A Family Tradition!

       If you know my dad, you know he is in a tie day in and day out as he scrurries around the halls of the middle schools he has served for years. However, if you know my dad, you know that when he is home on Saturdays cleaning out the latest junk drawer, rearranging a closet, cutting grass, getting the boat ready... he is in a t-shirt...usually the same t-shirt...an ARCHIE shirt! You see, especially when Dad has a week off, he doesn't pack a plethora of clothes...he has his grey shorts, khaki shorts, a plain red golf shirt, and his archie t-shirt! In fact, Dad wore/wears it so much my uncles started making fun of him! Well dad got the last laugh one Christmas when he gave everyone an ARCHIE's shirt! Then several years later on the night Robert proposed, Uncle Bob gave us a toast...and Robert his ARCHIE shirt!
               Family Traditions are blessings! Even the smallest traditions carry much joy and celebration! Robert and I have the same advent wreath mom put on the table in dahlonega (and the same leaves catch on fire every year!)! Thanksgiving outside at uncle ron's house in Florida every year and the traditions of going to Bamma's house to gather to break bread with Robert's family! Traditions carry a story! The Bible is full of traditions and lessons that we carry out today...breaking bread together, oral stories passed down from generation to generation, love kindess, and servant leadership!
           Two days ago, I celebrated year 26! goodness, 30 is WAY to close! Nevertheless, my birthday present from Robert is a continuation of a new tradition! You see, my great grandmother, Kathleen Neeley, with whom I am named after, had a farm...a beautiful farm, that my mom grew up on! My mom, Debra Kathleen, would play at her grandmothers home, watch her cook, watch her care for her home and grandchildren, and her 5 boys...my great grandmother had a home, not a house. Momma  always says there is a difference adn "Momma knows!!" (love you mom!). Well, my great grandmothers farm is being surrounded by roads and growth. My uncle alfred has lived his life's journey in this home, caring for it. Side note: one of the best complements my Papa has ever given me is that I am like his mother, my great grandmother, Kathleen Neeley! Anyway, back on track. Momma asked Dad to go to "the farm" and use some of the wood to make momma a mailbox! So like my wonderful dad, Dad made momma a mailbox out of wood from "the burnside farm"! That mailbox welcomed our family home in Dahlonega for a couple of years and now welcomes them home in St. Simons. Well, robert and I have a home now and I wanted a sentimental mailbox!!! AND DID I GET ONE!! For my 26th birthday Robert gave me our first mailbox! A mailbox that represents us; a mailbox that day in and day out will welcome us home! You see, traditions tell a story! Robert, I hope you know how much having "our mailbox" means to me! We have the best mailbox in Charlotte Mecklenburg County that is for sure!! Momma and Dad, thank you for the traditions you gave me! The Lanes, thank you for the traditions you have welcomed me in to! Great Grandmother, Kathleen Neeley, thank you for leaving your mark on my momma to spark such a tradition! Precious Jesus, thank you for your journey so we may share your story and pass on the Christian tradition!

Pictures include: the FIRST Archie Shirt pass down at Memama's home! and Robert's Archie initiation on the 4th of July!

Pictures include: the mailbox Robert made me!

Lift High the Cross: Easter and the Pelican Perch

Wow! The sun was shining, smiles a glowing! Robert and I were worshipping in Hartsville with my three little sisters! We were home! We worshipped with the family that nourished us in our early days of dating and celebrated with us upon our engagement! Jeri in the pulpit, Anna directing the choir, children giggling, youth passing notes...we were home! During "Lift High the Cross" I looked around the sanctuary in Hartsville...all the faces that nurtured Robert and me for 3 years! I looked down the pew at my sisters singing "Jesus Christ is Risen today" and my heart melted! What a beautiful celebration indeed! After worship and a delightful meal wtih the Perkins, Robert and I loaded up and headed to the beach..to the Pelican Perch! Once we got there, it hit me... this is another place i call home! The Pelican Perch, for 15 years, as been the hub of family memories! Birthdays, 4 of July parade and fireworks, spring breaks growing up, girls reunions, family time, our engagement, making family videos, and so much more! Robert and I immediately went to walk on the beach...the same beach he proposed on, the same beach my sisters and cousins first played on, the beach of the annual bacce ball tournament, the beach that at 5 oclock during the summer we covered with boiled peanuts and laughter, the beach that for 15 years has brought much happiness to our lives! The breeze and rays of sun were refreshing! That next morning, when i woke, after a yummy breakfast at eggs up and sending robert off to play golf with some good buddies, I sat on the back porch with the sun in my face reflecting on life spent at the Pelican Perch! The beautiful memories it holds...the voices that echo through the bedrooms and living room, the meals that have been blessed around the table, mr. guy dancing last year when we had "Club Chub" (Chub is memama's nickname) during the 4th of July celebration! What a great way that morning to reflect on Easter! Robert and I were Home in so many ways this past weekend! Last night we went to purchase plantation blinds for our home in charlotte as we start leaving our handprints on the walls of our first home! We are making another home, another place that holds a cherished spot in our lives together! Spring is here! Jesus Christ has Risen Indeed! May today we celebrated the "places" God has blessed us with to make precious memories and New Life to come!

Spring at the Lane's!

Bubba and I baking Easter desserts!

Showing off our Easter Cake and Cupcakes!!! So festive!

Easter Morning with Maggie and Robbie!

EASTER SUNDAY 2010

THE PELICAN PERCH!!

Perseverance!

It was in 2002 my dad moved to St. Simons. For 5 years, my mom stayed in Dahlonega with my sisters, and Dad worked in St. Simons! Talk about sacrifice! After years of long road trips to see each other on the weekends, my parents are in St. Simons! Dad has been a high school teacher, a football coach, an assistant principal, and a principal...in fact he was my middle school principal! Talk about perks...or being made fun of!!! Just last Tuesday, Dad was named assistant superintendent of Glynn County schools! I can't speak highly enough of my dad; he is an incredible man, loves his momma ("Grammie"), adores my mom, is dedicated to his call, a devoted father, a caring brother, sentimental as all get out, loves life, great captain on a boat, always knows what to say, his tears mean more than anything, has a dinomite golf game! :) ! He is my DADDY! I have never once not been proud of my dad! Last night at bible study with Covenant High School girls we talked about perseverance. Dad, in his first office I can remember, had a plague with a mouse on it wearing a football helment that was way to big! On the bottom of the plague was Jeremiah 29:11-13. I shared this scripture last night with the most precious high school girls and talked about how we are called to persevere in all that we do just as Jesus did!
Talk about perseverance...this weekend Cara, Angie, and I went to run the Cooper River Bridge Run! yes a 10k...yes Neeley ran the entire thing!! :) As we were in line to use the bathroom in the nasty green toilets along the road, we were freezing! Despite being cold we posed for pics to capture the moment! A man behind us, 80 something in age, started talking to me. Get this...80+, 2 hip replacements, a bad back...and he has ran the cooper 4 times, this being his 5...PERSEVERANCE!
So, Dad, I am proud of you! For you have persevered in the most beautiful way and answered God's calling on your life to be an advocate of public education as you love, and work each day for all God's children and their parents. Cara and Ang, thank you for going with me to run! We sure did persevere!
May this day we know we can trust in our Lord, we can go the distance in who God is calling us to be!
Pictures with my DADDY!!

COOPER RIVER BRIDGE RUN 2010

Dear Mr. Guy,

What a beautiful day today was in Columbia! The sun was shining, slight breeze, and spring flowers were in bloom! You would have thought today was a beautiful spring day! We celebrated you today; the precious life you lived and the life you gave us! Well actually, we have been celebrating you since Saturday. You would have loved seeing everyone gathered in the living room...all your kids, grandkids, and good friends. I heard so many times the past few days that you were THE SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN! what a compliment Mr. Guy! We talked about our boat rides with you, your golfing obsession, the way you always made us feel like we looked like a million dollars! i wore my black cocktail dress with heals for you last night too! Aunt Ashley shared with the family the top ten things she learned from you...the family laugh and cried tears of thanksgiving for all that we learned from you. Mr. Guy, you were a wonderful grandfather! From your kisses and hugs, to your tender love for memama, I can't thank you enough for the gift you gave us all. The cousins today all put a flower by you! It was Brooks' idea! and I have to apologize...i hid bailey in the bedroom!! But i made sure i turned off all the lights! Mr. Guy we are going to miss you, I especially will miss your dancing! I hope robert is as good of a dancer as you! I hope i thanked you for all your dances! You could always move faster than me! i couldn't keep up! On Sunday night, Robert and I celebrated our one year anniversary. We were in the living room at your house, we had cake and a cocktail or two! I knew you were there with us! I just wanted to tell you thank you again for the grandfather you have been to me, my sisters, and my cousins. Memama loved you so much and so did we! THank you for loving us Mr. Guy! I know when you met Jesus face to face, Jesus looked at you and said, "Well done my good and faithful disciple!" With love and thanksgiving, Neeley

Ps. Mr. Guy, you know i love pictures and you always loved me showing them off to you!! THought i would share some of our one year anniver. with you! Disclaimer: We don't look that great my eyes are a bit swolen...tears of thanksgiving for you!

With the Top of our Wedding Cake!

Robert and I with our "Date Night" gift!

You can't see Memama, but she was giving a toast!

Mom and Dad were toasting! Nothing can beat your toast at our Rehearsal Dinner Mr. Guy!

Watching our Wedding Slide Show!

With Memama on our Anniversary!

Ready, ready, ready, Ready to Run!

I did it!!! I ran!!! I am running! In October, I told myself...Neeley do something for you! I decided to start running again (I mean I was quite the track star in high school!!! NOT!) My goal- a 10k! So I set out, got a fitness plan, a running partner, trainer, and started running! One mile, two miles, 3 miles...Don't give up...4 miles, 5 miles! To some of you it might be a small distance, but for me I am about to reach my goal! On St. Patricks day, my sister, Maggie, and I ran in the 5k in Columbia, SC. Slow and steady wins the race...just run the entire way and proudly cross the finish line! I did it!!! If I say I am going to do something I am going to do it! Thank you Maggie for running with me! Next weekend, Cara, Angie, and I are journeying to Charleston for the Cooper River Bridge Run....my goal is finally here! I am anxious and Ready! Ready, ready, ready, to say I DID IT!!!

Pictures of our 5k!

Just call me "Bumper Girl"

Confession: I have never been in a "wreck" until March 2010. NOT only one wreck BUT TWO!
So about three weeks ago, I made a big mistake...I ran a red light. No, I wasn't texting, but yes I could have been paying more attention..obviously! Through the "wreck experience", I met some incredible people! Robert and I found a body shop after much research. When I walked in the chosen body shop, they welcomed me and were quite hospitable! I was impressed; nevertheless I wrote them a thank you note the minute I got home! My car was in their care for three weeks. I was speechless when I picked it up! All the dents, scrathes, and wreck damage were in the past! It felt good to have my SUV back! BUT WAIT! Only 24 hours later, I had the priviledge of meeting another friend! This friend, well he was two cars behind me and decided not to stop! I mean, I couldn't be a hypocrite! So I shook his hand, said no worries, and we were instant friends! My car awaits another go around at the body shop!
Being in a wreck is nothing close to fun. I admit I am a very very nervous driver now. 10 and 2. eyes forward. foot ready to break. The noise of my wrecks were the worst. I hated that sound of collison.
On a postive note, being in a wreck reminds me that i am not invincible. Each of us are precious, each person on the road is taking a risk. I am blessed no one was hurt in either of the wrecks i have endured these past three weeks. Many times I day dream while driving, sing loud to the radio, chat on the phone with a friend...however, am i recognizing that in an instant I could harm another or another harm me? We have to be careful. We can't take priviledges for granted. With priviledge comes responsibility. I AM SOUNDING LIKE MY PARENTS when I just started driving! I guess it is good to be reminded!

"Neeley has a crush on you!"

On March 21, 2010 it will be one year since we said, "I do!" Wow what a year! New home, new city, new callings, new challenges, new experience, and new blessings! On a gift Robert gave me for Christmas it said "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all!" In high school, I was given a book (I can't remember who gave it to me, but I really liked it!). As I read this book about life and what the future holds, the book invited you to pray about your future and the path God has set before you! So being a typical teenage girl, I prayed about my husband! Okay, you can laugh...its dorky, I know! But as I got older, the prayers seemed more real...who is God creating for me? What kind of Godly guy will he be? o and goodness Lord, I hope he is cute! God - THANK YOU! All that time I was praying for Robert Michael Lane and didn't even know it! On our first date..o yes we went to MOE's, Robert and I recognized we had a spark! On our second date just a few days later, Robert came to pick me up from the Pelican Perch in Litchfield, as he got out of the car, Robert was bombarded with the family hanging over the porch and some dangling like monkies in the tree!! I am so thankful he didn't run when he had to chance to escape my crazy family! He met some of the fam as he picked me up for our second date! (It was around the 4th of July...big tradition in our fam!) As he opened my door for me to get in, my dear ole sweet cousin Edward decided to shout out: "Neeley has a crush on you!!!" Now three years later we are married and celebrating one year of marriage in almost two weeks!  the title of my blog is "It takes two!" As Robert and I started dating and getting to know each other we had a saying that we put on our engagement party koozies: "It takes two, you and me babe!" Our little motto was affirmed as Jeri told us that marriage is work, its about making choices, its putting each other first, its a "we" thing! After one year of exploring life as the Lane's, it is definately a WE thing! "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all!"