Westward Bound

So Mike, Alyson and Carter (plus the two pups; Brody & Briley)are moving to Albuquerque, NM in less than two weeks. (I can't tell you how excited I am I can spell Albuquerque :))They sign the final papers on their house June 13th. Chip and I are flying to Nashville on Tuesday, June 10th to help load up the moving van and help them make the trip westward. Couple of thoughts: We have been planning this trip practically since they arrived in Nashville, 3 years ago. And even though we all loved Nashville, we knew at the end of Mike's residency they would relocate somewhere, we didn't know where, but we knew it was going to happen and we would be there to help them move, wherever that might be. What we didn't plan on is gasoline being over $4.00 per gallon!!!!!!!!!!



What the __________ is up with this? And diesel is close to $5.00 per gallon!!!!!!!

Regardless, I am looking so forward to this trip! We'll be traveling over 1200 miles to ABQ in literally 3 days and 2 nights...3 adults, (One old, one grumpy and one pregnant *wink-wink*)one toddler and two busy puppies and YES, I'm really looking forward to it! We'll be traveling in two vehicles (moving van and the Gilles SUV). The first night we'll be staying in Little Rock, AK, night two we plan to be in Amarillo, TX and finally in ABQ on the third day. I've been looking for little toys/games/any distractions for Carter to play with during those long, long days of travel. But Alyson told me yesterday she hooked up the portable DVD player in their car to try it out, and Carter loves it! She says we're "golden" as far as keeping him occupied. Turns out he loves watching DVD's and we shouldn't have a problem as long as we keep his favorites in the player!

The unfortunate part is Mike will have to stay behind in Nashville for a couple of days after we leave. He isn't finished at Vanderbilt until June 17th, so we'll load up, head west and he'll join us a few days later. Good news is Uncle Jeffy will be flying to ABQ to help unload the moving van and to help them get settled and we're very grateful for that!

Here's a few pictures of their really great house in ABQ:


Chip and I made a run out to ABQ to take a look at the new homestead. We're very happy they were able to find such a nice house.



The great room, off the kitchen will be a great place for entertaining!













Well, as I said, we're looking forward to this trip. We do covet your prayers for travel mercies, patience, flexibility and lots of grace!

Gracious Heavenly Father,
We ask your special blessing on us all as we prepare for this trip. Help us to figure out all the necessary details and to let the small stuff roll off our backs. Be with Alyson and Mike as they pack up the home they love and prepare their hearts for the new location that You have called them to. Allow all the tasks and preparations necessary just fall into place and allow them plenty of time to be with friends they must say goodbye to for now.
We know Father that when you called them to Nashville, we didn't know what to expect and Your blessings were abundant. We trust that Albuquerque will be no different. Please keep the fear of the unknown and the anxieties at bay. We pray they lean on You during this transition.
We love you so much and thank you for allowing our family to be a little closer to us here in Vegas.
With a grateful loving heart I lift this up to you. Amen

A Year (+) Later....

I started this post several months ago when Alyson and Mike made the trip to New Mexico to look for a house. For whatever reason it was never finished nor posted. I will continue my thoughts now...

Well...it's been a year. Literally a year. A lot can happen in a year and it has. Where do I begin to catch everyone up on my life?

Carter is doing great! He was here in Las Vegas last week (in March) when Chip and I kept him while his parents went to Albuquerque, NM to check out the city and the housing situation. While they were gone we had him for the weekend and it seemed all was right with the world! He made us laugh so hard with his baby antics, his funny faces, silly noises and his attempts to communicate with us! He signs several words "banana", "milk" and "more". By the end of the weekend he was a little confused between "milk" and "more" and I'm sure it was our fault. Whatever he did was so darn cute and we just gave him what we thought he wanted....he just forgot what the correct sign was. By the time the folks came home, we were madly in love and he was so happy to see his parents! It was a win/win....if only Mike & Alyson had fallen in love with New Mexico. On the contrary, they absolutely hated it! We're praying over the next several months someone will come into their lives and share with them the beauty of the state and the next 3 years will not feel one day longer!

5/28/08:
The above thoughts were shared after Alyson & Mike's visit to Las Vegas/ABQ in March 2008...and a so much has happened:



Most importantly: We're expecting Grandchild #2 in December and we're so excited! Carter's baby brother/baby sister is due around December 2, 2008. We're obviously praying for a healthy baby and the sex doesn't matter...but I think it's going to be a girl. Can't tell you why I think that, it might be wishful thinking... I know when I was pregnant with Alyson I thought the entire pregnancy she would be a boy. I had only boy's names picked out. When asked why I didn't think I would have a girl and why I didn't even pick a girl's name name just in case...all I could say was, "I didn't think I would be lucky enough to have a girl". I think Alyson will be lucky enough to have a girl!



Alyson & Mike are preparing for their move to ABQ, NM. They sold their house in Nashville, in literally record time. The house is so darn cute I could see how it would sell so quickly. My emotions are incredibly mixed about this move. I'm elated they will be so much closer to us here in Nevada, but when I think about them leaving Nashville, I get so darn emotional! We have loved, I mean really loved, their time in the south. The friends they've made, the lifelong friendships they have established is something to be envious of. All of our lives have been enriched by the friends Mike and Alyson have made in the South...I mean that sincerely. Todd & Jenn, we sincerely love, admire and respect you. Stephanie, from the first story of how you peeked in their window to hearing the stories of your wedding, you've held a special place in our hearts. Jon & Becky, we loved sharing family time (Thanksgiving) and family memories with you. From hearing all the stories of "Mocksgiving" to all the wedding showers & baby showers, we love you all...thank you for being there. We hope our paths will cross often and forever. To all the rest of their special friends; thank you, thank you, thank you, you've filled the "family "holes" when we couldn't be there and we're thankful!

Well, my emotions are on overdrive and the tears are flowing, so I'll end for tonight...more to follow very soon. I want Baby Gilles #2 to know we're as excited for his/her arrival as we were for his/her big brother's. I want him/her to know all of our thoughts, prayers and the anticipation we feel as we're waiting for his/her arrival...(how long is it before we can find out his/her's sex?)(smiles)

Father God,
I am so incredibly grateful for the blessings you have allowed me to have; a beautiful family, health, wonderful friends and a very nice life. Lord, I pray I will always share You with my famiy, give You thanks for my health and wonderful friends, and may You always hear the gratitude in my grateful heart and the thanksgiving and praise I give you for my life. I love you LORD!