Monday
Aug042008
Meet the Gardners
Monday, August 4, 2008 at 05:00AM August 4, 2008
Well, I got a good night’s sleep and I’m ready to conquer the day! It dawned on me that, since I’m sure I’ll be talking about my family a LOT, I should introduce them. So let me tell you a little bit about the Gardners. (I could write novels about every single one of them, but I’ll keep it brief!)
First, of course, is my sweetheart, Sterling. I can’t even begin to tell you how much he means to me. He is my rock! He’s gentle and strong, wise and quiet, calm and steady. They say opposites attract, and that’s certainly the case in our marriage! That’s not to say, of course, that I can’t be calm and steady, but those who know me know that I tend to be passionate and emotional, although I hope it’s always in a good way!
Sterling is a simply spiritual man who loves his family—and horses! If he can’t be spending his time with us, his second choice is off on a ride! Now I don’t want you to think that Sterling’s perfect (although he’s probably as close as they come) and I’m sure we’ll talk about the things that he does that drive me crazy, but can I just say I love this man!
We have five daughters (Megan, Sara, Shalae, Sage, and Shanna), four sons-in law (Nate, Sean, Jon, and Jason), and 12 grandchildren, with number 13 arriving sometime in the next few weeks! I can’t wait! I’ll share more details about each of our children and grandchildren as time passes. For now, I’ll just say that nothing brings me greater happiness than being with them, whether we’re camping, stamping, eating, or vacationing. A perfect day is a day spent with my family!
Reader Comments (178)
Shelli,
I am looking forward to seeing what you share with us all about life, stamping or anything else that you choose. Glad that convention went well. I can't wait to see the new catalog. God Bless.
Hello, Shelli! I am so excited that you have a blog. You are right at the top of my blog roll and I look forward to gleaning inspiration from you.
Thanks for bringing us Stampin' Up!
Your family is such a joy. I have met some of them at conventions in the past. You are certainly blessed with a supportive family. Thanks for sharing them with all of us.
Trish
Thank you so much for sharing so much of your family and yourself.You are such an amazing woman. I just became a demo last Feb. and started stamping last summer. You inspire me to go after my dream. I love that I can spend all the time w/my children I would like and still be a carrer woman and doing something that I love and makes me smile everytime I do.
So that and a million other reasons. THANK YOU!! (((HUGS))
So glad to see your blog is up and running. Into my favorites you go. I can't wait to share your tips and ideas.
Congrats on the new blog. Looks great. Love the banner especially since it looks like your blouse. I'm so glad to hear your husband is so wonderful, I know what you mean, I've got one of those too. I love hearing women gushing about their mates, it's very refreshing.
Anyway, looking forward to all the fabulous things you'll post.
Hi, Shelli! I am so looking forward to your blog, as you share your thoughts and
inspiration. I LOVE Stampin' Up! and want to thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to bring much joy to my life! I am a loyal customer, who hopes to one day join you as a demonstrator. :) I pray for you often. God bless you and your family.
Good Morning!
I was so excited when I read of your pending blogging adventures! I wanted to take the time to say thank you for all that you do to make us feel important and cherished. Stampin' Up! has truly blessed me in many many ways. I am proud to be a part of this company! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thank you for sharing yourself with us Shelli. I became a demo in Feb. but have been stamping with SU! since 1996! I can't wait to see your fresh and inspiring ideas and tips! Thank you again for starting this blog!
Hey Shelli! I'm so thrilled about your blog and couldn't think of a better way to spend time than to see your thoughts and ideas here!
Great Start!! Really looking forward to following your blog. You ROCK!
Hi Shelli - I can't wait to see all of the great things this blog will bring! You family is lovely as ever - thanks for sharing so much of yourself with us. I think my up, up, up line is a decendant of yours (in Stampin'Up! terms, not real geneology terms!) so i feel connected to this blog in many ways. Thanks for the great example of leadership that you set - both in business and in your family!
Looking forward to more!
This is really a fun idea that you had to share some details of your life with us! I don't have my own blog, and can't even imagine finding the time to do it. I don't know how you can find the time.
I just wanted to share that this was my first convention, and it was a blast! (I've been a demo for a year and a half, and have really been enjoying the experience.) Thank you for the opportunities that you have offered to us. After hearing you talk at convention, I can see that you are really just a wonderful, regular lady with an absolutely amazing business, and with a huge, huge heart.
Shelli -- I cannot believe you are letting us comment. Oh, man! Can you imagine how many comments you'll get? You are going to have to clone yourself, since you aren't going to get much else accomplished if you read all of these. Maybe that's why God gave you 5 girls -- clones to help you do your work :-).
Congrats on entering the blog world. It is tons of fun. I can't wait to read all your posts!
I have been so excited since they announced that you would be having your own blog! I have been waiting all morning just to get on and look! Thank you so much for taking your time to share with us what you love! I look forward to the challenges and great projects! Thank you again!
Shelli, thank you so much for sharing a little of yourself with us! I look forward to reading more!
Hi Shelli!
I'm so thrilled that you've entered the blogging world, and we'll get to learn more about you! You are so inspirational, and to listen to you speak at convention was a definite highlight! I'm looking forward to everything you'll be sharing in the future! It's so nice to be with a company that truly makes us all feel like one big family, and I'm sure that's because that's the way you are. Thank you for everything you do for us to help us grow our businesses and have fun doing it!
Hi Shelli! It is so nice to "meet" you!! I want to thank you for all you, your family and your employees do for your demonstrators. Stampin' Up!, and my wonderful upline, have filled my life with so much fun, creativity and friendship-it has truly been a blessing. I look forward to following your blog and I can't wait to try your first challenge!! Thanks SOOO MUCH!! God bless!!
WOW I cant wait to see what happens on this blog. I love SU, I am a UK demonstrator and I love it. I am so pleased you came to the UK, excited to see what our catalogue brings. You have a beautiful family!!
Hugs
Caz
x
I look forward to reading your blog! What a wonderful way to continue to express all the sharing you do. You are an amazing person - someone to look up to in so many regards. I'm happy to be a part of Stampin' Up! It will be 5 years at the end of August. I'm sad :( I missed convention last week; it was the first time since I became a demo. I appreciated the updates on the SU! demo website to keep us at home in the news. Good luck with all these new endeavors!
Michele Z.
Carol Stream, IL
Shelli, I had a great time for my 12th convention!(missed last year's) It was so much fun, to be a part of Stampin' Up! for almost 13 years. I can't wait to see what you'll be sharing and love the exclusive line that you have set up so far! And the Sizzix is just the BOMB! I love it! I can't wait for all of the new things that you have in store for all of us! Keep it up! YOU ROCK! :)
Shelli,
I have to say that you have a beautiful family! I look forward to hearing more about them on your blog. BTW, you are definitely jumping into this internet thing with both feet--first the announcement of online ordering and now with your blog! How exciting--and I'm sure a little scary! Thank you so much for sharing so much about yourself. I truly appreciate your passion for creativity and, above all, life! Hugs!
Hi Shelli, this is so exciting that you have a blog! I love your big family too! I have six children and two grands. I am so looking forward to learning more about you. You are an inspiration to the woman who wants to own her on business. Enjoy your day!
Lisa
awww, what a beautiful family! (and what great colours, lol!!).
Shelli, welcome to the world of blogging. I am so looking forward to reading your day to day posts.
Thank you for continuing to be an inspirational person in my life each day through my Stampin' Up! demonstratorship. I'm looking forward to catching up with you in Palm Cove in just over 2 weeks. Jayne