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

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

Which Way Do We Go?

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.

Day 1 of Moving

Well as of 4:30 this afternoon, this is what inside our house looks like. Everything except for our computer and the office has been wrapped, boxed, taped and is ready for the loading day tomorrow. I still can not believe that we are moving in a couple of days. I thought we would live in B.G. the rest of our life. I thought these pictures of Rascal were too cute to pass up. Twice Rascal got a hold of a roll of tape and had a good time with it, including get tape stuck around his mouth and neck.

First Goodbye

Well, the time has come to start saying our Goodbyes. Our dear and close friends, Alicia, Jason, Lizzie and Rachel, came over yesterday to say their goodbyes before they headed to the beach. Needless to say, we both cried and I had the hardest time watching them leave our driveway. Alicia and I have became very close friends over the past several years and it tore me up when she told me that she had never had a best friend to move away. Well, over the remaining days left in B.G., I am sure there will be many more tears shed. Several friends have already said that they can not bear to watch us pull out on Monday. The moving company dropped the semi off yesterday that will soon be loaded with every material thing that we own and the packers arrived early this morning to pack everything. I consider myself lucky to not have to pack.

We Chose House #...............

TWO!!!
I loved house #1, the screened in pool was nice but it was on the west side of town and after looking at the whole picture with the location of church we thought it would be out of the way when it came to church activities.

House #3, had me written all over it, I was even ready to deal with the washer and dryer being in the garage. However the kids and Phillip was not to sure about all the work especially with it being the same price as house #2.

So we chose house #2, we like the fact that it is move in ready, even the ceiling fans in the kids rooms matched their decor. The hardwood floors are awesome and the tile has character. Phillip will have his own office located at the front of the house. The house also has lots of closets which I love (now to get them organized). We had the home inspection done this morning and everything looked great. We love the location of the house, we will be only a mile from church. Also, not having a pool at the house right now is fine with the kids since we will be able to hop on our bikes and ride to the community pool, this will give the kids a chance to meet the other kids in the neighborhood and who knows we may take the challenge of putting in a pool next summer. Plus, the bonus of being in a gated community with security sounds nice.


Check out the before pictures (click on the colleges to enlarge them), before we move in that is. These pictures are of Jonah and Courtney's new rooms (which I plan to paint first thing) and their bathroom. The sage room is Phillip's new office and there is even a closet in there for me. The picture to the far right on the middle row is our new dinning room.

These are pictures of the master bedroom and bath (the master closet is huge with lots of built ins). The kitchen has the same color counter tops as our current home and has a large walk in pantry. The kitchen has all stainless steel and black appliances. The great room is located in the center of the house and as you can see the house has lots of natural light and windows.

These are pictures of the foyer, outside of the house and the screened in lanai, which I can not wait to fill with plants and enjoy a relaxing evening on.

House Hunters Goes To Florida

Not really, but it feels like it, well maybe not, there's no camera men following us around, no staging, no Suzanne Whang and certainly no perks from any of this. Just a lot of houses that DO NOT meet our standard of things, but is certainly the Florida style. Well I thought it would be fun to share with my fellow bloggers the three top picks and then I will share with you the one that we have decided on.


House number 1: 4 bedrooms/3 bathrooms plus den/office, screen in pool, hardwood and tile flooring with carpet, 2435 sq. footage, quite subdivision, fence in backyard, needs a little work to the kitchen cabinets, needs new paint throughout the house, inside laundry, built in 1998, price at $16,000.00 above house 2 and 3



House number 2: 3 bedrooms/2 baths plus den/office, gated community, community pool, tennis courts and community center,screened in lanai, privacy fence, no carpet all hardwood and tile floors, sprinkler system, beautiful spacious kitchen, built ins in every bedroom closet, 2303 sq footage, needs no work except to paint the kids rooms, inside laundry, built in 2004

House number 3: 4 bedrooms/2.5 bathrooms, the house is 2 stories, the house is nestled among trees in a peaceful neighborhood and very unique fenced in backyard with screened in porch, 2450 sq footage, bathrooms and kitchen has been updated but needs a lot of new paint, needs new carpet and needs to replace 2 french doors off the back of the house,brick wood burning fireplace, washer and dryer hook ups in garage (no inside laundry), built in 1985

"Please Don't Go Away" Going Away Party

Back in April we shared with our GWP family the news that we were moving to Florida and immediately there were tears. I feel that my family has been so blessed to have made such wonderful friends here in B.G. A group of our friends were afraid that we would move faster then we are so they gave us a going away party back on June 30th. But seeing how it has been over a month since the party and we are still here well at least the kids and I, maybe a second not so planned party will be needed when we finally say goodbye (I am only kidding, Terri, Joanna & Alicia). I apologize for taking so long to post these pictures but everytime I look at them I start to cry and since I am having a rough night tonight what is a few more tears.

Many Thanks goes out to.....Alicia you made a awesome cake, you rock!!! Thank you Jill, for all the wonderful pictures, I don't know what I would have done with out you and your camera (except for not have such a large selection of pictures to choose from when I scrapbook, but I can handle it). Terri and Joanna, you did a great job putting everything together (I know it was not easy, since it was the busiest time of year) and thanks for the awesome scrapbook, I LOVE IT!!! Judith, I am so sorry you missed it, I guess your husband being in the hospital was a little more important. To everyone who came and to those who could not make it, we love you all and thanks for 6 awesome years and many more to come just a few more miles apart.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

673.5 Miles Away

673.5 miles away is our new home.
The word is out, we are moving. I am not sure when and I am not sure address wise where. I do know that somewhere in or around Ocala, Florida is a house that soon will be our new home. An hour from Disney, an hour from the Gulf of Mexico, an hour from grandparents and family and an hour plus from the Atlantic Ocean. Yes, we are leaving Tornado country for Hurricane country. Ocala does have rolling hills and lots of horse farms just like B.G. and I think size wise its very close to the same. Ocala also has a Hobby Lobby and a Joann (so Judith when you can't find that paper pack that you just got to have, call me).
The kids are excited and Phillip is looking forward to the new challenge that awaits him with his new job. As for myself, I wish I could have it all. I am sad to leave my scrapbook buddies, my spoon playing friends, the Mafia group, our neighbors, and our wonderful church family that has been there so many times over the last 6 years. We have been blessed with such wonderful friends who have touched our lifes forever, friends that we will never forget.

We will truly miss our friends here, but look forward to many visitors in Florida. Come crash at our place in the "Sunshine State" is what I am telling everyone.