Pictures to go along with prior post....

Just a few pictures to go along with my last blog post.  I know you are probably thinking why did I not post these at the same time but the truth of the matter is simply that I was too lazy.  I load all my pictures and edit all my pictures on my laptop which is slow and last night I was on the kids computer, which is faster then mine, may I add.   Anyway last night I was looking at my blog and I got a wild hair to post something and the last thing I wanted to do was switch over to my computer.  I know, laziness!!!!

The kids and Rascal enjoying the snow on one of our many snow days.

Courtney ripping out the shelf paper out of the cabinets at the new house.

Jonah tearing up the flooring at the new house so that they can lay ceramic tile.

Jonah and Emily waiting for Bible Bowl to begin at Lads to Leaders

Courtney and several of her friends at 6th grade graduation.

Last day of school....YIPEEE!!!!

Secret Keeper Girls

Hope I didn't bore you.  Ha! Ha!

Blessings to all~

Carla

Update

I know! I know! It has been about 5 months since I've written anything. I have been busy but that shouldn't be an excuse. I'd like to look back one day and see all the fun things that my family and I've done together. I keep saying that I'm going to do better but that doesn't happen. I don't even know if anyone really reads this anymore, but I read other people's blogs all the time so I'm going to press on with this one.

Well since I last wrote we bought a house here in BG, renovations to that house, I applied for a job at the new high school (which I didn't get), Snow days (several), Lads to Leaders, spent spring break in Florida, Opry Mills Mall flooded along with parts of Nashville and BG, the kids and I was in a fender bender one Wednesday night after church in the pouring down rain, I applied for a job at Moss M.S.(which I got), celebrated lots of birthdays, Courtney and I attended Secret Keeper Girl with some friends in Nashville, Sixth grade graduation and both kids survived their first year of public school. It doesn't sound like we've been busy but really, we have.

 I'm still trying to decide if I will try to play catch-up with all the pictures I have. I probably will not, well maybe a couple.  So you will probably be inundated with lame picture posts tonight or next week. Ha! Ha! Nothing terribly interesting or controversial... so don't get your hopes up.

Blessings to all~

Carla

Too Long

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

Live... Laugh... Love...

LIVE... life at its fullest

LAUGH... at all the things that don't matter

LOVE... all that you have and more

May Happenings

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

Memorial Day 2009

Today, I'm remembering the men and women who have served and who are serving for our country's freedoms. Several men in my family has served, and I'm so thankful for their sacrifice.

Happy Monday!!

Wordless Wednesday

Blessings to all~
Carla

New Hair Do

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

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

2 years.....really??

Wow, I can not believe that it's been two years since I begin this journey. Truly, I never thought that my blog would last a year, but today marks the two year anniversary for my blog, yes, I find that hard to believe! It has been fun and if for no other reason but my own, it has been a good way to keep up with the everyday things that I do not keep track of in my scrapbooks.  One day I would still like to "publish" these so that in the years to come there would be a hard copy of the "flying with the starlings" blog. 

Moving Again!!!

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

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

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