Birthday Perfection

Have you ever had one of those days? You know where everything just falls into place. Whether you had something planned or if something was sprung on you, it just worked out. You picked the right line at the grocery store....you have all the ingredients for a certain recipe, every person you encountered was pleasant... you name it, it was the right thing. Well imagine how you would feel if your entire weekend went that way! Unbelievable right?...well it happened to me AND it just so happens it was my birthday weekend!


I decided early on that I wasn't going to let turning another year older get the better of me. So what if I've been on this planet one year longer, that's OK... I was going to celebrate another year of being me! I'm healthy, I've got a great job, wonderful friends, the greatest husband and family anyone could be blessed with...it's good to be me!








Some of the things we did this weekend...


Lunch on Saturday: Famous Dave's (love that place)

Got new phones from AT&T
I love the new Bluetooth technology...a hands free device coming through the stereo... Wow!

Spring Mountain Ranch - Saw the play "Aida" Great job Andrew! Loved the play!





Church on Sunday - Heard a great message on the importance of relationships being a key factor in growing closer to Christ!

Trip to Star Nursery - New plants for the backyard (looks amazing)

My daughter Alyson, took this terrific picture of this flower from my frontyard last week.

I'm going to use this one in my "Seasons" themed frame. This one will be "Summer".





Sunday afternoon nap!


Great birthday dinner at PF Changs. Served by the nicest waiter we've ever had, I might add!




I received lots of phone calls, emails & thoughtful gifts from family & friends.

Truly, my cup runneth over. I am so blessed and very thankful. I have never felt more loved!

God,
I don't want to question why you have shown me your favor, I only want to give you the praise and the glory. Without You I would have none of these gifts, so please accept my thanks and forgive me whenever I take these gifts for granted. It's my honor to serve You and yours! Amen

Our Weekend

We've had a really nice weekend. Not real busy, yet we feel we got a lot accomplished. Want to know what we did?

We turned a bunch of stuff...


A few tools, countless trips to the hardware store, lot of gadgets and doohickies, and many "grandpa" hours...















And you get....
The Amazing Grandpa Gadget Board 2008




Promises hours of fun for Grandpa and Carter to learn how to make stuff work.
Great job Grandpa!!!!!!!!!!!

So...How Was Your Day?

Or the other working title: The Stripper, The Church Lady and God


So, before I tell you about my day I want to share this with you. We had our boys over for dinner on Sunday night. Alyson called us on the webcam and we got to "talk" with Carter. Jeffrey snapped several pictures during the "conversation". I haven't heard Carter laugh that hard ever. It was great!

At the end of every day I give thanks to God for the gifts of my family. And after a day like today, I'm especially grateful. Let me tell you about my day:


Today started out just like any other day except instead of having to go into the office, we were able to start our "work" day from home. See today was a mandatory prayer day at The Crossing, meaning once a quarter, we close down the office and send our staff out to spend the day with God. We've been doing this on the 5th Tuesday of the month for probably 3-4 years. It usually ends up being an amazing day for most of us. After our prayer day, during the next week, we have our all staff meeting and the staff brings back their stories of how they encountered God on their prayer day. It can be anything from a beautiful sunrise, to a friendly smile from a stranger. Someone always has a "God sighting" they can share. Our prayer days have become a very welcome time when we can get our spiritual tanks filled up again.

My plan was to take a bike ride with God first thing this morning. That was MY plan. I was going to ride through our community and pray for neighbors and people and then come home to listen to some worship music and journal for a while to see what God would like me to do next. That was MY plan...it's pretty obvious God had another. I was on the last leg of my bike ride with only half mile to go before I got back home, when off to my right a car didn't stop at a stop sign and I was struck by car. Yes, you read right, I was struck by a car.

Her name is Kaylene. She was driving a 2008 Lexus. She'd been up all night at her "job". She raced home to change clothes because she had to go pick up her boyfriend and take him to the airport and was hurrying to meet him. She didn't even stop at the stop sign. She looked right and I was on her left. She never looked left.

That particular intersection is notorious for having people blow through the stop sign. I see it every day. No exaggeration...EVERY day! As I was approaching the intersection I made a mental note to be extra careful because of past observations at that corner. Two cars before the Lexus rolled through the stop sign...didn't stop. I looked past the entry and saw the white car, but knew I had plenty of time and I could proceed, cautiously, yet safely. I kept my eye on the car...she sped up, looked right as she approached the corner. I slowed down, keeping what I thought was a safe enough distance, believing she would look left and see me and stop...she never did. In fact, she looked right, saw an oncoming truck and I assume, figured if she gave it a little gas and accelerated, she could beat the truck. She made a sharp left turn, continuing to accelerate...I yelled three times at her while she made the turn right into me! She hit the front tire of my bike and knocked me off it, right onto the pavement.

I immediately sat up and said, "What were you thinking! You didn't even look! What's wrong with you!!!!!!!!!!!" She got out of her car and said; "I'm sorry hon, I didn't even see you. I've been up all night and I'm late for picking up my boyfriend. Can I give you $300 to fix your bike? I'll give you my personal information". Seriously, that's what she said! I just sat on the ground, completely shaking and crying. A witness (whose name I will find out) stopped to make sure I was OK and to see if I wanted him to call for help. I said yes. I was so upset and shook up, I seriously didn't know if I was hurt. I couldn't believe this little girl (probably 20...driving a brand new Lexus SUV????) just hit me with her car.

Within a few minutes a policeman showed up and a short time after that the paramedics showed up. They checked me out and aside from an elevated heart rate and B/P(geez, wonder why) I was OK. Banged up and bruised, but OK.

I called Chip, who was heading to California for work. By the time I reached him he was already in Baker. He was ready to come home, but after just a few minutes I knew I was OK and there was no real need for him to come back.

I received a copy of the police report and Kaylene received a traffic ticket. She was cited for "Failure to stop at a stop sign and something about hitting a non motorist" (bike rider)...she'll have to appear in court. She did tell the cops she'd recently received another ticket for speeding, near her school. I'm not surprised.

After about 45 minutes, we were done and I was left with my bike, afraid to get on it again having to get myself home. Just the thought of getting back on the bike and riding the couple of blocks to my house overwhelmed me. I walked it the rest of the way. I called Chip and he kept me company and my mind from racing until I walked in the door.

Once inside the house, I fell apart. The adrenaline rush was wearing off and my body ached from head to toe. My thoughts raced through all the "what ifs" and I couldn't stop crying. Around noon, exhausted and achy I laid on the couch. I started to doze when I heard breaking news on the TV about the earthquake in California. The phone immediately rang and my mom was on the other end wanting to know if I heard about the earthquake. We contacted all our family and friends and were extremely relieved to hear they were all OK. My sister and niece Shannon live in Fullerton and LaHabra and my other niece Melanie lives in Corona, CA. They're all fine, very shook up and my little nephews are worried about when the next "earth shake" will come, but all in all, everyone is fine. I heard from Chip who was in Barstow at the time of the earthquake and although he felt it, it doesn't appear as if the railroad suffered any damage. We were all very lucky today.

So, that was my day. Not the day I had planned in my mind; the picture perfect prayer day, my Bible, my journal, my God and me. Nope. So, what was God's plan for me in this crazy day? Where should my focus and prayers be directed? One thing for sure is I'm very thankful for my family and friends. The countless phone calls, text messages and emails from people who love me, wanting to make sure I was OK...I've never felt so loved and cared for.

The other thing I think is, as my frustration and anger over my little accident subsides, I can't help but wonder if I was also being used by God, in a lesson He might have been showing Kaylene? I don't mean to sound arrogrant about this at all. Forgive me if it sounded that way, but what if...? What if God, in His wisdom, is using me in some way to show Kaylene who He is?

If I didn't have a prayer plan before, I do now. Will you join me in that prayer?

Father God,
Thank you for being with me today and for keeping me safe. Although shakin' up and scared I knew You were in control the whole time and I'm thankful. God, I lift up Kaylene to you. Lord, she is your child and although I don't know if she knows you, I do know she needs you. If your plan is for me to be used in some way to show You to her, I will do it. Please help me to be bold and unafraid. I will follow where you lead.
Thank you for all my family and friends. You have truly blessed me.
In Jesus' name. Amen

Three Words

GO. SEE. IT.


I gotta tell you I was a little apprehensive. I saw the stage play and loved it. I was sure the movie version wouldn't capture the fun you have when you're experiencing the live version...but it did.

Yes, it was campy. Yes, the singing was...not at the level of the stage version, but it was fun. I found myself smiling from the first note to the last...and yes, I even sang along. And the scenery...well, all I can say is, I've got to get to a Greek Island before I die!

I also want to tell my husband thanks for seeing it with me. The fact that he even liked it is extra sweet. Thanks Honey!

So, while the rest of the world opted for the new Batman movie, I'm glad we spent our money on a great night of catchy music, a silly plot, a great cast of characters...Go See Mama Mia!

What Do You Think?

I came across this video clip on AOL. Take a few minutes to view it...I have some thoughts I'd like to share afterward.

http://news.aol.com/entertainment/television/article/hasselbeck-cries-over-use-of-the-n-word/88098

I saw the tease on AOL and I was intrigued. I've always liked The View and I really do like Elisabeth Hasselbeck on it and I wondered what had made her cry. I think she's young and refreshing, a little naive yes, but still she's interesting to watch. After watching the exchange between Elisabeth, Whoopi and (I think) Sherri Shepherd, it got me thinking....and thinking....and thinking....of course it was replayed on every entertainment news magazine show last night and that didn't help...but I have to tell you I was somewhat appalled at what I heard from Whoopi and Sherri. They were telling Elisabeth and Barbara (Joy Behar remained uncharacteristically quiet during this exchange) they'd better not ever hear the "n" word coming out of their mouths or any other white person's mouth, but it was OK if they (meaning blacks) use it. They went on to say that the "n" word can be used as a term of endearment, when spoken by another black person. What????? Elisabeth tried making the point, that by ANYONE using the "n" word (I think she said "Pop Culture") it's just bringing back the hateful thoughts and the pain of their history...of our history. She went on to try and dumb it down a little to get clarification on how she might teach her child, but then Whoopi goes off on a little rant about her mother not having been allowed to vote in the country of her birth. Well here's a news flash for you Whoopi, all of our female anscestors coudn't vote at one point in history, but that's another issue.



I get they hate THAT word. I HATE that word. I cringe each and everytime I hear someone say it.... black or white, and I know there is still plenty of racism in this world. I'm not naive nor do I think Elisabeth is naive to the fact there are still people who don't like the black population just because they're black. But come on, I think Elisabeth had a valid point. We do all live in the same world. There are those of us who are trying to change this world for the better. We're trying to teach our children to look at people as people. We don't want to merely tolerate, we want to accept and live as I believe God intended us to live, in peace. We want to embrace people as people, unique in the way God created them, not as man sees them. But, as long as there are people in this world who insist on setting a double standard, we will never be united. We may never see that peace.

My parents taught me and my siblings to "treat others the way you want to be treated". I think those are words of wisdom and everyone should learn to live by them. God, please help me to always do that.

So I leave you with this scripture:

This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 1 John 3:11

God has commanded us to love one another, if we start and end with that, the rest shouldn't even matter.

Contrary to Public Belief...

(click on the title)

...I am not the oldest blogger in the world...although some may say, now I am.

May I always yearn to learn something new...just like my mom! http://greatgrandmawebb.blogspot.com/
Check out her blog!


Father,
My prayer is that as I age, I always have a child-like faith.
Thank you for my health and the desire I have to keep my mind young.
Amen

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

When we were in Albuquerque, NM for 4th of July, we were fortunate to hang out with a few of the other "fellows" at the hospital where Mike is working. One of the guys got tickets for us to watch an Albuquerque Isotopes ballgame. We were especially excited, because after the ballgame there was supposed to be a fireworks exhibition! We had hoped to see the fireworks show should Carter and his sleep schedule cooperate. We were geared up to leave if this little guy, who loves to sleep in his own bed, and only in his own bed, would allow.

What we didn't anticipate was the weather, but I'll get to that in a minute.

Carter was a champ! We had fed him before we left for the park. He was happy, dry watching everything! When the crowd clapped, Carter joined in. It was great. The group had bought tickets out in the outfield. This is a really cool ballpark...I've never seen one like it before. Out in the outfield, there is a grassy knoll, tiered for seating and socializing. At the top of the knoll is a midway, filled with carnival games and rides. It's awesome. Carter was instinctively drawn to the midway mezzanine (after his daddy took him for a walk up there). He couldn't get enough of it...if we tried to sit down and watch a little of the game, Carter tried to get to the top of the hill any way he could.

The ballpark is beautiful and that day, the weather was great. It's monsoon season in the southwest and the clouds billowing upward and around the stadium made for a beautiful sunset.

Carter was ready to take yet another walk up to the midway and I volunteered to take him for a walk. Any chance I get to spend one-on-one time with Carter, you'll see me jump at the chance...it's Grandma and Carter time! I love it!

As we're making our way up the little hill, it begins to rain. Lightly at first, with big, fat drops falling downward. The teenagers in the crowd were trying to catch the raindrops on their tongues. It was weird, something I'd never seen anyone do before, let alone teenager who usually try and look cool.

As we continued up the hill I noticed a young family with smaller children, scrambling to gather their blankets and coolers. The young children asked why they had to leave and their mommy said, "it's about to storm, hurry and gather your stuff!". I made a u-turn back to our group and mentioned what I heard. I told them they may want to start folding up the blankets and get ready to leave. I would finish taking Carter up the hill to the midway and when I got back we'd see if indeed, the storm was coming.

I walked Carter to the top of the hill and before we entered the midway gates, it was raining harder. I decided to take the shortcut down the hill back to the group and by this time it was coming down a little harder. People began gathering up their belonging and started toward the exit.

Quickly, and I do do mean quickly, the skies opened up and we found ourselves in the middle of a torrential downpour and heading toward the exit, along with 6,000 other people. The wind kicked up, the lightning began and the thunder rolled....and our car was about a half mile away. Chip and I had Carter. Carter was in his stroller and thank goodness, we did have an umbrella with us. I think we brought it just in case the sun got too hot, but whatever the reason, we had one. Chip and I kept Carter under the umbrella the best we could, while we dodged in and out of the crowd, trying to keep our eyes on Mike and Alyson.

Mike and Alyson were helping one of the young mom's in our group, who was there with her two little girls. Alyson and Mike knew we had Carter and he was safe. We tried to take shelter underneath one of the eaves, but the wind was blowing directly at us and it really didn't help us out at all. The thunder and lightning was getting louder and brighter by the minutes.

Finally, we just decided to go to the car. It didn't look like the storm was going to blow over anytime soon and we didn't want Mike and Alyson to worry about us, so we took off toward the car. Carter, who was under the umbrella and shielded from the wet, was humming the whole time. "Singing in the Rain" came to my mind as we walked through ankle deep puddles and streams. He wasn't freaked out in the least.

We met Mike and Alyson in the parking lot and we couldn't help but laugh out loud. We were all drowned rats. Soaked to the skin, with not a dry bit of clothing on. I literally had make-up running down my face. I'm thankful everyone wanted to keep their cameras dry, because we didn't need or want to see pictures of us, soaked to the bone. We all loaded our drenched bodies into Alyson's car and drove home, watching the most spectacular lightning show I've seen in a long time.

Needless to say there was not a traditional fireworks show that night, But God made sure we saw a spectacular show nonetheless. And in addition, helped create a wonderful family memory!

God,
You are the Creator of everything. You send us the rain, you know where every lightning bolt will strike and how loud the thunder will roar. Thank you for helping to orchestrate a ballgame postponed on account of rain, and turned it into a memorable family experience.

May I always see the cloud with the silver lining in all You do and give You the praise.
Amen

Happy Birthday Bryan

It's hard to believe it's been 32 years since you came into this world and made it a happier place to live.

From the beginning of time it was obvious the path your life would take.
You've loved motorcycles since the day you were born. You used to call them your "umma, umma's" because of the sound they made: Ummmaammmmaaa, ummmaammmmaaa!











Early on we knew you would somehow take center stage. Come hook or crook it was your calling.

So Bryan, as your 32nd birthday comes to an end, may you reflect back and know, that from the very beginning of time you were loved. Even before you entered into this world, God in heaven loved you more than you can imagine. He chose us as your family, and even though you may have questioned his judgement at times, we couldn't have been happier.

Happy Birthday Bryan! To quote another wise woman in your family; "He's a good egg...when he's sleeping"! Love you Bry!

Father God,
32 years ago today you blessed us with our first born. It was at that moment we somehow got a sense of how much you loved us and how you wanted a relationship with us. That's the desire we had when we looked into his tiny face. With each child thereafter, our love got deeper and grew even stronger, not just for them, but with you.
We are grateful for each of our children and the people they've grown up to be. Thank you for these precious gifts.
Amen

It's A Boy

Raising Boys
(Roberta I. Teague)

I scrub the wall of fingerprints,
Pick up the mounds of clothes.
I sweep the dirt that shoes track in-
Wish I could use a hose!

Meals are served from dawn to dark,
Dirty dishes crowd the sink.
Just when they're washed and put away-
Everyone wants a drink!

The washer pulls the dirty grime
From pants worn thin and patched.
They look so very neat and clean-
Yuck, look what the pockets hatched!
Broken bones and bloody knees,
I should have been a nurse.
I take it all in shaky stride-
Just grateful it's not worse!

Screams and shouts and arguments
Test the keeping of my cool.
They left the neighbor's faucet on-
See their new front yard pool!

A soothing bath is ecstasy,
A reward at the end of my rope.
Raising boys isn't really bad-
But first I must wash the soap!

A rose can say I Love You,
Orchids can enthrall;
But a weed bouquet in a chubby fist,
Oh my, that says it all!

Congratulations Mike, Alyson & Carter on the news that BG#2 (Baby Gilles #2) can now be referred to as BBG#2(Baby Boy Gilles #2)!!! We're very excited and will continue to pray for all of you. This is going to be fun!

Dear God,
Thank you for this precious gift of life and the joy he will no doubt bring to us. Lord, I pray he will remain healthy and secure in his mother's womb until his birthday and from that day forward.

Lord, as we await the arrival of BB#2, I pray that you help my family transition from life in Nashville to their new life in Albuquerque. Bless them with friends who can support them and love them as their family would, until the day comes and they can join their family again. Bring people into their lives who will help them grow closer to you and who will bring additional joy into their lives.

Lord, we love you and thank you for our granchildren and we trust in your perfect timing in everything.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

4th of July, 2008

This is how we spent part of our 4th of July holiday in Corrales, New Mexico. You gotta love small town, U.S.A.! God Bless America!

Crazy, Random Thoughts

So, there are a ton of thoughts going through my mind. So many so that I'm having a hard time organizing them. I want to post something poignant and thought provoking, but what the hey, it's no use. Here are my thoughts for today...

I attended a memorial service today for a 10 year old little boy in our church family. When a child dies you can't help but ask, why? When an adult passes, for some reason, I can wrap my mind around it. When it's a child, that's a little more difficult. I have to admit, through the stories and the eulogies people spoke today, I saw how God will use this tragedy and will continue to use Joseph's life to touch people. Joseph brought an awful lot of happiness to a lot of people. I've been on this planet 5 times longer than little Joseph and I have to wonder if I will leave as important a legacy and Joseph has.

Random thoughts continue:
Happy birthday Dr. Mike. 30 years old...you don't look a day over 29!
We love you very much and are very proud of you!

Happy Birthday Jack K. You bring a huge smile to my face each and every time I see you. I can't believe you're 2 years old! You make the time between visits with Carter bearable! I hope your day was fun!

You must read this book: The Shack by William P. Young I finished it this weekend on the trip to ABQ. I cried. We have an awesome God who "is very fond of you". To further quote a reviewer: "It offers one of the most poignant views of God and how he relates to humanity..." "It will encourage those who already know him but also engage those who have not yet recognized his work in their lives." On the back of the book it says: Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend.
Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever.
In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant The Shack wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. Pick up a copy today...you'll be so glad you did!

Thoughts keep coming:
It rains an awful lot in Albuquerque during monsoon season. I've seen it in movies, but I've never been caught in a literal, torrential down pour before...I can never say that again.

There are never enough hours in the day.
There are never enough weekends in a month.
There are never enough vacation days in a year.
Sigh...
This isn't complaining...this is merely an observation.

I have the cutest grandson on the planet:

We're expecting an equally cute grandchild in December...can't wait until Wednesday when we find out if we're expecting a baby boy or a baby girl!

I came home tonight to discover I'd left the refrigerator door open, all day long while I was at work. Today was an exceptionally long day too, with the memorial service and all. I heard the refrigerator door alarm going off the second I walked in the house. The temperature read 139 degrees in the fridge. Normal temp is 42 degrees....good times!...Good news; I didn't have much food in there. We've been gone so much the last several weeks I haven't done much grocery shopping lately. Must look for the silver lining!

So, even after clearing my mind of these random thoughts, I still feel my brain is one jumbled up mess.

Deep sigh...I will try again tomorrow.

Father God,
Please help me to slow down just a little. Help me to see You in everything I do and everyone I see. May I be a reflection of You to others. Help me to decipher the random thoughts that are constantly running through my head. If there is something You are trying to tell me, help me to slow down, remain quiet and hear Your voice.
Forgive me for constantly having an endless list of things to do that run through my head. Help me to trust You more and depend on me less. Your timing is perfect and I see that every day. Help me to loosen my hands from the "controller" and give it completely over to you.
I love you God.

You Like Tomato and I Like Tomahto

Look what I grew!! I know, I really am getting old! In April I planted a little garden. I didn't know anything about gardening, but I wanted to try. I read a little on the internet and decided I would give it a shot. I planted a cherry tomato plant and 60+ days later this is what I have! I had a little salad the other day and went out in the backyard and picked tomatoes off the vine to complete the salad! Perfect and so delicious! I've decided that next year I'll go bigger and I plan to plant several different varieties of tomatoes. I also want to try and grow some squash and zucchini! Happy Gardening!



My thumb might not be green, but it's getting there!





We've been back from "vacation" for almost a week now. We seriously needed a vacation to recover from our vacation. We're so happy we were able to help Alyson, Mike and Carter with this move. Alyson & Mike are getting settled into the new house. Mike's folks went out to ABQ last weekend and made tremendous progress in the backyard...it looks amazing. I'll try and get some pictures the next time we're out there.



Here are a few pictures I took of the house before we left for the airport last Tuesday:










As you can see Alyson busted her bottom and got the house in really good shape before Mike got home!
I think she mentioned she has 15 boxes in the garage still left to unpack, but they're going to wait awhile. They're going to enjoy the next week before Mike starts work at the hospital by exploring Albuquerque. We're all looking forward to learning more about the city Baby Gilles #2 will call it's birthplace.

Speaking of Baby Gilles #2, we should find out if we're expecting a baby boy or a baby girl on July 9th. We can't wait! Alyson is actually feeling very good. While we were there moving, cleaning and packing you would never have known she was expecting. Her energy level, her attitude the way she kept going, she inspired us all. Way to go Alyson!

Update on the injuries that occured during the move:
*Chip's head is completely healed. His hair will cover the scar.
*Carter's little face healed very quickly. Within 2-3 days you couldn't even tell he'd been bitten. (The dog is still being watched very closely!)
*The cardinal...is in heaven!

This will be the last post about the trip across country. Again, we thank you for all your prayers and your notes and calls of encouragement. The Gilles' will possibly be moving again in 3 - 4 years....By then this memory may be like childbirth. You know, when you forget the bad parts of the experience and only remember the good and we'll probably make ourselves available to help again. Although by then, they'll probably be able to afford to hire professional movers!

I leave you with this adorable picture of our little guy enjoying a popsicle. Oh, it's good to be a kid!



Father,
We thank you for all the blessings you gave us on this trip. Safe travel, a wonderful time together, the beautiful scenery, the patience, the endurance, etc. Thank you for being with us every mile of the trip.

We ask your continued blessings on the Gilles family has they settle into the routines of their new home. May they see Albuquerque through Your eyes and feel the peace in knowing they are in Your will.

May we be with them all again soon.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Kickin' It Cross Country Days 6 & 7

We made it! We arrived in Albuquerque, NM at 9:30 AM on Sunday, June 15, 2008. We knew the final day would be the easiest as far as travel miles go. As soon as Alyson & Carter gave the new house the once over, we immediately began the process of unloading the truck. The plan was to get out the essentials and wait until Uncle Jeff flew in from Las Vegas at 1:10 PM. But once the process started, it was hard to stop. When Alyson, Carter and I left to pick up Jeff at the airport, Chip remained at the house to "unload a few more things" and take a little rest. By the time we returned a little while later, over 1/2 the truck was unloaded! Of course, the really heavy stuff could wait until Uncle Jeff arrived, after all, that's why we asked him to come!

After a pretty quick lunch, everyone got back to work and by dinnertime, the truck was completely unloaded and not a single casualty...Good job guys!

Once the truck was unloaded,the task of putting together all the beds was number one on the "to do" list. It was late, but everything got done on that first day that we hoped would. Alyson was so tired of eating out that she decided if we found the pots and pans in the mountain of boxes, she was cooking dinner for us all. Lucky for us we did (little does she know we all stopped our jobs and sought out that specific box...wink, wink) She made Thai Sesame Chicken that was delicious! We were all impressed and very thankful for the home cooked meal!

Monday morning came way to early, but once we were awake the task of emptying more boxes and finding new places to put them began.



Carter charmed us all as we took our mini breaks to play with him as we waited for the cable guy to show up and install the cable and internet. Carter loves to put anything over his head to hide his eyes and then walk around and bump into things.
It's hysterical. He doesn't do this slowly and cautiously, he walked until he bumps into something or someone, then laughs hysterically...the laughter is so contagious!

Mike's last day of work ended around 11:00 AM this morning and he hit the road around 1:45 PM. He made it to the Little Rock area and will stay at Todd Bauer's parent's house tonight. He'll head west tomorrow morning and the plan is to try and drive all the way through, unless he gets too fatigued. If he can make it all the way through, he'll be here sometime Tuesday, otherwise he'll get into ABQ on Wednesday.

Uncle Jeffrey flew home tonight. We worked him hard and it was sad to have him leave so quickly. I hope now that everyone is closer, there will be more visits for everyone! We were so thankful Jeff agreed to come and help, there is literally no way, I could have done his share of the lifting and moving that he did! Thank you again, Jeff! You were awesome and Carter sure enjoyed you visit!

Well, I will try and take more pictures of the house now that the 'stuff' is put away. I can't believe how nicely things are coming together. Alyson couldn't do a lot of the lifting, but she's worked her tail off getting things put away. Everything is looking amazing!

Please remember Mike in your prayers. Until tomorrow...

God,
We lift Mike up to you as he travels to Albuquerque. May his trip be as uneventful as our was. May he arrive here rested and ready to pitch in to make this house their home. We ask for clear skies and safe, courteous drivers on the road.
We thank you for all the blessings you've given us on this trip and everyday. We are so unworthy of them, yet you keep giving them to us. We love you Lord, may everyone who meets us, see a glimpse of You.
In Jesus' Name...Amen

PS: Alyson has been receiving frequent calls from the 'friends' from Nashville. Sounds like just about everyone is finishing up their business in Nashville and are leaving or have left for their new locations. Everyone is very sad and somewhat homesick already, but they're moving forward! Good luck everyone....you are loved and will be missed terribly! May God bless you on this new leg of your journey.
Take care...

Kickin' It Cross Country Day 5

Well today was the day we were all dreading. We knew it would be a very long day and we didn't quite know what it would look like for us all.....and the good news is...WE SURVIVED IT! 10 Hours on the road and really only one casualty for the day...one little red cardinal bird flew right into Alyson's car first thing this morning as we left Arkansas...may he rest in peace.

Last night in Little Rock we had a severe thunderstorm that went on all night long. The lightning and thunder was like nothing I've never seen or heard before! I thought for sure Carter and the dogs would have been kept up all night with the noise, but Alyson said they pretty much slept right through it. I forgot, they've lived with these kinds of storms for the last three years!

We decided to hit the road at 5:30 AM and get a jump on the day. We weren't too far off schedule, we actually left at 5:45 AM and it was still raining, but within an hour it had cleared up and we had great weather the rest of the day.

Today's journey took us over 600 miles, which I wouldn't recommend to anyone. It was a very long day...but it's over. I honestly don't remember what time it was when we rolled into the La Quinta in Amarillo, TX. The last several hours are a blur. We got in our rooms and it immediately began raining and severe thunderstorms are in the forecast for tonight.

Once we got settled into our rooms, had a little dinner, Carter had a bath and then he came over to our room where he watched NOGGIN videos on the computer.

There's nothing better, after a very long day on the road, than to chill with "Pop Pop", aka Grandpa, and friends from NOGGIN.com.

Tomorrow should be a relatively easy day in comparison. We plan to leave by 5:00 AM and be in Albuquerque by 11:00 AM. Uncle Jeffy is flying in around 1:30 PM to help unload the truck and leaving at that time will get us in ABQ in plenty of time to pick him up.

Here are a few pictures from the last several days:
The moving van outside of their Nashville home:












Chip's little bump on his "noggin"...it's doing much better today.










Here's the moving van completely full. Please pray that everything arrives in ABQ in the same condition as it was packed. The roads in Oklahoma were the worst and Chip said he's sure the load shifted.


Lord,
This has been a great couple of days. And, as we get ready to wind this trip down, again we give You thanks for it all. We're so grateful our family will be moving closer. We pray they will find ABQ the perfect place for them during these next three years. May Mike's time at this hospital teach him everything he needs to know to take into his own field of medicine. God, You have gifted him and we trust in the plans You already have laid out for him. You are the Ultimate Healer and we give you the praise!
Amen

"Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done."

Philippians 4:6, NLT

Let me just say right here, thank you for all your prayers. We have felt them and appreciate them more than you'll know.
When we arrive in ABQ tomorrow our internet access may be limited as the cable won't be installed until Monday at the new house. So this could be the final post until we get back home to Vegas. Don't worry if you don't see anything for a couple of days, I'll recap very soon.
God Bless!

Kickin' It Cross Country Day 4

This will be a short post today...we're tired and the adventure continues bright and early tomorrow morning...at 5:30 AM...tomorrow is our long day of traveling. We will probably be in the road 10 hours tomorrow...

Today was a good day. Weather was relatively cooperative. We hit a major thunderstorm a few miles out of Nashville, but other than that we had plenty of sunshine.

We arrived in Little Rock, Arkansas at 5:00 in the afternoon. It was, thankfully, a pretty uneventful drive. We split the puppies up, Alyson & I took Briley and Chip took Brody. When they aren't together, they do better. (more on the puppies in a minute)

Carter hung in there like a champ early in the day. By late afternoon, he had enough of being in the car. No video, toy and silly games seemed to do the trick. Thankfully, when we arrived at the hotel there was a pool and it turned his little attitude around. He loved it! I have some cute video I'll post on You Tube in the next couple of days.

When we finished swimming, Chip ran out and brought back Chinese food. It was yummy and we're very grateful he did the running. Thanks Chip! While we enjoyed our dinner, Carter was playing on the floor with the puppies and the next thing we heard was growling, squeeling and then tears. Briley had gotten upset with Carter and bit his little face. Thankfully, it was a superficial bite...it did draw a little blood, but within 5 minutes Carter was back to his normal self and I'm not so sure Briley will be the same...we're watching him like a hawk and scolding him every chance we get.

There have been lots of changes for this little family during the last few months and I think it's even effecting the puppies!

Please keep the prayers going for us.

Until tomorrow in Amarillo...

God,
We ask your continued presence on this trip. We pray for protection as we travel and as we try and rest between stops. Lord, heal Carter's little face quickly and let there be no adverse effects from the incident.

Please be with Mike as he's separated from his family. I sure the miles between them must feel like a million, especially when Carter got hurt.

We pray for a restful night tonight and a great day tomorrow.

And these things we ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Kickin' It Cross Country Day 3

Fatigue has set in. Between the loading, the packing, the cleaning, the crazy humidity,and trying to keep up with Carter...we are tired! We're feeling more aches and pains than I ever thought we could...But we're finished. The house is empty and ready for the new owners. Not without one minor incident though...this morning as Chip was making sure The Gilles Mac would fit in the front of the moving van, he somehow banged his head on the truck door and got a 3 inch gash in the back of his head. He quickly ran into the house and asked if there was a doctor in the house(no he didn't, I'm just joking)...and what do you know, we had one! When I saw the gash I thought for sure we'd be spending the next several hours, not to mention several hundred dollars at Vanderbilt's emergency room. But Dr. Mike quickly went into doctormode and gave him great care, cleaned up the wound and said he'd be fine. We put a little liquid bandage on it and he's good to go. Of course Chip's milking it just a little...only when he's trying to get out of doing something he doesn't want to do, but he's going to be just fine! Thanks Dr. Mike!

Alyson and Mike signed the closing papers on their home late this afternoon, the new owners had their walk-through at 5:00 this evening and everything should be recorded sometime tomorrow. That's it...their three years in Nashville is now over and the next season of their lives begins.

Tonight we're at the hotel and we're all taking it easy tonight. We decided to order take out from Jim & Nick's rather than eat there. We just didn't have the energy. We brought our dinner back to the hotel and now we're just relaxing.

Tomorrow's plan looks something like this: wake up and have breakfast at the hotel. Then around 10:00 AM we'll say our goodbyes to Mike and hit the road for Little Rock, Arkansas. Our best guess should put us in Little Rock around 3:00 tomorrow afternoon.

We had a huge thunderstorm roll in here just a little while ago. As fun as it was to watch we're hoping the bad weather stays here when we leave. Please keep the prayers going for safe travel and clear weather. We sincerely appreciate them!

The fireflies were out tonight to say goodbye.
Until tomorrow...

God,
You have blessed us so much already on this trip and we're very grateful.
As we get ready to head west tomorrow, we ask for your protection every mile we travel. May the vehicles cross the country without any mechanical problems and may the miles we travel go by quickly with the great conversations we share with each other. We pray people see You on this trip through us. Amen

Kickin' It Cross Country Day 2

Day 2 started out bright and early. Alyson & Mike had to take their SUV for it's final Nashville service at Darrell Waltrip's car dealership.(I mention this because of Chip's love of NASCAR) The air conditioner whistled...and though it was a pleasant tune, they wanted to make sure we'd have plenty of cool air as we crossed the nation's desert.

When they got back to the house it was time to pick up the moving van....a 26 foot long Penske. Within an hour of it's arrival Mike and Chip were high 5'ing themselves to death at how quickly everything was being loaded up....dun dun dunnnnnn....don't you hate it when you break your own arm patting yourselves on the back? I'm just kidding...even though they didn't have as much room left over as Chip thought they might, everything is loaded, with only the last minute items to go. We started around 9:30 in the morning and finished around 5:00 in the evening. Not quite the "half days worth of work" as some thought it would be, but it wasn't bad at all!

After we loaded the truck and showered...which I forgot to mention the weather....86 degrees and 90% humidity. Mike and Chip both did well in the heat and humidity, but honestly, I don't think I've ever seen Chip sweat as much as he did.

Anyway, after our showers we met all their friends at Jonathans for dinner. Jonathans is a local pub and one of their signature dishes is "fried pickles". Chip loves them and it was his request we go there for one of our last meals in Nashville.

Dorrie & Jared, John, Becky and baby Madeline, Stephanie & Mike, Todd and Jenn, their little guy Brady and their 7 week old daughter Grace, Mike, Alyson & Carter and Chip and I enjoyed a wonderful evening talking about "life". It was great! For us, it was a wonderful testimony to Alyson & Mike's time in Nashville. They have met some of the greatest people and made life long friends, most of us could only dream about!

Todd & Jenn gave them this goodbye gift.

The letters spell out their last name of Gilles. But each letter is from the sign or logo of some of their favorite spots in Nashville; one of the most thoughtful, not to mention cool and creative gifts, I've ever seen.

Tomorrow should be a pretty busy day as well. A few errands to run in the morning, back home to meet the cleaning lady, Mike & Alyson have to sign the closing paperwork on their home then we're heading to the Hampton Inn for our final night in Nashville. Our last dinner in the south will be at Jim & Nick's...one of our favorite "southern BBQ" places in the south. I may just blow the diet for some genuine, southern "sweet tea".


.

Here's Carter in the sprinkler yesterday. He sure had a great time trying to keep cool! It's funny...as he's getting older he's seems to prefer Chip more than me...which makes me sad and happy all at the same time.


God,
It's been a good day and we thank you. We know if You weren't in the middle of this, none of this would would be happening in such an effortless way. Thank you for Mike & Alyson and the easy way they have of meeting people and endearing themselves to them. Thank you for the little "family" they've created while they're away from us. It's a gift and we recognize that gift is from You and we thank You. You are awesome God, to fill the holes in our lives with the perfect people.
May we always recognize that it's Your doing and not ours.

In Jesus' name we thank you. Amen

Kickin' It Cross Country - Day 1

Pictures will be posted tomorrow...

Woke up this morning at 2:45 A.M .... uh huh, I said A.M. We got to the airport at 4:15 A.M. and we're off to Nashville! We had a 1 hour layover in Kansas City, Missouri, boarded flight #2 at 11:50 AM and arrived, right on time, in Nashville at 1:15 P.M.

Gorgeous day,temperature in the mid 80's...and so was the humidity! Chip helped Mike with a little yard work, while Carter napped. Alyson and I ran to the grocery store for a few things. When we got back Carter was playing in the sprinkler. Chip looked like he had run through the sprinklers with Carter, but nope...he was drenched with sweat...weather like this sure makes you appreciate the "dry heat" of Nevada!

We had a really nice dinner at Outback Steakhouse and when we got home we sat outside and waited for the "lightning bugs".
They didn't disappoint me this year...they showed up and brought as big a smile to my face as the first time I saw them! After all...isn't that their purpose?

Tomorrow morning, we wake up early. The moving van gets picked up at 9:00 A.M. and the fun begins. Now that Chip has seen Mike & Alyson's "stuff"...neatly organized and packed in boxes,(Alyson got my organizational genes and Chip's packing genes) he keeps saying "this is nothing"..."half a days work at the most"...and he's probably right.

A couple of their neighbors stopped by this evening to say their goodbyes. So far so good...I told Chip this morning, I forgot to pack my waterproof mascara, because I know I'm going to need it.

Please remember us in your prayers!
To be continued. . .

God,
We give you thanks for this gorgeous day and for granting us a safe and fun journey to Nashville today. Thank you for our family and for the friends they have made in this wonderful place. Be with us all as we begin the process of loading up the moving van and preparing the house for the new owners. We ask that you protect us from injury and fatigue and prepare our hearts, minds and bodies for the journey we begin in 3 days.
In Jesus' Name, Amen

The Journey Begins

Well...it's finally here. It's time for Chip and I to head south and move the Gilles family to ABQ, NM. I couldn't find an actual map of our route, but you get the picture...We have to be at the airport by 4:15AM....yes, I said AM!!! I have every intention to blog at the end of each day to fill you all in on this journey. How we felt, what we ate, what we saw and what we talked about AND of course....what cute thing Carter did on our trip!

I'm seriously begging for your prayers. Please pray for the obvious; safe travel, patience, health, grace and a grateful heart. But I'm also requesting prayers that He allow us to see the beauty He's created in everything and everyone. Help us all to realize we're all His children...we're all human and flawed and He loves us just the same. Help us to love EVERYONE as He does.

We won't actually "hit the road" until Friday, June 13th...first stop; Little Rock, Arkansas!

God,
I humbly come before you and pray that Your will be done on this trip and always.
I pray you will give us what we need,when we need it;patience when we've run out. Grace when it's needed most and compassion that flows continuously.
I love you God and I pray I honor You in all I do and that You are glorified on this trip. Allow me to be Your instrument this week especially....In Jesus' name, Amen

TO BE CONTINUED. . .

The Fun Begins...in 7 Days

Alyson has this "ticker" posted on her blog....it reads: 7 days until the Great Gilles Move '08. 7 days? Seriously?

That means 5 days and we'll be boarding the plane, for what might be our last trip to Nashville. That thought can instantaneously bring me to tears.
I will miss you Nashville. I'll miss the weather, the history, the shopping, the Bluebird Cafe, authentic BBQ, and 3 years of memories; lightning bugs, painting Carter's room, evenings with new found "friends", Carter's birth and celebrity sightings!

Yes, we did have a celebrity sighting,while in Nashville. It was our very first trip to Nashville and it was time to go home. We got to the airport in plenty of time and while we were waiting to board the plane, who shows up? Kix Brooks from "Brooks and Dunn". I'm a huge B&D fan, but I couldn't muster up the courage to get an autograph or even smile at him. I stood back and watched every move he made, until it was time to board the plane.

To our surprise, he was heading to Las Vegas and boarded our plane first (he got priority boarding apparently because he's a star!) We were in the "A" group, so we boarded mere seconds after he did and I spotted where he was seated and snagged the seats right across the aisle from him. I knew it was him because he had a huge, diamond studded ring on his left hand that read "KIX"...I guess in case he forgot who he was? Anyway, it was the first (and only) time I felt like a stalker. For the next 4 hours I watched what he ate, what he drank, if he dozed off. All the while, the man NEVER removed his sunglasses....and it was nighttime! Anyway, I got a picture, as non-chalantly as I could on my cell phone and I never uttered a word to him... we never made eye contact... but I was as star struck as anyone could be! I'm a dork I know!

That was the ONLY celebrity sighting we ever had in Nashville, but Alyson had several over the three years.

One time she was in an elevator at the mall with LeAnn Rimes and her husband.


Then more recently, The Gilles' were heading back home to Nashville after a Las Vegas visit and Naomi Judd and Kellie Pickler boarded the same plane!





Alyson said when they walked by, Naomi commented how cute Carter was. You know I always liked Naomi and her music, but now that I know we have something in common...




Kellie had no comment...and neither do I!

I'm just saying....Naomi, the next time you're in Vegas, let's do lunch...we have lots we can talk about!

Seriously, I can't believe this chapter of our lives is coming to a close. It's been a blast and I will miss the South "somethin' fierce"! I can't wait to see what God has in store for everyone in ABQ.

God,
We love you and trust in your infinite wisdom. May we never ask "why Albuquerque?" but may we say, "thank you for Albuquerque and all that You give us". I'm grateful my family will be closer to us. May we be open to the new adventures we're presented with in ABQ and may the time in the southwest be as sweet and memorable as the south was for us all. One wonderful memory we're looking forward to watching unfold, is ABQ will be the birthplace of BG2. And when I think of that, a smile immediately comes to my lips!
Thank you God!