#LIVEONPURPOSE

"Why do We Fall?".....

"To Learn to Get Back Up"

My friend Scott Caldwell had fallen many many times. As Stacey Goff so honestly said today at Scott's memorial~ "Scott wasn't perfect, but He was Human". I think that is why so many people connected with him on so many different levels. He has been through it. The good, the bad and the really ugly.  He was REAL. And, through it all, he showed us how to get back up. One really doesn't know how they would react if given an advanced stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Scott Caldwell rose to the occasion and was a man on a mission for the last 6 months of his life. 

 I remember when Scott first moved back to Monroe, he was at rock bottom.  He had no car, no money, and his 2nd marriage was over. Some of his former boot campers & friends paid to get him an apartment near Forsythe so he could walk to "work" and get back on his feet. I was so happy he was back. Recovering from a broken pelvis from a horseback riding incident, I was the heaviest I had ever been and was itching to get back in shape.  That spring and summer, he helped me to get in the best shape of my life, start a running club and help my sister to begin her journey of getting healthy.

When I first met Scott, it was the summer of 2003. One of my very dearest friends (Jennifer Gunter) saw an article in the NewStar about this new bootcamp class.

She suggested we try it. We both were former runners in high school and were looking to stay in shape post college. Jennifer and I loved his class. We had an amazing group of people we worked out with. Stuart Gentry, his first wife Ann, David Reynolds, Chris Proctor, even Mayor Jamie Mayo were some of the originals. We even had sweet Jodi Mitchell in our group who tragically died in a car accident at that time. I remember us all attending her visitation.
  Fast forward to 2014, when he came back the 2nd time. We had the amazing group of people like my sister Holly Sanders, Laura Wooden, Arrah Burns, Becky Marshall, Jenny Swafford, Leslie Albritton, Mandy Magee, Donna Scallan, Mario Knox, Penny Acheson, Rachel Rose, and the list goes on and on.

This is when Scott helped play a huge role in the Jackalope Running Club starting. Here he was inspiring and motivating our runners at a group meeting back in Jan. I knew he wasn't feeling that great, but he didn't want to let me down, and he wanted the opportunity to share his story and mission with everyone.

There is something about working out next to a person that you become close. I can't really explain it. You show up, (most of the time with no make up at 5:30am) You sweat. You hurt. You cuss the Coach and You go home.

 Repeat.

 Repeat.

 Repeat.

 Friendships are formed and Scott knew how to help people feel like a team. I adore the people in bootcamp. I know I could call any of them at anytime and they would help me.

There are three women and three men who have played a huge roll in keeping bootcamp going while he was sick and now after his passing. Thank you to Christie Brodtman, Jennifer Sparks, Jenny Swafford, Dustin James, Matt Lyle and Michael Durham for all that you have done.

This photo was taken today after the Memorial Service of many of his former boot campers.  If you missed his Memorial Service today, I have to tell you, it was perfect. Laura Kilpatick & Staff did a wonderful job, the speakers were all amazing and I know he would of loved seeing all the bleachers filled with friends and loved ones in his shirts. 

Balloons were released at the end by everyone. 

Scott was wonderful in inspiring you and helping you to visualize and reach your goals. He had an activity where he would ask you to close your eyes and visualize what your goal was for your body, or for your life. He would then have you open your eyes and say "If your goal didn't immediately pop into your head, then you don't want it bad enough". 

This is so true. 

It goes hand in hand with his message to "Live on Purpose". 

What is your purpose in life???

We have created many shirts for Scott over the years, but I never dreamed we would be creating one to help his son Weston for his college years. 

100% of the profits of the Live on Purpose Turtle tee will be put in a 529 College account for Weston. The turtle came from a story he always told at bootcamp about little pet turtle who had an average life living in a cardboard box. He was fed and watered and life was okay.  Until one day, he got a little taste of freedom out in the world and wanted to get out his box and experience life. Scott wanted us all to not be satisfied with average and to "Live on Purpose".  We have currently sold 122 shirts.  We would like to at least get to 150. Orders will be taken until next Sat. June 4th. Order yours at www.mrpstees.com

Thank you in advance for helping. 

Love

Lissy

S'More Fun Photo Shoot

There once were some friends who got together to hang out and celebrate the end of the school year.  The camp fire was lit,

the skies were overcast and one friend brought her guitar to share a silly song she had written.

Marshmallows were passed and s'mores were made.

Even Nim the dog was hanging out with everyone.

The three girls were talking  and giggling about the boys and knew this would be a wonderful summer.

Then, Raindrops began to fall and the girls took cover under the front porch.

Who was she watching out there in the rain? Which one?

Love was in the air... and a little crush had developed....

THE END.

HAHA! That was fun, but not the reality! 

We had a little photo shoot last week and the stars (or the raindrops!!) all aligned for some pretty amazing photos. The truth was, none of these teens had ever met before until that very evening. I was a little nervous the whole thing was going to be awkward...but thankfully, they all actually became friends by the end of the shoot.

Meet the gorgeous Cassidy...

She goes to Ouachita High School and is on the dance team. She started out wearing our new Military Green Tank with some fab Laminin jewelry.  What is Laminin?

It is the jewelry line by Missy Robertson that provides jobs and hope for women when they need it most. The line is inspired by a love for the outdoors and with southern felinity. www.laminindesigns.com. A perfect combo with our tees :)

Next up is Hannah..

She is a natural beauty who is actually one of our Brand Reps. She is home schooled and plays the guitar & sings beautifully. She had on our new charcoal Eagle flag tank layered with a button up courtesy of Rodeo Boutique.

Next is Hunter...

He is a recent grad from West Ouachita High and is starting La Tech this Fall. He just made cheerleader at Tech (and had never cheered in his life!!). He had on the charcoal Eagle pride tee with a red button up.

Next is Virginia..

She goes to Saline High School and reminds me of a pretty little Dixie Chic. She competes in some pageants and won the award for Driving the Farthest to attend the shoot. She had on the Camo Eagle Flag tee, a Rodeo Boutique button up and lats of layered Laminin jewelry. 

Last but not least is Ethan.

He attends Cedar Creek School in Ruston and is a life guard at Squire Creek. He plays football and is wearing the military green Eagle Pride tee and khakis.

When they first arrived, everyone was kind of standing around a little nervous. Heather the photographer was prepping the site

 and then one of her daughters comes walking up with a duck under her arm!! Ice broken!!

 So funny!  They teens really did make S'mores and ate quite a few!

And even Nim the dog ran off with a mouthful of Graham crackers..

Heather started snapping photos of the group

And Hannah got out her guitar and sang the funniest parody to "Call me Baby" about eating candy called "Go Buy me Candy"

ΩΩ

Nervousness all gone!! Then my friend Brandy showed up with the goods!! Laminin by Missy Robertson.

They truly made the outfits!! 

Rain drops started slowly coming down and we took the three girls inside for a wardrobe change.

The lights on the porch seemed to twinkle as the rain came drizzling down. 

While inside Heather and Brandon's home, I noticed some song lyrics of a Mumford & Sons song that one of her daughters had written on a chalk board.

"We will run and scream-We'll fulfill our dreams and 

We'll be free. 

We will be who we are -And they'll heal our scars

Sadness will be far away"

Awe----it made me stop in my tracks and think.

My good friend Katie Bonnette has Rodeo Boutique in Ruston, LA. She had literally delivered some special pieces to compliment our tees for the girls to our house the day before. Did I mention she is about to have a baby in less than 20 days??!?  Thank you Katie!

Hannah now had on our Camo Eagle Flag tank layered with a neutral Free People vest, Laminin jewelry and skinny jeans. We should just call this look Canoe Cool!! 

Then Cassidy had on a super cute one piece denim romper that we left unbuttoned to show the charcoal Eagle Flag tank. A black belt was added and more special Laminin pieces. This would be perfect at Bayou Country Super fest next week.

And adorable Virginia had on our Charcoal Eagle Tee knotted on the side with a flirty blue skirt and rubber boots. Loved the whole look and feel of the whole shoot. Thanks to everyone who made this evening so special!!! 

Give me Serious!! hahaah and now, Just be Yourself!!

Do you want one of these tees or tanks???- We have them ready to ship online at www.mrpstees.com or pick one up at the following retailers: Rodeo in Ruston, LA, Herringstones in Monroe, LA, Ksera Boutique in West Monroe, LA

and the two Simply Chic Boutiques in Bossier City and Shreveport, LA. We also have a matching youth version available in 2t,4t,6t, and youth 8. So cute below on little Cypress :)

Thanks for reading-

Love
Lissy