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)
Wow this is so great to get to know you Shelli! I know a lot of blogs that have options of subscribing via email..is this a possibility? That way when you update your blog we will get an email letting us know. None the less I am so excited!!! Convention totally rocked! I literally prayed that I would win a prize patrol (silly I know) and the set at the end was a gift from heaven. It meant a lot and was an answer to prayer! Thank you for being so much fun!
Congrats on your blog as well as convention and all the new changes to SU! Thanks so much for sharing yourself with us - and thank you for the mention of 'hobby' demos being important too! I joined in June 08 and love being a part of this beautiful family!!
Welcome to the world of blogging. Your website looks wonderful and I look forward to reading your posts.
Thank you so much for everything you do!! Love the new blog & the new product lines! I love everything about Stampin' Up!
Shelli,
Thank you for being the person you are! I was a Convention attendee for the very first time this year, doing my five-year walk across stage. Hooray for SU for being the wonderful company they are. May there be many, many more years to come!!
So happy to see you have a blog and I'll be working on the challenge.
GREAT looking family!
Welcome to blogging Shelli!! I look forward to reading your blog daily. What a true inspiration you are. Thanks for all that you do. This one goes right into my favorites for sure!!
It is lovely to see you in the Blogging world Shelli! You are so accurate when you differentiate between constructive feedback and negativity.
Thanks so much for continuing to share with us!!!!
Vicki
Hi Shelli!
Welcome to the world of blogging :o) I'm so excited to read your entries and find out a little more about you and hopefully, see some of your creations too! Thanks for taking the time to do this, I think it is going to be great.
I'm so excited to see that you have a blog! I've added it to my favorites and I will visit often!
I'm eager to hear more about your family---one of the highlights when the new catalog comes out is to look at the newest family photo. That's the first thing I do!
I have stamp club tonight and am hoping that my demo has her catalogs---can't wait to check out the newest goodies!
Blessings to you!
Hi Shelli!
I'm so sorry I couldn't be at convention this year but am so excited with all the new stamps, accessories & news! Thank you for working so hard for us! We love you! God bless you & your family!
I just wanted to say your blog design is beautiful. I look forward to reading more from you.
I'm not sure if it is just my monitor, but the 1st portion of your post goes across your banner and picture. I'll have to check on my larger monitor at home and see if I get the same thing.
Note from Shelli: We looked into this, and apparently the problem comes from using Internet Explorer version 6 rather than version 7. You can download version 7 free at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx. Thanks for your kind words about the design!
Hi Shelli!
YAY!!! I am so glad you are blogging!
It'll be FUN!!!!
This Aug is my 10th yr being a SU! Demo!!!
I have all my catalogs from 1998 on, and I have loved watching your family grow!!!
2001 and 2003 I went to convention, and it was amazing! Im hoping to go next year for my 10 yr walk!
Thankyou for sharing yourself with us here!
And may I say, that ever since I met you at my 2 conventions, I adore the way you dress!! ;)
Will you start a clothing line???? (well, one can wish, cant she??)
Hugs! And happy blogging!
Tandra
Welcome to the blogging world Shelli! I will be adding you to my blog roll. I wanted to say thank you for continuing to share the Gardner family picture in each catalog. I look forward to seeing how your family is growing and changing each catalog - it's one of my favorite features! May God continue to bless the Gardner families abundantly. Love & friendship, Juli
Thank you Shellie for starting your own blog. You have a very beautiful family.
I'm rather new in the SU demo. world, but I feel very blesed to be a part of the Stampin' UP! family at this time. It seems like a better time than EVER to be involved in the Stampin' UP!.
Thank you for sharing. I'm not sure if you'll get time to look thru each and every post. If you do...Thank you.
Tracie Jacobson
Pittsburgh, PA
Shelli,
What another great Convention! My first one was the 15th year Anniversary, so I knew it would be exciting for 20 years. I won the Season of Thanks and can't wait to get a shadow box to make the sample shown.
Congratulations on both the Anniversary and the new blog.I am not sure how you can find the time, but you are an inspiration to all of us! Thank you for being "so Shelli" ! PaperDoll
Thank you Shellie for starting your own blog. You have a very beautiful family.
I'm rather new in the SU demo. world, but I feel very blesed to be a part of the Stampin' UP! family at this time. It seems like a better time than EVER to be involved in the Stampin' UP!.
Thank you for sharing. I'm not sure if you'll get time to look thru each and every post. If you do...Thank you.
Tracie Jacobson
Pittsburgh, PA
Shelli, I was so thrilled to hear at Convention about your blog!! I love this company, the positive and wonderful way you treat everyone, the happy vibe that seems to surround this company...oh, I could go on and on!!! Thanks for being such a huge inspiration in my life - I think I cherish that most of all!! God Bless! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex
Shelli! Thank you for sharing your family with us. It is so fun to hear about them. Your blog is wonderful and such a great idea! I can't wait to see what wonderful things you have on here. Thank you for making Stampin' Up! such a wonderful company to be associated with!
Shelli, Welcome to the Blog World.. I'm so excited you decided to start a blog! My blog has become an exciting part of my life and a way to connect with so many wonderful stampers and crafters all over the world. THANK YOU for a fabulous convention and especially for the AMAZING announcement about the BIG SHOT! WHOOHOOOO!!! I look forward to seeing you many times this year as I serve on the Advisory Board - wow, what an honor! I am still pinching myself! :) hugs, Patty
Hi Shelli,
Words cannot even describe the joy you and Stampin' Up! have brought to my life.
Meeting new people, making new friends and sharing what I love.
I'm very excited you have decided to enter the world of bloggers and invite us into your life and share yet even more of yourself.
I look forward to your stories, inspiration and ideas.
It was a pleasure as always to speak with you if only briefly at convention....which was fabulous by the way!!!
Thank You for selecting my downline Sharon Field for the "Statement of the Heart" Award and for letting me read the letter I submitted. It meant a lot to her and me.
Stampingleeyours,
Shelli -
I was so excited to hear that you were starting your own blog so I just had to check on it this morning!
Thank you for taking the time to share yourself and family, on a more personal level. Though I feel close to you already, sort of as if you really know all of your stampers...LOL - how could you not since you are just like we are?
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet you at the last Portland Regional seminar and can't wait for the next one. I think you are an amazing woman whose heart truly shows through in the time you take to talk/take pictures with your demonstrators at Stampin' Up! events. Thank you for making us all feel so loved and validated!
I hope you have a great day! I'll be looking forward to your future posts. Happy Stampin! God Bless!
Shelli,
It was an honor to meet you at convention! I'm amazed at your personal interactions with all of us! You are an inspiration to me as a demonstrator, but especially as a person!
XXXOOO
Stacey Schafer
Well said!
You have a beautiful family! Enjoy! Time goes by way too fast.
Hi Shelli,
My lovely friend Janette told me about your new Blog, so I just thought I would leave you a comment to say Hi from the Uk. I am a UK Demonstrator and we got to meet you and your lovely daughter in London. You certainly have had a busy year so far, We are so excited to see what is in the next UK catalogue. Best Wishes Jenny:-)