Prayers

Yesterday, Casey's Uncle Terry's Dad pasted away. Please keep the Buckner family in your hearts and prayers. They are a wonderful family and have always been there for Casey and I. We Love You!

Also, please keep Matt and Stacey in your prayers. They are about to deliver any day now. Lily has decided to come late, so Stacey's induction date is Jan. 2nd. Again, we are praying for a safe and healthy deliver for baby and Mommy. See you guys soon!

Merry Christmas

What a wonderful Holiday! We spent Christmas Eve with Casey's parents, Keith and Barb. We went to church and heard some great things as usual from Pastor Doug, went back to Keith and Barb's house and had a wonderful dinner. Christmas Day started with a delicious brunch at Keith and Barb's, then we went to visit our baby boy, Brody's grave. If only he was here to see everything going on. We love you baby.

Christmas Day was great. All the Santiago family, including my Dad home from the hospital, came to our house, as well and Keith and Barb. My Dad is doing better and should get feeling back in his leg with physical therapy. Thank you for all your prayers. We had great food, watched some Christmas movies, opened presents and just enjoyed being with each other. Next year will be even better because Matt, Stacey, and Lily will be here for Christmas! We can't wait.

tis the season

We had a wonderful weekend! I finished all my Christmas shopping on Friday and got everything wrapped and under the tree. Well, Deebo thought Christmas came early and when we got home the other night, he unwrapped EVERYTHING! I was so angry and than thought, what to I have to be upset about? So, I wrapped everything again today. All done.

We also had the famous Giordano/Ayars family fish dinner. Absolutely incredible. There is always so much food. They have 4 courses of heaven. I try to come up with a strategy every year on how to eat and not get so full after the first course, I failed again. It was just a wonderful night. Casey's Grandparents, Parents, Cousins, Aunt and Uncle, and their close friends were all there. They are such a wonderful loving family. Their family is the most important thing to them and they show it. We love you guys!

On the other hand, Matt and Stacey are in Ohio waiting for the arrival of Miss Lily! She is taking her good ol time. Please continue to keep them in your prayers, Lily will be here any day!

my dad

It has been a crazy few days. Casey and I have been working our butts off and my Dad fell and has fractured his spine. I got to go see him in the hospital today. He is slightly paralyzed in his right leg. He is starting to get some feeling back and can move it from side to side. He can't pick it up or walk on it. My Dad was paralyzed for over a year when I was 2 because he saved all of our lives when someone broke into our house. He is a very strong person. It is hard to see him almost helpless and just sad and not knowing what is going to happen now. Please keep him in your prayers. Pray the the Lord is with the doctors every step of the way. Thank you.

not just another day

That is what Pastor Doug said about Christmas today. It is the day most people celebrate the day Jesus was born. It is a day for family, friends, and traditions. It is the one day that almost EVERY adult can be a child again. A day for thanks, belief, and faith. Not just another day.

We had a wonderful weekend. We had dinner with friends, decorated the tree with family, and just enjoyed being with each other. I have not decorated a tree with my Mom since I moved out 5 years ago. It was a wonderful evening. My Mom, Grandmom, Sister Bernie, Casey, and myself decorated the tree. It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! We laughed, joked, had some good food, and everyone left with a smile. We need more days like this.

welcoming the new

Casey got back late Friday night and Deebo was happier than ever. We have just been relaxing all weekend. It is so great to have him here. We never made it to the Christmas party, we were way to worn down. Tonight we are just enjoying being with each other and trying to get prepared for the holiday season. We will be decorating the weekend to come, I will put pictures up of the finished product in just a bit.

(Dave & Clare Thomas)

(Leah Jane Thomas)

Two couples, Some of our very BEST friends just had babies! Dave and Clare had baby Leah Jane Thomas, a 9lb 15oz pumpkin, on Nov. 20th! Adam and Katy had Madison Grace Bear, a 6lb 7oz peanut, Dec. 4th! Mommy's and Baby's are all doing well and in good health. Next to come is Lily Sue Ayars. Stacey is due Dec. 26th. I had a dream last night that she came Dec. 20th. We will see.

(Adam & Katy Bear)

(Madison Grace Bear)

missing daddy

Only one more day until Casey comes home! He has been gone for two weeks now and I am so excited to have him back. It's not fun being alone. Deebo has really missed him too. He has been unusually bad. He has been tearing things up and going through the trash. He can't wait for his Daddy to get here. Casey has been working hard while he has been out in Chicago. He has been meeting new people and making good impressions, as usual. He is also ready to come home. Please keep him in your prayers as he travels tomorrow.

This weekend we want to try to take it easy. We have been so busy. The only thing we have planned is a Christmas party to go to on Saturday. Hopefully that will be it. We will get some pictures up this weekend. Our next Christmas party is the famous Giordano Christmas Eve Dinner. Some of the best eating I have EVER experience. Can't wait.

in, out, and on the way

(Keith, Casey, & Matt in Haiti)

(Haiti from the airplane)

(Matt teaching Hebrew in Creole)

This weekend has been very busy. Casey got home from Haiti on Friday, and is heading back out on Monday to Chicago. We had to do some last minute shopping for his trip, get him all packed, and now he is ready to go. Though, I am not ready for him to go, he just got back. Hopefully the week goes by fast and he will be right back with me.

As you all know, I have a new niece, Lily, on the way! Stacey is 9 months pregnant! Her due date is Dec. 26th. Stacey and Matt are both home for the next couple of months for Lily's delivery and to get all her paperwork ready to take her back to Haiti. Today is Stacey's baby shower in OH, and I am so sad I missed it:( On top of that, FedEx did not deliver my package for them on time! What can you do? I am excited and hope the next few weeks fly by. Please Keep Matt, Stacey, & Lily in your prayers. Casey and I are praying for a quick and not so painful delivery. Also, that Lily and Stacey are both healthy and strong through the whole thing. We love you guys!

thankful

I have So much to be thankful for. I have a wonderful husband that is ALWAYS there for me, a mother and father in law that love me just as much as I love them, I have a strong and supportive mother, I have a CrAzY, but great father, the best brother and sister's anyone could have ask for, two beautiful nieces, and a new one on the way. I have great friends, I am healthy, I had THE most beautiful baby in the world. I have a God that I know loves me and has blessed me to the fullest.

(The Santiago Family)

(The Ayars Family)

Thank you, that is all I can say.

far and away

So, it is the night before Thanksgiving and I am alone with my Deebers. My husband and the rest of the Ayars crew is in Haiti, with Matt. They will be having Thanksgiving dinner at the compound where Matt & Stacey live and then on a plane to Florida. I will be picking them up on Friday. I can't wait to see Casey! I miss him so much.

Now for me, I will be spending my thanksgiving with my family, the Santiago bunch. For everyone who knows me, you know my parents have been married for 32 years and are now in the process of a pretty ugly and rough divorce, sucks! My mom, dad, brother and sister in law, sisters, nieces and grandmom will all be under the same roof. It has been over a year since that has last happened. I have NO idea what to expect. Should be fun and interesting.

It is going to be a difficult holiday season for us, Brody should be here :( He should be crawling around, ripping the decorations off the tree and us chasing after him. I just keep telling myself he is in a better place and being well taken care of. I know it is also very difficult for Casey right now being away from me and knowing how I feel. Please keep our family in your prayers. Everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving! We all have so much to be thankful for.

where we start

Casey and I have been married for 2 years now this past November. We have been together for almost 6 years, crazy how fast it goes by. It has been a wonderful, loving, crazy, and bittersweet ride. We experienced buying our first home, welcoming new family members, losing loved family members, and Living the Life...Ayars. We have great friends and family that are so supportive and always there for us. Especially when we needed them most this year. We were expecting our first child April 22, 2008, to our surprise it was January 3, 2008. We had our 1lb 15oz, 13.5 inch long baby boy, Brody Joseph Ayars. He hung on for so long, but his little body just couldn't take anymore. He is our little angel now. Life continues as we live, love, and grow through this experience.

We wanted to create this blog for family, friends, and ourselves as we grow and prepare for more of life to come and again, continue to live the life...Ayars!