Potter Times- it's all about faith, family & friends.: January 2013

I cherish...

Not to long ago, I had a lady approach me after a Parent Booster Club meeting at the kids' school. The meeting had been a pretty controversial one concerning some changes that may or may not take place at the school. These changes, if implemented, would greatly effect my kids...so naturally, I was my usual self and stood my ground for what I believed was right for my kids, family, our values and for the school as a whole. (I am not going to go into details about what we were discussing, because a lot of people read my blog, I am sure I will blog about later, after a decision has been made.)

Anyhow- I had done a lot of research on-line, asked other people what they thought and even read a book about it, so I felt pretty darn prepared and it turned out that it was a good thing I had taken the time to research it a bit. I ended up feeling like I needed to back up any all comments that I stated...at one point, I felt things got pretty heated and I was just about RED in the face with how dumb some people were behaving!! (again, my opinion) If you want to post your own opinion...feel free to do so on your own blog or FB page. You are entitled to do so!

Back to my story- after the meeting, the lady that approached me stated that I always have a lot of passion, determination and seem very "sturdy" in my every day coming and goings and that my kids seem to have it too. She wanted to know what my secret was...how do I stay focused, how do I have the courage to speak up so strongly about the things I see fit? I have to say...that I was most definitely a little shocked and wasn't sure exactly what she was asking me. I am sure I had quite the look on my face.

(I have never had a poker face!)

I was still pretty worked up about the meeting I had just experienced, so I took a deep breath and and told her that I am just stubborn and hard-headed...I got it from my Dad, so I come by it honestly. She kind of chuckled, but stopped herself and said no, no...it's more than that. I stood there thinking that she would drop it and say goodnight, but she just stood there...waiting. Waiting for me to say something else...in the silence, I was thinking and before I knew it- this came out of my mouth...

"I cherish my freedom to act, think, feel and choose as I wish."

She was totally quiet and walked away to her car. I got in mine and drove home.

Funny...earlier on this day, I had gone to a yoga class. I REALLY enjoyed it. The teacher always chooses a different chant or saying that she feels proper for the day and says it out loud at the very end of each class.

This was the chant on that very same day-

"I cherish my freedom to act, think, feel and choose as I wish. I celebrate the choice which that lies for me in every moment. I accept the responsibility which comes with freedom. I embrace my liberty and use it to create an abundant and meaningful life. I gratefully acknowledge the expansive opportunities my freedom allows me. I recognize that the shape of my own life can largely be of my own choosing. Knowing that I am free, accepting that I am free, relishing that freedom and using it to build a life built upon my true values. I am fortunate and know that this is so."

Wow...I don't think I realized just how much this quote spoke to me until after I got home from that meeting. I am free and I accept that I am free and I certainly have (and will continue) to build my life upon my true values!!! It's a good thing I inherited all the strength, stubbornness and hard-headedness that I have from past generations...it takes a lot of it these days to stand up for what you believe in.

I am not sure what I think of the lady that approached me that evening, but I do thank her for reminding me of who I am and what I believe in...and for the fact that she has noticed my kids have it. Yes, I want my kids to stand up for what they believe is right and good.

Thanks for reading...this Yoga Momma is signing off (0:

Rock Climber in Training...

On Friday, Mac got to go with a friend to the Portland Rock Gym and do a 3 hour class.

He loved it and is hooked....he wants to go back and do some more classes!

This place is awesome- http://www.portlandrockgym.com/

I think I am going to give it a try!

Here is Mac working his way up the summit-

He made it! Go Mac Attack!

Thank You Collins Family for taking him to try this place out.

Yay! It's Cookie Time!!

Yep, Cookie Season is here!

Lilly is selling yummy Girl Scout Cookies starting today.

Our Troop has done some great, kind and wonderful projects the past few years with their hard earned cookie money.

This year the girls will be purchasing food, preparing the meals and serving the meals to local families here in our home-town. It will be a very rewarding and learning experience for them!

So, please support their project with your purchase of cookies.

They are $4.00 a box.

Lilly is selling these varieties- Savannah Smiles, Trefoils, Do-Si-Dos, Samoas, Dulce De Leche, Thank u Berry Munch, Tagalong and Thin Mints!!!

She will be delivering them in mid to late February. If you live far way, she will ship them to you.

This Brownie Troop is an amazing group of girls.

They are all kind, loving and striving to make the world a better place.

Thanks for your support!!

35 and counting....

Yes folks... it is that time-

'comes round once a year without fail, no matter what.

Today is my birthday! Ta da da da da! So, happy birthday to me!

Another year older and I can only hope that maybe I am a bit wiser. I am not going to sugar-coat things...it's been a rough year for many reasons/circumstances. Mostly because of all those we have lost that we loved so, so dearly...

It is what it is.

I have new wrinkles, but they are all earned and well worth it. The grey hairs....hell, I could definitely do without them, but they are earned too.

I decided to make my own list of things to try to do before my next birthday rolls around.
Some fun. Some quirky. Some dreams, even a bit wild. Some things I used to do a lot, and have somehow forgotten them in the blur of my years. Some big- but it is OK to go big sometimes. (I am a Texan and we do things BIG, LOL)

I am, and have always been, a free spirit...I don't like being held down in anyway. I have strong morals and opinions and am very hard-headed and stubborn. I accept myself for who I am and make no excuses for who I am. I may intimidate some people, but I have a BIG HEART and try to give and help others often. I am a MOM and a WIFE...they are above anything else, my greatest joys in this life.

So here goes...

My List:

1. get a vintage bicycle, a little rust would be perfect , complete with a basket to hold something lovely in and ride!

2. see a few concerts

3. truly learn my settings on my camera- maybe even take a class

4. throw lots of par-tay's

5. post my photos on flickr

6. take a train ride with my kids & hubby

7. make a solid date night for each month and stick to it

8. complete my very first 365 days of gratitude project

9. try skiing (for Pat and kids)

10. start a project that truly GIVES back

11. learn how to play a song on our guitar

12. go roller skating

13. take a dance class and make Pat take it with me

14. get serious with my sewing projects

15. learn how to knit

16. have family portraits done again

17. win at Bop-It

18. have more girls weekends

19. be more authentic- I am actually OK at this, but there is always more room for growth... To honor that I want to be more real, more me. At first I had this quote on my mind, "be you. everyone else is taken." but then, I like this one too- “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

20. re-watch my top 5 fave movies (first I need to decide what they are)

21. go to Vegas with hubby & friends

22. eat a mouth-watering, yummy steak

23. pick a beautiful tree and shoot it on the first day of each month for 1 year.

24. plant a mini garden with Mac, Lilly & Griff (hope Griff doesn't destroy it)

25. make a fairy garden with Lilly

25. finish getting my concealed weapons permit

26. eat a The Melting Pot

27. publish my blog

28. go home (TX) as often as possible- YES...one can have TWO homes...it's a blessing!

29. get a beautiful shot of all 3 of my children together, key word- being together. Griff is a monster (0:

30. try not to freak out too much when my oldest becomes a teenager (what the ??)

31. teach Griff to swim

32. take the kids camping this year

33. find balance, this is truly a challenge sometimes...losing my Dad just knocked me on my ass, to be blunt. It's a blow that I still can't describe to anyone, not even God. I simply can't find the words. I know it is time to accept it... so balance- I will find it again! I must seek a better balance and let go of the guilt. I am a mom of 3, a wife, a home maker, a friend, a LOT of things... I simply cannot do it all- all the time and I need to be ok with this, no matter what pressure I may be feeling.

34. give- give more of myself; to my kids, to my husband, to my community, to this world. I am good at "see a need, fill a need"...but it's not enough for me...I want to do more. I need to continue to search out more ways to give. It is SO needed all over this world and I feel a pull, a responsibility. It is, in my mind, one of the most important lessons I wish to teach my children. I have learned that by giving- you get so much more than you ever imagined possible in return.

35. spend more time with mom

36. plant LOTS of flowers this spring

37. run...like run, as in a work-out...and do it every day!!

38. get back into yoga

WOW...this is a big list..and I could keep going probably, but won't-

I wish to reach 36 next January feeling more balanced and more centered. I think by striving to reach these goals I will be better at serving my family, my friends, and myself. There is no better time than now.

Time to get to it.

Love to you all and Thank You from the bottom of my Heart for your Happy Birthday Wishes!

One last thing- I am doing Romp To Stomp in one month!! PLEASE, PLEASE make a donation to my team to help fight the fight against CANCER. CANCER SUCKS!

Here is the link- http://register.tubbsromptostomp.com/site/TR/Romp/General?px=1031868&pg=personal&fr_id=1173

ANY AMOUNT HELPS!!!!! OUR TEAM HAS BEEN THE TOP FUNDRAISING TEAM FOR A FEW YEARS NOW-

You all RoCk!!!

Thanks and God Bless (0: