Diploma.

There are for sure times in my life that I have been much more proud to see those around me achieve, than I would have been for my own personal success.

When my students benchmark in reading. When they can see what working hard for a year can do, that is a moment that I find great joy. When Tim wins awards or is recognized, there is no greater happiness than what I feel for him. When my children reach milestones.. first roll, first word, first step.. great pride.

Last night was one of those days. Tiffany came to live with me when everyone said she shouldn’t. We have endured people’s negative opinions and tried to live better than what people expected. And it has not been easy. Tiffany came to live with us when she was 16. I was 25. Two children that I had deeply and dearly loved had just left. I was lost. And she knew it. No 25 year old is ever ready to raise a 16 year old. I guess we felt like we were as ready as anyone. And it has been a learning experience throughout.

I have had my patience and my will tested. I have been overwhelmed. I have felt like I absolutely would not be able to make it. And I have felt some of the greatest happiness. Teenagers are hard. Teenagers who are not yours are harder. Tiffany has taught me about sticking with someone. About believing in someone when they aren’t yet sure they believe in themselves. Tiffany has taught me about laughing at the little things, and choosing my battles.

She isn’t perfect. We have both endured one another’s mistakes. But she taught me a big lesson, and I want to share it with you.

Tiffany taught me about deciding to achieve. You see a lot of us were raised with both of our parents in pretty houses, and church on Sunday. Most of attended the same school most of our lives, and can associate our childhood memories with the same group of people.

That isn’t Tiffany. Tiffany has lived in nine different homes. She has been raised by a wide variety of people. She calls her siblings on occasion rather than getting to catch up with them at the nightly dinner table. She doesn’t even see her parents every year. There are scattered memories, and a lot people that she must spend a lot of time missing.

But she didn’t sit home and feel sorry for herself. She went to school, and learned. She went to work, and gave it her all. And because of that, when she walked down the field for graduation last night, she did so with honors. She wore Senior Beta Club recognition that certainly never graced my shoulders. She wore Honor Society cords that showed her hard work. Not easy work. Nobody handed it to her. She made a decision to not let where she came from keep her from where she can go. And I take great pride in that. I pray (and I ask you do the same) that she will stay motivated. That she will not let anything hinder her from earthly success, but most importantly that we will enjoy heaven together.

She graduated last night and started college today! Her plate is pretty full! She moves to North Alabama in the fall, but for the summer she will attend classes and work.

Thank you to the people who have supported her (and me!!) in her time in home. Please continue to do so.


“God doesn’t ask about our ability, only our availability; and if we prove our dependability, He will increase our capability.”

What if..?

What if we lived out God's desires? What would the world be like?

I have an understanding that we all have different talents. Different abilities. But I also understand that we are real quick to make that our crutch. I could never... I am just not able to... It will negativly impact... What if instead of a thousand excuses why we cant, what if we did?

There would not be a lonely person tonight, because instead of sitting home watching tv, we would visit them. There would not be a hungry person, because instead of hoarding ALL of our food, we'd share it. There would not be an orphan, because we would open our homes.

I am as guilty as anyone. I like to be home in time for Wheel of Fortune (don't judge!). I like to be in bed by 9:00 or 9:30 (again, don't judge!). I like to be inside when it's hot, and snuggled up when it's cold. I love comfort. I love comfort too much. And I think alot of you do too. We have to get out there. We have to stop wanting to live this little white picket fence life with our perfect kids who look just like us, our friends who don't challenge us, and our jobs that consume us.

We have got to step out.

And that means that your house will probably be filled from time to time with all different kinds of people. It might mean that you give away as much as you keep, it might mean that your two thousand dollar vacation is five hundred this year. When we start really living and really giving and really being who God wants us to be, for most of us, our lives will look totally different.

Join me. Step out. Miss Wheel of Fortune. Visit someone lonely or discouraged. Babysit for a couple who needs a break. Share your possessions with people who need them far worse than you do. Open your home to strangers, and love them.

We can do it. We can live like Jesus. Let's start.

Mother's Day!

Mother’s Day.

I have always valued Mother’s Day. I have appreciated the opportunity to express my appreciation and love for my mama and my grandmama. I always love choosing their gifts, and I love the feeling of giving to them. As an adult, I have even more greatly appreciated this time to remind them that they are precious to me.

We have a tradition of Mother’s Day corsages. Since I was about 16 I guess I have made sure my mom had hers, and my mom always makes sure that my grandmother has one. This year, I proudly wore my first Mother’s Day corsage. It was borderline ripped apart by my children, but when Tim gave it to me I felt officially like a mama ( I know the diapers, bottles, and up all nights have probably all also been indicators!!  ) But it felt so good to carry on the tradition.

Tim took us to a nice dinner, and gave me the most thoughtful gifts. He works so hard to make sure special occasions are truly special. It is something that really means so much to me. I have decided to become a picture blogger asap so I will share pictures!

I had one sweet friend send me a card in the mail, and another give me beautiful earrings. My mama gave me a fish I had really been wanting for my pool fence. And someone I know through school saw us at lunch and paid for mine! I got several sweet text messages. So many people contributed to making my first official Mother’s Day so special.

I continually see God adding people to my life who mean more and more to me. I thank HIM regularly as well for the old faithfuls like Mama and Melissa Anne who are there to laugh and cry with me day after day.

I thank God for the sweet mamas who have had such an influence in my life. My mom, grandmom, aunts, Ms. Sharon, Ms. Mary David, Ms. Nellie, Ms. Lynn, and so so many more. God has blessed me so much. I hope I can share HIS blessings with others along the way.

Catching up with the Croleys :)

This was a big weekend for Cates Croley! She left the state for the first time, and she got her first tooth! Time with her is flying by, I am thankful for every single milestone. And I look forward to many more. I am trying to not to wish her small forever, but it is a precious time that I am not taking forgranted for one minute!

We had a great family weekend at the Cotton Pickin’ Fair in Georgia. It was hot, so we look forward to visiting in October next time!  Occasionally Andrew has a strong two year old moment, but for the most part my children are super easy! As long as I keep them changed and fed they pretty much go with the flow! They make short trips so much fun and I love that Tim takes us out and about fairly often!

Summer is rapidly approaching and this is a happy mama! I look forward to lazy (and sometimes productive) days around the house, pool time, beach time, and family time  I have a great love of summer, and I expect this may be the best one yet!!

Sunday will be my first Mother’s Day with children who carry my last name. We have modestly celebrated in the past, primarily for the benefit of the children who needed a “mama” to honor on this day, but I have always kept it at a distance to protect myself from a hurt heart when the children had to go. This year I plan to enjoy every single minute! I am officially two tiny people’s forever mama and that surely is something to be celebrated!

Occasionally I just like to post a catch up with the croley’s blog so I can note significant times in our lives! This is one of those!

Full plate.

People around me are always talking about how stressed they are. Stressed due to responsibilities at work, home, church, with friends and family. Stressed.

And sometimes I get caught in that mindset. I spend my day with children literally from the moment I wake up until the moment we all pass out. I start my day with my own.. trying to feed, change, dress. I spend the next eight to nine hours with my students.. trying to teach, reteach, love, and repeat. I come back home and there are papers to sign, dinner to cook, bottles to make, bathes to give, prayers to pray, and so on. And that's alot.

But what would I do without it?! What would I do with all my time? I love waking up to Cates' coos. I love hear "Mrs. Croleyyyyyyyy" all day. I love the life I lead, and I love love love the people in it!

The truth is, I am not stressed. I am busy. I lead a full life. I am blessed beyond measure with things to fill my days.

My plate is full, and I am thankful for it.

Sweet James

When I met Lena Tucker I thought she was probably the bubbliest person who ever lived. She doesn’t have a quiet voice. She is outgoing and funny. And she’s a deep down good person. We pledged Delta together in the fall of 2003. My memories are about how tough she was, and how close our whole pledge class felt that year.

She also had a really sweet boyfriend, Andy. They were high school sweethearts and you’d always catch them holding hands or talking sweet. I remember one “anniversary”, he cooked her dinner and had a beautiful table set up just outside the law school. I guess I saw a lot of Tim and me in them. You knew they were in it for the long haul.

And at her candlelighting to announce her engagement, I might have been more excited than she was! I was standing by her and when that candle came around, and she blew it out. I jumped with excitement. She has the funniest picture of me that night. It was a wonderful time!

And we’ve grown up. And I see her at some church events, and I follow her on facebook. She is a teacher. She recently got her master’s. And she has become very successful.

When I tell you these are good people. That is what I mean. Really good people.

They were blessed with a little boy in April. Sweet James Brewster. And early this morning, he went to be with his Heavenly Father. And it hurts me for them. And I have cried so many tears. But I do find comfort in the strong people they are. I know that they totally trust God. And today, when people who are not as strong would fall apart. I know they are leaning on God. I am so happy to know that they will get to spend forever in heaven with their son. And I hope that thought brings them so much peace. I know the days, and weeks, and months ahead will be so hard for them. And I am going to do my best to pray for them every single day. And I hope you will too.

James has had an impact on my life. He has reminded me how important it is that I live for Jesus, and teach my children to do the same. I want my family to all share heaven together, and I know that I need to live right, and do my best to help those around me do the same for that to happen. James twelve days on this earth softened my heart, I know he made a difference for some many others as well.

Praise God for sharing baby James with us, even if for just a little while.

My daddy :)

My daddy

I know a lot of selfish people. People who just want to do for themselves, have fun, and let other people deal with their own problems. And some days, I am one of those people. It is hard not to be selfish! I am not going to go old school and harp on this day and age, but I do think that more and more people are taught that success is found in making sure that you make yourself happy. And that could not be more wrong. I know that I am happiest when I am doing for someone else. I am happiest when my sacrifice is the greatest. I wish we taught that more. I wish we provided more opportunities for people to feel the true joy that comes from thinking of your self less, and other more.

My daddy is not selfish. He is the most giving person I know.

When Tim and I were first married we started taking up time with two boys in town who needed attention. We have continued to do this as the years have passed. It has gotten harder and harder though to do as much with our own children and obligations. My daddy has picked up the slack for us. He invites them to work with him so they can learn about earning money, he cooks for them, brags on them, and takes them to movies and other fun things! They tell me all the time he is like their granddad! He loves them, and they love him. To think about the two lives he is touching just by being there, and caring, and showing up when a lot of times other people don’t is pretty amazing.


My daddy is ALWAYS there.

I tell him all the time that I need him more as I get older and not less (as he might have hoped!). He helps Tim and I as we work to figure out adult problems/situations. He picks up my children when we need him to. He invites Andrew EVERYWHERE he goes. He is the most present person in our family’s day to day.


He really loves me.

My daddy calls me everyday after work. He comes by every chance he gets. He texts me. He cooks me breakfast some mornings, and brings me lunch some days. He invites us all over for dinner pretty regularly too! He hugs us and kisses us! And I love it when he tells Tim he loves him. Because he really does. It is a wonderful feeling to feel really cherished by someone, and I do by my daddy!!


He’s a worker!!

He has always worked hard at his job and received many accolades along the way. But he works everywhere he goes! He is always working in his yard (or mine!). Helping Bert in the box of whatever sport he is coaching, helping me with school fundraisers or work days. He is always working somewhere for someone! I think that is a lot of the reason I looked for a worker in the man I married. It was what I saw my whole life! 

I love, love, love, love my daddy!