Today's conversation in the car
Mason:  Did God make the roads?
Me & Carson: Nope, God does not make the roads.
Mason:  What about the buildings??
Me:  Nope, God made the sun, moon, sky, grass, trees, animals, and water.  Man made the roads and the buildings.
Mason: Yep, moma.  You are right, but then God said "let there be Mason"

And, with a giggle I responded "yep, God created you and I am so glad that He let there be a Mason and a Carson."
But a few short minutes later, Carson stated this "You know, God created the earth and He has the power to destroy it too.  He destroyed the earth with a flood, and then made a promise not to destroy it with a flood again.  And, you should also know that God keeps His promises!"
Mason responds "But carson you do not always keep your promises."
Carson "yea, buddy you are right."
And, in that very instant, I realized that my 3 year old understands the creation and my 6 year old understands the power of God  :)
And for that, I feel very blessed!!

Fall Fun!!

Fall is here and lower temps too(not much lower but we have to take what we can get)!!!  I LOVE this time of year-the fall leaves, football, pumpkin patch, farm visits, fall festivals, & the idea of the upcoming holidays!  The boys are super excited about Halloween and all the possibilities of what they want to be....although Mason says he MUST have the Buzz Lightyear suit because he already knows he can fly, he just needs the suit to wear :)  I also adore the fact that the boys now have a conversation about every aspect of their life...from the very simple daily decisions like what they want in their lunch boxes to the major ones like what to be for Halloween.

Carson is loving first grade, and I am so thankful he is having fun while learning a ton!!!  As he hops in the car each afternoon, he has something new to share with me.  And for that, I am extremely thankful!!!!  I can only hope that he will always be so eager to share his thoughts!

Mason has made some little friends in his preschool class and he is very proud of his "green" for good behavior each day. He thinks that he needs homework each night too!  If he only knew that he has to look forward to it for a long time!

Ready or not here we come.....

It is September and school is in full swing!!  We have truly enjoyed this summer, and even though it is time for school I am sure we still have one more swimming or fishing trip left in us!!  In August, I could not seem to get myself ready and I think it is because I have enjoyed watching the boys grow & mature right before my very eyes!  Each day they have embarked upon a new adventure and I hope this school year will be a fun adventure for both of them!!

This year both of the boys are going to school.  Carson will be in the first grade and Mason will be in 3K. It is so very hard for me to believe how fast they have grown!!  As each day goes by, I try to write down something they have said or done.  As we began to get ready for the big first day, I overheard this....

Carson: "hey, buddy..I want you to know that you are going to have a fun day at school. You might get a little sad or nervous, but just know I am right down the hall. 
Mason: okay?
Carson:  Ya see, you will have centers, toys and the playground.  And all I will have is work-Reading & Math. It is harder to be in the first grade, so you enjoy your day and know that momma will be there to get us in the afternoon."
Mason: Sounds good to me!

As I hugged and loved on both of them, I thought to myself "Lord, please let me get through this day."  I know that may seem silly, and maybe it is. But, I ultimately have to trust that they will be more than just educated in the hands of the individuals at this precious little school.  I truly want them to have some fun while learning some good "stuff" along the way.  And so, I move into this chapter of our lives...even if it is the chapter with a little more homework :)               

Sweet Summertime 2010

As much as I hate to say goodbye to summer, I do have to realize all good things come to an end!!  I can cope only by knowing that we will make a few more fishing and swimming days even after school starts. This has truly been a summer to remember....we are now a camping family!! 

Tony and I have discussed several recreational items like campers, boats, & swimming pools, etc. because we all love outdoors(especially the boys).  We decided to wait on the pool and let the boys get a little older.  And, then it happened-a camper auction.  For those that know Tony, he LOVES a good auction.  So, he was off and I stayed home(because he loves to go but rarely comes home with an item).  A few hours later, he calls and says keep a watch on the driveway because he would be there in a few minutes.  I was shocked when he pulled in with a very nice camper(it looked as if no one had even owned it).  I have to admit that camping did not seem very appealing to me, but I wanted to give it a go for the guys in my family!!

We LOVED it!!!  Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Al  was our first adventure, and the boys were thrilled with excitement!!!  We could barely get unpacked and they were ready to ride bikes to see the lake.  Mason was overjoyed with the gator sighting signs(Carson not so much).  We fished, picked blackberries, rode bikes, and played on beach until we could barely move. 

Our next adventure was to Dauphin Island-one of our most favorite places to fish.  We went out on a limb(because of the nasty oil spill) and booked a few weeks in June.  I am so glad we did because the campground beach was spared oil because of a small barrier-Sand Island.  We could still enjoy the beach, fish a little in the bay, and ride bikes until our legs were like jello!!!  We also joined the swim club(could not think of allowing the boys to be in the water with all that was going on).  We were literally up from daylight to dark! Typical day-ride bikes to the beach, play in the sand, ride to pool for some swimming, squeeze in lunch, hop on boat to just ride or fish a little(only on bay), throw dinner on grill while Tony or myself would ride bikes once again.  And most days, Tony would find a way to get back on the boat and go speck fishing, even if it was late-a big thanks to Neil and Hayden Ray for that!!  :)  Whew!  Some days I thought this camping adventure is not as relaxing as I imagined!!  But, I have to say...we enjoyed every minute of it!!

We met up with so many good friends and family-some we knew liked to camp and others we did not know they even owned a camper.  Some of them I have known for a long time and it was so good to re-kindle those relationships.  My friend Denise and her little girl Carlie were there and Carlie even remembered Carson when he was a baby and that she like to steal his pacifiers(and take it home in her pockets)!!  Good times with good friends & family = great memories!!!

Carlie & Carson

This was great opportunity for us as a family.  We had extended family that stayed a few days at a time, and the boys really enjoyed the sleepovers.  We also made new friends especially Carson with his friendly personality.  A few days after we get there, I noticed 2 little girls making frequent visits to the playground or by our camper....and oh boy I was not prepared for that!!!  I became very good at my responses when they were looking for him, and eventually they must have realized that I was a natzi-moma !!

This was a summer for me to realize that the simple things in life matter the most!  I guess I have always known that, but we really lived it this summer.  Just simply riding bikes to the dock to catch minnows or throw the cast net absolutely thrilled my boys!!!  Do not get me wrong, we had a blast doing all the fun stuff that kids love-play dates with friends, visits to pools, slides, seeing the reptiles, splash pads, aquarium visits, lake visits, & so much more. Those fun little trips were such good min-trips visiting with our wonderful friends(mine & theirs).  Each time we left the camper for a few days, the boys would start asking how long before we would go back(and I have to admit Tony & I were just as bad)!!!   And, I loved it all-every minute of each adventure this summer....but more than anything, I have loved being with my little family and realizing how blessed I am and how the small things in life are truly the most rewarding!!

A few of my favorite moments....

Mason on the dock catching some minnows

Lessons on throwing a cast net

Mason, Carson, & Bayleigh

Fishing is one of their favorite things to do!!!  Notice Mason's face: disappointed because he said that fish was much to small to even keep in the boat "just let him grow bigger, Daddy".

Hunting for squirrels, if only to catch just one 

Pool time-this became a daily duty that I really enjoyed!!!

As you can see, both of the boys were very relaxed!!!

Sweet treats!!!

Our entire summer was such a sweet treat!! 

Our summer adventures have turned into good memories! 

Carson Graduates 5K

Carson's first year of school has been tremendous!!!  He has learned so many wonderful things and I know now that some of those things he will take will him for the rest of his life! 
Carson is not your typical kindergarten student, he is a very deep thinker.  Most of the time this is a great quality for him, but every now and then it tends to make him worry way more than a kid his age should.  He is constantly thinking about ways to make everything better, and that makes me smile a little bigger :)

A few things that he has said throughout the year......

"If we just stop & pray, God will take care of it all.."
"Why do we have school, I already know alot!!"
"God made us a promise that He would never flood the earth again."
"Moma, I can read!  And, when I see a exclamation mark, I have to get excited!"
"When will we hear the trumpet sound?"

I am so thankful that Carson has truly enjoyed his first year of school, and I owe a great deal to his teacher.  She has taken the time to calm nerves, give extra hugs, and challenge their little minds.  But, most importantly she has made learning fun!!  Each and every day was enjoyable for Carson.  He would literally "bounce" out of the car every morning!

Carson with Ms. Massingill

Carson has also made such good friends this year.  His teacher told me that he is such a good friend to so many children, and that makes me very proud.  He received the "Good Character Award" from his teacher and I could cry right now as I type....simply because character is not something you can learn, it is just in you!!!  Without a doubt in my heart, some of these little friends will be with Carson for a long time!!  Here he is with several classmates that are so dear to him!!

As I sat in the auditorium and watched my child sing and speak in front of many proud mamas and daddys, I could not be more proud.  I am so thankful that I was chosen to be the moma for this little boy.  He is so very sweet and special for many, many reasons!!

At the begining of this year, I have to admit I was a little nervous.  It was my first born child going into the big world of school.  I would look over his papers, read his decodeable book with him, and review Math.  And all the while, I would wonder-have I done enough?"  Have I nutured him enough, read enough books??  Have I taught him enough to give him a great start in school??

Now I know....

Carson has already taught me more than I could ever teach him!!!  He is truly an amazing, humble child!  I am so blessed!!

Easter 2010

Easter Blessings

Every so often, I will catch myself saying "I love this age." As the boys grow, I find myself enjoying each stage a little more & more! During all of the activities this year, I found myself really studying both of them as they would laugh hysterically and sigh with genuine disappointment.

Carson was much more competitive this year, so we had to discuss humility and Mason was very interested in what 'surprise" each egg held. I like to think that Mason was more concerned with the quality of the eggs. He would walk very intently towards an egg and a few times he did not get there quick enough. He   would look at me with a puppy dog face and sigh. I encouraged him and then he would move on to the next egg. His priority this year was to find all the purple eggs!

Carson was much more concerned with the quantity of eggs. He wanted to win by having the most. After the first egg hunt, I gave him the "we are here to have fun" speech. So, on the way to next egg hunt Carson gave Mason that same speech. I just grinned while driving, then came tears.....after that speech Carson proceeded to tell Mason the "real" reason we celebrate Easter. His story from the beginning to end completely melted my heart!!

 

I am pretty sure I am going to enjoy every age......

Spring has Sprung!!

Spring is here...

and we could not be happier!!! We have endured a very cold & rainy winter, so warm weather has put a smile on our faces! Carson & Mason have huge smiles because their Nan bought them geese and ducks recently. Now, I have to be very honest...I was not loving the idea of these little creatures(especially the week in my utility room), but to see my 2 "ducklings" care for these animals has warmed my heart. A very natural instinct has taken over and they are ready at all times to feed the birds and even clean the cage. Mason has named his goose "Buzz" and so Carson says his will be "Fuzz" :)

It is amazing to me how the simple things in life make us feel so full!!!

Wishing you all a happy spring!!