Family Time

This past weekend, the girls and I went Oklahoma to visit family. We went for two reasons, one to see the family and two to help move my aunt Betty to a nursing home. She was diagnosed with cancer right before Christmas. Her prognosis is not good and we as a family are grieving. My aunt has always been special to us. She was more like a grandmother than just an aunt.

Betty with her "kids" at Christmas time

Waiting on Grandma between errands

Gracie playing with the Molly while waiting for Grandma

Crazy Cousins eating yummy Mexican

Putting on a puppet show

The girls had fun playing with their cousins. They had a few questions but there will be more to come.

Our New Favorite Show

As a kid, one of the shows I remember watching is Mister Rogers Neighborhood. It was one of my favorites. I love watching him and going into the "Land of Make Believe" with Trolley. I was so excited when I learned that they were making an animated version "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood".

After the first time of watching, the girls were in love. I knew they liked it but didn't realize how much or what impact it was making on them. The first time I realized it was after Lizzie got really angry with Gracie and hit her. After timeout, I was talking to her about why she did it and how she could handle it in the future. Then she quoted Daniel Tiger, "When you feel so mad that you want to ROAR, Take a deep breath and count to four. 1…2…3…4…" Now I hear this several times a week.


After watching an episode of Daniel writing a letter to his dad, Gracie wanted to send one to her dad. She got some paper and wrote on it, folded it up, licked it and told me to put it in the mail box. "Making something is one way to say “I love you.”"


Sharing is big in my house and we hear this one A LOT. "You can take a turn, and then I'll get it back."

It cracks me up when I hear this one, "When you have to go potty, STOP… and go right away.  Flush, wash…and be on your way!"

The girls will watch the same episode over and over again. They love it. Its funny to hear them quoting a little tiger. 

Christmas 2012

What did the Potters do for Christmas? We traveled to Oklahoma City and spent 9 days with my family. Our time there was good and bad. My aunt has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Christmas Eve was her first chemo treatment. We took turns spending time with her during her treatment. The week was rough for her. We spent a lot of time trying to help her through this.

My aunt Betty with her "kids"

We did have some bright spots to keep our spirits up. Because we were expecting some snow on Christmas Day, we exchanged gifts with my sister and her family on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, the snow was not as much as expected but it was nice. The girls loved all their presents. Poor Lizzie was sick most of the week with a cold.

Grandma reading "The Night Before Christmas"

Christmas morning, playing with the Dora House in Papa's t-shirt

Gracie playing in the snow! She loved it.

Lizzie and Gracie playing

Sydney, my niece, has been growing her hair out for a while to donate. She finally had it long enough to get it cut! She was so excited to have it cut and even more excited she was helping someone receive a wig.

Before we left to get it cut

Getting ready for the chop!

So cute!

The final activity our Christmas break was to spend time with my dad's family. Each year, we celebrate Christmas the weekend after Christmas. We had a good time even though we missed my aunt who couldn't make it.

The girls playing with baby Dawson

Kassidy, Angie, Gracie, Lizzie, baby Dawson

My dad and two of his brothers

My cousin Chris and Dawson

Wes and the girls

The week was full of mixed emotions with concern over my aunt and then the joy of Christmas.We will remember this Christmas for a long time.