the road less traveled

Willie Mae McGallager is one of the most amazing women that I know!!  She is a mother, grandmother, great-gramdmother, aunt, sister, friend, and so much more to many people.  To me, she is my Nannie.  She is 82 years old and has seen more in her lifetime than I will ever see.  I recently sat down with her and just simply talked...talked about life and this world with live in, talked about her childhood-her daddy, her marriage and raising children.  I treasure this simple conversation, but I know that what she has shared with me I will take with me throughout my lifetime.
Sitting at the kitchen table on an ordinary day, I asked my Nannie about her childhood.  She began by reminding me that her mother had died when she was three and her older sister Ruth took care of her and her siblings.  Her mother had died shortly after having a miscarriage and complications with her liver(something she could survive these days).  But, she discussed their daily lives and how her father would go to work, to a "juke joint" and then home late at night.  He also made moonshine and forced the kids to help disguise it.  She specifically remembers distracting the police so her father would not get caught. She said "you see, he wasn't really a father....I mean he was on paper and we loved him but he really wasn't a daddy." 
She preceded to tell me about one long term girlfriend, Katherine, that her father allowed to move into their house.  Katherine was only nice to my Nannie and her siblings when her father was around the house.  No one wanted to stand up to her(back then that was disrespectful).  But, my Nannie decided to choose the right opportnity to allow her daddy to walk in and catch Katherine with another man.  "She was only kissing that man, but I knew my daddy was going to throw her out!" said my Nannie.  She waited and allowed all the play out just right.  That sounds just awful, but she said she knew it would happen and she thought better sooner than later.
This was just a few examples of the stories that she shared with me.  She also lost her husband at an early age, and stated no other man would love her children and grandchildren like he did.  After our visit, I began to think of life without a mother.  The many hardships that she faced.  And instead of having a pity party or making excuses, she stood tall and made a conscious decision to make a better life for herself.  She will share of her salvation and raising her children in the church.  She will be very quick to tell you that it will be the difference in your life when you keep God in the center and make an effort to attend church regularly.  She will always be in constant prayer for her family and friends....the BEST prayor warrior that I know!  I will always be forever grateful for my Nannie and for the decisions she has made, for her attitude, and simply because she chose the road less traveled.

Raising, praying, & hoping

So, yesterday we headed offshore to do a little snapper fishing.  The weather was perfect for this type of fishing, and we head out in hopes of bringing home some fine fish.  We meet up with some family, and they head out on their boat too.  They have two sweet boys that are older than our boys but go out of their way to make them feel extra special(hard to find mannerly pre-teen boys that are super sweet to little boys).
On the way out, I take in the setting around me.....the bright sun high in the sky reflecting on the water just the right way to make it glisten, the sky so blue with big bellowing clouds, and just enough wind to keep us cool or cool enough.  I have to admit that I was full, feeling blessed to be able to enjoy this wonderful scenery.  I think that I will always have to live close to water!  So with a grateful heart, I say a little prayer and ask for safety around these boats on the water. I also pray for my little guys, and then my mind drifts to our responsibility as their parents.  I sit and contemplate our actions, things we say and do around them...the life we are living before them. Are we raising them and giving them all the necessary skills they will need to be the best they can possibly be??  I know, deep thoughts on a boat.  But, I honestly think to re-check yourself is good sometimes.  It was then that I realized we raise, pray, and hope for the best for our children.  Our purpose is to lead a life pleasing to God, going about our days and doing what glorifies HIM....and that is all that truly matters.  

Oue lines are in the water, fish on!  Some are not large enough and a few just look at us and jump off the line!  But, a good day spent fishing & praying with my unit.  Oh and in matter of minutes the wind comes in and Tony says it is time to go.  Before we can get all the way to the dock, the waters become very rough.  But, in this rough water, I have peace.  I know without a doubt that we will be fine.  There are no words to describe this type of peace.  Even in the stormy weather, I am grateful.

Living on Island Time

For the past few weeks, we have been on Dauphin Island-it is our Summer place.  As far back as I can remember, I have spent time during the Summer on the island.  Many wonderful memories have been made with an extended family and friends.  A few years my family even rented a duplex just so everyone could fit-it is truly one of my fondest memories!! I can remmeber playing with cousins &  friends, staying up late at night giggling and taking my turn on the floor in a sleeping bag. 
So when Tony & I got married we knew that we wanted to keep the tradition going.  First, it was only a week then it went to the month of June and now we move over in May through August.  It just works for us, our unit of four will spend every minute possible on the island.   Of course, we go between home and the island when school is in session and for appointments, errands, etc.  And, we enjoy coming home.  But, we are never home long before I hear "when are we going back to Dauphin Island?"  This week is a "home week" for us and we were here a few hours when Tony looked at me and asked the question "when do we get to go back to the island?"  I laughed and he grinned and then said "really, when??"
A few of my sweet friends will text or email me and ask if I am still alive, and that makes me feel good.  Honestly, we get across the bridge onto the island and it seems like a completely different world.  Our days are spent on the boat, beach, pool, and bicycles.  We travel alot on our bikes and the boys really enjoy it.  Mason is now without training wheels and he is thrilled.  There was no parental help with this(other than Tony taking off the training wheels).  He simply jumped on his Buzz Lightyear bike and never looked back.  Since then he has been on "bicycle restriction" a few times because he has taken off on his bike to visit the neighbors(without telling us)!!
The boys have grown and matured right before my eyes.  Recently on a snapper fishing trip, Tony looked at me across the boat and said "this so works for me, just us-our unit of four simply sharing a day of fishing."  It warmed my heart to know that we have been able to slow down our little world and just be...just be with our family to do whatever we feel like at any moment during the day.  Both boys have wanted to throw a net like their daddy to catch bait(or little minnows that are just fun).  I have now realized that my guys(all 3) can do this for hours, they are so excited over bait fish!!
Although I feel as if this Summer has past so quickly, I have taken many moments to stop and breath in the moments....each one small and large.  In only a few short weeks we will have to return to the real world and I can gurantee none of the Collier Crew will be happy about it.  But, for now we will look forward to the remaining days of Sweet Summer and continue to live on Island Time :)

Carson and his net

Proud fisherman



Fishin' with Paw Paw



Storytime with Carson :)



Mason being very determined to do it like daddy & Carson

Weighing fish at Jr Angler's Tourney

Catchin' his first snapper

Deep Thinker

Recently, Mason completed his first year in a preschool program.  I have to admit that I was very apprehensive about 3K in general...not with where he was going only because Carson did not start until he was four years old.  I guess  I had a little "mommy guilt" but deep down in my "mommy soul" I knew that it was the best for him.  Mason is very much an intervert.  He really does not need others(except for Carson, he desparately needs Carson).  Honestly, he is exactly like Tony & my dad (he even looks like my dad), but they are all very quiet, humble individuals that do not need a large group of people around.  Actually, small groups are preferred.  I was a little concerned at first but now I have little worries about him.  He has overly impressed me this year...lots of growing, lots of learning, and he has made lots of little friends.
He has truly had the best experience I could ever hope for in a preschool.  His teacher was wonderful and so very patient on the days Mason was a little more apprenhensive.  He has learn so many things...letters & the sounds they make, numbers, and many bible verses.  But most importantly, he has learned valuable lessons that have set a foundation that will follow him the rest of his life.  For that, I am forever grateful!!
Each day, Mason would depend on me to pick him up(daddy was okay too but he really looked for me).  As the year went on, he would hop in the car with a new story or a new letter to talk about.  He wanted homework when Carson had to sit and do his homework.  So, we gave him a notebook to write his letters and numbers...he was thrilled.  I have to admit that I underestimated him a little.  He really was eager to learn.
At the end of this 3K experience, I am so glad I made the decision to let Mason attend this year.  He was ready, maybe more than I was ready to let him go.  At his program a few weeks ago, Mason received the "Deep Thinker Award", and his teacher commented that no matter what she said or told Mason he would always have a response or a question.  She said "Mason is always thinking."  He was also named "Student of the Year" for being the student that mastered all skills and had great behavior.  As he sang his little heart out, I smiled the biggest smile and tears flowed down my face.  He was thrilled to be a big boy standing on stage and singing for the Lord...and that makes my heart as happy as it can be and I was feeling very full, so grateful that I can leave my kids at a wonderful christian school that is teaching so much more than letters & numbers......
Here are a few pics from his 3k adventures...

Mason and his little friend Landon

Mason & Tucker playing store

Ms. Oliver with my sweet Mason

Carson is ready to be a Second Grader!!

First grade has flown....and I have to say Carson is thrilled for the Summer but sad his year with Ms. Brown is complete.  He has grown and matured tremendously and we are so very proud!! He has done so well this year, but mature enough to recognize his room for improvement.  He looked at his averages on his report card and says "I know I can make that score higher."He reminds me of an adult, he reminds me of Tony.....
Tony and I have stressed to him to be a kid and not to worry about decisions/choices that he will face as an adult.  I have been concerned about his maturity lately....he understands so very much!  I just really want our child to be a kid, enjoy each moment as a kid.  So, we have had several talks with him and he has responded well.  But there are times when he still shocks me ......On a recent ride home from school, Carson had a "talk" with Mason about choices...."you are always faced with choices buddy, good ones and bad ones, it is your decision"
I smile as I hear this conversation I smile and I realized that I will not be able to change Carson and his way of thinking.  I will embrace it and know the world will be a better place because he is in it!
He is truly a great kid(and I know that I am partial), alway doing for others, always taking the time to explain things to Mason before I even get a chance, always striving to do his best.  WE are so thankful to be his parents.  I feel so blessed that I was chosen to be his mommie and I hope he always will know it!

                                                                    Last day of 1st grade :)

Carson with Ms. Brown(LOVE her).  It was his idea to get her a peach tree, "so it will grow fruit just like we grow."  I love this child so very much, love the way he thinks, his kind heart, and willingness to try & do his best at anything.  This year he shared with me that he wanted Jesus to live in his heart, so He can save me and always be with me.  Such an awesome moment to share with my little man.  My prayer is for him to always put God first! 

Handprints on the wall.....

I have always tried my best to keep a clean & neat house.  Before the boys came along that was fairly easy, and the whole act of dusting, sweeping, & mopping did not take very long(especially when we lived in a 700 sq ft apartment).  Sometimes, I get frustrated that I do not have time to "keep it all up." For the past year, I have tried my best to let it go and really focus on what is important in life.  A dear friend said to me "one day your boys will be all grown up, but dust bunnies will always be around."  Good advice I think!! 

So with that, I have tried my best to let some things go.  It is not easy, but it has been nice not to be caught up in the constant concern that my house is "visitor ready."  I made a decision that I would do some cleaning, but limit myself on the area of time.  If it gets done great, but if not then stop & put it on a list for next week.  Time with my family is much more important!!

Today, I walked into the boy's bathroom.  Now, when we built our house I made sure I had a half bath for guests to use.  Pregnant with my sweet Carson, I knew at some point there would be a dribble or two on the toliet.  So, I made sure a half bath would be in this house.  It was absolutlely no talking me out of it!! No one would want to use a little boy's bathroom!   But today, as I go to leave their bathroom I see mud.....mud on the door, mud on the wall, & a muddy handprint on the light switch.  My first instinct was to grab a washcloth and wipe it....then I stopped.  I consciously stopped, giggled, and decided to leave it.  As I turned the light off, I thought to myself  how lucky I am to have muddy handprints on our walls.  God has blessed me more than I deserve and I am so very thankful for mud!  :)

It has been so long....

It has been a very long time since my last post....we have been very busy and add a few laptop issues to aide in the craziness!  I honestly love to blog about everything, it makes me feel as if I am capturing the precious moments of our life. I read my last post and so much has happened since.....here are the highlights

Disney Trip in March
Baseball in March, April, & May(that consumed at lest 3 nights a week, sometimes 5)
BOAT, yep we finally bought a boat(all 3 guys are thrilled and I might be a tad bit excited too)
Easter-a memorable one because both boys truly understand why we celebrate
Mason completes 3K :)
Spring/Summer camping begins which has us wishing away May!

More to come, very soon and pics too!!!