Count down........

It has come down to 10 days before I leave. I find myself staying up extremely late the last few nights thinking about the day I leave. One minute I'm as excited as I'll ever be because I'm doing something with my life that I NEVER imagined I would have ever done and then the next minute I'm sad because I can't imagine not seeing my family and friends.
But I know that our wonderful Lord and Savior is going to be right there with me the entire time. What an AWESOME God we have!

I spent my last day at Hico Elementary with my niece and her class. They had their Christmas party, which I got to help with, and then we had a fun time watching the kids open gifts from each other. I was telling my sister that I couldn't remember having THAT MUCH FOOD at our school Christmas parties...... :)

Christmas was great at the Gilbreath household. We went to look at Christmas lights Christmas eve and then had to get home so Sydney could go to bed. Everyone knows that Santa doesn't visit if you aren't in bed! Hey- who ever made the rule that Santa doesn't visit you when you get out of college? Apparently, per my niece, college age is when Santa no longer comes. Good to know! Here I was thinking that I had just been bad all these years and that was why he wasn't coming.
Christmas day we ate, played games, ate some more, watched movies, ate some more and did I mention we ate? Is it true that diet coke counter acts all that fattening food?

I've begun packing my bags and have run into a snag. Apparently my baggage has also been eating a lot because they are overweight. :)

That is all for now.
I'll send out another update before I leave.

Happy New Year to you all!!!!

Love,
Jamie

Sydney's birthday weekend celebration

Permian High School game in Brownwood

Hope Ann - My cousin's daughter

December News

Hi everyone! I'm so sorry that I haven't updated my blog spot in so long. At first, after moving to Hico, I was just enjoying the free time, not having to get up every morning and go to work. Now, I have no real excuse for not updating....except that I'm lazy! :)

I've been busy getting ready to leave for my trip in January. I cannot believe I leave in a little less than 3 weeks! But I think I'm as prepared as I'll ever be.

These last 4 weeks or so since I left Austin have been wonderful. I've so enjoyed the time that I've been spending with my family along with the time to just sit back and relax. But I also know that I've been too lazy at times and should be preparing more for my trip. So, I'll be buckling down these last few weeks, working on some language prep an finishing up last minute details before I do leave.

Tonight we are going to watch my niece in their school Christmas program. Should be fun! Although my niece didn't actually think she was in it until we asked her teacher this morning. :)

Today is my mom's birthday. My sister and niece came over at 7am and we all went in to my mom's room with a snack cake and a match in it for her to blow out. Our little way of wishing her a happy birthday! haha
The funny part was when the match set off the smoke alarm. That will make you feel old! haha

I'm attaching some pictures that were taken recently. Just family get togethers over the last month or so.

Merry Christmas to everyone and I'll be talking with you soon!

Love,
Jamie

Another ROAD TRIP!

Lots of pics! A mix of AWANA, family pics and friends.
















Just when I thought we were done with all the traveling....at least until January..I took one more trip. (Although I'm sure more are to come haha)
I went with my sister to Odessa last weekend to attend our cousin Renee's wedding. It was a grand affair with a beautiful bride and great looking groom. Plus we got to see family!
We started out with me hauling butt out of Austin to go pick Lisa up in Hico. At Hico I dropped a load of stuff off at my parent's house, grabbed my sister, kissed my niece numerous times and we were off. Mom and Dad were so sweet and gave us their credit card to stay overnight in Abilene. I still can't believe they trusted us with that thing! Hopefully they won't look closely at their bill. haha
Lisa drove the entire way to Abilene while I chatted her ear off. Most of you know that that isn't normal for me...
So we got to Abilene and found a great room. Lisa and I were so excited to get to spend this time together since we have never taken a road trip just the two of us.
Another thing mom and dad did was tell us to spend some money (from them) on ourselves for a birthday present since I'll be gone. Lisa and I scoped out WalMart and hit them like there was no tomorrow. :)
Nothing like having someone elses money to spend in Wally World. haha
We then headed back to our room where we snacked and watched television. Ahhhh...the heighth of laziness....
Saturday morning we got up and got back out on the road for Odessa. Once there we zipped over to see grandmother and granddad and hung out until the wedding.
At the wedding I got to see my cousin's baby for the first time. She sure is a cutie!
Lisa and I hung around to see the cake cut and then we were off again back to Hico. I stayed the night with Lisa, Dennis and Sydney then we went and hung out with mom and dad Sunday morning until I had to get back home.
All in all it was a great trip.
And now I'll be leaving Austin again this coming Monday. I'll be heading to Hico to stay until I leave for East Asia in January.
But you can keep up with me through this blog!
And email me too!

Blessings,
Jamie

Are we there yet?....

We are getting closer and closer to my last day in Austin. I can't believe I'm actually moving. I never thought I'd leave Austin once I settled here. I remember the day I moved here. Everything I owned fit into two vehicles. :)
And look at me now....all I own is clothing and suitcases. Wow- I actually have less now than when I came here. hahaha
But it is amazing what a person is willing to do when lead by our Father to do so.

So here I am, 19 days until my big move. I'm really sad to be leaving everyone and yet I'm thrilled to get to spend so much time with my family through the holidays.

This week I completed a few big items that needed to be taken care of. I got my passport visa and found health insurance. :)

I'll keep you updated with more later.