Mind Doodles

Stoner's Handmade Market

So, this summer my girls, Kelsey and Courtney are going to Kenya.  They are going on a mission trip with The 410 Bridge, an organization who partners with communities in Kenya.  I am so excited about what they are going to learn and how they are going to grow.  I love that my girls would choose going on a mission trip over doing anything else in the world.  Sure, mission trips are fun.  But, I think what they love most of all is getting to know the people and having God open their eyes to what He is doing in lives everywhere.  

I'm even more excited because I get to go as well.  I will be leading (my first time ever) the team of young adults from our church. I love this team that is going. They are world changers.  I am honored that I get to serve along side them. (And I love that I will finally get to be on a mission trip with my daughters).

So, in preparation for this trip, our family has a lot of money to raise. . .$7,000.00.  Yep--you read that right.  

We put our heads together and decided that we should put our creativity to work for us.  We've all been busy crafting and creating for the past couple of months in preparation for the:

Stoner Handmade Market

Saturday, January 21 (that's this Saturday!)

9 am - 3 pm

1009 Cuscowilla Dr. Cary

Everyone is welcome and all proceeds go toward funding this mission trip to Kenya. For a preview check out the pictures below. It's going to be fun. Hope to see you there!

The Stoner Family Year in Review

Angry Birds--Are you Obsessed?

Almost everyone I know has become an expert at Angry Birds

If they aren't an expert yet, they are working on it.  

There is something sadistically pleasing about smashing pigs that are trying to elude you.

I've never been much of a video game player, yet I have spent my fair share of time on my iPhone, playing this addicting game.  Even my 60-something year old mom plays.  

So, I guess it was only a matter of time before someone grabbed hold of the trend and rode its coattails into the next big thing--

Angry Birds--Knock on Wood Game 

Now your whole family can play together. 

Another Movie--I'm so excited!!!

A couple of years ago, I read a book that soon became a favorite of mine.  In fact, The Help, by Karen Stockett, became the gift I gave to everyone.  I absolutely loved it!  I couldn't stop talking about it. 

And now, something wonderful is happening.  

It's a movie that will be released August 10.  

I CA'T WAIT!!!!

 

I'm So Interested.....

Several years ago I read the book, Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller.  

It stretched me and made me look at my faith from another perspective.  

Since then, I've heard Donald Miller speak at several conferences.  His speaking and his books continue to make me think.

So, today I saw the trailer for the Blue Like Jazz movie.  I'm so interested....and anxious to see it.

 

 

The Whirlwind of Courtney's Last 6 Weeks in Pictures.....

Senior Prom

Graduation

 

Senior Trip to Italy

Skydiving (her belated 18th Birthday gift).

After the landing, comparing notes with her fellow jumper--Dad.

Packing up for 5 weeks in Kentucky to serve on the production team of Summer in the Son.

Getting ready to make some memories with some great girls!

 

All that in 6 weeks!!!

 

Hi--Remember Me???

I'm coming back--I promise!

Life has been crazy....(when has it NOT been crazy?)

But, the past month I've been running from one deadline to another.  I have had very little margin in my life.  And.....I usually blog in the margin of my life.....so.....no blogging.  

But--margin is on the horizon.  

Here's a snapshot of our life at the Stoner home in the last couple of months.

Greg went to Africa.

Took Courtney to a last minute college visit.

Easter--5 services and a crazy, crazy, crazy Kids Program.

Took the Monday after Easter off.  Left that Wednesday for a conference in Atlanta.

Orange Conference--one of my favorite experiences of the year.

While I was there--I had my 50th birthday--got to celebrate with some of my favorite people.

Courtney's senior prom (She was gorgeous!  Pictures soon to follow).

Courtney makes a college decision at the last minute.

Soccer Conference Tournament

I had a garage sale--WHAT????

Greg went to Birmingham to move Kelsey home for the summer.

Painted my mom's bedroom and helped her move her furniture.

Helped with a fundraiser for Joy in Hope and our friends in Haiti.

Took Courtney to Queens University to register for her classes.

Began to get ready for all of Graduation Week Activities--including remodeling a bathroom.  

Family arrived from St. Louis, Indianapolis and Birmingham for the graduation festivities.

Last night--Trinity Academy's award ceremony.  

Still to come:  tonight-Baccalaureate Dinner and Ceremony

                              tomorrow morning--Graduation (my baby's growing upt)

                              Sunday--Stoner style Bar-B-Que to celebrate

                              Monday--family leaves

                              Courtney heads to Italy and I take a long nap!

No wonder I'm so tired!

Is your life like this, too??  We  need to slow down!

 

A New Chapter

Today, I'm 50 years old.  I'm embracing this time of my life and looking forward to what is ahead.

In celebration, I want to share this video with you that my daughter, Kelsey, found for me.

Enjoy!

   

Update

So, on January 5, I posted about my WORD for the year.  

My word------SHED

Here we are, 3 months later. It might be a good time to give you an update--it's all part of that accountability thing.  I knew that when I posted it, I would need to own up to my progress.

In most areas of my life, I still have a long way to go.  

But, I have been trying to shed some of the clutter in my life--physical clutter, that is.  

First step--this Saturday, April 16, I will be having a garage sale with my mom at her new house.  There are lots of things that I am getting rid of from my house.  But, also, I will be selling the furniture and items from the house my mom bought.  LOTS of stuff. We are excited to finally get busy on this.  I need to clear it all out of my mom's new house, so that she can also be rid of my clutter, too.

Wish us luck!   

The Last Show

All throughout high school, Courtney has been involved in theater.  It has been so much fun watching her grow and blossom with each role.  Each year, she has taken on larger and larger acting roles, as well as leadership roles within the group.  

This past week marked her final performance.  The musical was The Biograph Girl.  

Never heard of it?  Me either.  

But, it's a wonderful story of the beginning of the motion picture business....specifically Paramount Studios.  Courtney played the role of The Biograph Girl, Mary Pickford, one of the earliest movie stars.  She was also the student "musical director", which was a lot to bite off.  With the help of my friend and one of my few blog followers, Kathleen--musician extraordinaire,  she was able to wade through the musical director responsibilities. (Thanks friend:)

But, when it came to her role as Mary Pickford, she lit up the stage.  I know she's my daughter so I can't be completely unbiased.  But, I am here to say--she was absolutely fabulous!  She really brought the character to life.  Greg and I were both so incredibly amazed at the talent of this child of ours.  It took us a little off guard.

Here are a few shots of Courtney as The Biograph Girl....

Young Mary

Mary goes to Hollywood.

Mary turns 21, but still plays a 12 year old.

Mary decides to become a liberated woman.

Mary--all grown up and sassy

Mary, the life of the party

The seniors: Danielle, Jonathan, Courtney, Tanner