Our Trip To Kansas City

This past Monday Carlos and I flew out to Kansas City. He has meetings with IHOP Leadership all week and I went to spend some time with Jordan, Alexia and Alexia's boyfriend Matt Gilman. We don't get to go too often on trips on our own without kids but thanks to my mom we were able to go. She came in on Sunday and watched the kids the whole week we were gone.

Matt and Alexia picked us up at the airport and then we stopped by a restaurant and got something to eat.
It was great having a few hours to spend with just the two of them. They seemed very HAPPY together!

After lunch we headed back to Alexia's house where Carlos and I were going to be staying. Four of the girls that room with Alexia already had headed home for the Christmas so there was plenty of room.

While we were unpacking Alexia showed us a picture of their "first" date. Matt surprised her and took her out to eat the most incredible restaurant. When he went to pick her up he had flowers and chocolate for her too. After dinner they went to the top of this building and he had brought some "Frank Sinatra"music (Oh - I knew I loved this guy - Frank is my FAVORITE) and they were able to spend some time dancing and talking. Alexia's camera was not working so thankfully a gentleman at the restaurant took this picture of them.

I think they make an adorable couple! And the best thing is - they both love the Lord more than anything on this earth!Later that evening we met up with Jordan and had dinner with him. He is doing great! Besides going to school at IHOP he also has a GREAT job at Apple which he just LOVES. He is doing so good at the job he won some saleman award this week.

We then went back to Alexia's and settled in for the night!

The next day we woke up to snow, ice and freezing temps. The first day we were there it was a beautiful 52 degrees . . .something happened overnight and winter had arrived. We decided to go and grab some breakfast because Alexia did not have any food in the house because she was flying home with us for two weeks and didn't want to have any food go bad.The roads were getting bad but we were still able to make it to the restaurant.I was so cold and all I wanted was a nice hot cup of tea and of course the Spinach Mushroom Omelet to go with it.While we were waiting for our food Alexia called and said that she , Matt and our friends Adam and Christina were going to come and eat too.Adam and Christina are actually from OHOP but they moved to Kansas City to work and go to school at IHOP for one year. Christina actually sings on Matt's team and Adam is a graphic artist. They will be moving back to OHOP in March.

After we ate we all headed to the IHOP Prayer Room. The weather was getting worse by the minute.The snow was really coming down by the time we parked.We were going to be at the prayer room most of the day. When we got there Jaye Thomas and his team was playing.
At 4pm was Matt's set. The picture came out blurry but I am still posting it :-) You can see the IHOP Prayer Room live at http://www.ihop.org/. You pay just $10.00 to have it live 24/7.

When we left the prayer room that night the snow was still coming down. We didn't have a snowscraper.I have to admit the snow was beautiful.Cold but Beauitful!

When we got back to the house we were able to see Tasha and her friend who had come over to hangout.

We hungout with Matt and Alexia.

Aren't they cute? :-) Carlos worked on the computer.The next morning Carlos had a meeting with some IHOP Leadership and Alexia and decided to sleep in! We had a leisurely day - it was just perfect. Later on that afternoon we went out for a late lunch with Jordan, Alexia, Matt and their friend Seth who is an amazing guitarist at IHOP. He plays on Matt's team and Cory Asbury's team. He has also played on Misty Edwards CD's. Seth will be coming to OHOP in March with Matt and also our friend David. They will be the guest worship leader and musicians who will be coming in for our March Awaken the Bride monthly service.After dinner we headed back to the IHOP Prayer Room to go to Matt's set. That night Jordan played backup keys for Matt. Matt invited us to go to his briefing before the set. I was excited about that because it was great to see how they brief before they actually start there set.

In fact, it looks like Jordan will be joining Matt's team fulltime in January.Christina sings on the team and Seth plays electric guitar. Our other friend Candice is also a singer on his team along with Jessica and Hurley. Matt's first chorus leader is IHOP's very own Justin Rizzo - who is totally amazing too.I wish these pictures had come out better.

After the set they let us come back to listen to their debriefing. This is the room where they brief and debrief in.

After the set we went back to Alexia's. We ran into another friend and roommate of Alexia's Chelsea.

Chelsea is an absolute doll! Carlos and I love her so much! She also goes to school at IHOP and sings on Luke Woods team. We decided to play Phase Ten!As you can see Matt just LOVED all the pictures LOL! Alexia told him he might as well get use to it.

I thought I had more pictures but I think this is it. We had the best time and actully brought Alexia home for Christmas last night. Jordan will be coming home on or around Christmas Eve. Thanks Matt for putting up with all the picture taking!