News!

About 2 weekends ago Ben and Shawna came home from college. It was very nice to see them and spend some time with them. On Saturday we went out to eat as a family. It was very nice to be back once again all together=)

My friend, Sammi Jo, turned 21!! She had a black and white birthday party Saturday night. It was soo much fun. I also got to see some old high school friends which is always nice. It reminded me of college, because every year we had a black and white party with all of our friends. Good times!

On last Monday night my family was on the news!! I am posting the video link, http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?cid=8 as, well as the story link, http://cbs2chicago.com/investigations/road.cracks.idot.2.1258328.html. (Let me know if you have any problems.)My family saved tax payers over $100,000 just by one phone call. It is such a cool story. Please be sure to check it out and if you see any suspious activities going on by your house, check it out because you never know what might come out of it. As in our situation, it turned out to be a great thing saving taxpayers a good amount of money.

Quick Update...

Here is a quick update of everything...

I am going to be in Minneapolis on the 23rd until the 26th. I am very excited to see everyone. I have not been up there since Keegan's graduation in May, so it is well overdue!

Keegan came to visit 3 weeks ago and it was a blast as always. He was only here from Thursday night until Saturday around noon. When Keegan arrived on Thursday, we came to my house and my mom had prepared an excellent dinner and had everything set. We had dinner as a family and it was a great way to begin the short weekend! Later that evening my mom, Keegan & I played blokus. It was fun. Sadly but surely Keegan lost both games. The sad part is I had to work Friday 9 hours. I got off of work at 4pm, so after that we went on a date=) He took me to this upscale sushi restaurant and it was amazing! We both got the same thing and it was delicious! Afterwards we went to get ice-cream and sat and talked. It is such a good feeling talking face to face and spending quality time together in person, instead of the phone or over webcam. Then we came home and watched a movie. On Saturday morning we went out to breakfast at Panera. Keegan then treated me to Starbucks and I had a Pumpkin Spice Latte... YUMMY! Then we spent some time with my family mostly JJ & Mandi and then had to say goodbye and drive all the way up to Milwaukee. I was on my way back and his plane got delayed. I was bummed because I could of spent 1 more hour with him. By this time I was 45 minutes away from him=( But I have good news... He is coming back to visit the first week of November.

Last weekend I went to Goebberts Pumpkin Patch & Farm with Sara, Nathan & some friends. It was so much fun to take pictures, pick out pumpkins, drink hot apple cider, see some animals all with great company. Saturday was such a fun, fall, relaxing day. I am glad that I went because it seems that fall is fading and winter is approaching. On Sunday we celebrated my cousins birthday. It was so much fun; we made our own individual pizzas. I made a heart shaped one.

This coming weekend should be fun because Shawna & Ben come home from college. I have not seen them since August and I did not even get to say good bye to them. I came home from work one day and they were already gone. I am looking forward to catching up and just having a fun weekend with the entire family.

Footprints

Here is something that I hope will encourage you as it encourages me greatly. Remember that God is always with us. With man our circumstances might be impossible, but with God all things are possible. He is bigger than our obstacles.

Footprints In the Sand by: Mary Stevenson

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord, "You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand, is when I carried you."

Happy Fall!!

Fall is finally here!! Fall is a season of fun. It reminds me of pumpkins, apple cider, hot chocalate, bonfires, smores, corn mazes, orchards, football, friends & family and soooo much more! I love the color changing of leaves, and the briskness that comes with it. God sure did know what He has doing when He created seasons. When you are coming into a season change it is exciting because that means new shoes!! They may not all be brand new, but its time to dig out those shoes that have been put away since April. You always find those shoes that you forgot about.

Last week Keegan and I celebrated our year and a half anniversary. Time just flies by. Surprisingly I am the one who always remembers these things right at midnight, but this time Keegan was on top of the game. I bought him a card to send and I didn't even send it on time... I know shame on me... Well, I didn't think Keegan remembered that well, I just thought the night before he remembered. Boy was I wrong. I received a card in the mail before I even sent mine out. It was soo special to come home from work with my mom opening the door with a card from Keegan in her hand. I felt sooo special=D

Keegan is actually flying out to see me for a very small trip. He is going Thursday evening and leaving Saturday afternoon. It will definitely be bittersweet. I am just sooo excited to see him again. It has already been 3 weeks, but feels a lot longer. He is so sweet, he told me he has a surprise for me Friday night. I am anxiously awaiting to see what he has planned. I will let you know when I find out.

Labor Day Weeked in Georgia!

So after everything that went on last week I was able to go see Keegan!! God was very faithful. I did not book my ticket until Thursday evening, but I got a decent price on it. I flew out of Milwaukee which is a little drive but not too bad. I had to work Friday morning at 7 and then I left around 11 to catch my plane! I landed in Atlanta at 5:15 pm. I was very excited yet a little nervous. I was not sure why, I love seeing Keegan. I think it was the fact that I was going to Atlanta rather than seeing Keegan.

When I saw Keegan he came out gave me a big hug and handed me pink roses! He is soo sweet. And that is not all... I put my luggage into the trunk and I opened the passenger front door to see peanuts, and Veggie Tale fruit snacks with a bottled water sitting there for me. It made me SMILE! He knew I was wanting a light snack as I have had nothing all day due to traveling. Fruit snacks were one of my favorite treats as a little girl and having younger siblings I have grown to like them again.

Later that evening we went out to dinner with one of Keegan's old jhigh friendsand his wife. We ate at an Italian restaurant as Italian is one of my favorites! I stayed with this couple all weekend. It was very nice of them to open up their home to me for the weekend. I was nervous and did not know what to expect. I only met them for like 1 second before... It ended up to be a great time, and I enjoyed hanging out with them. We watched movies together, and got dinner again together Saturday night. The couple has a 6 month old baby boy who is just soo cute. It was fun to play with him and see Keegan interact with a baby! I just enjoyed every second I got to spend with Keegan.

On Saturday Keegan and I spend part of the morning at a Nature Preserve park. It was nice to sit and talk and spend time with each other. Saturday evening we had to go to church and Keegan left early as I stayed back to hang out with Elysia. We just sat down and talking & watching some TV. It was nice to get to know her better. She is very sweet. I was very nervous to go to church again. Meeting so many people is very overwhelming, especially in the position I am in. I felt pressure again, but I decided not to let it get to me, and that is what I did. It was a really good service, but I could not wait until after church so I could spend time with my baby!

On Sunday I only went to the 10:45 service. There was no reason to get up at 6am to go to church, lol... I once again rode with Elysia. It was funny because in the course of going to church 2x that weekend, 3 people asked if we were related. It reminds me of being at NCU and people asking if Gina and I are twins. Just for the record, we are not related. Church was very good. Pastor Jeremiah did an awesome job bringing the message. I really do like CCH. After church, Keegan and I went to get Mexican food. Later that afternoon Keegan took me to a mall about 30 minutes away. I must say, there is nothing like Woodfield. I was not impressed with the Georgia malls so far. It was a nice mall don't get me wrong but the stores have a small supply of merchandise. I guess nothing compares to Chicago shopping! I did however find a shirt at Macy's for $4.99! That evening Keegan took me on a date! We had sushi! I love sushi! I had the Tiger Roll and Keegan had the Volcanoe. It was so filling and yummy all at once! After that Keegan took me back to his apartment where I was locked in his room. I could hear something, but I was not allowed to peak at all. Keegan came and got me and he had hooked up his speakers to his computer and had 2 very special songs playing. He told me, "Let's Dance!" I was soo stoked! We danced to "Amazed" and "What a Wonderful World ", the first song we have ever danced to! It was very special and romantic. We then went over to some friends of Keegan's house to hang out for a little bit. ( Iguess my friends now too, ha!) Later that night we watched another movie.

I was dreading Monday coming as I had to leave that day. It was nice though because my plane did not leave until 9:40 pm. I had the entire day to spend with my love! We went to the Georgia Aquarium, the world's largest. It was soo cool. We got to touch sharks, sting rays and some fish. We saw sharks, starfish, whales, neon colored fish, squid, and many more awesome creatures. It definitely was worth going and I recommend all to go if you have a chance. We then were invited to a cook out at the head pastors house with his family. I was very nervous because it was the first time I have ever met the pastor. But it turned out to be very nice and good food. It was a great way to spend Labor Day. After that we were invited to hang out with some friends again. Then... it was time... I had to head to the airport. As we left the couples house, I started to cry. It hit me, I am leaving once again... Each time it gets harder and harder. I know in the end it is making us stronger, but it is sooo hard! I did not want to leave. I was so happy with Keegan. I had such a good weekend and it was not fine for me to say goodbye. Well, I did not have a choice and I ended up sitting on a plane for over an hour waiting for the food service to deliver snacks and drinks, thinking about how much I love and miss Keegan already. I am so blessed to be in a relationship with him. He blessed my heart every day. I did not land in Milwaukee until 11:05 pm and I did not get home until 12:40 am. I was up on Tuesday by 5:15 am and at work by 6:50 am. I was very tired to say the least but it was all worth it because I got to spend more time with my baby!!

I know this was long, but I don't get to see Keegan that much, so it was a recap of my weekend that I have been planning since June! It was a great memorable weekend with Keegan and new friends! I loved spending every moment with Keegan. It was so refreshing to be able to talk in person and have that face to face interaction. He made me smile so many times and it felt so good inside. Okay, I will stop with this... I am in love with Keegan Walsh!