SURPRISE!

Mike PLANNED a surprise birthday dinner with my appfamily and bible study girls and it was perfect. It was complete with an evite, my favorite restaurant-Cantina 1511, favorite people, polka dot bakery cupcakes which I heart and me not having any idea!
Brownie points for Mike :)
I had so much fun and felt so loved by everyone. Thank you all for loving on me last night!
Here are a few pictures...

1 Year Ago

Kel Kel...this is for you!
One year ago today, we were not looking so hot! Happy Anniversary Pooks :)

Random Thoughts...

I am home sick from work today..not fun. This is actually the first sick day I have taken and it wasn't as much fun as I thought it would be. I think I got the stomach bug (hopefully it wasn't the healthy Choice steamer I ate on Monday night). So I slept, read, worked a little and watched TV. By the end of the day, I felt a little better and was going stir crazy! Sweet Mike brought over soup and crackers and made me eat it for dinner.

So I thought I would write a random blog entry for everyone.

Mike and I got our trees Thanksgiving weekend. Please notice that mine is still "leaning". Mike tried to straighten it, but I got inpatient and told him it was fine.

Here is the beauty...leaning and all!

O'Malley has been living at my parent's house since Thanksgiving. They are very sweet to keep him while I have been traveling. I have to admit, its nice not having to walk him in the rain or get up early in the mornings. But I do miss him a lot. The house seems very quiet and no one is home to greet me after work. I get to see him this weekend though...and I'm excited!

OLIVER'S everywhere...
Betsy (cousin) and Charlie had baby Oliver on December 6th. Betsy has sent me some pictures and he is so cute! Melissa and Matt Morrow are naming their son Oliver too. The West Girls are throwing a shower for Melissa this weekend. The 5 of us haven't been together in a while so I'm very excited to hang out.

I have gotten over my depression of the Twilight movie and have found a new series I'm going to read. I am trying not to get my hopes up too high...but I have heard good things! Here is the 1st book in the series. They should arrive any day!Last but not least-
I'm sure everyone has been hearing about BAC in the news. I have gotten so many emails and phone calls asking if I'm okay and I really appreciate it. YES, I AM GREAT! My groups is doing fine and I am grateful to have a job. Things could change in an instant (you never know), but I'm not going to worry about it. I will trust the Lord and His plan for my career.

That should be all my random thoughts for one day. :) Hopefully I won't be sick again...for a long time!

Tuesday Night Dates

Every Tuesday (when I'm not traveling for work), I have a date with 8 amazing women and I love it!
We decided to have a holiday dinner last Tuesday instead of our regular bible study. (as always, Ellen was the best host and everything was perfect) It was potluck style and of course it was all beautiful and delicious. While we were sitting around eating, Ellen asked us to go around the table and talk about our praises and prayers over the year. It was so cool to see how far we have come in 2008, the blessings we have been given and the many prayers that have been answered (many in ways we were not expecting)!

I am very grateful for all these girls-the accountability, the fresh perspective, the honesty, the laughter and the "get over yourself" reminders!
Here's to many more praises and prayer requests in 2009!

Ellen made each of us a personalized ornaments-love her!

Adele being oh so cute!
Love these girls

New York City!

New York City was everything I expected and much more...

I survived the plane ride in row 13 (you know how much I hate odd numbers), didn't throw up in the crazy cab ride, and made it to the loft in one piece.

Friday- Checked into the loft and made our beds (I got a top bunk). We went to a REALLY great pizza place for dinner and little sis, Linds, met us there once her plane arrived. After dinner we did the "walking window tour" to see all the Christmas displays. We stopped to take pictures of the tree at Rockefeller Plaza with the other 865 million people. Yes, there were so many people in NYC!

Saturday included lunch at place that ONLY served grilled cheese sandwiches...yes I was in heaven! We did a NBC studio tour which was awesome. We even saw the cast rehearsing for Saturday Night Live. After the tour, we headed to Ground Zero. We couldn't see much there but headed to the church right beside it. The church was amazing...apparently it was untouched during the tragedy and was a place where the workers came to eat and rest. We walked through the church and saw all the memorabilia, pictures and stories. The below picture is a cross that some of the workers made. While we were there, I got a call that my cousin was having an emergency c-section and was about to give birth. Oliver was born an hour later and I was so excited to hear that news!!!

After Ground Zero, it was time to head to 5th Ave for SHOPPING!!! We had a great time shopping and made some good purchases. After shopping, it was time for dinner and Hairspray. I was beyond excited to see Hairspray and it did not disappoint me.
This is where our trip takes a slight turn, similar to the "Becky & Kelly Europe Adventure". During intermission, Kelly mentioned how the loft was similar to a hostel and it wasn't the greatest idea. That's all it took...I called Mike and he got online and booked us a hotel. Yes, we couldn't cut it at the loft (sound familiar) and moved our adventure to the Hotel Roger Williams! It was a 4 star boutique hotel that was AMAZING and we got a great deal!!! After Hairspray was over, we checked into the hotel and I don't think any of us could have been happier!

We woke up on Sunday morning with smiles on our faces...we had a great nights sleep! Sunday was another day filled with lots of things. Our day was filled with eating, seeing the Christmas Spectacular and Alter Boyz. During Alter Boyz (which was hysterical), Mrs. Norman got pulled up on stage and was serenaded by the Boyz. It was the funniest thing I have ever seen! She was a trooper and there is a good picture to prove it. Later that night, we finally made it to Serendipity. I was so excited about eating at this place. Kelly and I shared their famous frozen hot chocolate (how romantic) and it was no disappointment!

We didn't make it to Central Park or the Today Show...but that just means I will have to go back sometime soon! We really did have an unbelievable trip and Kel Kel was the best planner ever!

New York & a bootleg purse

Tomorrow is the big day...I fly to New York City for the FIRST TIME! Yes, I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself.

I'm heading to NY with Kelly, her sister Linds and their mama. When the Norman's travel, they really travel. In other words, bring your walking shoes and a good attitude. Lord help me :)

We are going to see and do so much over 4 days (eat, shopping, plays, central park, Today Show and lots more). I might need a vacation just to recover from this vacation.

I can't wait for all the funny stories and great pictures that will begin tomorrow.

Bootleg purses here I come...

800 Pounds & A Reality Show

It's come to Jesus time...

This is my trainer, Billy...he should look hardcore b/c he is...and please note he usually doesn't wear a skirt. I am back at Fitness Together and I'm scared that Billy will kill me. Not really, but I think after taking 6 months off (to eat and drink) he wants to show me what pain feels like.

I told Billy that I didn't want to be 800 pounds and on a reality TV show. His solution...eat healthy and come back to see him. Brilliant idea don't you think?!?!

Here's to operation get in shape and fit into Kelly's bridesmaid dress!

Turkey Strut part II

Thanksgiving morning came a little earlier than normal for the Gibbs household. When my alarm went off at 6am, I was not a happy camper. I would call myself a "morning person"(even though others would disagree) so this should not have been an issue. But I wanted to lay in my bed and dream about the food I would be consuming later in the day.

Since that wasn't going to happen, I got out of bed and joined the rest of my family. We got dressed, ate our bananas or coffee, grabbed our gloves and hat and were out the door!
As we drove the course, I started to panic. 1) because my lazy butt hadn't trained and 2) because the first mile was STRAIGHT up hill...seriously. Em told me to deal with myself b/c it was only a 5k.

After getting our timing chips, making friends in the porta-john line (or dad running around cheering) and seeing old friends, we headed to the starting line. Dad wanted to be right up front and I would have been content being the last one in line!!!
We ran into Em's old cross country buddy and she decided to run with me and Em. WHAT?!?! Yes, these 2 former cross country stars were going to run with me.

Well the race started, my ipod turned on, and the uphill run began. Em was very sweet to run with me the entire race even though I know she could have been as fast as dad.

When we crossed the finish line, our sweet dad was waiting with cups of water and LOTS of snacks. My dads hands were filled with cookies, bananas, crackers, chips, granola bars, soda and who knows what else. I love this man!

Dad was one of the top 3 in his age group (great job old man!) and Greg, Em and I finished in one piece. Please notice how RED my face is in this picture...for the love! Dad also decided to wear the brightest 2 shirts he has..orange and yellow. Great fashion sense dad.

Em had a great idea of stopping by Krispy Kreme after the race. Yes, all of us walked in with our race numbers on and everyone gave us a weird look. We got doughnuts and coffee for the family and headed home.
Even though I was dreading the race, I ended up having a great time with the family. Em and I have never run an entire race together. We started the Wilmington half marathon together but she left me around mile 5! :) Apparently Dad and Greg are trying to talk Mike and I into running a race with them the day after my birthday! We'll see about that one...