Heroes, Birthdays, and Special People

This week's post is all about the things we want to say but don't say enough, happy birthday wishes, and pulling together in times of need.

I think all of you share in my pride about my brother, Ken. Well last week with Veteran's day I wanted to get a post up of his Army "family" and let them know how much we all appreciate what they have done, some still doing, for our country. Just a little thank you (something I need to say more often). I dug through my pictures and found a picture of Ken and some of his Army buddies at a recent Army vs. Navy party. Now if you know Ken, he doesn't like Sara and I taking pictures of him, so I am sure he will be emailing me with a comment about putting his picture on my blog. Too bad Ken. I, along with many others, are so proud of you, and I want to thank you for being you, teaching my children about the priorities in life in your subtle ways yet helping them realize to dream big and go for those dreams, being the role model for all of us, excusing my "loans" from "Ken's bank" while I was in college, and opening the world to Sara and I by showing us what it was like to leave our safe home outside Colesburg and explore the world! And in connection to Veteran's day - thank you for serving our country! We love you lots! Thanks to the "Frogs" for also "adopting" Wayne into your troop. . . .maybe that should concern me a little. . .just kidding. He loves it!

Wayne's brother, Kevin, was also in the service so thank you also Kevin! I'd write more about you during that time Kevin, . . but that was before my time with Wayne. But we want to thank you too Kevin for serving our country! We love you too!

Next, happy birthday to Sara and Derek! I tried to find the oldest picture I had of both of you together , but I had too much fun looking and lost track of time so I took some that I could find. The kids are so excited to see the Broadway show "Grease" with you this weekend and spend some fun times with the Johnson family in Minneapolis! Sara - I hope we never get too old to act "too young" at concerts. :) Life is great! We hope both of you had great birthdays and special memories! We love you both!

Last, I want to share a heart felt story about a great friend and fellow classmate of Elyse's. His name is Andrew "Buzz" Miller, and his picture is above. The picture shows him getting his "leukemia kickin' umbilical cord blood" on November 7th. He is battling his 2nd round of leukemia after a bone marrow transplant in 2007 and now a stem cell transplant this past November. He is a fighter with a wonderful attitude, passion for life, and great guy all around. Anyway, his family is doing a "prayer map" in his hospital room as he is spending at least 100 days in a hospital in Minneapolis trying to build his immune system and kick those cancer cells. They have a "guestbook" where you can say who you are, where you live, how you found out about him (you can say through Elyse Kerian's family) and that you are praying for him. We, the Kerians, are asking you to send an extra prayer out for Andrew, aka Buzz, and send him a little special message. If you don't want to send a message, just let me know via email that you are praying for him and I will let him know. He has a "caring bridge" page that you can log onto and read his story, see pictures, and write him a message. Just go to "http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/buzzmiller". You need to sign in by giving your email and then making a password and that is it. You will read also about the "Beat it Buzz" activity and photo quest. If you would like to participate in the photo quest, we'd appreciate it. You can create your "Beat it Buzz" sign, send me the photo, and I will get it to the people in charge of that quest. This is a time when Buzz needs a lot of prayers and pull. He is a wonderful young man (was one of the boys here when Elyse had her sleep over a few weeks ago) and good friend to Elyse! So. . . take some time. . . .read his story.. . . and add to his prayer map. Thank you so much!

Here's a quote taken from someone who signed his quest book that I really loved and think it is fitting at this time: "You gain Strength, Courage and Confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do" - from Eleanor Roosevelt. Ken, our role model, and Buzz, our fighter, both are models of this. .

P.S. If you want a "Beat it Buzz" tshirt or rubber wrist band, and don't live in Cresco, let me know and I will get you one. It's neat to have pictures of people all around the US wearing them and showing their support for Buzz. Thanks!

New York State of Mind

I returned today from a fabulous birthday trip to NYC! (Thanks Wayne - love you!) My sister, Sara, and I flew out Wednesday and I returned home today after a great time spent in the city! We stayed at my uncle and aunts', Dennis and Connies', house outside the city. The weather could not have been better the whole time we were there so we figure we were meant to be in NYC that week.

The first day Connie, Sara and I went out for lunch at this quaint, cool, little place in Rye- suburb - and met one of Connie's friends who also had her niece with her. It was super fun. It was even better because Connie's friend thought I was much younger than I am so that just made my day. She couldn't believe I had children as old as mine were so I thought she was the most wonderful person! :)Connie's friend is very "in" on what is "in" and what is "out" so she filled us in (in case you are wondering, the hot color this fall is purple/eggplant and then gray). Connie then dropped Sara and I off at the train station and we went into the city. We eat some munchies at Grand Central Station before walking to Bryant Park - Project Runway Fashion Week- checking out New York City Public Library, walking around Central Park, munching again at Tavern on the Green in Central Park before heading to concert. I do have to say that the inside of Tavern on the Green was not what we expected - very foofoo with flowers everywhere and too much velvet!

We taxied to Madison Square Gardens and were pumped for the concert! Dennis and Connie had seats in the front row in front of the VIP section right to the side of the stage so they gave us their tickets and they took ours (the tickets we had weren't bad either, close, but up higher, so they switched with us). They met us at the Gardens. No one was in front of Sara and I at the concert and it was sweet! Sugarland was great and Keith Urban was awesome!!!!! We were hoping that Nicole Kidman, his wife, would be there and she was!!!! But the greatest part of the night was when Keith Urban walked in front of Sara and my section (he walks to the back of the arena and plays too) and he slapped our hands!!!! We thought we were going to pass out - yes, it was a teenage moment we know but we couldn't control ourselves! Our night was complete!!!!!

We slept in the next day as it was a late night in the city. Sara and I had a nice lunch with Dennis and Connie and then headed back to the city. We went to Dylan's Candy Bar - which is like candy heaven!!!! We spent a lot of time there and Sara enjoyed some chocolate covered strawberries while Connie and I shopped. Then we taxied to NYU to take in the sites and atmosphere of the "liberal" college. Very relaxing although Sara couldn't handle all the people feeding the pigeons. :) We met a family friend of Dennis and Connies' who ended up having dinner and going to the show with us.

We met Dennis and the boys for a great dinner down by Times Square before heading to the show. It was an exciting night for all of us and Will, and all of us, were meeting his biological mother. While I think everyone was nervous, it all went fine. Someday, Dennis, Connie, Sara and I will look back and laugh about a few moments- they know what I am talking about - but Will's biological mother and grandmother were very nice, classy, and sweet! Sara and I really had some great conversations with James during dinner so that was nice as we hadn't seen him yet (he was always at school already when we woke up and in bed when we returned each evening).

The show - "Rock of Ages" - was awesome!!!!Dennis got us tickets in the 5th row, center stage - you are the best, Dennis! It was set to 80s music and the scary part was that Sara and I knew all the songs! Yes, we did! (should we be proud of that or not?) It was definitely not for kids, but we thought it was super! As we were walking to talk to Connie at intermission and use the restroom, Connie pointed out that Vince Vaughn, movie star, was walking right in front of Sara!!! She could have put her arms around him. We all agreed he was much cuter in person than in the movies! Wow! Needless to say, he was sitting 2 rows behind us at the show!!!! The crowd loved the show - really got into the music - and the actors/actresses were fabulous! Would recommend the show to people who were in high school or college in the 80s!

Saturday was a relaxing day to end the trip before flying out later in the afternoon. I played a little basketball against James (I won and then he won) and then we helped Connie get the house ready for Will's biological mom and grandma who were coming to stay that evening. Ran into Rye and grabbed some awesome pizza and headed to the airport to catch our plane.

We can't thank Dennis and Connie enough for letting us stay there and sharing some special memories with us!!!! It was just what Sara and I needed - not so many tourist things as we have done all that many times - but New York fun! You guys are the best!! Thanks, James, for letting me have your bedroom for a few days and playing basketball with me! Oh yeah, and thanks for carrying my bag in the city! Thanks Deutmeyers for another great trip of memories!