Scrapbook Retreat

We were all surprised to wake up on Saturday morning to this.  Yes, to our surprise it had snowed during the night and everything was covered with snow Saturday morning.

The snow made for some gorgeous pictures, something wonderful to scrapbook of course.

Alicia and I out in the snow.  I love this girl and yes, we have our pajama bottoms on. (I did change out of them for the group picture before lunch)

 This is the only time in four days that I left the lodge.  This year our group stayed in

the basement so we had no reason to leave the lodge especially with the weather being soooo cold.

Alicia, me (Carla), and Megan warming up in front of the fireplace after being outside for our group picture

Early morning view from the lodge.

Our group, most of which have been attending since we started the retreat 8 years ago.

The snow on the ground had started to melt by this time but it was still snowing and the trees were still covered.

Friday night was Pajama night, along with ice cream....YUM!!

I had to get a picture of this mother, daughter pair....Alicia and Brenda in their matching PJ's





This little guy hung out on the dumpster behind the lodge all Thursday night. I guess he was waiting for some garbage. Everyone kept and eye on him and I am sure that he kept an eye on all of us.  He never moved but was gone by morning.

It was a WONDERFUL weekend!!!! This was our 8th year and by far the BEST yet.  I accomplished everything that I wanted to, which was a first, meet new friends, visited with old friends and ate way too much food!!!

 Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you.

Matthew 7:7

Blessing to all ~

Carla

Weekend Happenings

This weekend was kinda my weekend at the house.  Jonah and Courtney went to Gatlinburg with the youth group for CYC and Phillip worked.  So with the scrapbook retreat just around the corner and my scrapbook room in a disarray, sorta.  I devoted my weekend to preparing for the retreat.  I sorted through alot of stuff and pulled out over two boxes of items to sell at the consignment table. 

Then I started power sorting an album for the retreat and that's what led to this mess and an aching back!!  I do apologize for the mess, but trying to pack for a retreat is a crazy process that involves lots of bags, as you can see they were everywhere.

As I was on a hunt for the right paper, I decided that it was time to sort through my patterned paper which I keep stored and sorted by colors in paper trays on this book case.  By the way, ignore the shadeless lamp on top of the book case, it's my Goodwill find that I need to buy a shade for.

I must have sat on the floor for a good hour (therefore the aching back) sorting through and getting rid of paper, most of which were already sorted by colors but a couple of the trays at the top are speciality (seasonal, holiday, speciality, etc) those trays took the longest, since I wanted to sort them back out.



Sad thing is this is the after picture and you can barely tell that I removed any paper, but I do have proof (see next picture).

This stack of printed paper, is going on the consignment table in hopes of not making it's way back to my scrapbook room and instead into the heart of someone who could use A LOT of printed paper.  It's close to 4 inches and yes, that is my pile of stuff to sell in the background.

If you are wondering where I keep my solids, here you go.... 

 I used to have all my paper in trays but I found that I liked to having my solids where I could pack them up and take them to a crop if need be.  It's still tight when I'm looking for a certain color but I'm hoping that after this scrapbook retreat I'll use some of it and it won't be as tight.  There is always someone needing a certain color so maybe I can thin out some of my solids.

By the way, I did take a break to go see the movie, Safe Haven with Phillip.  It was just as good as the book, a must see!  As for Jonah and Courtney, they had a wonderful time in Gatlinburg with their youth group and arrived home safely Sunday afternoon.  The stories they told made me wish that I had went.

Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him, and He will help you.

Psalm 37:5

Blessings to all ~

Carla

Wildcat Invitational

Last weekend Jonah ran the Wildcat Invitational at Nutter field in Lexington, KY.  This is the first race of the track season and is considered to be one of the largest, with the top schools from all over the state competing. 

Jonah competed in the mile, two mile and the 4 x 8 relay.  He PR in the mile with a time of 4:57:80 and also PR in the two mile with a time of 10:46:90. 

He makes me one proud momma!!  I love this picture of the two of us.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

Proverbs 23:7

Blessings to all~

Carla

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vit. D deficiency can lead to a variety of health problems - fatigue, muscle pain, MIGRAINES, etc. Who would have thought???? It also can lead to other diseases such as Crohns and Thyroid.....Any how...

Recently I was tested for Vitamin D Deficiency. The doctor I go to recommended that 'normal' levels are around 40-50 units of Vit. D.  My level was 9 :(

As a result, I am currently taking, once a week, a 50,000 IU Vit. D pill, which is a Rx and then 2,000 IU Vit . D everyday. For ten weeks, then I'll go in for a new blood test to ensure that my Vit. D levels are boosted.

I am now two weeks into the large dosage of vitamin D and so far not feeling any different.  I know, I know!!! It's going to take some time, but it is a hard struggle for me right now with the migraines and now this.  We don't feel like this is the culprit of my migraines but we sure hope this is the reason why I have been feeling HORRIBLE since the middle of December.  Horrible as in "feel like I've been hit my a mack truck," kind of horrible but not really sure what the issue is, just feeling overly tired, sluggish, out of sorts, lots of aches and pains, can't focus and sometimes can't tell you what you just told me.  CRAZY!!!

I pray for strength and patience to get through this and that the doctors can come up with some answers soon.  I have an appointment with my Neurologist next week as well as a follow up appointment with my Cardiologists and a stress echo test.

I ask for prayers from all who reads my blog.  Right now, everyday is a struggle for me.  I struggle with focusing on my work pretty much anything, I fight fatigue on a daily basis and the word  frustrated, is so me, right now.

He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.

Isaiah 40:28

Blessings to all,
Carla

A Few Pictures of Christmas

Merry Christmas!!!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful day.  We truly enjoyed our day together as a family.  I think the kids stayed in their pj's all day and with living 3 states away from family we didn't venture out of the house all day.  Even though it was sad not being with our family for the holidays. 

Every year Rascal gets a Christmas present... a gift bag of dingo bones and every year, he takes one bone out of the bag at a time until he has every bone out of the bag and they are all nice and neat in a little pile.  Then he guards them for the rest of the day, slowly chewing on then.  It's hilarious!!!  It's the first gift that we do just because it's so much fun to watch.

The kids went shopping for Phillip and I this year, they thought it would be neat for Phillip to have a electronic dart board for the bonus room.

The kids dressed in their Christmas pj's, of course always a tradition to open the night before Christmas.

I told Phillip that the only thing I wanted this year was a camcorder,

we haven't had one since the movers stole ours in 2007.

I can't get over the fact that these BIG BULKY headphones are back in style.  They were in style when I was in like middle school and that seems like forever ago.

We surprised Courtney this year with an iphone.  As she was unwrapping her present I called the new phone, which was in the box, the phone started ringing and her face was PRICELESS!!!!!  She needed a new phone, her other phone was a piece of junk!!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father...

who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

Blessings to all ~

Carla

Merry Christmas!!!

From Our Family to Yours!!!

A Little Organization

It's been a while since my last post and I won't go into all the reasons why I haven't posted but the MAJOR one has been the increase of my migraines.  For the ones of you that don't know, I've battle with migraines since a car wreck in 2006. I average one migraine every 7-9 days and it usually last about 3 days with meds.  Recently I have had two within the last month that last 7 days and now they are occurring every couple of days.  So I really haven't gotten a whole lot done and have been well let's just say depressed.  I see my neurologist on the 18th, that's the earliest he could see me.   Anyway enough about that!!!

Let me just say I love to organize and if I had the time and the money, I probably spend it reorganizing my whole house, but for now I will settle of finding things like this one at my friends yard sale on Saturday.  I even told her what she could do with it before I bought it.

 I think I may have to splurge and purchase at least one more for our Kool-aid, unfortunately it will not be a $1.00.  Ha!! It feels so good when I declutter an area, I love it!!

I will exalt you, my God the King;

I will praise your name forever and ever.

Psalm 145:1

Blessings to all~
Carla



19 years

19 years ago today, I walked down the isle to say "I do" to the love of my life.  He has been a wonderful husband, an awesome dad, and a great friend.  I am so glad that he choose me to be Mrs. Starling.  It's hard to believe that we have been together (dating) for 21 years, over half of my life has been spent with this man and I am so looking forward to spending so many more years with him.  I have truly been blessed!!!!

Blessings to all ~
Carla

Flashback Friday

This picture was taken just shy of 39 years ago of  my brother, Bryan (7), my sister, Robbin (10) and ME!!!  Yes, I'm the chunky one in the middle.  It's funny to look at this picture the WILD pattern on my brother's sweater, he looks just like his oldest son and my sister has a

daughter the spitting image of her.  My sister says that I was her "real" live baby doll.  

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make

His face shine upon us,

that Your ways may be known on earth,

Your salvation among all nations.

Psalm 67:1-2

Blessings to all ~
Carla

So Blessed

WARNING!!!

This post contains a lot of pictures......WARNING!!!!

There are times that I realize how fast my kids are growing up and that my pictures do not always consist of Phillip or I with them, like when they were little.  I know that sounds silly, maybe I'm just being a little sentimental.  So this afternoon when we arrive home from church as we pulled into the drive way before Jonah even parked the car, I said "no one changes, I want pictures first."  Yes, I heard a couple of groans but I warned them that if everyone cooperated we would be done quickly and we were.  I will say that is one thing that gets better with age.

 Always have the camera ready with his crew.....I love that I was able to snap

 this picture of Phillip being silly with the kids.  What a face!!!

Jonah, yes, he is just like his father!!!

 I love this girl!!!!  God certainly BLESSED us with one special young lady.

I really can say that she is not a follower and she is one that
will stand firm for what she believes.  I hope she is always that way. 

I am SO BLESSED......

Phillip and I will be celebrating 21 years together at the end of this month (dating) and then celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary next month.  WOW.....how time flies!!!

Well, I hope everyone had a bless and wonderful Sunday and if you haven't taken snapshots of your family lately, then I encourage you to do so.  Life's too short!!!

…by Him everything was created, in Heaven and on earth…

all things were created by Him and for Him.

Colossians 1: 16

Blessings to all~
Carla

Cross Country

The season has official begun, meets, that is, races, the fun stuff.  as far as cross country goes,

they have been practicing since the second week of June, six days a week,

 waking up at 5:30 to be at the park by 6:30 in order to run before the heat of the sun hits.  

It truly takes dedication!!!

I never thought in a million years that I would be a cross country mom, 

but I am and I AM PROUD OF IT!!!   

This morning we met at the Kereiakes at 7:30 for team photos and then a 3k time trial.  Next Saturday will be our first actually meet which will be a 6K relay.   Our team has almost double since two years ago when SWHS was opened and I am so proud that my kids have been a part of this team.

The high school team

Courtney trying to push down a tree, no, not really this is a stretch to prevent chin splits.

Warming up before the time trial....

Caroline, Sara, Courtney, Jonah, and Megan

My son is known for his bright pink socks.  

He started wearing them at the beginning of the season last year and has wore them ever since.  

It's nice because I can spot him from a distance.

Strengthening the hip muscle.

Jonah and Ross receives a pep talk from coach before the time trial.

Coach talks to the team before the race/time trail.

getting ready........

Top three runners, Jonah, Ross and Chris.  

I love how Ross and Jonah are in sequence.

Courtney, bless her heart, did not have a good run.

  She battled hip pains all during the run, you can see it in her face.  She ran a 15:04, 

coach knew something wasn't right, first thing coach said to me was,

"what happened?"  Maybe next Saturday's race will be a better race for her, let's hope!!!

Here comes my boy, coming to the finish line in first place.

Jonah crosses the finish line.....10:24 his time for the 3k. 

A cute picture of Phillip and I dressed as twinkies today for the time trials. 

Go Spartans!!!! 

 Yes, I wore my hair straight today, actually the last couple of days I've done straight. 

I like it but the guys (Jonah and Phillip) prefers it curly.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

Blessings to all ~

Carla