Today we share our hero with Heaven above

Today our hearts are heavy as Kellen left his earthly body to go to Heaven and be at peace. Sometimes there are just no words. Heaven became an even more amazing place today as our hero here on earth was lifted up to become one of God's greatest angels. He is no longer in pain. He is rejoicing above us and smiling down with those who have gone before him. You will be missed Kellen Keiser. We love you. We can't wait to see you again someday. Until then, we know that you are smiling down on us all.

All of my thoughts and prayers and love go out to the Keiser family. May God's comfort and grace surround them now and always.

No new news

I haven't updated in a while, because nothing much is new in my life. Just the same old, same old..which I won't complain about. I'm enjoying my house and my new car. Sometimes I feel a bit guilty that I have these nice things, but then again, it's nice to see that all that hard work I put in to get to where I'm at today is finally starting to pay off. Plus, I am very thankful to have the job that I have. It isn't perfect, but it's probably the closest I will ever find.

I'm still in training for the half marathon that I am walking on October 17th. I feel very blessed to have so many great co-workers and friends who have been willing to donate their hard-earned money to be my sponsor. All the money raised goes directly to the family of Kellen Keiser, so if you are willing to donate any amount at all, please let me know.

Ohio State

Please check out the video in my previous post. The Ohio State marching band performed the OSU fight song while spelling "Kellen" on the field in honor of Kellen Keiser. It's pretty amazing. Kellen is a pretty amazing young man. This was a very special tribute by the OSU band.

OSU Marching Band - Kellen

Let me re-state my intentions

Well, I guess I'm a liar. I didn't just sit around and do nothing/relax all day today. I went and bought a car instead. I've actually been looking at this car for about a week now. Well, actually I went to the dealership to look at a different car that I had seen on their website and got there to find out that THAT particular car had been sold (wasn't meant to be). After looking around the dealership at the other cars, I became interested in this one and ended up going back and buying it today. It may have been a bit of an impulsive decision, but I really do think that I got a good deal...However...it is the same make and model of car that my mom just bought this year too, so now we're twinkies, except for the fact that mine is a different color and the wheel caps are different. But I cleared it with her first and made sure she wouldn't care that we'd be twinkies :) I have always wanted an SUV and never had one, now I do! The only thing that I don't like about it is that I've been trying to air it out all day, because the new car smell gives me a headache. Always has, always will. I know most people think that smell is soooo great, but to me, it's just like being near someone who has put on too much perfume. So I've had the windows down in my car most of the afternoon and I think it's ok now. I should make it to work tomorrow without having to hold my breath the whole way there.

So now, I am on a strict budget. I've made all the big purchases that I have been wanting to make and now I'm settled down. It's time to start saving and stop spending and giving to others instead of giving to myself. I am not needing anything. I shouldn't really even want anything that I don't already have.

Relaxation

Well, the regular weekend is over, but MY weekend is not. This is my long weekend, so I get to enjoy the day off tomorrow :) It's bitter-sweet, seeing as how I have to work this coming Saturday, but I'll still enjoy the extra day off anyway. This weekend has been decent for the most part, I really can't complain. I went on a very successful shopping trip to Franklin Park yesterday. It was some much-needed retail therapy for sure. Plus, I got to eat at the Elephant Bar, which I have never been to. I highly recommend it. It's not quite as good as P.F. Chang's, but pretty darn close.

Today I spent the morning at church. It was the kick-off Sunday for our Sunday school kids. We had breakfast and games this morning. The regular church service was a little hard, as we are continuing to pray for Kellen and his family. However, it is so uplifting to see our church so full on Sunday mornings. It has gotten to the point that it's sometimes hard to find a place to sit in the pews! What a blessing! Even though there is so much sadness in our community right now, we still have to look around us and see the blessings. Our Pastor has done so much to turn our church into what it is today. It's so amazing to see such a big congregation every Sunday.

After church today, I actually got some cleaning done around the house and watched some heartbreaking football games. I can see that all of my NFL teams are going to let me down this season. The Colts and Lions both lost. The Cardinals BARELY beat the Rams (of all teams). At least Green Bay won, but seriously...this might be a tough season to get through. On the plus side, my NCAA team is starting off positively. Michigan beat Notre Dame yesterday :) And..and I was even cheering for the Ohio State Buckeyes yesterday (for the first time ever) since Kellen was at the game and the Buckeyes pulled off the big win.

My plan for tomorrow - relax, take it easy, don't stress. Enjoy the time off. Sit outside and relax.

TGIF

This week has by far been the most stressful week since I started working. I try not to complain, because I know there are many out there who are struggling more than I am, but this is the first time in a long time that I have been so stressed. I'm so glad it's Friday and finally the weekend. I'm even more glad that this is my long weekend (I have Monday off, because I work next Saturday). Plus, I have 2 afternoons off this week to make up for working on Labor day. I am going to need all that time off to re-energize from this ridiculous week. Let's just say, I'm glad it's over.

Tomorrow I'm going to get some much-needed retail therapy in before I come home to enjoy a full day of college football. It should be a pretty great day. I'm looking forward to it. Sunday morning we are kicking off the beginning of Sunday school at church (I'm teaching jr. high this year) and then it's back home for some NFL football all day long. I'm excited. Who knows what I'll decide to do on Monday, but I might just lay around here and read a book or something equally productive. This stress is eating away at me if I don't get rid of it somehow.

But I should really not complain. Please keep Kellen Keiser and his family in your prayers. Also the family of Cody Martines needs prayers too and Jana Ferguson and Randy Theis. So many families are struggling right now. They are in my thoughts and prayers constantly. Praying for God's comfort to surround them all.