Got Rocks??

Here is a great blog I found and fits my moods right now and needing to see things in a positive way.. I have read similar article on seeing your life as half empty versus half full.. Good message..


I have to share this story...I read it recently in my "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" book and found it online to share because I think it is so applicable to all of us and every situation or "rock" in our life.

One day an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget. As he stood in front of the group of high powered overachievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz." Then he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouthed Mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?"




Everyone in the class said, "Yes."

Then he said, "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the space between the big rocks. Then he asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?" By this time the class was on to him. "Probably not," one of them answered. "Good!" he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?"


"No!" the class shouted.

Once again he said, "Good." Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?" One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it!"

"No," the speaker replied, "That's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all." What are the 'big rocks' in your life? Your children; Your loved ones; Your education; Your dreams; A worthy cause; Teaching or mentoring others; Doing things that you love; Time for yourself; Your health; Your significant other? Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all. If you sweat the little stuff (the gravel, the sand) then you'll fill your life with little things you worry about that don't really matter, and you'll never have the real quality time you need to spend on the big, important stuff (the big rocks). So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the 'big rocks' in my life? Then, put those in your jar first."

Posted by Stephen C. Ehrmann to the POD listserv, August 21, 2000, Ehrmann@tltgroup.org

TLC 11/00 http://www.csub.edu/TLC/options/resources/handouts/teach_strat/putinrocks.html


Like the blogger who posted this, I constantly dwell on the little stuff, some things beyond my control (gravel, sand) and want to put more emphasis on the big stuff- my rocks. (family, friends, school)

Trips for the year, update.

Ok I just posted this to someone but just in case anyone might be interested in coming along- please do!! The more the merrier! Ricardo is perfectly happy with just one trip a year- which in his mind was the cruise in December (this year 2009).. He had NO complaints when I booked the next one while we were on the last one! Sooo anyways everyone knows a small trip here and there throughout the year and I am a happy camper!

So this is the 1st definite in case you guys want to join up.. The plan is to stay at the carribbean beach resort- we have 2rooms boooked... room for 2 to stay with us and 1more room booked at 40% off if you are interested..

2nd trip- cruise.. Yeah!!! December 13-20.. Sails out of Galveston and goes to Key West, Fl, Freeport and Nassau, Bahamas.. Got my excursions already picked out!! The kids and I.. and of course Ricardo are seriously looking forward to this annual trip.. I always hated pulling the kids out of school when they already get soo many days off.. but this trip sold me.. Why pay more for the same trip that will be happening the following week for double the price! Thankfully my kids make good grades otherwise I would NOT consider doing this. On top of the fact that one of my good friends and her family are committed to coming on the trip makes it even better.. Believe me- if you go not knowing a sole- its easy to come home having made lots of friends but it's just great already going with peeps you know!

Ok... sooo a small update on the boys... After all this is what this site was meant for right?! ALL boys are in baseball as of now.. Marc plays for his school and Justin and Ricky play for our city teams.. Between all three our days off are Sundays... Its ok with me though because I love the game of baseball.. I am sure to write about the goods and bads about the sport in my own blog.. When I get it up and running I'll let you know...

As you all can figure out that Marc is soon approaching age 16~ Yikes! Another milestone...

Ricky is still in acting and is really enjoying his class, though the session seems very short. With only having the class once a week I am sure the final performace April 18th will be small. Nevertheless, Ricky is happy to know 3/4ths of his lines already.

Spring Break 2009. Six Flags

Adding a new blog

Ok I was thinking about adding a new site, one for just ME.. I have alot on my mind ALL the time and like to write it all down.. So this new site will just be about my thoughts in a variety of topics.. It could range from my everyday feelings, which get deep.. as you should know, being a stay at home mother- (with all the kids in school I have ALOT of time to think) to politics, which I also enjoy a good debate from time to time.. I am still keeping this site for updates on the kids, family, etc... I made a calendar tonight.. I had several goals for the year. I had great intentions but I must say things went downhill. and fast! I say it's not too late to get back on track.. let people know whats going on over here.. and if you should desire a womans perspective on living with a house full of boys-- click on my site!

inspiring blog site..

this person is remarkable.
when you have time go back to the beginning and read the whole story..
I promise and updated blog soon.. real soon! Yes I am way overdue..

http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/

Our cheers to the cruise..



Before our elegant dinner for all you can eat lobster- one of the selling points for me on this cruise!!!!!!!



Ricardo,Marc and Justin at dinner.. We had three lobster tails each. Next year we will try and save room for more...




Justin and Marc at Margaritaville



The boys at the market.. We have NO plans to go back there next year.. We won't be going there anwyays but still.... they were HOUNDS! Still we can say we've been there done that. I will go back to Jamaica again..just not to the market.. Doc's cave beach was great!

wow an update!!

Ok ALOT has happened since my last real posting.. Let's see Ricardo came home and had alot of time to readjust with his family.. We went on a cruise and it turned out to be one of our best vacations ever! As a matter of fact it was soo much fun that I booked the next one. We are choosing to sail again December 13th out of Galveston and it goes to the Bahamas this time, to anyone who is interested in joining us. My brother's fiance had a little girl in November.. They named her Abby Kay and she is the cutest thing!! I will get to Virginia by this coming summer to meet her in person.. Ricardo's sister Ameli found out she is expecting in August. What a shock that was but a great one nonetheless! We are all anxious for this upcoming arrival. The boys are doing great.. As with having multiple kids, some days are better than others. I long for vacations- almost daily... Some wonder what I do all day and tend to think I get a break daily.. I have to laugh at those comments though I do feel a bit lucky not to have to answer to anyone on what I am doing at any given moment. I might have to speak my mind and tell them to kiss my a$&! Ahh such is life.. I am in school full time and loving it.. Each class is five weeks long and what I would call intense. Nevertheless, I have enjoyed all my classes in the criminal justice field and am looking forward to using all the knowledge I have gained in this field upon graduating next year. As I mentioned all the boys are doing well, making good grades, etc.. If we could only get their attitudes in check at home life would be GRAND!!! Marc is doing well- sophmore, almost straight A's and plays baseball for the school. Justin is doing well also, almost straight A's and is currently playing basketball for his school. His team has done outstanding. He also plays for the base on the side- which means alot of extra driving for mom and dad.. Oh well- its for a good cause.. Ricky is doing great in school- A/B student. He is enjoying his acting class once a week downtown. He is signed up for baseball. Hope that goes over well this season. He is finishing up his basketball season with one more game left. He sure would love to play soccer as well, but mom and dad made him pick just one sport this season.. Having three kids we need to give them limits here! Ricardo finally is managing a program I think he really likes. He'll be traveling to MD/VA quite a bit. I am happy about that as he is accumulating lots of miles/hotels points which I will be using of course... Hey-someone has to put them to good use!!!
Ok guess that about wraps it up for this update.. Next one I will post some pics!

Back to blogging!

Ok I am getting back to maintaining this site and keeping everyone updated on the happening's in the Crazy Garcia Household. So be watching out for a nice lengthy blog tomorrrow!