We have a new sister!

On Saturday December 19... Garrett and I got to a be apart of the beautiful wedding of his brother Grant and wife Elise. I was the matron of honor and Garrett was the officiant... needless to stay there were stressful preparations (Elise's dad was in the hospital only to be released the day before the wedding), along with much laughter and some happy tears! Congrats again Grant and Elise (Mr. and Mrs. James Grant Gilkey)! I'm so glad to have you both in my life!

Early Bird Gets the Worm??? Or does she get less sleep???

Early this morning about 3:40 am to be exact I was wide awake... I tried moving to the guest room to get some sleep when it failed I moved to the couch... and when that failed to work I found myself showering at 5 am... and for what you might ask? I have NO clue... or so I thought as I finished a nice warm shower and entered our freezing living room with our house being lit by the light of our Christmas lights alone... I began to realize that it was God that had made me get up at such an early hour! So I sit down on the couch for some much needed Jesus time! As I started reading today's devotion from a little book that a friend gave me a few weeks ago I began to cry. God knew exactly what I needed to get me through the day... and why should I be surprised HE always knows what I need. The verse for today was Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who is against us?"

The Devotion said:
"I'm comforted when I realize that God is in sovereign control of all of life. He not only knows the times and the seasons; He is also Lord of the unexpected and the unpredictable. Our times and our trials are in His hands. Even when we feel embarrassed or confused or do something really weird. Whether we're on cloud nine, enjoying His blessings, or caught in the thicket of some tangled predicament, He hasn't let us go. By HIS grace, HE remains 'for us'."

But that's not all God had in store for me at that early hour! I continued then to read through some of Romans and found myself reading this verse which I will leave you with today in hopes that it will bring some encouragement to any of you reading this!
Romans 8:38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

So no matter what your circumstances be reminded as I was this morning that God is always on your side, He's much BIGGER than anything you are going through, and NOTHING can separate you from HIS LOVE!!!

What a life...

So I know that its been a while... it normally is because I never really feel like I have much to say! My life revolves around my wonderful husband, our church (youth group), and the beautiful children that I babysit. I thought I would share this little beauty with you... isn't she cute! I get to spend five days a week with this precious little girl! She teaches me a lot about life... while I babysit other cute kids I have her the most. She teaches me to be patient. (this blog was just interrupted by her sneezing all over my phone!) Anyway... she's great and I love spending my days with this little girl that tells she loves me about a hundred times a day!

Happy 1st Anniversary!

A year ago I went from this family... being the youngest daughter... to suddenly being someone's wife! A year ago I married my best friend! This year has had it's share of ups and downs... from leaving the town we met in, the town we went to college in, the town we loved (oh c-ville)... and moving to a town that seemed to have nothing to offer. We spent months looking for jobs there, hoping that God would show us something... anything... He taught us how much we needed our families and how much our families truly love us! We spent many nights wondering how we would make it out of this unemployment mess we had gotten ourselves in and crying on each others shoulders. I can't describe in words the moments that we had together... learning how to love each other and trying to figure out what was in store for our future. I would like to say that within this year we figured it out... but we didn't. We did learn to trust each other and most importantly to trust God... and in turn HE placed us in a wonderful town... with jobs! And an amazing church family that has shown us love like I never knew possible. So to be quite honest... at times I thought this could be the worst year of my life with all the hard times... but it turned out to be a very blessed year indeed! So... as I said a year ago I married my best friend... the year has been tough but I would not change a minute of it! I love you Garrett and I look forward to many more years to come!

WHAT!?!?

Well... I guess I will continue to experience the funny things that kids say as long as I am babysitting...

Today B and I went with Garrett to pay some bills, get some cupcakes at walmart for the youth kids birthday, eat lunch, and then drop Garrett off at work. While at walmart B and I stayed in the car because it's just easier this way... she is at the questioning stage of her life and therefore questions everything... "Why did the car just honk it's horn?" "Who turned on the air? (as the wind blows through our windows)"

However the part of our day that made me have to take up for what this child said was when we were in line at the check out to get our food. She is a very friendly child and will talk to everyone... she looks up at the guy at the check out and says "We're having a baby boy!" And he responds "Really???" Without delay I quickly explain that her mother is having a baby boy... NOT ME!!! She is a child and doesn't realize that everyone in public doesn't know that she is not my child. As we walk out to the car I try to explain to her that saying that to everyone isn't necessary a good thing... but she doesn't care she just continues to smile.

Sometimes I wish that I could just live the life of a care-free three year old...

Who's Our President???

Since I haven't posted in a while I thought I might catch you up on what's going on in my life... we have moved to a new town... a new church... a new job... new friends... and new possibilities! Though you friends out there are greatly missed Garrett and I greatly feel like God has truly called us here and we love it! I'm not saying times are always easy... but we definitely see the hand of God in every relationship and most every circumstance here!

I recently have started baby-sitting some very precious children... who fill my day with joy and laughter and at times... frustration! I start to realize after they repeat what I say that I do in fact have a great influence in their lives and in shaping who they are right now... But my current favorite story happened Friday. I was watching the Today show when the first child arrived as she set on my couch I thought I wonder if she is really paying attention to the world or if she just likes to play... I pointed to the tv where they were showing our president talking and asked... "Do you know who that is?" and with a quick reply she said "Yes! That's our president Rock Obama!" The funny thing is she thinks that is really his name... so after the second child arrives and I begin to tell Garrett what she has said... she over hears my conversation and says "That's right... Rock Obama..." To which child two a little boy responds "No its not..." And so I prompted him to continue by saying... "well then who is our president." And he said "Squidward!"



So there you have it... kids really do say the darndest things! I'm sure in coming days I will have much more to blog about...

Happy 1st Birthday!

Happy Birthday Hallie and Hannah... I remember a year ago today looking through a hospital window at you beautiful tiny babies! Today I will be meeting you by the pool to celebrate with you and family a year of your lives! I can't wait until you guys finally live in the same town as me again soon! I love you beautiful baby girls!

Here's to you... You will be missed!

Well... sorry for the quality of this picture... as it was the only one I could find on my computer...

I find myself at a loss for words on this blog. All I have to say is that I will greatly miss this woman that gave life to my father and his many siblings... she loved with all her heart even in her final years when she couldn't remember who anyone was anymore. Please pray for my family as we face this difficult weekend... mourning the loss of the one that gave us life.

Married?!?!?

Through moving back and working in a small town I have discovered that some people don't find marriage to be all that important. Almost all of the girls that I work with are about my age and have expressed that they wouldn't know what to do if they were married at this point in their lives. I would like to say to them... well at this time two or three years ago I would have possibly been saying the same thing. However when you meet the right person you just kinda know that everything is right. I guess that's how it works... Several times in the past few weeks I have been asked "how did you know that you were suppose to marry him?" How am I suppose to respond to that... I just knew! I think a lot of people feel as though marriage is something that ties you down and keeps you from having fun and pursuing the things you want in life. I disagree with that... I don't feel tied down... and I do have a lot of fun... and I don't feel as though I can't pursue the things I want... Anyway... I just needed to get that out. It's a little frustrating to me to see people think so negatively of marriage.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday to the man who never fails to make me smile... the best dad in the world (or at least I think so!)!!!

North Carolina or Michigan State???

We are currently watching tonights final game between North Carolina and Michigan State... who will be the champion??? In my family we always rout for the underdog which in this case is Michigan St... All I know is soon... very soon basketball madness will be over!

Music is life...

As many of you know my wonderful husband plays guitar. Not only does in play guitar music tends to define his life. He keeps speaking of this new guitar that he wants... at first I thought ok but you already have one guitar whats the need for another???

Then I realized... he has a passion for this whole guitar thing... this whole music thing. Anyway... this passion starts to rub off after a while and one begins to realize that maybe he deserves this new guitar... though it will take lots of saving he WILL someday own the new "dream" guitar. As a result of this love for music... I have realized that I want him to teach me how to play. I realize it will take lots of patience on both parts. And actually learning how to play may never happen... but I would love to learn how so that I could better understand his love for music. Hopefully the two of us will be able to make it through this learning stage...

Twitter What?!?!

Well... I recently joined the world of twittering... is that what it's called? Apparently you tweet people or do you twitter them?

This shall also be quite the experience for me... I feel like I'm learning all sorts of new things about life this year and I guess about technology. Anyway... most of you reading this already know that have joined the twitter world but this was just to let you know!

Well... here I am again...

It has recently been brought to my attention that I need to blog more. I know this but I don't find that my life is exciting enough to blog about... however it might just seem to get more interesting. Since the last time I was on here I have found a job... may or may not be a "calling." Ladies and gentlemen... I'm officially a banker!

Apparently even as a little ole teller I'm considered a banker... now already this has been an experience... I will try to share some stories with you all as they come my way. If you think I'm really into the money now... you're very wrong... its simply just another piece of paper that I'm responsible for. So far I really like the job... and one of the funniest things that has happened would probably be an older lady burping in my face... however I'm sure there will be many more exciting stories to come in my future. Stay tune for more on those experiences.

Happy Four Months?!?!?

Today marks four months of marriage to my wonderful husband... though I'm not sure the past four months have been all that wonderful. I love being married... don't get me wrong... but the past four months may have just been the hardest of my life. Here's a list of some of the things that Garrett and I have gone through these past few months both good and bad... Since October 11:
1.) We have been to Florida on an awesome Honeymoon.
2.) Garrett was laid off from a job in Campbellsville... where I then gave my two weeks notice.
3.) We said good-bye to friends that we miss more than anything.
4.) We moved into a nice new home... which I'm still not convinced we can afford.
5.) We made it through the holidays... buying gifts for love ones on a very low budget... but we still made it!
6.) We experienced our first married birthdays.
7.) We (along with others) survived ice storm '09... Note: We still have no power at our own house and it is by the generosity of his grandparents I am able to write this!
8.) We helped his parents gut their house and move everything out because of a busted water pipe...
9.) Through all of this I have learned a lot about how all Gilkey's are...
10.) We have done all of these things and more while being unemployed.

I'm hoping the next eight months will bring everything full circle. I have no clue what God has in store for us in the coming months but I'm hoping and praying that we will see the light at the end of the tunnel... I'll keep you updated!

Deja Vu

This morning I as I was putting on my lotion... the smell of it gave me Deja Vu really bad. Which is funny considering the lotion is called "Deja Vu Passions" - the lotion I was convinced to buy while in the mall on our honeymoon. This took me back to one of the best weeks of my life... oh the honeymoon (no I'm not going into honeymoon details). During this week I felt worry free... I just married a wonderful man, I was off work for a week, and we both were going back to (not perfect) but alright jobs. Then on that Friday (Oct 17...) Garrett got the dreaded call from his boss which ended up in him getting laid off. I think its a little strange that I get this Deja Vu exactly three months from the night that we first talked about moving here. Now here I was standing in the bedroom, getting ready to go to the movies, and worrying about where our next job will be. I guess we are never promised that life will be easy, because honestly these past three months have been far from easy. I just wish I knew what was next. The same feelings I had months ago... Deja Vu... maybe... Or maybe God's telling me that it's going to be ok! I can hope and pray that He will provide what's coming next, because He knows Garrett and I can't do it on our own! So... friends... keep us in your prayers!

Bride Wars...

So... I convinced my wonderful husband to go to see the new movie Bride Wars with me. He's such a trouper! I must say a lot goes into the wedding planning process and I'm so glad that nothing like this happened to me! I would recommend this movie... however ONLY if you are a fan of chick flicks... Garrett might not recommend it... even though I heard him tell his mom it was "pretty good."