Merry Christmas 2008
Blessings, Joy, Peace and Love
from the Stankavage’s to you and yours!
Merry Christmas 2008! What a year of blessings! Like everyone, our family is reeling from the national financial crisis but remembering that “if money can fix our problems, then they really aren’t problems!” We count our blessings of family and health and are affirmed to KNOW that what really matters most is each other… we also see an underlying test of how we handle uncertainty… how much of our actual confidence is resting in God – and how much is not? Kate is in her 5th year of teaching 2nd grade in Durham Public Schools AND in August became the proud owner of Blue Point Yoga Center! She is also currently working on her 200-hr. level yoga certification. Scott continues his commercial real estate consulting practice with GVA Advantis and directs the Turning Point Adolescent Center that provides mental health services to Durham families. Sarah, 20, is in the midst of her junior year at UNC where she is majoring in journalism. Shelby, 17, is a senior at Jordan High School, captain of the basketball team and striving to get accepted to UNC or Georgia to pursue her college education. Shawn, 13, is 7th grade captain of his varsity basketball team. He enjoyed successful seasons in football and soccer, where he played in games from Washington, DC to Charlotte. One of Shawn’s sports highlights this year was attending the Phillies World Series game 6 clincher with his Dad and cousins! 2008 brought an end to Leo’s 13 month battle with melanoma cancer. Dad won, as he is in heaven and the cancer is gone. On February 17, at Abington Hospital Hospice, at 6:45 AM with wife, Dolores and daughters, Lyn and Lauran by his side, Dad went to be with the Lord. It had been a year of small celebrations and one that brought our family together and ultimately closer than ever before. The life celebration service was an incredible tribute. We miss Dad, think of him often, smiling through our tears.
Sarah, Dad & Shelby
Shawn, Sarah, Kate, Shelby , Scott
Shawn & Dad
The Stankavage Family July 4, 2008
Blessings for 2009
Scott and Kate grew their marriage, spending time going to concerts (Third Day, George Clinton, Lewis Black, etc.) and vacationing in the Bahamas in April, Oak Island NC beach for father’s day, and the Dillon’s cottage on the Allegheny River in upstate PA. We also took the Kershaw’s to Vegas for their 20th anniversary in September. In November, the Parkers and Hicks made their annual pilgrimage to North Carolina for the UNC vs. GT football game. For Kate’s birthday in May, we surprised her with a golden retriever puppy! “Benson” has been a loving addition to our family. (He is not so much a puppy anymore!) Scott and brother, Bruce, played in the Doylestown Brothers golf tournament! They won in a record score of -9, combining to make a miraculous eagle putt on the 18th hole with Mom on the green. We know Dad was there in spirit, very proud of his boys. Later that month, together with Ed, they shared time fly-fishing in the NC Mountains. Kate’s brother and sister-in-law welcomed their 3rd child, 2nd daughter, Evelyn Catherine July 3rd! Evy is a healthy and beautiful blessing from above! Scott coached Shawn’s Durham Eagle Pop Warner football team, the Southern Durham high school football offense and is currently head coach at the St. Thomas More middle school 7th & 8th grade boys’ basketball. At age 46, Scott’s back is asking for a shift from the weekend basketball battles of his youth towards fly-fishing and golf… Kate is awfully happy to know that Scott is finally listening to his back! This Christmas Kate and Scott will spend a weekend in the NC Mountains with Rich and Tracy Harris, and then travel to Pittsburgh to be with Kate’s family, finally ending up with Sarah, Shelby and Shawn for New Years in Philadelphia with the Stankavage family. We would love to hear from you, so drop us a note or email or give us a call. God bless your 2009! The Stankavages 3851 Somerset Drive Durham, NC 27707 919-401-2465 sstankavage@nc.rr.com
Shawn & Benson
Scott & Kate
Scott, Mom & Bruce
The Dillon Family