Christmas cards

I'm really big on Christmas cards -

I like to send unique ones with the whole family

yes...mom and dad too!

but this year - I was feeling a little bah humbug...

I didn't want the expense that came with sending Christmas cards

and it just seemed so fakey fakey to me (is that a word?)

to all stand there all smiley when we have three kids at HARD ages.

We decided to still do a card but drastically cut our list.

We have a LARGE list but with trying to cut costs this year, that made the most sense.

I thought let's at least get the picture first and we'll go from there.

Who even knew if we'd get a good picture?

Well I'm sad that we cut the list because I think it turned out being our best card yet!

Not only did we get a good picture...we got the PERFECT picture!

(Thanks Uncle Scott!)

And I think we perfectly depicted what life is like at the Stargels!

And for those who aren't okay with the non traditional picture- There is the back side!

Which my 6 yr. old was very concerned people wouldn't see....

So like the card says:

May all your wishes....cooperate!

We hope you all have a Merry Merry Christmas!!!!

Happy Birthday baby girl!

"Happy Birthday to you!

You were born at 4:02

Happy Birthday Annie Lou Who

Happy Birthday to you!"

Have you missed me?

Let's get caught up!

Let me first apologize for being MIA!

I can't believe I haven't posted since September 5th!

Time is flying by and life is CRAZY!

Numero Uno turned Six!

And I got my first "mom you are so uncool" look when

I decided to get in the spirit and dress up like Princess Lea!

That girl had some LONG hair to pull those buns off!

I turned 35! and tried to dismiss the day as quickly as it arrived.....hence the no pictures!

We've been playing alot of Flag Football

Our first year!!!! AND first organized sport....

I can only imagine how busy it will be

when all three are in sports.

We are the Sugar Bowl champs!!!

(and can you tell we like Star Wars?)

We definitely had the best coach in the league! Daddy!

Who was COMPLETELY in his element as a coach

so patient and encouraging with the kids...

He did AWESOME!

I went to McBeach with my girls

And I was definitely on Cloud Nine



The Sunsets were UNBELIEVABLE

and we toasted them each night with a glass of wine.

Then I decided I didn't want to come home!

So I didn't!!! The girls left me on Sunday.....

And these cuties arrived Sunday afternoon!!!!

Ever since then, I swear I've had the hardest time getting back in the swing of things!

But.....I think I'm finally back!

I've been making some fun buckets!

I added a new tab on the blog!

Check them out and let me know what you think!

Oh and it's good to be back!

No pics just GIVEAWAYS!!!

Did you get excited that I'm doing a giveaway?

Sorry if I a disappoint...

BUT I am going to steer you in the right direction
and share with you two super cool giveaways!

I have selfish intentions

but at least I'm honest!
By sharing this first giveaway,

I get entered another time in the drawing!
(please pick me oh please!)

The first giveaway is from my new favorite blog!

"Pure & Lovely" was founded by an extraordinary

design team made up of college sweethearts!

This incredibly talented couple offers a long list

of design services, and have a great blog and etsy shop!

I LOVE THIS BLOG -

so go check out the giveaway and if you win...

please give it to me! Ha!

giveaway will end at 10:00 pm. CST, Wednesday September 8th

The next giveaway is from yours truly!
Yep, ME! Just not on my blog!
I have the honor of sponsoring Centsational Girl

and together we are giving away

two $75 shop credits to Noteworthy!

There are tons of new things on the website

and as Centsational Girls says,

more gorgeous selections than ever!

This giveaway ends Monday September 6, 2010 at 8 p.m. PST

so head on over and get your entries in!!!

Pray for Ella Website!

I have been meaning to post this for awhile because I think it's so cool! If you've been around for awhile, you know the story behind sweet Ella. If not, you can read her story here.

One of Sheli's sweet friends set up a blog to lift Ella and her family up by surprising them with a name gallery. It has been so cool to see where the pictures come from! The sky is the limit on creativity. I am AMAZED when I go on to Ella's caring bridge and read where all of the comments come from. This picture blog is so great because since Ella can't read, she can enjoy this by seeing all of the pictures with her name spelled out!

I know you all don't know her but her mom is one of my closest friends and I just encourage you to get your family together and take an "ella" picture. It's just one small gesture that can make a 2 year old very happy!

You can check out the blog here and it has instructions on how to submit your photo! Something fun to do this Labor Day weekend that will brighten up a 2 year old girl!!!!

What'll Ya Have?

One of my friends always says that when someone passes on,

that God floods you will all these memories of that person...

or in this case....

that wonderful place, we call the Varsity Jr.

Last Sunday night was the last night it was open

and even though it was the night before the first day of school,

we loaded up the fam to say our goodbyes

and get one last chili dog, rings and PC!

Yes, there are other Varsitys -

and even a new one opening in Dawsonville.

There is the original downtown which is special

one in Gwinnett and Kennesaw

and now even one in Alpharetta.

But nothing is like the Jr. to me.

and as I ate my last meal there, I was flooded with the memories.


As a small girl, I spent countless Sunday evenings here after church.

My dad would write the entire family's order down on a napkin

(the days before post its) in the car before he'd go in to order.

This was definitely one of his favorite restaurants.

In seventh grade when my dad passed away,

I remember the house being flooded with friends, family & casseroles

until Susan Gordy (the owner of the Varsity Jr.) showed up.

She had gone to highschool with my dad and along with her condolences,

brought boxes of chili dogs.

It made me happy to see the food that I loved so much.


In college, I remember having a horrible day and an

upcoming test that afternoon that I wasn't ready for.

I called my husband crying and venting and he said

"Why don't you go to your happy place and study?

There is a Varsity right around the corner in Kennesaw"

That was when I first learned of that location

but it made this girl feel better when the Varsity Jr. was too far.

My Grandmother lived less than a mile from the Varsity Jr.

Many times at our gatherings, a family member would run down the street

and pick up a few boxes of hot chili dogs.

You couldn't get to her house without passing this

historic landmark.

When we were bringing little man home from the hospital,

she was very sick and pretty much house bound.

We had an anxious 22 month waiting for us at home but

we weren't sure when she'd see this baby so we stopped

by the Varsity Jr., picked up some chili dogs and

dropped by her house to introduce her new great grandson to her.

While it's just a restaurant to many,

it has been a part of many precious memories in my life.

Special memories that included my childhood with my dad

and if he were alive today....I know he would've been right there with me

Saying our thanks and goodbyes to the Varsity Jr.

Back to School....FINALLY!

Today was Back to School day!

I think I'm the only parent that

doesn't think it's "bittersweet" -

It's all just SWEET to me!!!

Both boys started today

And after a 3 month + summer,

I think everyone was ready to get back!

These 1st day of school pics totally show

how opposite their personalities are!!!

Sweet Numero Uno turned 6

the day before he began Kindergarten!

I decided to pick my battles

and not fight over a collared shirt this morning!

He's always up for a photo op

with that sweet smile.

He even took a picture of me

at the bus stop with my coffee in hand!

(you can thank me later for omitting that one!)

Then there's Little Man

who I can't even get to be STILL

for a photo op!!!

He is so silly and has so much energy!

He picks out his own clothes

but doesn't want to put them on!

He is so excited about 4 day 4's

and thinks his teacher is "pretty"

We talked about making new friends

& on the way to school I taught him the Girl Scout song:

"Make new friends, but keep the old,

One is silver and the other gold!"

He thought that was HYSTERICAL!

Now I get to spend some QT with this sweet thang!

Our big boy!

Today my oldest "Numero Uno" turned SIX!

Where has the time gone?

I remember that day like it was yesterday

I knew I was having contractions

but wasn't due for another 3 weeks!

My husband was refinishing our guest bath

that he had totally gutted while I was out of town!

We taped a piece of paper to the wall in the hallway.

I let him know every time I had a contraction

and he stopped his construction project to write down the time.

I love that I still have that piece of paper.

I love that you can gradually see the contractions

getting closer and closer and how I had to literally brace myself

against that same wall as we walked to get in the car.


The nurses kept telling me not to get my hopes up,

that NO one goes early with their first babies.

I knew they weren't right...I knew this baby was coming soon!

they thought I was crazy.

Sweet Numero Uno arrived at 8:11 PM and I was sure

nothing ever that perfect had been born before!

He was teeny tiny....6lbs. 4ozs. which concerned me on

where the other 50 pounds were accounted for!

I felt so natural as a mother instantly....

like it was WHY I was put on this earth.

I never second guessed myself - was so confident

and couldn't WAIT to go in his room in the middle of the night.


There is something so special about your first born.

He is the one that first gave me this role as mother.

He is the first life we created out of such LOVE.

I gained a whole deeper kind of love for my husband when this child came.

Now he's six years old! HOW?

He's independant and mostly indecisive,

He values my opinion but doesn't like collared shirts

He'll play with anything but is obsessed with Star Wars.

Those who know me, know that I'm pretty simple

when it comes to birthday parties (or anything really!)

but last night we blew it out! Crazy ridiculous - boys running everywhere!

They had a blast and I enjoyed a glass of wine when they left!

I even got into the spirit and dressed up as Princess Leia

She must have had A LOT of hair to do those buns!

Those that also know me, know that I don't do dress up!

That just shows what I would do for this sweet kid!


Happy 6th Birthday "L Dog"!