Flying with the Starlings

Creamy Italian Chicken

2011-04-11T21:09:00.001-04:00

I wanted to share with you a great recipe. I'm sure many of you have tried this, but if not it's one of those super easy "forget and go" meals! In the summer I find myself using the crock pot more and more! I LOVE my crock pot, especially for yummo recipes like this one!!!

Creamy Italian Chicken:

combine in small bowl:

1/2 cup water

2 TB butter

1 can low fat cream of chicken

4 - 8 oz low fat cream cheese

1 packet Good Seasons Italian dressing

Pour Ingredients over chicken in crock pot

3-5 Large Chicken Breast or a bag of frozen chicken tenders

Cook on low for 5-6 hours

Serve over noodles or rice (I prefer the bowtie pasta)

Hope you enjoy it as much as my family did :)

Blessings to all ~

Photo Coasters

2011-03-28T21:17:00.006-04:00

I tell you, the warmer weather makes me feel good, which in return makes me feel like being CREATIVE. If you can't already tell that from several of my last posts. Anyway......Are you sick and tired of your ordinary coasters, well take a look at what I am making. I had been wanting to make these for about a year and finally, a couple of weeks ago I did it. I even went back and made a coaster with each of the kids baby picture on them. I've replaced the coasters on our nightstands, in our living room and in our bonus room. What's so neat about these coasters are that they make wonderful gifts for anyone, male or female. Look how cute they are done up with a ribbon. I've been asked to donate a set for a silent auction and several ladies at work has asked me to make sets for them, so I am pretty excited!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful and uplifting week.

Blessings to all~

Saturday Finds......

2011-03-26T21:14:00.004-04:00

There was no sleeping in at my house this morning. Courtney offered to help with childcare at church today which meant she had to be there at 9, so that meant I had to be up and ready to take her. Which I can't complain, since my body alarm doesn't let me sleep past 6 unless for catnaps. Anyway I dropped Courtney off and took advantage of being in town, I had a few things to return and then I hit some of my favorite second hand stores. I am looking for an old oval portrait frame about an 11x4 or and 8 x10. I didn't find one but I did find these....

From the moment that I saw them, they caught my eye, I immediately picked them up walked around the table put them down, then picked them up again and of course I put them back down until I finally knew that if I did not purchased them I would regret it since I feel in love with them from the first time I saw them and for $1.50.......what was I thinking????

I knew before I even bought them exactly what I was going to do with them. I think they turned out pretty cute. They are ceramic so if I ever want to write a name on them with a marker and use them as a place tag I could also.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Saturday. Jonah was suppose to go flying this afternoon but it ended up raining so he is heading out tomorrow afternoon with a friend of his who is learning to fly. Jonah wants to start soon, this makes me nervous!

Blessing to all~

Runners Hives???

2011-03-25T07:37:00.007-04:00

Runners Hives.....I had never heard of such until last night. Jonah had been at track practice at the park in cold and I mean it was cold, I think that old man winter had decided to pay us a visit again!!!!! Anyway, when I picked him up, he got in the van and within seconds he started complaining about his face burning. My first thought was the change in temperature, going from the cold outside to the toasty warm van, so I turned down the heat and we cracked the window a little. Well, by the time that we arrived home his head and neck was itching. By this time I thought that maybe he had ran through some chemicals while running on the grass out by the fields that line the edge of the park. I gave him some benadryl and he took a hot shower, again thinking that if there is something on his skin, a shower will help.

Well, the shower did not help, in fact the itching had now spread, his head was hurting and his breathing was labored. To shorten the story we later found out from a doctor that Jonah had Runners Hives, which can be common and you can get it for no reason at all and it usually occurs when a runner runs in colder temperatures, oddly enough this is the first time that it has happen to Jonah and he has ran in much colder weather, even ran in the snow, go figure.

Well, within several hours and two benadryl he was much better. I think he ate supper with his eyes closed and slept in the recliner with Rascal until I told him to go on to bed. He is doing much better this morning his head still hurts but the hives are gone :)

We love our Rascal and he loves us!!! Whenever someone is not feeling well, he knows and he wants to be right by their side. So last night he was cuddled in the recliner with Jonah, because he knows and he loves us!!!!

Blessings to all ~

St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T23:04:00.009-04:00

Well, St. Patrick's Day has come and gone and maybe you found your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, if that is what you were looking for. (he! he!) As for our house, I fixed green waffles for all my little Leprechauns, I even severed green waffles to the big Leprechaun in bed (he had the day off). Sorry there's no pictures, I did good to get my waffles made before heading off to school at 7 a.m.

My sweet little lady wore lots of green as you can see to school, minus the hat of course, she even ran in these crazy knee socks at track practice after school. Sure wish I would have taken a picture of that.

Blessings to all~

Mother Teresa's Prayer

2011-03-16T11:19:00.003-04:00

I came across this prayer the other day and it truly is what I need to hear daily during these trying times right now. Mother Teresa was one of the most self-less people ever. I love this prayer!

Deliver me Jesus from the desire of being loved and accepted

Deliver me Jesus from the desire of being extolled

Deliver me Jesus from the desire of being honored, praises and preferred

Deliver me Jesus from the desire of being consulted

Deliver me Jesus from the desire of being approved and popular

Deliver me Jesus from the fear of being humiliated

Deliver me Jesus from the fear of being despised and forgotten

Deliver me Jesus from the fear of suffering rebukes

Deliver me Jesus from the fear of being ridiculed and stereotyped

Blessings to all~

Ready for Spring

2011-03-13T20:32:00.003-04:00

Yes, I am ready for SPRING! Next Sunday will be the first day of Spring and I can't wait, even though it never fails that we still have several days of cold weather to follow, especially around Easter. I am soooo ready for warmer weather and with warmer weather I always get a wild hair to redecorate. Of course, when I say redecorate I really mean rearrange or bargain shop for new accessories.

A couple of weeks ago I showed you a picture of two trays that I picked up at a local second hand store. Well I thought that I would share with you what I've done with them...... This tray sits on our dining room table with Easter grass and yes, that is ribbon in the apothecary jar and a bunny plate that I have had for years.

The second tray sits on our kitchen table with just a few "fake" chocolate Easter bunnies and the plant Phillip got me.

Blessing to all~

Ten Things on the TENTH

2011-03-10T16:12:00.007-05:00

I have taken on the position of treasurer of the SWHS Track and Field. Can you say SUCKER???? Well truly I volunteered but that was only because no one was speaking up for any of the positions and the only position that I felt I could do comfortably and with little time was treasurer. What was I thinking!!!!
I am thinking about taking my blog private.....should I????
I am little frustrated with myself right now. About 6 weeks ago I started the couch to 5K, I took off with a bang but now I have lost interest and I struggle to get on that tread mile. My friend who is doing the program with me is experiencing the same, so maybe its not me but it doesn't make it easy :(
Track season is now in full swing....practice everyday and next week the kids are back running across town at Keriakes from 4:30 to 6 which is going to make for a long day and really makes it hard for me to cook a good dinner.
Just ordered Courtney new spikes (running shoes) for track, I can't believe that I ordered a size 8.5.......what happened to my little girl
Time changes this weekend....we SPRING forward....so we loose an hour of sleep, but I am so ready for the extra daylight and the warmer weather to follow.
Sometimes I wonder if the things that we loose sleep over is really worth loosing sleep over. Being an adult is so hard.
We have had soooo much rain in the past week and again it is raining today. I'm starting to wonder if this is how people in Seattle, WA Feel?
First sign of SPRING.... all the daffodils. We have them planted all over our yard, in the front and back. I love them!!!
Spring puts me in the mood to reorganize and redecorate. Our closet is getting a make over soon......I can't wait, maybe it will finally put me in the mood to get rid of somethings.

Blessing to all~

She's Growing Up

2011-03-06T07:31:00.003-05:00

Back a few weeks ago, Courtney attended a "Sweet Sixteen" Birthday party for one of her dear friends. It was not until she was all dressed up that I realized how fast she was growing up. She was certainly "dolled" up that night, with a little bit of mascara, blush and lip gloss......Boy, where does the time go!

Her pouty face.....really she was tired of me snapping pictures of her, but I couldn't help it!!

Blessings to all~

Flashback Friday

2011-03-04T14:59:00.001-05:00

I love this picture of my mom, dad and I taken in 1975. As many of you know my mother passed away several years ago, oh how I miss her :( Which is one reason why this picture is so special to me but I grew up in this house and my father still lives there. Of course the kitchen looks nothing like this but the layout is the same and of course the memories I hope will never fade. This corner of the kitchen is where I had the habit of hopping up on the counter and sitting (when there was room) and engaging in conversation with mom or dad.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Blessings to all~

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-02T16:46:00.000-05:00

My Bargain Finds

2011-03-01T22:44:00.006-05:00

Let me just start out by sharing my African Violet that Phillip brought home a couple of weeks ago. They were throwing it away at the store because basically it was dead, completely wilted, looked horrible and now look at it...isn't it amazing what a little water and love will do :) I am working on a project so last Saturday I went out to the local thrift stores looking for white plates, I need about 7. I really thought it would be an easy find but I only found these four. Two of which I only paid 50 cents for (YIPEE!!) and the other two which I do have to say are antique milkglass I found for $3. Once I find enough plates and finish my project, I promise to share the result.

Also on Saturday, I ran across these two awesome trays and fell in love with them so much that the one with the wood bottom I carried around in the store and then decided not to purchase either one. Don't ask me why, because they were good deals. Well every since Saturday all I have thought about were these trays, so this afternoon while the kids were at track practice I had a few minutes to kill and went back after the trays. Let me just say that my waiting paid off! It saved me 20%, YES, between Saturday and today, both trays were marked down. Needless to say I quickly picked them up and now they have a new home.

I already have plans for both trays, maybe I'll even remember to post a picture or two. Hope everyone has a great evening. I have two loaves of Amish Friendship Bread in the oven that has the house smelling soooo good! I just may have to have a piece before I head to bed.

Blessings to all~

Carla

Saying Farewell.......

2011-02-28T18:12:00.002-05:00

.....to the oldest member of our family. Phillip and I bought this washer and dryer on April 1, 1993, when we bought our first home.....18 years ago. They have been in seven different homes, washed our clothes when it was just Phillip and I and then when we became a family of 3 and then a family of 4. I even placed a small heart sticker on the dryer dial so that the kids would know where to turn the dial to so that they could start the dryer for me. They were good to me, 18 years and I only called the repairman once and that was to tighten the agitator, which if I had known that was the noise I was hearing I think that I could have fixed it for $60. Of course I have to say that they were Maytags.

However, after 18years it is time to say farewell. The dryer was sounding like I was drying a load of belt buckles and to dry a load of towels was taking close to two hours. Our first thought was to go back with a Maytag and to go with the front load and if I would have let the first salesman I went to sale me what I thought wanted I don't think I would have been as pleased as what we bought after we did the research......
We ended up buying a Whirlpool, which by the way now owns part of Maytag (since they don't make Maytags like ours anymore, go figure). We ended up going back with a top loader without an agitator, it is an high efficiency, low water washer and has more buttons and gadgets then I know what to do with right know. So far I have no complaints for our new appliances but I not holding my breath on them lasting near as long as my Maytag. BTW......we are donating them to our church, the washer works great and with work maybe the dryer will be back up and working again soon so that a family in need of a washer and dryer can have one with much love attached :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful Monday. Mine was a little crazy but I guess that goes with all the storms that we had here today.

Blessing to all~

Carla

Flashback Friday

2011-02-25T20:37:00.000-05:00

This was the everyday Jonah when he was little. He ALWAYS either had a hotwheels car in his hand or his pocket and if we were going to church he had a little blue Mickey Mouse backpack that was just big enough for a few cars and his Buzz Lightyear. He had a car rug that we bought from Lowes that stayed lined up with cars and these waffle blocks I bought at a yard sale for $2 when he was one, which he made more roads out of then blocks. He even made little ramps off of them (look at the blue waffle block at the bottom of the first pic). I love this picture because you can tell that he was making either that varoom or siren sound with his lips. Also notice how always has two cars going at the same time......I miss these days. I still have ALL the cars. Yes, he has never let me get rid of them and I won't. One day hopefully their will be a child of his to play with them......WAY down the road.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday. It is the last Friday in February so I guess I need to come up with something different for my Flashback Friday's for March......what will it be!

Blessings to all~

Carla

Jonah turns 15

2011-02-20T23:36:00.003-05:00

I can not believe that my little boy is 15 as of yesterday the 19th, well he is not little by no means anymore. These days he is taller then his mom, pushing 5'5, if I had to guess. His birthday wish this year was to go to snow skiing as you can tell from the previous post, was a BLAST!! He then celebrated his actually birthday by having Andrew, Nate, and Trajan (a.k.a Xbox cronies) over for a night of hanging out and playing the Xbox.
I thought that it would be interesting to try an list 15 things about Jonah on his 15th birthday, so here goes....

he is 5'5"
wears a size 9.5 shoe
enjoys running
would play his XBox 360 all day long if his momma would let him
loves snow skiing
is working towards his Eagle scout
a ninth grader
could eat pizza or pizza rolls anytime of the day
loves sweet tea and coke icees (just like his momma)
is not a morning person, at all
is very outgoing
willing to try just about anything
has a heart for God
wants to learn to fly
would love to raise dwarf goats

Just a few interesting facts of my firstborn. Hope everyone in blogger land has an wonderful evening. Goodnight and......

Blessings to all~

Carla

Paoli Peaks

2011-02-16T07:34:00.007-05:00

Last Tuesday, the four of us, plus one of Jonah's friends, John Mark, headed up to Paoli Peak for a day of skiing. For the last several years Jonah's birthday "wish" or want is to go skiing, which is usually a challenge to fit into our schedule because for some reason our weekends in February are just CRAZY. Last year, Phillip took Jonah out of school one day and he and Jonah, along with one of Jonah's friends went skiing. Well last Monday when they called school 2 hours early, Phillip started working on taking Tuesday off because we figure with it snowing school would be cancelled for Tuesday and we would take off and go skiing. So that is just what we did.

" Our snow princess"

The soon to be birthday boy, I still can not believe that he'll soon be 15!

This kid has only skied 4 times in his life but to watch him ski you would think he has been skiing his whole life. The first time we ever took him skiing him went down a black diamond and now he is doing jumps.

Courtney and her daddy, she was always racing him and winning!!!!

This was only Courtney's second time skiing. After her first fall, she looked at me and said I don't want to ski, I don't like it. I reminded her that it had been a long time since she skied and that it would take a while. Well by the middle of the afternoon she was off with the boys going down slopes by herself and even down a blue square. I was so proud of her.

There she goes......

There goes my hubby.....

There I go and I am upright......you laugh! I wasn't very talented that day. The snow was very slick because of the low temps which made you go fast. Lets see, I landed in the woods once, cutting my glove and thumb and I can not tell you how many times I fell getting on the ski lift. Oh and skied into the caution fencing twice. If only someone else was hand my camera beside me during those times. You would really have some pictures to laugh at.

The kids on the ski lift coming up from the bottom of the slope.

She looks like a pro.

Let me just say after being there since 10 a.m. in the 20 degree weather Phillip and I were done, Phillip and I were done by sundown. I could not feel my toes any longer and my face was numb. So Phillip and I went inside and sat by a fire, well it really wasn't much of a fire and it really didn't put out much heat at all but soon my toes did start to thaw out. Interesting enough we did run into someone there from BG, I mean out of the whooping 50 people that were there that day, we run into someone from BG. Finally around 8:30 we were able to round up the kiddos starting thawing them out and head back to BG. I know that Jonah would have stayed all night if we would have let him. Good thing it closes at 9.

Blessings to all~

Carla

Flashback Friday

2011-02-11T21:39:00.000-05:00

Doesn't he look so young? Some days it seems like just yesterday and then other days, well, I realize that my baby boy is about to turn 15 in just 8 days. Looking back at this picture of Jonah, I remember this day like it was yesterday. It was December 2000, Jonah was just shy of turning four and our play group had went to O2B kids in Gainesville for our play date. Jonah loved to play with the tools, he was drawn to them. He has always enjoyed anything he could do with his hands.
This was also the day that I lost an half carat diamond out of my wedding set. We had spent the entire morning and O2B Kids and on our way home, I looked down at my hand on the steering wheel and notice that my diamond was missing. Yes, I freaked out! LUCKILY, we had insurance and it was replace without any cost. WHEW!!!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. It is suppose to warm up a little this weekend, anything should be better then the freezing temps that we have seen the last two mornings, -3 degrees has been the low. Our driveway and road still is covered with snow.

Blessings to all~
Carla

Day # 12

2011-02-07T23:56:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow will be snow day #12, SERIOUSLY!!! I can't believe it. We dismissed school today 2 hours early, letting the students leave at 12:30. Since I am a school employee I have to stay until my normal time to leave, which is 3:30. Our principal let me run the kids home at 1:00, which at that time it was only raining, NO SNOW. I then returned back to school. Shortly after 2:00, our principal announced that the roads were getting bad and we could leave. Well this is what it looked like on my way home. This pic was taken on our street. What a difference a hour makes. It is a beautiful snow I will say that, a wet snow, one that sticks to everything. In 12 days Jonah turns 15 and more then anything he wants to go snow skiing (not that he didn't just go with his Adventure Crew), so in the morning, since it is a snow day, Phillip has taken off work and we are heading to Paoli Peaks to hit the slopes. Wish us, I mean me luck. I'm not a BIG skier like my son is. I promise to post a few pictures.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!

Blessings to all~
Carla

Flashback Friday

2011-02-04T17:31:00.001-05:00

Since this month is the birth month of my first born, I thought that I would share a picture of Jonah and his dad taken the spring of 1997. Jonah was just over a year old. This picture was taken in our backyard in Starke, Florida. Jonah loved to play outside and loved to swing on the hammock that hung between two tall trees right beside our patio. He loved to go high and always would say "again, again"!! Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday!

Blessings to all~
Carla

Cross Country Adventures

2011-02-01T20:15:00.007-05:00

Back in September, actually it was the first Wednesday in September during 7th period to be exact, a gentleman came into my office, kinda in a hurry might I add, asking me if my son ran. I had to have looked at him kinda puzzled and said no. He then rephrased his question and "can your son run." To that, still a little puzzled I answered, "kinda." By this time I realized who he was, Coach Eaton the Cross Country Coach and I did not have the time to sit and "play" his games. So I said, " Jonah is in the gym, you can go and talk to him." Well that is how all this got started. Shortly both Jonah and the Coach was in my office and that afternoon I was taking Jonah to his first cross country practice and little to my knowledge the next day would be Courtney's first cross country practice. It was been nice having both kids in the same sport, same practices and for the most part the same races.

Even with joining the team after season had started they both did very well for their first year and very little conditioning. We traveled to Louisville for one of the largest races in the area and both kids went to Lexington where they ran in state. It was an awesome season for us all, the kids made new friends and so did Phillip and I and it was fun to travel with the team.

South Warren's First Cross Country team

(making history)

Courtney ran a PR of 15.46 for the 3000m and a PR of 21.10

for the 4000m. SHE ROCKS!!!!

Jonah's PR for the 5000m was 19.20PR. WAY TO GO!!

The varsity boys won AA Region Champions. We were all so very proud of them.

Of course I could not resist including a family photo. This was taken on 01/11/11 at their banquet. Can you believe how fast my kiddos are growing?

Blessings to all~

Carla

Flashback Friday

2011-01-27T11:17:00.005-05:00

Just recently one of my high school friends tagged me on face book with this picture taken at our High School Graduation on June 6, 1991. The moment I saw this picture I started laughing for several different reasons BUT most noticeable..... look at our hair, I can only imagine how much Aqua Net we used and how much volume our hair still has even with our caps on. Then I paused and realized that this year will be our 20 year class reunion. WOW!!!! Where does the time go??!!

Blessings to all~

Carla

Back from Retirement.....

2011-01-17T17:15:00.005-05:00

Blog Retirement that is. It is hard to believe that it has been over a year since I blogged. So many times I've thought about blogging but then wondered where to began when you haven't blogged for so long. Then last night I came to the conculsion that blogging is like riding a bicycle, you just jump back on and away you go, I think :). Anyway, last night I found myself awake until 2 am reading my blog and I realized that the reason I started blogging in April of 2007, was to keep a "journal" of the adventures in my life. Not saying that my life is grand or extravagant and many days its kinda boring but as I sat last night and read my previous posts I realized that there were several things that had slipped my mind. Yea, call it old age but in years to come its going to be nice to look back and read these posts. So with that said, retirement from the world of blogging is over for me. Till the next post.

Blessings~

Carla

Too Long

2010-01-02T21:30:00.001-05:00

Let me just start out by saying that it has been a very long time since I have posted anything on this blog. Unfortunately, there is not one specific reason why I haven't blogged, maybe it was because of Facebook or maybe it was the lack of time or maybe it was because I felt like there was a lack of followers. For whatever the reason was I have since realized how much I enjoyed blogging and missed keeping up with my fellow bloggers.

As I begin 2010, I want to turn over a new leaf and start back blogging again, so I will begin with a brief summary of the highlights that have occurred in my life since my last post in May of 2009.

In July, our little girl decided to put Christ first in her life and was baptized by her daddy at church camp. We were so proud of her decision. Courtney is maturing into a wonderful young lady right before our eyes. She has a heart of gold.

This past summer we had a couple of visitors from the sunshine state. My mother in law and nephew came up in July and spent a couple of days with us. During their visit we did a little sight seeing and visited Abraham Lincoln's childhood home.

Now that I am posting this, I realize that July was a very busy month for us. My dad celebrated his 68th birthday in July. He had told me about a birthday party that was going to happen in his honor but never did he imagine that the kids and I would make the trip down to Florida for it. Boy, was he surprised!!! The party was a blast, an all day event. Dad even played a few songs on his new guitar.

At the end on July, the four of us took of to Chicago for a weekend get away before school started. It was a quick trip but we were able to see all that we wanted to see of the windy city. Of course while on Michigan Ave, Courtney and I had to visit the American Girl store.

We also went to the Aquarium. I love this picture of Phillip and the kids with the Aquarium in the background.

Of course, when you go to Chicago you have to go to Navy Pier, there we rode the infamous Ferris Wheel.

While the kids were not at camp during the summer and in between our mini vacations. We again enjoyed many summer days being lazy by the pool at Southland. This is one of those fun photos that I snapped of Jonah going of the high dive with his board. I love the action shot!!!

This was the first year for the Bowling Green Hot Rods, a minor league baseball team. We were fortunate enough to enjoy several games.

In August, Courtney attended her first ever concert, Demi Lovato. We had great seats, thanks to a wonderful friend.

September 4th, marked Phillip and my 16th wedding anniversary. I can not believe that it has been that long. Where does the time go????

During fall break we took off for the beach. Nothing like a little R&R in Destin. What a nice and relaxing vacation!!!

Since we were in Florida for 18 months I missed watching the leaves change, however I did not miss the raking of the leaves. Which we had lots to do this year in our front yard alone.

Is she not growing up too fast??? For Halloween, Courtney dressed up in her poodle skirt that my talented neighbor in Florida made for her.

After five years of homeschooling, we decided it was time for both kids to try a new chapter in their life....public school. With much prayer, we made this decision and have been pleased with the adjustment. Both kids brought home straight A's, which makes us very proud of them.

In December, the 6th graders at Courtney's school hosted a parent/child dance. Phillip took Courtney to the dance and out to dinner on the special night.

This year Courtney has discovered a true love for music. First she tried out and made it into chorus and then she decided to play the flute in the 6th grade band. It has been a pleasure to watch her grow and learn new and exciting things this year in school.

Jonah decided this year that he would play football, yes this was a total shock to Phillip and myself, but we all enjoyed the season even though we were sitting on the edge of our seats for most of the games, praying the he would not get injured.Jonah was inducted into the National Junior Beta Club in December...we are so proud of him.

And yes, we were very blessed with a wonderful Christmas this year. We were unable to make it to Florida so that was a very big change for us. However, I will admit that spending the entire day at home in front of the fire with my pj's on was nice.

Well like I said a brief summary of the highlights over the past 7 months and maybe this will be the kick start that I need to begin blogging again. I hope that all of you had a blessed Christmas and I wish you all a great 2010.

Blessings to all~

Carla

May Happenings

2009-05-29T13:57:00.007-04:00

May has been a very busy month for us. On top of still trying to get settled into our new house we began the month of May celebrating the birthday of two special people...Courtney and Phillip. On the 7th, Courtney turned 11, where does the time go. This year she requested a sleepover with a few of her friends and instead of a fancy birthday cake, she wanted me to bake her a sandcastle cake decorated with strawberries and cool whip. I will say it was pretty easy and a BIG hit with the kids...meaning only a small piece was left over which was a blessing seeing how the next day we had another birthday cake...her dad's.

For her Birthday supper Courtney picked her favorite restaurant, Tumbleweed. Courtney has been heart broken ever since Tumbleweed closed their doors in BG but was excited when her daddy said that he would drive an hour in order for her to be able to eat at her favorite restaurant for her Birthday.

One of Courtney's birthday gifts from me was a mother daughter manicure and pedicure. Courtney especially enjoyed her pedicure and the message chair.

On the 8th, yes the day after Courtney's, Phillip turned...well we won't say but Courtney was his 30th birthday present, so you do the math. After spending the day recovering from Courtney's sleepover I surprised Phillip with his favorite dinner and for dessert, an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbin's.

Since moving to our new house last month, both kids have enjoyed watching the new life that comes with spring. Jonah found this young bird on Mother's Day that basically took to him. The bird would sit on his shoulder, finger and even his head (I wasn't crazy about that one but Courtney took a pic for me). As the afternoon went on this bird would follow Jonah every time he came in contact with the bird, it was really cute.

And before you think that I am trying to publish a book...the last thing in my May Happenings post is Mother's Day pictures. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful kids, without them I wouldn't be mother.

Blessings to all~

Carla

New Hair Do

2009-04-27T12:37:00.005-04:00

Well it's a couple weeks old now, but it is still quite new to me and to anyone who has not seen it yet. I will say that this is the shortest I have ever worn my hair. Here's a side view...

I hope that everyone had a great weekend, the weather here in Ky was beautiful. Hope you have a great week.

Blessings to all~

Carla

Rascal's Favorite Spot in Our New House

2009-04-22T10:58:00.006-04:00

Rascal has discovered the morning sun that comes in through one of the dining room windows and shines on the hardwood floors. This has became his favorite spot to lie, especially when the kids and I are preoccupied with other things. I find it funny, he does have his favorite window. Since there are four windows like this at the front of the house and the sunlight comes in them all the same, he still chooses this one window every time.

BTW...yesterday marked the two year anniversary of my Blog. I can not believe it has been two years since I've started this blog and yet since I became introduced to Facebook back last summer I've really slacked off on my postings. Not that I haven't thought about posting and I have had plenty to post about...well I've just became a slacker!!! So, with that said, I am going to try and start posting more often even if its just for me. Hope everyone has a Happy Earth Day today!!

Blessings to all~

Carla

Moving Again!!!

2009-03-22T19:27:00.005-04:00

As many of you may have already heard, the Starling's are moving again...this time back to Bowling Green. Just over 18 months ago we left Bowling Green and moved to Ocala with Phillip's job. At that time we were excited for the move, looking forward to being back in Florida after being away for 7 years, looking forward to being back close to family and friends that we left years ago. But what we did not realize was the wonderful friends and close church family that we were leaving behind in Ky. What we did not realize,was that all our children had ever truly known was Ky. We knew within a few months of our move that we wanted to be back in BG and started praying then, that if it was the Lord's will, he would open a door and now he has. Unless something changes (date wise) we look to be moving around the first of April back to the Bluegrass state. We are still trying to sell our house in Ocala...so if anyone out there knows someone who needs a house in Ocala for purchase or to rent...... Anyway, please remember the Starling's in your prayers, that this move will go smoothly and our house will find a new owner, SOON!!!

Blessings to all~
Carla

Mother of a Teenager

2009-03-01T18:59:00.004-05:00

Where does the time go? It seem like just yesterday I was holding this little precious guy and now he is a TEENAGER!!! Yes...it is true Jonah celebrated the big 13 about a week ago. He's growing up! The Lord has certainly blessed us with one amazing son. I am so proud of all that he does. Thank you God for a wonderful son!!

Our Christmas

2009-01-13T14:22:00.000-05:00

I can honestly say that this year during the holiday season, we took it easy.... that is on the gift buying, the running around, and the "we have to do this because" and when everything was unwrapped and the Christmas decorations was taken down and put away for another year...Honestly, there was nothing that we missed out on and we truly enjoyed the season more as a family.

The fun activity during the month of December around our house was the traditional Advent calendar that we do every year, but this year there was an added twist. I turned the advent calendar into a daily scavenger hunt. Some days the clues led the kids to a treat hidden among a Christmas decoration or in the tree, or in a Christmas movie. Whatever it was, always brought excitement to the kids and was a treat that they looked forward to. On Christmas Eve, I sent them on a "wild goose" chase, they had ten different clues which ended them back under the tree to look for a present with their name on it and a green bow. They were allowed to open that gift. Jonah got new shoes and Courtney received Pj's along with matching ones for her American Girl Doll.

We spent Christmas Eve with Phillip's family and Christmas night with my family. This year was the first year ever that we were home on Christmas morning without needing to rush off to go to family, which was nice. We slept in...7:30, that's sleeping in on Christmas morning for us. It was enjoyable to be at home Christmas morning with the kids, we were not in a rush to open gifts or go anywhere. After lunch, the four of us headed to the movies to see Marley and Me...Loved it...I did cry. Then after the movie we enjoy Christmas dinner with my dad and my siblings. It was a great Christmas. Even with a few changes to traditions.

Jonah's big gift...PSP

Courtney received...the American Girl Doll Kit, along with the movie, which if you haven't seen it, you need to and many accessories.

Courtney and her matching pj's.

Our family...Christmas Eve night at Phillip's moms

My dad, sister, brother and me

My sister and her family

My Brother and his boys

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T10:06:00.001-05:00

Well, as some may know, I had issues with our Christmas card this year. The one you see here, was my pride and joy however long story short, it was very pixelated (sp? if a word). This was card number 1, card number 2 which I ordered online and returned, I was displeased with...after three attempts, the third one I was happy with and a Christmas card finally made the mail and hopefully arrived before today. If you were over looked I apologized, there is a story behind the addressing of the cards also but I'll save that for another day, maybe.

Anyway, to all my friends, family and fellow bloggers, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2009

Blessings to all-
Carla

Halloween Goo and Costume Mania

2008-12-01T10:20:00.006-05:00

What a face!!

(from left to right) Phillip's creation, Jonah's, mine and Courtney's

Courtney and Rascal, our little pumpkin

The fun of carving pumpkins...cleaning out the pumpkin goo!

Jonah and Carla

Lots of Goo!!

Costume Mania

This year Jonah was Father Time and Courntey was Pinocchio.

Thirteen Thanksgiving's Blessings

2008-11-27T20:57:00.003-05:00

As Thanksgiving Day 2008 is coming to an end and my house that was full of noise early today is now quiet. I thought that I would surprise everyone with a post at the end of this Blessed Day.

So what better way then to share with you thirteen ways that I am blessed...

God's grace... He died for me and then saved me!

I have a husband that loves and supports me (married 15 years!).

I am blessed with 2 beautiful children that I adore.

I have great friends and family that I love.

I was raised by godly parents that loved me no matter what!

I have the choice to homeschool my kids (and I am loving it!).

I have the freedom to worship the One and Only God!

God has provided for all my needs.

God has also provided for some of my wants.

I have a roof over my head.

I am able to stay home with my kids.

My husband has a job that provides for all our needs.

God loves me and will never forsake me!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Many Blessings to everyone who visits and reads my blog.

Blessings to all,

Carla

Blog Award

2008-10-23T19:52:00.006-04:00

I have been nominated by Beth for an "I Love (Heart) Your Blog Award." Thanks! Due to this honor, I must answer the following questions with one word answers and nominate 10 other blogs for the "I heart your blog" award.

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Where is your significant other? office
3. Your hair color? Blonde
4. Your mother? heaven
5. Your father? strong
6. Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your dream/goal? debt-free
9. The room you're in? family
10. Your hobby? scrapbooking
11. Your fear? Loss
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Kentucky
13. Where were you last night? church
14. What you're not? single
15. One of your wish-list items? Jeans
16. Where you grew up? Starke
17. The last thing you did? Facebook
18. What are you wearing? clothes
19. Your TV? off
20. Your pet? dog
21. Your computer? laptop
22. Your mood? sleepy
23. Missing someone? mother
24. Your car? mini-van
25. Something you're not wearing? shorts
26. Favorite store? Target
27. Your summer? short
28. Love someone? Phillip
29. Your favorite color? pink
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? Tuesday

Whew - that's a challenge to only do one word! So, here are a few people I will challenge...and give an award to!

Tiffany
Alicia
Laura
JP
Joanna
Tonya
Paulina
Dana
Kate
Jeanne

It's Been a While

2008-10-07T22:43:00.010-04:00

It's been a while since I have blogged...I kinda felt that there was nothing exciting to write about, but then I realized that I was just going through a time when I have tried to stay focus on what the Lord has in store for me and my family. Truth be known, I have been searching...asking God for direction as to where our life needs to take us. We have now been in Ocala for a year and even though I do not hate living here, I am ready to move tomorrow if we could. If I could only turn back time and Phillip and I knew then what we know now, we would have fought to stay in BG. With this said, I have been going through some personal issues and knew that I needed to rely on God with my whole heart. You know, saying that phrase seems easy, right? I mean, for those who call ourselves Christians, we are suppose to lean on him with everything that we have, but how often do we give it to him and then take it right back? That is sooooo my problem, I want to handle everything myself, I want to be in control, I am sooooo guilty of this. Just because it is not in OUR timing, I feel God is not aware of our situation when in reality he is aware of all and has a plan for all. With that in mind, I have memorized Philippians 4:6 " Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God." I would appreciate any prayers that God would give me direction and peace at this time.

Blessings to all~
Carla

Catch a Wave

2008-09-17T15:48:00.004-04:00

Since we live just an hour from the beach, an afternoon spent at the beach is not hard to do, just load up the cooler, make sure we have everything and head in that direction. This past weekend that is exactly what we did. We spent an afternoon at the beach, soaking up the rays, splashing in the waves, and enjoying our time together as a family. The waves were awesome, the kids enjoyed riding their boogie boards and playing in the sand. The weather was beautiful not one cloud, which this time of year it can be unpredictable.

Here are a few pictures that I thought I would share.

What a pose!
I like the sailboat in the background.
I am surprised that I captured this one on camera.

Courtney crossed right over the back over Jonah, he barely felt her.

Our 15th Anniversary

2008-09-04T11:58:00.005-04:00

On this day, fifteen years ago, Phillip and I said, "I Do." Where does the time go? And how the styles changes? I think there was more dress there, then there was me.

A Week in Review

2008-08-29T18:13:00.008-04:00

This week has flew by and I am ready for the three day weekend. Here’s a few things that has been going on around our house…..

Last Saturday my Cricut died - I was heartbroken until I found out that luckily it was still under warranty. So, I am waiting for a replacement to arrive any day now. Okay for any non-scrapbookers, it is not a bug or a critter, it is the most cleaver die cutting tool around and mine kicked the bucket last weekend. :(

Monday night was Jonah’s Court of Honor for Boy Scouts and he did it again, he advanced in rank to First Class Scout. Way to go!!! He totally surprised me on this one.

I have fallen back into the routine of having weekly migraines this week I think a small piece of banana caused it. It lasted a little over two days.

I turned 35 this week. It is soooo hard to believe that I am 35. I started the day out battling the remains of a migraine and ended the day with no migraine so HBTM. Over all it was a great day. I received a large number of calls, went out for dinner and tonight I am enjoying the house to myself. So guess what I am doing? SCRAPBOOKING!!!

Phillip and Courtney is heading out for dinner and a movie tonight.

Jonah is heading to Sonquest in Orlando, this weekend, with the youth group from our church. So, I pray that the youth group has a safe trip and a wonderful time.

I hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend!! Enjoy the three day weekend, I sure plan on it!!!

Blessings to all~

Carla

You Gotta Love Them!!

2008-08-25T15:51:00.001-04:00

Saturday and Sunday was again rainy days for us even though Fay had departed from our area. On Staurday, the kids were outside playing with their friends in between the rain showers, which I was aware of. Just like I was aware of the fact that Fay had turned the lot next to our house into a large mud pit but I never expected this when Phillip called me to the door after the kids rang the doorbell. Needless to say I stayed calm, I hosed them off in the backyard and into the showers they went. What a muddy mess!!!!

Fay, Fay, Go Away

2008-08-22T14:56:00.005-04:00

It has been a long week. Over a week now we have been dealing with Tropical Storm Fay. Wondering.... where and when she would hit, it has been crazy. The schools has been out all week except for Monday, church was cancelled Wednesday night, the stores has been busy. Tropical Storm Fay never made hurricane status but she sure left a wet mess and has hung around the state for a long time and is still here. Never did I imagine that she would drop so much ran and last sooooooo long and chose to mark its path through our county, days after she was initially suppose to hit the state. Luckily, all we have seen is just some down tree limbs and heavy rains, no major flooding, known in our area as of right now. Praise God! As of this post, the wind is still whipping around outside and the bands of rain are still very strong, but there has not been any power outages or lightening. With all that said the kids have enjoyed this afternoon outside playing in the rain.........

Singing and dancing in the rain

Heavy rains can come really quick, but that does not stop the kids.

Courtney shows how strong the wind is!

Courtney gave up on the umbrella and decided to tube down our street, not really, but she tried. The water was not quite deep enough.

Jonah and Courtney
My two wet kiddos

Back to School

2008-08-19T07:02:00.000-04:00

It's official....yesterday was the Starling's first day of school for the 2008-2009 school year, which seems odd since most of my friend's children have already been in school for almost two weeks. But since Florida passed a "save our summer" bill a couple of years a ago, schools do not start now until around the 20th of August, so we chose to do the same.

Where does time go? It seems like just yesterday, Jonah was starting kindergarten and now he is starting the 7th grade. Four of his classes he is taking online this year through Florida Virtual, which has him sooooo excited that he is already working ahead in his classes, let's hope he keeps it up! The program is a really neat program and will help him in many ways, plus he thinks it cool that he gets to work on a laptop. I can not believe that this year marks the 5th year that we have been home schooling, WOW, which means that my little girl is now in the 5th grade. She is growing up so fast. We had an awesome first day. Everyone woke up on time, the four of us had a nice breakfast together and by 8 we had started school. Monday is usually Phillip's office day so he was home all day and since most kids do not get to wear pj's to school on the first day, I did not insist that the kids get dress at a certain time like I had in the past. There will be plenty of other days for that. Courtney, in her pj's, reading Anne of Green Gables
My favorite 5th grader
Teacher's pet!

Courtney's Trip to Tn

2008-08-14T11:12:00.000-04:00

A little late but I thought that I would share a few of the pictures from Courtney's trip to Tn with her friend Ashley. Yes, my wonderful friend Minta gave me a CD full of pictures to document Courtney's first trip without mom and dad. She had a blast and I really think she would have stayed longer if that was an option. The week was full of exciting things including a trip to Dollywood, the Fun Factory, Flyaway (an indoor skydiving), the Applebarn, a day of horseback riding, and tubing down a river, not to mention the things that they did around Ashley's grandparent's house. Overall, she had an awesome time. Courtney and Ashely - Like "Two Peas in a Pod"
This creek runs beside Ashley's Grandparents place.

It is where the kids waded, fished and just were able to be kids.

Ashley's grandfather took the girls riding through the mountains in his Jeep
Tubing down deep creek
Courtney and Ashley posing in front of a bear

in downtown Cherokee on the way to Dollywood.
Courtney and her horse Savannah

Praise God!

2008-08-08T21:29:00.004-04:00

Let me just say THANK YOU to everyone out there that has said a prayer for me over the last several months. I just realized that it has been 17 days since I have had a MAJOR migraine,one that has put me in bed for three days. I am still on a very strict diet, exercising daily, taking several preventative medicines and trying to get an adequate amount of sleep. I have learned to live without an ice cold Pepsi (it has been 4 months) and even though I still crave that Hawaiian Pizza, I am dealing with it, however it was hard a couple weeks ago when at the youth lock-in, Phillip and I was asked to stay for supper they were ordering pizza and I heard several of the kids and adults say order plenty of Hawaiian Pizza, needless to say we did not stay for supper. Phillip did take me to Carrabba's Italian Grill instead, what a great husband! Eating out has become a challenge for me, I am pretty safe to stick with a salad or pasta with a white sauce nothing with aged cheese (of course the good stuff) or MSG. It does have me eating healthier, though. I am eating more organic, which means yes, I have lost weight and Courtney and I are spending some time shopping in the same section together, which is kinda fun for now. Thanks again for all the prayers. I see the neurologist again September 18, but for now I am on the right track, I think! Happy Friday!

Blessings to all~
Carla

MAMMA MIA!

2008-08-01T09:00:00.001-04:00

I have to say that when my friend Minta called and asked if I wanted to go and see it with her I was a little hesitant. She wanted to see it, I wanted the girls night out! But once I started watching it I loved it! The only slightly painful part was listening to Pierce Brosnan sing!!! He is adorably cute but his singing is horrible. However, the movie ROCKS and if you go to see it make sure you sit through the credits at the end........ We laughed so hard!!! Let me know if you've seen it.

An Uplifting Weekend

2008-07-29T09:37:00.003-04:00

This past weekend was the Spiritual Growth Workshop in Orlando, Phillip, Jonah, Courtney and myself as well as about 20 other families from our church attended this uplifting event. Courtney attended the Teen classes with Jonah and several of the teens from our church and absorbed just as much as they did, if not more. The schedule was jam pack from 8a.m. until 10 p.m. both Friday and Saturday but the speakers were AWESOME!! Since it was a workshop you were able to choose the classes that you wanted to attend, Phillip and I ended up in several of Dr. Randy Lowry's classes, who is the president Lipscomp University and let me just say he is a wonderful, speaker/teacher. Another very interesting class that we took in a room that ended up being standing room only, was taught by John Clayton, The new Atheism: Intelligent Design & Evolution, needless to say, my head was spinning after that class, this man was an atheist until in his early 20's, at which he learned about Christ and when he was baptized. I wish everyone could have attended this weekend, there was a class for everyone, classes on how we got the Bible to teaching faith to our children and the great thing was if you could not attend a classes b/c of another class then you could request a CD of the class. Like I said it was a very uplifting weekend, Keith Lancaster was there to lead the Praise & Worship. Oh, and I ran into a guy that I had not seen since Bible camp 18 years ago, he taught one of the teen classes that Jonah and Courtney attended. I would have never recognized who he was, sad to say, but he knew me. Have I not change like I thought I have................

.....................I guess I haven't change like I thought I have. Sunday night was Super Sunday for the Teens at church, meaning Jonah (I know it is still hard to believe). Anyway, since Jonah was at Super Sunday, Phillip, Courtney and I decided to attend the Central C of C, before church an Elder introduced himself to me and I immediately recognized his last name as some one that went to camp with, not him but his daughter. Long story short, Terri and I meet at Bible camp when we were about Courtney's age and every year we would meet back at camp. Then throughout the year we would write (yes that was the days of pen and paper) back and forth to each other. But what was so funny, I don't think I would have recognized her, but as soon as I said her name and gave her a little hint, she knew who I was. Maybe its my memory? Anyway What an amazing weekend, to be uplifted to the Lord and to run across to old friends from camp all in the same weekend.

Blessings to all~
Carla

Easy Recipe Thursday

2008-07-24T16:47:00.003-04:00

Pasta with Chicken and Basil

6 ounces dried linguine, fettuccine or plain penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped fresh tomato
1/4 cup fresh snipped basil
finely shredded Parmesan Cheese
Freshly ground black pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return pasta to pan; keep warm

Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 15 seconds. Add chicken and salt; cook 3 miutes or until chicken is no longer pink, stirring frequently.

Add chicken mixture to the hot pasta along with the tomato and basil. Add remaining oil to coat lightly. Sprinkle each serving with cheese (if using) and fresh pepper. Makes 4 servings

You can switch out the chicken for shrimp or you can leave out the meat all together and go for a vegetarian dish.

I 've been tagged

2008-07-21T23:46:00.007-04:00

I was tagged actually via email but I thought it was time for a new tag, so here goes...

A- Available or Single: Well, I am very and happily TAKEN, married that is for almost 15 years!
B- Beach or Lake: Beach
C- Cake or Pie? Pie--coconut & key lime!
D- Drink of Choice: H20
E- Essential Item you use every day- since H2O is my drink of choice I guess it should be that, but I say my toothbrush and toothpaste
F- Favorite Color: Pink and black
G- gummy bears or Worms: either especially the sour ones
H- Hometown: Starke, Florida
I- Indulgence: a day of scrapbooking with friends!
J- January or February: February - Winterfest with friends
K- Kids & Names: Jonah and Courtney
L- Life is Incomplete without: My children, My family, My faith, & My Friends!
M- Marriage Date: Sept. 4th
N- Number of Siblings- I am the youngest of 3
O- Oranges or apples: Oranges
P- Phobias: snakes
Q- Fave Quote: I really hate this quote but "whatever"
R- Reason to Smile: Watching my children and the silly things that they do
S- Season: Fall- sweaters, jeans, pumpkins, hayrides and falling leaves!
T- Tag 3 or 4 people... Terri, Elaina, Valerie & Tiffany
U- Unknown fact about me: I was in the National Spanish Honor Society in HS. (What a NERD!)
V- Vegetable you don't like: cauliflower
W- Worst Habit: Worrying
X- Xrays: WAY too many to count... plus I went to xray school and don't tell anyone but we practiced on each other a couple of times during clinicals... I could possibly glow in the dark one day
Y- Your favorite food: I love pasta and fruit, not together though!
Z- Zodiac Sign: Virgo- scary enough my sister, mom and I were all virgos

Camp Photos

2008-07-18T09:08:00.007-04:00

A little late, but here are a few of my favorite photos from church camp.

The Staff

The Campers

I really took more action photos then anything else and I surprised myself with how little photos I did take, which kinda makes me feel good! Less to stress about developing and scrapbooking!!! Lisa, Diane and I were the Craft Chicks - Monday was FlipFlop day for the girls

We even made a pair of flip flops for Kerry that he sported around Monday night at mail call when he showed off his new "do"
I love this picture, just as much as I love these girls! On Tuesday, I was awaken from an afternoon nap and told to grab my camera the Johnson girls were being baptized at the creek. Tears immediately came!
Courntey can be pretty laid back but when it comes to Family Feud watch out Trajan.
Emily and Jonah in Sweetheart Kickball
Courtney picks her brother the next time they play and I am not sure that Jonah was too happy, I think he was hoping Emily would pick him again, which probably would have happen.

Jonah and Emily in Family Feud
I never thought that I would see Courtney use her teeth to pull a sock off someone else foot.

Her cabin played truth or dare for their skit.
A few of staff members, including myself, put together a skit, can you tell who I was.
Let me just say, I had the BEST time at camp. It was great. The weather was awesome, the staff, the campers, you could have not asked for a better week. Diane, Lisa, and myself, did the crafts, cook grilled cheese for the senior high at midnight almost every night, did cabin inspections in the mornings and helped out wherever we were needed any other time. Kathy was the nurse and hung out with us when she wasn't pulled in every other direction.
Megan and Courtney - Clowning Around on Friday!

Which Way Do We Go?

2008-07-15T21:16:00.002-04:00

Confusion……What do we do?……Is this our answer?…..PRAYERS PLEASE!!!!!

As so many of you may know we figured out very quickly after moving to Florida that we loved living in Kentucky and have the hopes of one day being closer to our “old Kentucky home” and friends. A couple of weeks ago we shared the conversation with many of our friends that maybe around the first 2009 there could be the possibility of us moving back towards the bluegrass state. Well we never knew that within a week of that conversation a transfer would be offered to Phillip, one of two positions; SW Virginia or Northern Ky (Cincinnati area) neither of which we are 100% sure of especially the SW Virginia, however we feel like there is a reason for this offer since his contract time is not officially up until November 14, meaning that Phillip could not transfer within his company until after this date. We need prayers!!! We need your prayers!!! We love being close to our family and have enjoyed our year vacation in Florida but we are ready to be back closer to our church family and our wonderful friends in BG. The other little twist is that there is a slim possibility of a position closer to BG but at this time it does not exist. Phillip does not have to transfer, we can stay in Ocala until that perfect spot in BG comes available but that may not come until who knows when. Phillip and I have realized that we need to focus on our children and there lives as they are coming into their teen years soon and we do not want to keep moving them around neither do they want to be 656 miles away from their friends in BG. So again, I ask that you please remember us in your prayers that what is in our best interest will be placed in front of us.

A Few Of My Favorite Things

2008-07-13T12:17:00.005-04:00

This weekend was the state tournament for All Stars Baseball and part of the tournament was played here in Ocala only about 2 miles from our house which was nice for an Aunt who was very proud to see her nephew out on that ball field. Which leads me to one of my favorite things BASEBALL, of course my nephew, Spencer played AWESOME. He mainly played first base and did not fail his team at all, he definitely has the height to play first base.
Spencer heads to third
Catches a pop fly!

My BROTHER would be another favorite thing of mine. He is a wonderful brother and a great father to his boys. I guess I need to say that his boys, Brandon and Spencer are two of my favorite things as well. They are such good kids!
Another one of my favorite things is SCRAPBOOKING!! Last night I enjoyed a little scrapbooking time, something I had not done in a very long time. It took me a little while to get motivated and I flipped back and forth through pictures for a while with no ideas. Finally I spotted these two pictures, the only two that I have and they are from a few years back, in fact I am not sure where I am going to put this layout/page since I have already completed the album from that year. But I ended up completing the page and was very pleased with it. I still need to add a little journaling, I think the girls where pretending to ice skate, but I better verify before I write.
Hopefully this page will spark some creativity with me and maybe I can spend a few hours scrapbooking this week. Our Ky guests have made their way back home, we hated to see them leave. Courtney is on her way to Bryson City, Tennessee for the week with her friend Ashley. This will be the first time that Courtney has ever went away without family. I know that she will have a blast, Ashley and her have been friends since infants and they have a week of plans in the mountains.

America's #1 Beach

2008-07-11T09:47:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, Phillip and I took Jonah, Courtney, Emily, and Andrea to the beach at Caladesi Island State Park which has been named the number one beach in the US for the last two years. (Let me clarify for the readers who did not know we brought home two of Jonah and Courtney's friends from Ky to spend the week with them, so yes it has been another busy week for the Starling's.) However, we enjoyed the afternoon at Caladesi Island which is only accessible by way of ferry or private boat and since it was the girls first time at a beach I thought this one would be enjoyable for them since the surf is low and water is clear.
The kids had a blast and as with most beaches along the lower Gulf waters they also found some neat seashells.

I am not Dr. Beach (www.drbeach.org) so I have no clue how he rates his beaches, the island was very peaceful and there is nothing commerical on the island. The island/beach is not well known and maybe that is one of its big draw. It was worth the trip and if you are ever north of Tampa it is a must see. By the way, runners-up on Leatherman's list (Dr. Beach), were Hanalei Beach in Hawaii, Siesta Beach in Sarasota, and Cooper's Beach in Southampton, N.Y.

I am still here (I think!)

2008-07-09T11:22:00.001-04:00

Seems like forever since I have updated my blog, in fact I don't think that I have ever went this long without an update, but the Starling's have been busy enjoying the summer just like most of my fellow bloggers. Here's a little of what's been happening since my last post......

A couple of weeks ago we meet the Frasier's in Orlando for the day and spent the afternoon together at Downtown Disney and then relaxed and visited with them at their rental house.

Took the kids to their first dinner theatre, where we saw The Sound Of Music

Spent a couple afternoons with my dad at Salt Springs

Enjoyed some relaxing time at the pool

Wednesday night Pathfinders (Summer VBS program at church)

Spent several afternoons at the lake with our neighbors

Then there was the trip to BG and the week at church camp, which was a BLAST for the three of us. Phillip was not able to attend camp this year maybe next year. He did surprise the kids on the Fourth by showing up at camp and the spending the rest of the weekend in BG with us and then driving us home on Monday. This was Courtney first year at camp. She was sooooooo excited to be there and had an awesome time. The weather was great and I look forward to posting some pictures soon of the week.

Judith and I (taken in Orlando)

Easy Recipe Thursday

2008-06-19T09:48:00.003-04:00

Oven Omelet

8 eggs
1/2 cup half-and-half cream
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup finely chopped fully cooked ham
1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped onion

In a bowl, whisk the eggs and crem until light. Stir in the cheese, ham, green pepper and onion.

Pour into a greased 9 inch square baking dish. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 miinutes or until golden brown.

Serves 6

Rascal, Our Water Dog

2008-06-16T11:41:00.002-04:00

Well, here he is, Rascal, our water dog. He hates a bath, does not care for the rain but loves the lake and loves to sport around in his dogie life vest. He loves to swim piggy back with Courtney and Jonah.
And he is not afraid to ride on the tubes with the kids, in fact he can handle a little speed.

Easy Recipe Thursday

2008-06-12T21:02:00.001-04:00

Blondies
1/4 cup of Butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chopped pecans
powder sugar

Heat oven to 350°F. Melt butter in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat (2 to 3 minutes). Add brown sugar; mix well. Cool 10 minutes. Stir in egg and vanilla. Add flour and salt; mix well. Stir in pecans. Spread batter into lightly greased 8-inch square baking pan. Bake for 22 to 27 minutes or until set. Cool completely. Sprinkle with powder sugar.

A Quiet Week

2008-06-10T11:47:00.000-04:00

I knew that I would miss him but the days are dragging, it is only Tuesday and Jonah will not be home until Sunday afternoon. He left last Sunday for Boy Scout Camp, something that we have heard him talk about for months. He had planned and replanned his week, what merit badges he was going to work on and then what merit badges he was going to try and accomplish in his free time, I mean this is all that he has talked about for the last several weeks and now it is here, he is there and I am missing him something fierce. The house is too quiet, Courtney is here with her friend and has her music playing but a girl in the house is just different from a boy in the house. I know I should enjoy the time because he will be home soon and then the quiet week will be over. My dad is camping at Salt Springs for a couple of days so Courtney and I and going to go spend some time with him tomorrow so that will give her and I something to do.

A Busy Couple of Days

2008-06-03T00:41:00.005-04:00

This past Friday night our nephew, Stephen Jr., graduated from high school. He was the first one our nieces and nephews to graduate on Phillip's side. I can not believe that he was just a little tot when Phillip and I started dating. Seems like just yesterday he was running up and climbing on my lap and giving me sloppy kisses and then down he would go, he never sat still, I don't think and now, he has finished high school and no telling where tomorrow may lead. I guess you can tell that they are blood related except for myself, of course the blonde stands out like a sore thumb and the other SIL (black & white dress).
We are so proud of Stephen Jr.!
On Sunday afternoon, before the rain came, we spent some time at the lake with our neighbors. Courtney and Andie show off their matching swimwear.

Now let me just tell you that Rascal does not care for a bath at ALL! So when we took Rascal to the lake a couple weeks ago I thought that he would play around the edge of the water and that would be it. Well, this little guy loves the lake and we can not wait to take him to the beach. He
loves to jump at the waves, loves chasing the kids in the water and dogie paddles, too cute. Sunday, we took him out in the boat for the first time and he loved it. Even though I am not sure he knew what to think when the kids where jumping off the boat, but he could not sit still and had to keep his eye on the kids playing in the water around the boat.
Oh, by the way Rascal turned ONE this weekend so the next time you see a picture like this one, Rascal will be sporting around his new life jacket that he got for his birthday, YES, a doggie life jacket. Too cute!!

Before the weather turned bad, I was able to take a few pictures of Jonah on the wake board and knee board. Courtney says that she may try the knee board next, she a little more reserved then Jonah. He's my I'll try anything once kid, which worries me a little.

Catch a Wave!
Monday, the kids and I took our last field trip of the school year even though the school year has already been over for us. We went to the U of Fl to the Fl Museum of Natural History, while there we visited several different exhibits one of which was the Butterfly Rainforest. The Butterfly Rainforest is a living exhibit that supports hundreds of butterflies from around the world to experience first-hand. This screened enclosure is planted in subtropical and tropical trees with waterfalls and a walking path.

The butterflies were unbelievable,

I had never been in an exhibit like this before.

Truly, worth going back for a second time.

While at the Florida Museum of Natural History, we visited the Inside Africia exhibit, which is
based on the permanent exhibit at the Field Museum of Chicago, the 6,000-square-foot exhibit takes museum-goers through a journey to selected sites on the world’s second-largest continent and offers a deeper understanding of the vitality, richness and significance of its people from historical and contemporary perspectives.

Easy Recipe Thursday

2008-05-28T07:58:00.008-04:00

Chicken Alfredo Pizza

Italian bread (sliced in half long ways) Kroger or Publix Deli has the best

1 jar of alfredo sauce (Ragu)

2 - 3 large chicken breasts either grilled or boiled (I use either depending on time or leftovers)

2 cups Mozzarella Cheese

1 cup Parmesan Cheese

1 pkg (8oz.) sliced mushrooms (optional)

Italian Seasoning (spice)

Garlic Salt (to taste)

Layer all ingredients in order given, dividing the ingredients between the two loaves of Italian bread. Bake at 400 degrees on cookie sheet until brown and bubbly! DELISH!!

If you have a favorite pizza dough recipe you may choose to make your own dough.

That Time of Year

2008-05-27T09:08:00.005-04:00

Part of me and YES, a very big part of me is glad that it is the end of the school year. While the other part of me is now faced with the challenge that I always dread!! That is the part of going through the homeschool closet and deciding what we need to keep, what we need to donate and this year I have to make sure that everything I keep is up to Florida Standards in other words a portfolio as opposed to what I used to do for KY. Be honest, is there anyone out there that can honestly go through a entire closet or a room and know exactly what to do with everything. If so, come see me, because I think that I am pretty organized but there are still a few things that I hesitate about.

Just like with children's clothes, with school books I have to look at what of Jonah's I liked enough that I can use again for Courtney, I have to decide is it worth keeping multiple sets of things like flash cards or books we have not read in a year or two. Which again just like children's clothes, makes for extra storage in a house that has no attic space for heavy books. Is it worth keeping for 2 years, I have done my fair share of holding on to things and then never using them and I have also done just the opposite, given something away and within a week I am kicking myself for doing it.

This month we our completing our 4th year homeschooling Courtney and our 3rd year homeschooling Jonah, WOW, some days I never thought that I would survive and still there are days when I want to throw in my hat but I just walk across the street and talk to my friend Leslie about the public school system then I walk back across the street to my sweet home and I love home schooling once again. This year has probably been the year that I have developed the most confidence of being a home school mom, even though there has been those occasional walks across the street, overall I have realize that Phillip and my decision to home school Jonah and Courtney has been for the best. It is hard to believe that in August, Courtney will start the 5th grade and Jonah will start the 7th grade, where does the time go.

But for now...... Thank God for Summer Days and as a friend of mine recently said, "Thank God for the Freedom of Homeschooling!!"

Part 2 of At the Beach

2008-05-26T00:52:00.001-04:00

Why is it that a week can last forever when you are working or when you are staying at home taking care of the house but when you are relaxing and enjoying yourself with friends it seems like a week can disappear in a matter of seconds, it is just not right. We spent Saturday to Saturday at the beach and totally enjoyed ourselves. The weather was AWESOME!! A few days were overcast and Friday night in rained but we only got wet going into the ice cream shop, so I really can't complain. I promised a few more pictures of the trip, I was really pleased with them and I have decided to do a digital scrapbook of this beach trip, so wish me luck. Nothing fancy, but it will be done and soon I hope. So that this year at the retreat I can work on something else, oooooh what will that be, I wonder? Anyway, the beach was great and spending it with the Sowders was well, if you know them, we could not have asked for a better vacation. Enjoy just a FEW of our pictures and Happy Memorial Day!

Jonah and Courtney on the Boardwalk

The GirlsDid you know that you can find a monkey at the park in Gulf Shores? Isn't this one cute?

Just a few of the Hermit Crabs that the kids found at the beach.

There always has to be one story to tell and usually Jonah has that story to tell. Wednesday afternoon, Jonah was skim boarding with a couple other boys and the waves were a little rough. A wave knock the other boys skim board right into Jonah's ankle and cut it about 2 inches long and probably an inch deep, enough to make a trip to an urgent care to be glued closed needless to say he was not supposed to be back in the ocean the rest of the week only the pool but since I was in bed with a migraine on Friday I heard and have proof as to something different.

My scuba divers Courtney at the pool

Alicia and I cooked very delish but rather simple meals every night throughout the week, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy the pool and the beach. Sunday after church we ate out at King Neptune's, which is a great seafood restaurant, then Friday night we ate out at the Hangout which is a new place down on the beach. Very cool, with a large outdoor sand play area for the kids to play in.

At the Beach Part 1

2008-05-20T16:14:00.002-04:00

Well, it is that time of year again.....The Annual Sowders', Starling's Vacation at Gulf Shores, AL. We arrived last Saturday and so far we have truly enjoy ourselves. The weather Saturday and Sunday was in the 70's but since Monday, it has been in the 80's. The water is a little too cool for me but not for the kids or the guys. Last night we went crabbing, let me tell you Alicia and Jonah gets into crabbing!! Also new to our seaside adventures this year is hunting for Hermit Crabs, we have probably found at least 50 or so and everyone wants to go out again tonight. Oh, and sand dollars, I have never found as many sand dollars as we are finding this week.
Last night, we took photos at the beach, Alicia and I have learned to take our pictures early in the week instead of waiting until the end of the week when weather can be a major factor. Hopefully, I can post more photos later, I am having a hard time downloading right now.

Jonah Makes 2nd Class

2008-05-16T09:02:00.000-04:00

This past Monday night Jonah advanced up the rank in Boy Scout to 2nd Class,

his goal being the highest in Boy Scout which is the Eagle Scout.

This rank has to be achieved by the age of 18.

Jonah with his assistant Scoutmaster Matt and his Scoutmaster Brad. These two guys are great they completed their Eagle Rank together and had a joint ceremony together years ago with the same troop and now they are the scoutmaster and assistant. We are proud of Jonah's determination with his ranks in Boy Scouts. We have certainly let this one be totally up to him as to how far he wants to go since it is a lot of hard work. But both Phillip and I see the determination in Jonah's eye, at least for now.

Easy Recipe Thursday

2008-05-15T07:43:00.006-04:00

Last Thursday Terri started "Easy Recipe Thursday" so here is my recipe for today.

Chicken Fajitas

1 tsp. oil

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into strips

1/4 cup Italian Dressing

3 cups fresh pre-cut stir-fry vegetables

2 tsp. chili powder

8 flour tortillas

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

slasa and sour cream on the side

HEAT oil in nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken: cook 5 min or until cooked through, stirring occasionally.

STIR in dressing, vegetables and chili powder: cook 5 min, or until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.

ARRANGE chicken mixture evenly on tortillas; sprinkle with cheese and roll up.

ADD sour cream, salsa or other items on the side.

ENJOY!!!

Mother's Day

2008-05-12T23:01:00.004-04:00

I hope that all the mothers out there had a blessed Mother's Day yesterday, I know that I did. This year marks the fourth year that I was without my mother and I used to say that one day it would be easier but I have given up on that thought. I have learned how to get through the day and the kids especially Courtney has learned how to give just give mom a little more love when those sad times have came about.

As some of you may recall, every Mother's Day I release a Mother's Day balloon with a note attach in memory of my mom or you may say to my mom for Mother's Day. Over the past several years I have released the balloon at different places just depending on my mood that day, well this year I thought that we would release the balloon in the backyard. Like every other year I picked the balloon out, of course it has to be the best, and for some reason every time I thought about releasing it yesterday, it just did not feel right. So I didn't.

This morning we woke up and there was my mom's Mother's Day balloon still in our dining room. We had breakfast, did our school and around lunch, it hit me, I called Phillip to tell him that I was heading to the Cementery where my mother was buried to release her Mother's Day balloon, an hour an 15 minutes away, well of course he comes home to take me and it turns out to be the best place to release the balloon. Why didn't I think of it yesterday? I know, there is a reason for everything.

We watch as the wind takes it away.....
We always watch the balloon until we can not see it no longer, until it is gone.

I love you, Mom!

Happy Mother's Day!

Phillip turned 40!!

2008-05-10T17:17:00.001-04:00

Yes, Phillip turned Forty!! The big day was on Thursday, May 8th but to his dismay he was in Nashville for a meeting all day so the kids and I were not able to spend the day with him. However I do believe we surprised him pretty good before he left out that morning for the airport and then throughout the day and again on Friday night with a few more gifts and his favorite supper followed by Orange Juice Cake which is his favorite. What a cutie!!
Happy 40th Phillip!!

Courtney Turns Double Digits!!

2008-05-07T00:02:00.008-04:00

Where does the time go! It seems like just yesterday I could barely see my ankles, I was as pregnant as pregnant you could be and Phillip and I were anticipating bringing a new little bundle of joy of from the hospital any day. PINK, a new girly color to add to the blue and everything boy that Jonah had already filled our home for the past 26 1/2 months. Her name....Courtney Taylor (her daddy's pick, I picked Jonah's) and since she was a c-section.... May 7th (semi her daddy's pick, since his birthday is May 8th he did not want her to have to share her day with someone he wanted her to have her own day, that's why the 7th). 7 pounds 8 ounces 21 1/2 inches long born at 1:12 in the afternoon on a Thursday and I brought her home from the hospital on Mother's day. She looked just like Jonah in fact when Phillip and I became tickled when we put her little dress on her. I thank my lucky stars that God blessed me with Courtney, she is a wonderful child. In fact I feel very fortunate to have the experience to raise both a boy and a girl even though there are times that I think that having same sex children would so much more practical but then I think of evrything that I would miss out on. Well as Courntey turns 10 today I thought I would share a few pictures from the past.

3 months

6 months

9 months

1 year old

2 years old

3 years

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old

7 years old

8 years old

9 years old

All this to say that our little girl is now

TEN YEARS OLD TODAY!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COURTNEY!!

Trey,Wyatt,Courtney,Andie,Ashley,Jonah

Courtney turns double digits just the way she wants to, with Ashley and Andie by her side, oh and the girls brothers making sure they stay out of trouble. NO, I think that is the other way around. Courtney had a sleep over with her friends, they spent the afternoon at the pool and the morning at the pool, ice cream sundaes at 10:30 at night and a 2 hour soak in the "spa". Courtney had a blast! All credit goes to Phillip for the cake!! While I was nursing a migraine and not able to drive my wonderful husband did all the leg work including picking out the birthday cake for his sweetpea, what an AWESOME DAD!!! He even witness first hand the cashier flip the cake over and Phillip had to take the cake back to the bakery and have it redone. I love the look on Courtney face when she unwrapped her gifted from her dad and I. Courtney is a very sweet and loving child and does not usually want anything that costs any amount of money and therefore does not ask for much at all. Well her dad and I decided to surprise her with a IPOD Nano for birthday since she said that she had no idea of what she wanted for her birthday and an IPOD was just to much!!

One quick update on my migraines, Tuesday was the best day that I had in several weeks, praise God and thank you for the prayers. I was able to drive for the first time in a while without getting dizzy and had no migraines. I pray that days like this continue!!

Oh, for a slice of pizza......

2008-04-24T02:33:00.001-04:00

Since moving to Florida, our amount of eating out has seriously decreased and I am not really sure why. I enjoy cooking meals at home and many of days I enjoy not having to leave the house. But for some odd reason over the last couple of weeks, I have been craving a Hawaiian Style Pizza, you know what I am talking about....Canadian bacon/ham and pineapple......only thing is that no one in my family cares for it, in fact, my friend Judith is the only one that will ever splurge on one with me. Well.......after a visit today with a neurologist, it looks like I am going to have to wait a very long time before I even (if I do then) consider having a slice of Hawaiian Style Pizza or even a slice of Pepperoni pizza.

Many of my fellow readers/friends, know that I battle with migraines, ALOT (up to 4 a week some weeks) and I have for several years now. I have truly learned to deal with them and I have let them control my life instead of me controlling them, which I wonder if this is truly possible, though I am told that it is. Since our move last year, I have put off and postponed seeing a neurologists here, I think I am developing a fear of doctors ( I know that there is a phobia word for this but I do not care to Google it right now). I have paid visits to the Urgent Care and on my several trips to Ky, I have paid visits to my neurologist there and he has taken care of me.

When I went in for my yearly check up last week, my doctor questioned me amount my migraines and felt like they could be somehow related to my estrogen levels.....Great I thought this may be a simple fix that a lot of doctors have overlooked. He said that taking estrogen orally can cause a fluctuation in the levels that my body is receiving (which by the way for those who do not know, I have no ovaries....FYI, I am not taking estrogen for the fun of it.). Needless to say, he switched me to a patch that will help keep my levels constant. My simple prayer was let this work and I was reassured by my doctor that this will either work immediately or there will not be a change. Also, my doctor did refer me to a neurologist. one that he would see, if that's to make me feel better, however the earliest appointment was the end of May.

Five days passed by and not one migraine, I did not feel great but I had not one migraine, which in reality, I have went up to a week without migraines before so I should not have gotten my hopes up but I did. On the sixth day, it happened...... a migraine...... on the seventh day, I received a call for the neurologist's office asking if I would like to come in on Wednesday, there was a cancellation, PRAISE GOD!.......then on the eighth day (the day of my appointment) another migraine.

Here's my outcome from the doctors visit a.......

THE THREE STEP PLAN

1. Proper sleep

2. Diet

3. change in my Medication

Step one, is easy compared to the others, I need to not stay up late scrapbooking!

Step two, is going to be a challenge, that is where my pizza comes into play, I knew I should have splurged last week on my Hawaiian Style pizza. You see for this plan to work I need to go on a Low Tyramine headache Diet, which basically means most every food group has a limit. Like that sandwich that I love to order at Steak and Shake, I can forget it, 4 of the 5 ingredients I can not have. I have a two page chart that list the items, allowed, use with caution and avoid. Oh and pizza.....well mozzarella, pepperoni, bacon, and ham, all are on my list of things not to have. NO to pickles, olives, nuts, anything with MSG, anything with nitrates or nitrites added, soy products,aged cheese, pizza, canned soups, certain fruits and the list goes on......

Step three, is going to be or should I say can be a nightmare for the next 4 to 6 weeks. Since my migraines are so frequent, my body has absorbed a lot of migraine medicines, which can aid in a rebound effect on my migraines, meaning that ........ well, its almost like I am adding fuel to the fire. Which is really hard to explain. So step three and my doctor said that this should HELP, is to stop taking my migraine medications at the onset of a migraine, which has happened. He wants me to stop everything except for the daily preventives for the migraines. He has placed me on steroids for a week, which should help with any onset of migraines. The key, is he has added an additional migraine preventative and over time get my body back responsive to the migraine medications. Which means that I could possibly live the next several weeks in bed with a migraine.

GAME PLAN....... is to make it where I only have 1 to 5 max a month!! He did tell me that I will always have migraines but hopefully I can take control of them.

How do I feel......very overwhelmed! I need prayers! I am tired of suffering with the migraines and I am sure that my family is tired of me suffering, even though they know the routine. I am already exhausted thinking about everything that I need to take control of NOW. Not gradually, NOW! My head is pounding from the migraine that I have now had since Wednesday morning, I am nausea, wide awake and my mind is not slowing down. I've already broken step one, I should be asleep however if I can't take anything to ease the pain then I can't sleep. Lord, I pray that this works!! Please say a prayer for me and I am sorry for everyone whom I have bored with this post.

Poor Rascal

2008-04-22T09:43:00.001-04:00

Rascal had surgery yesterday. He was neutered, had a baby tooth extracted and had a spot on his shoulder biopsy. Needless to say, he is not a happy camper. I was up almost all night with him since he can not get comfortable with this protective shield around his neck, which keeps him from licking his incision. Finally, sometime around 2 a.m., I took the shield off, held him on my lap and both of us were able to get a little sleep and I thought the sleepless nights with children were long gone. The bad part to all of this is that he has to wear this protective shield for 2 weeks, we can take it off but only when he eats or unless we are able to keep a constant eye on the little guy. I just hope that the two weeks fly by, FAST!!

One Year Already

2008-04-21T10:33:00.002-04:00

I truly never thought that my blog would last a year, but today marks the one year anniversary for my blog, WOW! It has been fun and I think for some of my readers they have enjoyed being able to keep up with our family. There has been frustration on my part though, like not getting the pictures loaded in the right order or my computer acting like a crazy person and adding spaces or lines where they are not suppose to be. Overall, I have enjoyed posting events that have taken place in our lives and I hope that I have not bored you or offended you with any of my posts.

Paint Out Field Trip

2008-04-17T10:38:00.004-04:00

Orange lake as seen from the look out. Yesterday, Leslie and I took our children on a field trip to the Evinston Paint Out along the Heart of Florida Scenic Trail. She and I had already visited the paint out site early in the week and thought that it would be a fun, educational field trip for both of our children. A paint out for those who are not familiar with them ( I was not till I meet Leslie) is where artists are invited to paint on location for usually a week. The artists set up their easels in many different locations around the area and then displayed their paintings in wet rooms where you have the option of purchasing them. Then at the end of the paint out there is a big Collector's Gala, which Leslie and I will attend Friday night in Gainesville.

With the different artists about 45 in all, located through out the area, many painting the same structure or landscape, it was very interesting to the children to see the different interpretations of the same thing. In fact the kids enjoyed looking at the paintings the wet rooms and comparing them to the different styles of the artists and then spotting the real live tree, landscape or structure and recognizing the items that was left out or moved a little because the artists felt like it would make for a better painting.

This was one of the many artists that the kids observed and asked questions. This is Aliye Cullu, her name is pronounced like "Aleah", isn't that pretty, if fact if I was ever to name a girl I think that I would use this name, which is Turkish.

I really wanted the kids to enjoy this field trip and not think that it was a true bore. These pictures here showed Leslie and I that the kids enjoyed it. Here the kids was sketching and watching an artists at work and I have to say that the artists were very interactive with the kids in answering any questions and explaining what they were using whether it be pastels (chalks), oil paint, or a palette knife or brushes. All four kids kept notes of things that they learned throughout the day. I think one list had 20 things.

The infamous roll of barbwire that many of the artists were painting. One of the artist, Robin Popp, who had 3 different paintings of this and was beginning her fourth pointed out to the kids a birds nest that was nestled down inside the roll.

Leslie and I packed picnic lunches for lunch which we enjoyed at a park in downtown McIntosh, another place that the kids spotted flowers, houses and barns that had been painted by different artists. This was one of the barns and the only reason we knew it because in talking with one of the artists he spoke of a old satellite that was in front of the barn that he left out of the picture and of course we left out of our photos. Here are just a few pictures that we took at the barn. The sun was really too harsh and if anyone out there could tell me how to avoid glare from glasses, I would appreciate it, because I have tried everything.

I have painted this scene from Orange lake, maybe one day I will share it with you. I have never framed it but it sits on our piano. Courtney and Andie sat beside Mr Henry Woods on the hayride, he grew up on this land that has been in his family for many generations. Mr Henry told many stories about the property and the town of Evinston, while we took a hayride around the countryside and orange lake.

I would love to try my luck at painting these palm trees.

This is the true reason why we put together this field trip for the kids. Leslie had spotted this painting a month or so a go and while she and I where in Evinston early in the week we ran into the artist, Trisha Beckman (the tallone) and Leslie was inquiring about this painting and Trisha said that she had not sold it and would bring it for Leslie to look out. Well, Leslie wanted my opinion (like it is worth anything) so I told her that I would go back with her but would have to bring the kids and that is how this wonderful field trip came about.

Jonah was hiding from the girls in this patch of wildflowers along side of the road. I hope to take the kids back sometime this week so that I can get better pictures of them in the wildflowers since the sun was at its peak and the light was very harsh, however I am pleased with a few of them.

The historic hamlet of Evinston is home to Florida's original and oldest Post Office, the 1882 Wood and Swink Old store and Post Office. I took this picture from across the street through a patch of wildflowers. I wanted a close up picture of the building however since one of the wet rooms was located right next to the building and there were signs and cones in front of the building, it was not very picturesque. I was pleased with this picture and was my favorite one for the day. I may even enlarge it and frame it, who knows! This is the small post office area that is located inside the store which is still active.

i've been tagged

2008-04-14T13:48:00.002-04:00

Elaina tagged me so here goes..

Here's how this one works...
1. The rules are posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and ask them to read your blog.

What I was doing 10 years ago: 1998... We were just a few weeks away from becoming a family of four. I was pregnant with Courtney and was counting down the days until our house would become full of pink girly girl things. We lived in the town that I grew up in only a couple of miles form my parents. We were a couple of months away from celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary. Jonah was 26 months old and in his Terrific TWOS!!! I was a stay at home mom and loving every moment of it.

Five things on my to do list for today:
1. Laundry, not too much since I kept up with it while we were in KY
2. Return several phone calls
3. Pay bills
4. Bathe Rascal
5. Take down my Easter wreath (yes, I am behind, actually, I keep forgetting about it)

Things I would do if I were a billionaire: Sell my home and travel cross country and around the world.....Build my dream home......Hire someone to clean my house....Open an ultimate scrapbook retreat cottage or scrapbook store.... Adopt a child...donate to charity....Share my new found wealth with my friends and family!!!

Three of my bad habits:
1.Staying up late and scrapbooking (well, it is not that bad but I should be in bed so that I can wait up at a decent time)
2.Putting off mopping the floors and dusting
3.Going to bed without washing my makeup off

Five places I have lived:
1. Starke, Fl
2. Bowling Green, Ky
3. Ocala, Fl
4.
5.

Five jobs I have had:
1. Taco Bell (my first job at the age of 15)
2. cashier @ Food Lion
3. Admitting Registrar @ North Florida Regional Hospital
4. Mortgage Underwriter and Loan Officer @ Meyer Mortgage
5. Radiological Tech @ several different places

Five people I want to know more about:
1. Alicia
2. Judith
3. Matt
4. JP
5. Laura

What a Week!!

2008-04-11T21:41:00.002-04:00

Well, we made it to Kentucky safely and let me say for the record that I miss living there and maybe one day, if it is the Lord's will, we will return. We were blessed with a wonderful week of time spent with friends or should I say family, since we consider our friends in KY our family. We spent the week mainly relaxing and catching up on old times, playing spoons, eating at some of our favorite restaurants and for me, SCRAPBOOKING. Have I ever said that I have the greatest husband. Who else would pack his wife's scrapbooking bags in their van and drive 636 miles so that she could turn around and spend time scrapbooking with some of her friends. Between scrapbooking on several different days with my friends, Alicia and I were able to stay up late and scrapbook every night but one. It was awesome in fact I was able to start and finish our Washington DC trip (30 pages total). WOO HOO!!

On Saturday, the kids called their friends while I scrapbooked with several of my scrapbook buddies. Sunday, we attended GWP and saw lots of our church family. We meet a great couple for lunch at Mancino's where we ran into several more friends, which was unexpected. Sunday night after church we meet up with our kids and enjoyed supper at Culver's with the Johnson's. Unfortunately on Monday, Phillip had to take me to the doctor so that I could get a shot for a horrible migraine that started on Sunday. After returning me back to Alicia's so that I could sleep it off, he took the kids to an afternoon movie, he's such an awesome dad. By the way I am so sorry that I missed spending time with everyone that came over on Monday. Tuesday, was another scrapbook day for me with my friends, while Jason, Phillip and Jonah head to the gym for some swimming and a little work out. Phillip took Jonah to the Corvette museum on Wednesday, something that Jonah always wanted to do but we never got around to taking him while we lived in KY. Courtney and I both got our hair cut, in fact I was joking with Pam (our hairstylist) about driving so far for her to cut our hair. On Thursday, we spent a great evening enjoying spoons and blacken pork chops, sorry about the finger nail, Courtney P. And through out the week, Jonah and Courtney were able to spend time with their friends and even spent a few nights away from us with their friends. I wish that we had been able to spend more time with everyone and I am sad that we could not see everyone. We love all of our BG family and hopefully we see everyone again this summer.

The whole trip was refreshing and enjoyable. I was really sad when we pulled onto to 65 this afternoon to head south. I already miss everyone!! We've stopped in Atlanta for the night, Phillip and I wanted to do a little shopping at IKEA. What an awesome store, but a little overwhelming. Hopefully by tomorrow night we will be back in Florida. I can't wait to see Rascal, I miss his kisses.

Lizard Mania - Beware Mom's of boys

2008-04-03T18:02:00.005-04:00

Yes, you are seeing what you think you are seeing!

My son amazes me sometimes. He caught this lizard in our yard

and then he allowed it to attach to the tip of his finger and.........

his earlobe.

Then Jonah turned the lizard over rubbed his belly and the lizard fell asleep. Now I know that you can put an aligator asleep this way but I never thought a lizard. What will Jonah do next? Should I ask!

Oh, by the way, remember us in your prayers tomorrow,
as we travel north to Kentucky for the week.

Florida Sunshine

2008-04-01T19:01:00.005-04:00

These pictures are a couple weeks old (March 17) but I thought that I would share some FLORIDA SUNSHINE with everyone!! This was probably the third time this year that the kids have been to the pool. It's still to cold for me to even think about putting a toe in the water, maybe in a few more weeks. I will say that it is going to be nice to be able to hop on our bikes and ride to the pool this summer, however I will miss my Southland buddies. Courtney and Jonah

What a smile!

Andie and Courtney at the pool.

Weekend with the Days

2008-03-25T06:08:00.007-04:00

This past weekend we were invited to be guests at the Vogt's Cypress Lodge, which is actually just a private residence south of Orlando on Lake Hatchineha but I felt like I was at a resort. The atmosphere was awesome, the hospitality was wonderful, the food was great and the company well anytime you are able to spend time with close friends then it is worth everything. Our close friends Steve, Diane and Austin Day were in Florida to spend Spring Break with her parents at their Winter home and the four of us were invited to spend the weekend with them. It was a great weekend.

I think Diane's parents Joyce and John enjoyed our company just as much as we enjoyed their's. Here is a picture of all of us together.

Off for an airboat ride............to spot for Gators and we saw plenty both big and small.

Jonah was my airboat buddy

After much hesitation, Courtney decided to ride the airboat from the canal around to the front of the house which was on the lake side. It was there that she decided the airboat was not for her and got off at the dock.
Phillip, Courtney, John (Diane's dad) and Steve coming around from the canal which is at the back of their house to the lake on the front side. This is when John punched the gas on the airboat and Courtney said "No, Thanks" and got off at the dock.

Phillip, Jonah, John (Diane's Dad) and Austin, off for an airboat ride.
Jonah and Austin fishing from the boat dock on the canal.

Jonah truely enjoyed being able to fish whenever he wanted to this weekend. Even in the rain, the kids were able to stay dry under the boat dock. Here is just one of the 17 fish that Jonah caught this weekend. None of which were keepers but Jonah didn't mind.

Courtney's first fish that she ever caught. She would not hold it so Austin stood behind her with the fish so that I could take her picture.
Courtney enjoyed fishing almost as much as Jonah did. However, she had no desire to go out in the boat, she was comfortable fishing off the dock in the canal.
The moon's reflection on the lake Friday night was awesome.
I am not sure which one I like better, probably the sunrise on Saturday morning. The bedroom that Phillip and I slept in had sliding glass doors that faced the lake so this was the view that I awoke to on Saturday morning.
It rained off and on all afternoon on Saturday, which did not stop any of us from having a good time. The boys did a lot of fishing, both from the dock and even battled the rain by taking the boat out. Diane's dad grilled his famous steaks for us. Phillip and Steve enjoyed an afternoon movie while Diane and I sat on the front porch talking while enjoying the view of the lake and watching the rain.

Oh, we also watched the WKU boys Basketball game, which was a close game down to the last second of O.T. We taught Courtney how to play Mexican Train and they taught us (the Starling's) how to play "pass the trash" which was a fun game.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2008-03-16T21:53:00.001-04:00

Make a free ecard - it's easy!

Still Friends......

2008-03-12T17:07:00.004-04:00

Where does the time go? Wyatt, Jonah, Ashley, Courtney

November 1999

Jonah, Wyatt, Ashley, Courtney

March 2008

When I met Phillip, 17 years ago, I met Minta. Even though we were not close friends at the time and never really planned for our kids to be so close in age, it just happened that way. Wyatt was born six months before Jonah and Ashley was born 2 months before Courtney and even though we knew that each other was pregnant we really did not become close until after Courtney was born and we started play group together on Wednesday mornings. It was at this time that Ashley and Courtney became "like two peas in a pod". They went everywhere together and majority of the time they were in there own little world playing not with the whole group but just the two of them. If you saw Courtney then you saw Ashley, even before they were walking. Over the years with our move, we have stilled stayed close friends and even though there has been times that the two girls have not been in contact with each other for a couple of years, they always get together like they have never been apart. Of the course, Wyatt and Jonah have always been good friends too but not like Ashley and Courtney.

Recently the kids and I spent the night with my friend Minta and her kids at Gold Head State Park to help celebrate Ashley's tenth birthday. It originally started out that Wyatt was going to spend the night with Jonah, while Courtney spent the night with Ashley and a few of her friends in a cabin at the park. Well, Minta thought that it would be neat for the all of us to stay at the lake and it was just that. Even with the down pouring of rain on Friday and not being able to do what was planned outdoors. Minta had a backup plan. The kids made homemade pizzas, had ice cream sundaes, played games, dressed up and anything else that you can do in a small cabin with no TV in the middle of the woods. It was really alot of FUN, even Wyatt and Jonah enjoyed themselves in a cabin full of girls. Minta and I sat on the porch of the cabin till late listening to the rain and catching up on our lives, with the kids laughter in the background. Thank goodness the rain ended during the night and we were able to wake up and enjoy some of the activities at the park.

Mud Anyone?

2008-03-09T23:16:00.004-04:00

This afternoon Jonah, Courtney and their friends decided that since their moms would not let them go swimming at the pool, they would play in the mud. Leslie and I who were enjoying our free time painting, could hear the kids outside playing and Leslie's husband even told us that the kids were having mud fights but we never thought this..............
Trey and Jonah
Courtney and Andie

Totally covered and totally having FUN!!

What a MESS!!

Next time I think we'll let them go swimming.

Green Eggs and Ham

2008-03-04T08:18:00.003-05:00

Every year I fix green eggs and ham for Dr Seuss day. Usually, we read Green Eggs and Ham and we have made hats out of paper before. But this year, I decided to make the hats, yes, call me crazy. This is probably one of the craziest things that I have done in a very long time (I think). I do not care to sew at all and in fact my sewing machine has been used more by other people then by myself. With no pattern, I bought the material (took a wild guess on how much) and spent several hours making these hats so that my kids could wear them for a hour if that. They did turn out pretty cute, Phillip and my neighbor were impressed and Jonah and Courtney decided wear their Thing 1 and Thing 2 sweatshirts even though it was in the high 70's. Now, I realize my kids are bordering on the age of being to old, but I never hear a complaint so until that day comes or until I start forgetting what day it is, I guess we will enjoy our green eggs and ham. Thing 1 and Thing 2 waiting on their green eggs and ham.
The kids can be a little dramatic, they eat green eggs and ham every year and every year they act like it is the first time.

We all like Green Eggs and Ham!!!
Check out Courtney's teeth (ham) with her eggs.

My Space

2008-02-29T10:11:00.003-05:00

My Space and no I am not talking about the website, I am talking about my little space that I call my own. Behind this door is my space, where I can go scrapbook and escape from the rest of the household. Courtney was so sweet to make this sign for my door and for the most part, when I am in my space, I am left alone to enjoy my time scrapbooking.

Where the words CREATE, help me do just that. When we were looking for houses last summer, I was also looking for an area that I could call my own, a place where I could sneak away from the ciaos and be in My Space. This area in our large walk in closet does just that. Everything that I already had from my old scrapbooking cabinet fit just perfect on the shelves in this closet. Plus I have space where I can keep the cricut out all the time. My fellow scrapbooking buddies gave me this picture last summer before I moved, so now every time that I sit down to crop, I think about them. It was these four that kept me busy scrapbooking last summer while Phillip was out of town.

Organization is the key in this scrapbooking closet. When we moved I made it a point to organize all that extra memorabilia that I had scattered about, movie tickets, party invitations, special cards, newspaper articles and now I am working very hard to find a home for those things in my scrapbooks so that I can appreciate them a little more. So far I have accomplish a lot but still have a box of things to go through. However I am feeling pretty good about what I have accomplished. Yes, I am one of those people who loves to get rid of unnecessary things, like receipts, junk mail, old papers; it makes me feel good.
My creative space is just the right size, it helps me to stay on top of things by putting things back when I am done with them.

A must in my scrapbooking closet, is a jar of Jelly Belly Jellybeans, which is my all time favorite snack while I am scrapbooking.
The DVD player keeps me company within the four walls. Of course some of my favorite DVD's are Grey's Anatomy, 7th Heaven, Little House on the Prairie and Reba, plus the additional Chick Flicks.
A small bulletin board above my creative space, gives me the perfect spot to put those ideas, memorabilia or extra pictures that I need to find a home for.
Maybe I like my space so much because its just big enough for me and Rascal. Yes, I do allow Rascal to come in, he likes to lie under my table or if I am sitting on the edge of my chair then he likes lie behind me in my chair and usually he leaves me alone, maybe this is his quite space.

Day 4 in DC

2008-02-21T21:55:00.001-05:00

One Million dollars in ten dollar notes
We awoke this morning to our last full day in DC. We took the hotel shuttle to Regan National Airport where we caught the Metro (DC’s subway) and headed into the city. We had a small list of things that we wanted to see before leaving DC. Our first stop was the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which was the one must see thing on Phillip’s list. As some may know, Phillip loves the history of money and has a good collection of unique finds over the years. After taking a 45 minute tour of the facility, we were on our way to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. After visiting Jefferson’s Memorial we headed over to the Washington Monument to pick up our tickets.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

With an hour and a half wait, before our time to go up in the Washington Monument, we decided to walk several blocks to a restaurant called the Potbelly, a little sandwich shop off of Pennsylvania Ave. We were introduced to this little local sandwich shop on Tuesday by Bob our tour guide/bus driver, and we loved it so much that we wanted to visit it one more time before we left. Of course both times that we ate at the Potbelly it was busy, but they knew just how to get a crowd served quickly, faster then any fast food resturant.
After lunch we headed back to the Washington Monument just in time to travel 500 feet up to the observation area. We were able to take some good pictures of the surrounding DC area. I am so glad that we waited until today to go up in the monument because any other day except for Tuesday would have been too cloudy.
At the bottom looking up

Birdseye view of the Capitol from the obsveration area at top of the monument
.......the White House
.........Lincoln Memorial
..........Jefferson Memorial
Courtney takes a picture of the monument from the ground

After the 500 ft ride

This was the kids first time ever on a subway, they both thought that it was neat and after a few trips on and off they were getting the hang of it. While on the subway the kids made a game of seeing who could stand the longest while the tram was moving without holding on.

After the monument, we headed for the National Zoo, which was the one thing on the kid’s must see list. They both wanted to see the Pandas and really did not care about seeing any of the other animals. The youngest panda truly put a show on for the kids, he was playing with his food container and was quite active.

Across from the National Zoo, we enjoyed ice cream at Baskin Robbins,

before heading back outside in the freezing weather.

Today was the day that the kids were able to see a side of street life that they normally do not see and I felt like it was a true eye opener for them. We had a beggar ask us for money, we saw a man eating out of the garbage, and saw several street performers both on the street and down in the subway. We also saw several homeless people sleeping on the streets this week. I don’t think we realize sometime how good we have it. This evening we enjoyed our normal routine of the evening and that was relaxing at the hotel pool. Tomorrow, we start our journey home. They are predicting freezing rain during the night and in the early am, so I am thinking that sleeping in, sounds pretty good.

Day 2 & Day 3 in DC

2008-02-20T20:52:00.008-05:00

DAY 2

I think I am going to need a vacation to recover from this vacation. I have no clue how schools can do and see everything in 2 days. There is so much history in and around the city. Yesterday, we started out by going to the White House, which unless you are or you know someone or you plan way in advance this is as close as you are going to get to the big White house on Pennslyania Ave. However, there is The White House Vistor's Center which has a lot of pictures and a short film about the White House.

Waiting to go in the Capitol
The four of us at the WWII memorial with the Washington Monument in the background.
The Awakening was not a scheduled stop on our tour but since we had some time to spare, our driver drove out to this large sculpture that looks like a man coming out of the ground. I had Phillip take this picture of me b/c the last time I was in DC I had a picture of me taken at this same spot. I can't wait to show it to the kids when we get home. Also, we learned that this week the sculpture is being dug up and move across the river and will not be as easily accessible. In fact in this morning's paper there was a write up on this sculpture that I plan on keeping. I did make it a point to thank our bus driver for going out of his way to take us there.
Another shot in front of the Capitol
We also visited the National Archives, the Natural History Museum and the National Air and Space Museum which could have been an all day tour in itself. We were able to see exhibits such as Dorothy's red shoes, R2D2, Kermit the Frog and much, much more. We went to the WWII Memorial, where I was able to look up Uncle Woodrow and my Uncle King, we also saw Ford's Theatre and the Peterson House, where Lincoln died. Do you see now why I was so tired last night.

DAY 3

We started this morning at Mount Vernon. After touring the manison, gardens, and grounds, we walk down to the tomb where President and Mrs Washington was laid to rest. While at Mt Vernon, we able to speak with several reinactors (sp?) who spoke about the times when Washington was alive. The newest exhibit at Mt Vernon was the education museum, where we were able to see more archives from the period, even Washington's false teeth. They also had a theatre that told about the Revoluntary war, with seats that move when the cannons went off and had snow that fell on you during the winter months. It was cool and really interesting to the kids. Oh and my favorite at Mt Vernon was the Presidental China exhibit which displayed a sample of the different patterns choosen by the President and First Lady's over the years.

President and Mrs. Washington's tomb

After spending the morning at Mt Vernon, we headed back to Union Station for lunch before heading to Iwo Jima. As you can see in our pictures taken at Mt Vernon the weather was a little chilly but clear and sunny. Well, by the time that we reached Union Station, snow was starting to fall.

Iwo Jima, which I am hoping that we can revisit this memorial again tomorrow night by moonlight.

After leaving Iwo Jima, we headed to Arlington Cemetery, to visit the Kennedy gravesites and to see the changing of the Guard at the tomb of the unknowns. By this time it was freezing and the snow was falling much harder. Which was neat because it goes to show you that no matter what condition the weather is, the tombs are still guarded.
After spending over an hour at Arlington Cemetery, we headed back in town to see Lincoln, Vietnam and Korean's memorials. By this time there was snow everywhere. The next picture was taken at Lincoln's memorial, in the back ground you can barely see the Washington Monument due to the heavy snow.
We also spent some time touring Old Alexandria, which is full of charming houses and buildings that are full of history. We observed the new Air Force Memorial and the Navy Memorial, drove down Embassy Row and saw several federal buildings. We have had an awesome time and we were pleased with our tours. Yesterday there was us and one other family on the tour bus and today there was a total of 14 on our tour bus, it was almost like our own personal tour. The drivers were also well informity.

Tomorrow is our last full day here in DC
and believe it or not we still have a list of things that we hope to see. So I am off to bed!

Too Tired to Blog, HB JONAH

2008-02-19T21:58:00.003-05:00

What an awesome day we had in DC!!! I will soon share some of our travel highlights but for right know I am exhausted and ready to go to bed. But before I go to bed I wanted to share with everyone that as of 6:51 this evening. by wonderful son is now 12 years old.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JONAH!!

Jonah's received his birthday present on January 19th (one month early), since we knew that we would be out of town for his actually birthday. We did take him out for supper tonight to Red Lobster (his favorite) which is a tradition we do on each others birthday and this afternoon we bought Jonah this hat that he has wanted for some time now. I thought that I would share these pictures of the kids that I took this evening after we ate. The kids were acting silly and actually posed for both pictures. I thought it was to funny. Oh by the way these sweatshirts actually came several weeks but it has been to hot for them to wear them. I think it is neat that they do not mind wearing them.

Day 1 in Washington DC

2008-02-18T22:47:00.008-05:00

This morning on our way to DC, we stopped at the rest area in Virginia for a photo shot of the kids with the Virginia state sign. Of course I got my picture but let me tell you that this was the ultimate kid friendly rest area that I had ever seen. All my life I have loved to travel and if you travel by car a lot with kids, then you know that you are always looking for some type of play area so that the kids can run some energy out. Well, this rest area had a play area/jungle gym for kids and while my kids were close to being to old for it , they still enjoyed a few minutes of play before getting back on the road.
Thanks Virginia for thinking of our kids!

It was also at this rest area that Phillip found a brouchure on a scrapbook store in Fredricksburg and of course, being the wonderful husband that he is, told me about it and even stopped when I insisted that we did not have too. I am glad we did though, it was an awesome store. Everything was organized nicely and easy to find. I spent a little money but not too much. I did find some really cute travel paper and poka dot paper, I could not resist!

Jonah wants YOU!! While at Union Station Jonah found several different "Uncle Sam's" Hat and tried a few on for size. When he put this one on he pointed his finger just like those posters of Uncle Sam.

We ate at Johnny Rockets tonight at Union Station. I had forgotton how large Union Station was' three floors full of shops, restuarants and even a movie theater.

Right after we left Union Station, we headed to the Mall, no not the shopping mall but the where Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the National World War II Memorial is. It is suggested that you see these monuments both at night and during the day. We had no sooner found a parking place and both kids spoke up saying "is there a bathroom close by." Now let me tell you this, I had no clue where a bathroom was, we had just put $$ in the parking meter and there was not a gas station or a food place around. So we crashed in on a party at the Organizations of Americas. No one spoke english and everyone was dressed nice. Here we stood in jeans and totally stood out like a sore thumb. But the doorman was nice and allowed us to used there bathrooms, lucky for us they were near the front door.

My picture of the day, possibly the trip. I have no clue how it happened, I was not even trying to take this photo. I simply rolled down my window, Phillip was driving kinda slow and I did have my camera set on night time and as I snapped the picture a tree got in my way of the Washington Monument. Cool Picture, don't you think, I could probably never do this again.
I am sure that there is somebody out there who knows just how this picture happened.

Lincoln Memorial at night is just breathtaking and with today being President's Day around the bottom of Lincoln's stature were wreaths of flowers and roses laid on the steps. Well I guess, I need to call it a day. We have an early morning tomorrow, starting when my alarm goes off at 6 a.m., we need to be heading into the city by 7 a.m. for a 9 hour tour.

Weekend of Winterfest Fun & Challenge

2008-02-17T21:24:00.008-05:00

We are now in North Carolina until tomorrow, then we will be heading to D.C. Praise God that we have had safe travels so far and I pray that we can continue to have safe travels. I thought that I would give a brief update on our Winterfest weekend. It was AWESOME! The pressence of God was felt so strongly.

Jonah and Courtney with the beauty of God in the background,

taken on the balcony of our chalet. It's tradition to get a picture of our Winterfest group on Sunday morning prior to leaving.

If you have never been to Winterfest, you are missing out on a great weekend. This weekend between both sessions (which were sold out) there were a total of over 13,000 attendees. It was amazing and probably the best one yet. The theme this year was "The Mission", it was awesome!!! There were several different guest speakers and as always the singing was great. Each session showed us how to take the following steps.......

step 1: KNOW CHRIST

step 2: BE CHRIST

step 3: SEE CHRIST

step 4: SHARE CHRIST

Mr. Mumps, was Harrison's name for the weekend. Yes, with a possiblity of having the mumps, I think that Harrison stilled enjoyed himself, even though he never made it out of the chalet. I wished I had gotten a picture of him with his mask on, but by Sunday, he was able to take it off and would not put it back on for a simple picture. Oh well! I tried to suggest that a cute picture of the group to recap the weekend would be a group picture of everyone with a mask and Harrison not wearing a mask. But no one would give in. It would have been cute!!!

The love of my life, the most wonderful man there could be.

Another fun tradition that we share each year, is to have our last meal before everyone heads home at the Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge. The kids always have a table to themselves and so do the adults. It just our way of having one final time together.

Kerry flipping Courtney upside down. I was so afraid that she was going to hurl up her lunch and she let him do it several times.

Courtney and Jonah are always up to something. Here, Jonah had his legs wrapped around Courtney and was not holding on to her, neither was she holding on to him. He is so his daddy's boy.

Only miles away from home can you let your inner child free and act SILLY!! After waiting for our food for an hour, we (the adults) learned a little more about each other, especially some of our unique middle names, like Steve's is Hargiss. So after we ate, I was standing in the parking lot with Sara, Courtney and Jonah when Steve came out. Well I told the girls what Steve's
middle name was so they took off running across the parking lot towards Steve and was yelling Hargiss. Well, none of us had never seen Steve move so fast. In fact for a moment, I thought that we may need to call 911 for Steve.

Then it was time for goodbyes........... I hated leaving and was teary eyed as we pulled away from some very close friends. But
I know that we will see them again very soon. During our goodbyes though I was able to capture some very funny shots of Kerry. Which is a nut close to home but even more of a nut miles away from home. Here he went to hug Phillip and Phillip picked him up. Then he went to hug Steve, don't ask me why, because they were heading back to Ky together and he wrapped his legs around Steve like he was a monkey. I know that everyone was looking at us pretty oddly
and wondering where that strange group of people came from.

CHALLENGE TO YOU.....
This was our challenge this weekend, well one of them, and I would like to pass this challenge onto my fellow bloggers. John 3:16 states "for God so loved the world....." Yes, I know, the majority of us know this scripture by heart, but the challenge that I am passing on, is to set your cell phone alarm to go off everyday at 3:16 in the afternoon. When your alarm goes off, then this is your time to pray for the world. You can specific or not, but use this time to pray for the well being of our world.

The Start of a Much Needed Vacation

2008-02-15T15:50:00.006-05:00

What a beginning to 2008. We are only 46 days into the new year and we have made two trips to Ky, both in regards to Uncle Woodrow, which by the way would have been 88 yesterday (Valentine's day). Oh, how I miss him. We arrived back home Monday evening, just in time for me to wash clothes and repack to head out this morning on a much needed vacation. Our first destination we have accomplish safely. Praise god! We arrived around three this afternoon at our chalet in Gatlinburg for a weekend of fellowship and worship with some Ky friends. We are still waiting for everyone to arrive, but they are on their way. Unfortunately, with a child who has the mumps, which caused a major delay in them leaving this morning. So I thought that I would blog a little, makes journaling easier when I scrapbook these pictures later. Jonah and Courtney are out in the hot tub and Phillip is upstairs taking a nap and can you believe that our chalet has wireless internet, which I guess is not out of the norm since many fast foods places have internet.

On the way to TN, we drove a route that we normally do not drive, so of course there were a few new sites to see. The first was the Tallulah Falls in Ga. It is a 900 foot gorge, which is the largest gorge east of the Mississippi. I never knew it existed. There were some intersting reading on the gorge which is now controlled by the Ga Power, meaning they have control over the water, however the river is still noticable and flowing through the gorge. The second site which we knew was there just not at the elevation of 5048 feet and that was the TN/NC state line. I will say that the temperature was much colder at that elevation, in fact there were still snow and icicles in some places.

We are here in Gatlinburg until Sunday, then we head to our second destination which is right outside Raleigh, NC, where we will spend the afternoon with Phillip's childhood friend "Uncle Danny" and his family. Then Monday we are off to DC. The weather looks good so hopefully we will have an enjoyable vacation..

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uncle Woodrow

2008-02-07T23:43:00.000-05:00

Well as most of you know, my Great Uncle Woodrow passed away this morning, exactly 1 week shy of celebrating his 88th birthday. Uncle Woodrow was more then an uncle to me, he was like the grandfather I never had. He spent most of his life in the Navy and then married a much older woman, who had already been married and had kids of her own. Never having kids of his own and after his wife's passing in July of 73, the story goes that he came down for Christmas in 1973 and fell in love with me, at the wonderful age of 4 months. My grandmother talked him in to moving back to Fl and living with her and since I was at my grandmother's house 24/7, naturally he filled the shoes of not having a grandfather. I never called him grandfather, but he was truely a very special person to me.

He always either rode a bicycle or walked everywhere he went. I remember as a little girl, I always knew when he would visit my grandmother while I was at school because he would always leave a little money on my dresser. As I got older and was able to drive, I would go over and pick him up and take him to the store or the doctor. I remember for his birthday one year, I saved up the money to buy him a new bicycle. I even had the store place a basket on the front and I comfortable seat on the back.

In the 90's he worked as the nighttime security for the college that I was attending and on the nights I had classes, he would walk to work and then I would drive him home after class.

I will never forget his delish mac and cheese and he would always fry little drum sticks for me.

As the years passed and I got married, Phillip and I continued to take care of him and Phillip grew to love the sometimes gruff man just as much as I did. When Jonah and Courtney were born he was the first one to place a dollar in their tiny little hand,( it was only a quarter when I was a baby and actually I still have that quarter. ) He used to make up things that he needed just so that I would go by and see him, this was especially so after I had kids. He would always give them a dollar and a handful of vanilla wafers. In fact still to this day Courtney will bring up Uncle Woodrow and his vanilla wafers.

In 2003, with the support of such a wonderful and amazing husband, we moved Uncle Woodrow to Ky to live with us. I will never regret the times that we have shared together, Oh and the stories. I'll miss him, that's for sure.

Well I guess that I have done enough rambling.

We plan to leave bright and early in the morning, in fact our alarm is set to go off is 3 hours and I have not even made it to bed yet (good thing, Phillip is driving the first part of the trip.)

Wasn't he a cutie, look at those chubby cheeks!
Age 14
His life was the Navy
Uncle Woodrow and his wife Lillian
1970
This is when he fell in love with me, my first Christmas. Uncle Woodrow, me, my Mema (his sister) and my cousin Clint

1986 -Siblings

Edward, King, Woodrow, and Floy (MEMA)
Uncle Woodrow and my mom -1986
Uncle Woodrow holding Jonah for the first time - 1996
Uncle Woodrow and Courtney - 1998

My family - four generations totalChristmas 2003 - When we brought Uncle Woodrow to live with us in Ky
Mom, Uncle Woodrow, and my aunt Bernice (my mother's sister)
Uncle Woodrow's 85th birthday
Christmas 2003

May he rest in peace!

Counting Down the Days

2008-02-04T22:51:00.000-05:00

Eleven more days and hopefully we will awake to a fully packed van, with everything we need (yeh right), lots of snacks, movies to entertain the kids while driving and will be headed north to meet up with several friends from Ky and their children for a wonderful weekend at Winterfest. Oh, how we look forward to Winterfest every year. Which I was starting to panic b/c Jonah was leaning towards go with the youth group this year and not staying with all of us in the Chalet. Of course what do you say, part of me wants him to have the wonderful experience of youth activities without mom and dad, but part of me says, just one more year. But in the end, momma won (I did let him decide, I promise). This year its our same group, in the same chalet but I am taking my snow boots! Last year, on top of getting snow in, I wore shoes that had no traction. It was not a cute sight and I lost count of how many times I slid down while trying to walk up the road to our chalet b/c our van was having trouble making it up the incline in the ice and snow. But not this year, now watch it won't even snow. THEN.........after what is sure to be another fun filled weekend. The Starling's will be heading even further north with a little bit of a eastern direction to our Nation's Capital, Washington D.C.

Several years ago when I started home schooling Jonah, he was excited, with the exception of one thing and that he was not going to be able to attend his sixth grade field trip to Washington D.C. I did not promise but I did tell him that one day we would go as a family and he was content. Well here we are, in just 3 short months, Jonah will be finishing up his 6th grade year (I still can't believe it)and not that this trip has to happen before he enters seventh grade but it is just a good time to take both kids to our Nation's Capital. All four of us are looking forward to this trip. I was able to visit D.C. the summer before I started high school but Phillip and the kids have never been and we really wanted to be able to take the kids in the off season (one of the perks of home schooling) with the hopes of not having to battle with as many school trips. After many hours of research I think I have a pretty good schedule of what our trip will entell. We will even be able to have a free day at the end of the week, in order to do anything that we may have overlooked or go back and visit something again. So, if you have been and have any helpful hints, I will take them.

And yes, I have resisted the urge to place a ticker on my blog (what is the world coming too)!

Jonah's Camera

2008-02-02T19:44:00.000-05:00

Okay, I thought that I would share with you what kind of pictures an 11 year old takes with a digital camera. I found these pictures on Jonah's camera when I was uploading my pictures from last weekend and I thought they were pretty funny. The first few were taken in or on the way to KY. This is what happens after ten hours in the van with mom and dad!
Breakfast at the Sowders, must be a timer shot or one of the girls took it.
Great shot on the Sowders front porch.

I have no clue what was up with the Bubba lips

On the way to church, could have been a cute picture of Courtney if she was looking

No hands, testing the timer, maybe

Bubba lips again

Another hands free shot Looks like a criminal mug shot.
a nostril shot

Well I hope you had a good laugh. Oh by the way, I am feeling ALOT better today. I still have that horrible cough but my migraine is gone (Praise God).

What's Worse?

2008-02-01T18:25:00.000-05:00

What's worse, do I dare ask? A migraine, sinusitis, ear infection or a horrible cough, OR WAIT........what about all four combined. I will say that I have not felt this bad in a long time. I spent over 3 hours at the doctors office today, part of which I went out and laid in the car because I had no strength to sit in the waiting room. And you ask why is she blogging. Well..........Jonah and Phillip headed to Hard Rock (a dirt bike track) for family night with our neighbors and Courtney is staying at home to take care of me (she is such a good kid). After Courtney was done playing on Webkinz and before signing off I decided to check my email, something I am so behind on right now and then I went to my blog and well you know the rest of the story, plus it helps when you can sit in bed and blog. I am calling it quits for now and to everyone who has called today, sorry I missed your call, hopefully we can talk tomorrow.

Back to Reality

2008-01-28T08:45:00.000-05:00

What an awesome weekend we had! Saturday was my SIL' s 30th birthday and to celebrate this milestone in her life, six of us spent the weekend with no kids, park hopping between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures. Friday night Phillip and I drove down to Orlando to meet Stephen (Phillip's brother)and GaNeene (the b-day girl) then on Saturday Ricky (Phillip's brother) and his wife Shelly drove down and met us. We spent two awesome days at two different theme parks, with hardly any crowds, which means that most rides we were able to walk right on or only wait maybe 10 minutes. Saturday was GaNeene's actually birthday, so I made this sign to hang on her hotel room door.

Saturday morning we were up bright and early to be at the parks when the gates open. It was a little chilly and sprinkle a few times during the day but we did not let that stop us.
I had forgotten how it felt to go to a theme park without children, not that I did not miss them and even felt guilty sometimes but I had no extra bags to carry around. I didn't even carry my big camera bag. I borrowed Jonah's small digital that he received at Christmas, strapped the small camera bag on my belt with extra batteries, my lipstick (of course) and my migraine medicine (never leave home without it now a days) and off I went. It was great.

Phillip and I riding one of the rides in Seuss Landing. Yes, even with no children we still rode a few rides in Suess Landing. I have a inner love for Dr. Seuss books in fact I started reading them to both children even before they were born.

The gang........(left to right) GaNeene, Shelly, Ricky, Phillip and Stephen.

Phillip and I in Comic land at Islands of Adventures.

More silliness, yes a small part of our weekend together was made up of silliness. After leaving the Men In Black ride we passed through a shop that had a display of these silly hats, well my husband who probably would not have put one on if the kids was with us, decided to try one on.

After a short trip to the "Sweets Shop", in Suess Land, we witness GaNeene inhale a handful of Pixie Sticks. I had never seen someone eat so many of them at one time. But I guess I should not say anything since I bought a bag of Jordan Almonds that I ate about 20 at midnight Saturday night. I guess this is what you do when you are without your children.

Two of my favorite rides were the Mummy (Universal Studios) and the Hulk (Islands of Adventures). We rode the Mummy back to back twice and the Hulk we(well...... GaNeene and I rode it 3 times.) Talk about fun, I love roller coasters. The HULK!

OH, did I mention that we enjoyed lots of wonderful food this weekend as well. Friday night we ate at Fridays (how appropriate), where the food was good and our waitress was unforgettable in her fishnet knee highs and shorts. Saturday night, we ate at Carrabba's, what better place to eat at when we are kidless (Jonah and Courtney can not stand to eat there). Of course, I told the waitress that it was GaNeene's birthday, which was not what she wanted but I think she truly enjoyed the cake they brought her.

Needless to say, all of us had a great weekend. OH.......... did I mention we even saw a movie late Saturday night. We saw Mad Money, it was good. Well Phillip and I arrived back home late last night and as I sit in bed this morning blogging, I realize that it is now time to get BACK TO REALITY. I need to pick up Rascal from the Kennel and then I guess I will head north to daddy's (about an hour drive) to pick up Jonah and Courtney. Boy........ I sure have missed them two. By the way, Thanks daddy for keeping the kiddos this weekend.

YUM, YUM, GOOD!!!

2008-01-22T17:07:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, I am not a big fan of chocolate and hot chocolate does fall on that list even though sometimes, I just have to have a mug. Several years ago while at the ICE show in Nashville, I came across White Chocolate Hot Cocoa and after trying it I was hooked and bought a bag for the costly price of $8.00 a bag ( I think it was only like 6 or 8 servings, they saw a sucker). So every year when we would attend the ICE show, I would at least purchase a cup of white chocolate hot cocoa and each year I looked forward to it. Over the past several years whenever I was in a store that carried hot cocoa mix, I would look but never find that YUM, YUM, GOOD white chocolate mix until this weekend. I was in Walmart and I as much as I can not stand shopping there, I do. Anyway, there I was walking down the isle and what do I spot but this little box, only 4 servings but not a bad price ($1.33 a box) and let me tell you, it was just as good as the cups I get at the ICE Show. Yeah.......... I know that many of you ( like JP) makes the homemade mix, and that tastes good, but with my taste buds it does not come close to this stuff. In fact, I think that the next time I see it, I'll have to stock up.

Should I be Concerned......

2008-01-15T20:21:00.000-05:00

.........that Jonah is now wanting a dirt bike and he is to the point of anything I say he does. If I warn him about his attitude he totally changes it and now today I am starting to put all the pieces together. I am realizing that the sudden change in his attitude is because he is wanting one of these....... No, this is not his, but our neighbors, yes, I am beginning to wonder how good of an influence our neighbors are. Jonah says that he is going to save his money and that for his birthday, which is next month, if we can not get him a dirt bike then he will take the riding gear instead.

Tim and Phillip have taken the boys and girls out riding on several different occasions. They were even able to talk Courtney (yes, our girly girl) into trying it. Luckily, I do not think I have to worry about her becoming a Biker Babe. But I am impressed at how comfortable Jonah has become. Unfortunately, after seeing a few of the tricks that Jonah is learning, I am afraid he is getting a little to comfortable with the bike.
Jonah, Tim and Trey out for an afternoon ride.

New Hobby

2008-01-14T09:33:00.000-05:00

I have a new hobby, not one that will replace scrapbooking but something that I have always wanted to try. I have always enjoyed watching artists as they create a work of art out of a palette of colors. Seeing their vision, their passion come alive on a canvas. Since moving and becoming good friends with my neighbor, Leslie, who unfortunately does not scrapbook but loves to paint, I have discovered the art of painting. A hobby that I have always been intimated by. So after taking two classes with a local Florida artist, Linda Blondeheim, I am posting one of my paintings. It's a little abstract and totally tropical but I am happy with it.

Back in Fl

2008-01-11T00:54:00.000-05:00

Well............We are back in Fl and we are all tried. We left BG around lunch today and arrived back home just before midnight. Phillip and I had figured up that in four days we drove around 36 hours. We had a safe trip home and only drove in rain for about an hour.

Uncle Woodrow is doing much better, then he was on Monday. He is still in the hospital but will be discharged soon back to the nursing home and hopefully sometime soon we will be able to move him to a nursing home closer to us.

It felt good to be back in BG. We truly enjoyed the very short amount of time that we were able to spend with our friends (I just wished that we had been able to see everyone but hoepfully we will next time). Well I am heading to bed and look forward to sleeping in.

Back in BG

2008-01-08T19:59:00.000-05:00

Yes, if you are hearing the rumor that the Starlings are in BG, it is true. I am not sure for how long but for now we are here due to Uncle Woodrow's health. I received a call Monday morning that Uncle Woodrow's blood pressure had bottom out and his kidney function was very poor. After talking to his doctor and the nurse, Phillip and I decided that it was in our best interest to pack up and head north. So around 2 Monday afternoon, we had dropped Rascal off with my friend Tamera and was heading to BG, arriving at the Sowder's shortly before midnight.

This morning Phillip and I drove to Indiana, to where Uncle Woodrow is in the hospital, to find that he is somewhat improving but still a long way from returning to the nursing home. He is on dopamine to bring his blood pressure up to normal, but it is still dropping occasionally. His kidneys are working but his BUN is still like 10x's higher then what it should be. He is in ICU and due to a infection in his Colon he is in isolation. He is in and out of it, with lots of catnaps in between. When I first saw him, I said " Hey gorgeous, I love you" and he said "I love you too!" I am not sure he recognizes Phillip or myself but the nurse did comment that his blood pressure went up when we arrived.

Phillip and I drove back to BG this afternoon and I guess this will be our routine for the next few days. Thanks to Alicia, Jonah and Courtney is staying with her during the day. I'll try and keep you posted. Phillip and I hopes to make it to the hospital in the morning before the doctor comes by, so that we can talk to him about the long term plan. We also hope to be back in time to be at church tomorrow night, so if you're there look for us. We would love to see you and please remember us in your prayers. THANKS!!!!!

Lesson on Grace

2008-01-06T21:27:00.000-05:00

Normally, I do not share religious thoughts with my fellow bloggers, I am not sure way, I should but for some reason I don't. Maybe that will be my New Year's Resolution. ANYWAY! I was heading to bed tonight and I started thinking about this morning's sermon and I thought of my Blog and I thought of my fellow friends, so maybe there is a reason I am now posting this blog instead of crawling into bed. I am not going to preach to anyone I just wanted to share these three thoughts with you.

GRACE lifts us from a NOBODY status to a SOMEBODY status
There is nothing you can do to make GOD love you ANYMORE
There is nothing you can do to make GOD love you ANY LESS

Camping with Friends

2008-01-02T20:08:00.000-05:00

What wonderful way to end 2007 and to begin 2008. We spent this past weekend camping with some friends at Silver River. Four days of no TV, no internet and no phones, just the wonderful outdoors. We spent the weekend canoeing, riding bikes, enjoying good food and great company. The kids spotted lots of wildlife including monkeys while canoeing and luckily we were not surprised with any visitors around our campsites. Phillip and I along with the kids and Rascal stayed in a camper while Tim, Leslie and their two kids stayed in a cabin. Hope you enjoy the pictures and just a few details of the weekend on the next several posts. Hopefully, I won't bore you.