We need an old priest and a young priest

Please watch this clip.  It pretty much sums up my entire Christmas Holiday.

Since this past Wednesday, all 6 of us have been sick.  4 out of 6 have thrown up, and now MaMaw is sick as well.  We have vomited in cars, beds, at the table, bathrooms, family rooms, just about any place you can think of. It has been at least 2 maybe 3 years since I have been sick and thrown up, but it got me hard two nights ago.  This version of Christmas isnt at all what we had planned.  The good news is at least we are all together.  I only hope that you are surrounded by people you love, and less vomit.  Merry Christmas and much love to all.

An email for my Mom

As noted before, my mother knitted 400 scarves for service men and women in Afghanistan (www.operationgratitude.com ) this past year.  She did 100 in honor of each grand baby, more than 1 a day.  To top it all off, she included a hand written note with each scarf, thanking them for their service.   Today she received an email from one of the brave men who got one of my Mom's gifts.

Dear Nina,

I recieved the scarf you made today.  I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for the scarf and your kind words.  It means a lot to the service men and women overseas to know that they are thought of, especially during the holiday season.  So once again I thank you and your family for keeping us in mind.  I wish you and your family the best through the holidays!

Semper Fidelis,

SSgt Bridges

3rd Bn 7th Marines

Mom, we are all so proud of you! 

Sorry for the delay.

Sorry for the delay folks, it has been a crazy few days. This past weekend was a great weekend.  Brooke and Austin left town and were nice enough to leave us their town home for the weekend.  My in laws came up for our last weekend in Lexington.  The main reason for their visit was on Saturday Hadley was getting baptized into the Church, something that is very important to me.  Plus, on Saturday night, the two big girls had a dance recital.  My parents came over, as did my brother.  We spent much of the day just laughing and hanging out.  It was like a whole lot of the weekends we were fortunate enough to spend together, when both her parents and mine were together.  However,  always in the back of my mind was the fact that I knew this may not happen too many more times.  What was seemingly something easy to arrange would be much more difficult in Chicago.  Regardless, it was a great time for all of us- despite UK getting beat in basketball.

On Sunday morning we had breakfast and Brooke's parents went South and we went north.  It was has been a 3 days of nothing but unpacking and reshuffling but the girls have adjusted amazingly well.  It is very nice to have every one up here finally.  Wednesday night at work the SAE Foundation had a Holiday gathering at the LMT, as a sidebar to welcome me into the new position.  It was an opportunity to meet new people, share time with old friends, and have my girls meet so many of the people that I talk about all the time.  It was a perfect storm where work and family merge into one.  I sort of think that is the best of both worlds.  When work is family, and your family is always welcome.  I am lucky I suppose.  I was so happy to have the girls there and of course, they were the stars of the show.  After the event I went to dinner at Fogo De Chow- an all you can eat Steakhouse.  This is a place my father-in-law would love, and a tradition I started 3 years ago.  It was a chance for a bunch of friends who don't see each other too often to reconnect over 12 different cuts of meat.  I ate way too much but I wouldn't have changed it for the world.

Its not too often where you can work and be with your loved ones at the same time.  Often SAE takes me away from the girls but last night we were brought together. 

On Thursday, after a long day at work, we had our much needed office gathering.  There, we awarded two women who work for SAE a newly created SAE award to recognize the women who help make our lives great.  It was long overdue and much deserved.  The gathering was a great time for all who came.  

Its been a long week and this weekend is much needed.  There is still so much work to be done but its nice to sit back and watch a little sports, a girl in each arm, and just relax.  I am so looking forward to the next few weeks and spending time with those that I love.  After all, that is what this time of year is all about.

To all my friends (and brothers) who are soldiers.

Merry Christmas, thanks for your service.

A letter to Reagan-

This past weekend on ESPN Gameday seen here ,I was moved by a piece about an Oklahoma football player.  The players Dad had written him letters before every game since he was in the 7th grade.  The player died this past year and each game another defensive player has worn Austin Box's jersey.  One thing stuck out to me during the piece more than others.  Austin's father talked about how he feels that the letters showed a love that a father had for his son, and that the fact that his son had kept everyone of the letters shows how much respect the son has for his father.  My father always wrote me letters growing up.  It wasn't always game day, sometimes it was just a day that ended in y. The letters would come at all different times for all different reasons.  I don't have all of them, but just like Austin, I kept most of them.  Ive always wanted to be able to do the same for my girls as they grow, so in the event I am not here, they will have on paper how much their father loved them.  The good news is, Reagan can now read at an amazing level.  So my hope is that Brooke sits down with Reagan and allows her to read the letter below, 2011 style.

Dear Reagan,

I wanted to write you a note to let you know how much joy you have brought to your Mom and I.  Your PawPaw used to write me letters like this all the time.  First days of school, football games, big days, small days, or just because.  Now you are getting to the point where you can read, so I will do the same for you.  Reagan, I love you (and your sisters) more than life itself.  I would not trade you for anything in the world and I could not have asked for anything more in a child. I can remember the first time I ever held you in my arms.  I cried to the point that I couldn't even see you.  I was so overcome with emotion that both your grandfathers thought something was wrong.  From day one, you have been an angel. It hurts to watch how fast you have grown but there is an amazing beauty in that as well.  I am so thankful for what a big help you are when Daddy is away.  You are an excellent big sister, a beautiful little girl, a pure ray of sunshine.  You are also my best friend and I would rather hang out with you, than just about anyone else.  Nothing brings me more joy than giving you a big hug.  I never knew the power of love until I knew you.

All my love,
Daddy

Get your affairs in order....

"Get your affairs in order" is probably one of the worst things a doctor can ever tell you.  It is their way of telling you that you are on borrowed time.  I used to dread and hate that phrase but after what has happened today, I have come to appreciate it more.

I got all three girls up, dressed, fed, and out the door by 7:20 (all by myself).  A task that I am proud of considering I had been up since 2:30 am thanks to Hadley Blaine.  When I got to school to drop the girls off, I noticed Baylor Grace's teacher was crying.  This teacher has taught 3 of my girls, in 4 years straight (Reagan had them two years in a row)- so naturally you become close to them.  I asked what was wrong and I was told that one of Reagan's classmates father had died (was dying).  He went into the hospital yesterday because of a headache, and was now brain dead.  Worst part is, Reagan's classmate didn't even know the entirety of the situation.  She asked for her class to pray for her Daddy because he had a headache and was in the hospital.  She didn't know he we would not be coming home.

I don't really claim to be this guys friend, I had to struggle to place his face.  I saw his wife almost every day when she walked their two girls to school and he and I would chat at the girls parties.  Again, Ive seen him now for three years in a row.  What hit me the hardest was that his daughters were Reagan's age and Baylor Grace's age.  Now the Mom will have to raise their two girls alone and they will never really know their father.  How do I explain that to Reagan?  He went to the hospital for a headache and now he is never coming home! I am positive that they would give it all up if he simply had the chance to get his affairs in order.  He wasn't even granted that "luxury." How do I resist the anxiety that comes every time I leave for work that I am never 100% sure I will see my girls again. No one loves the girls the way I do, the way a father should love his daughter(s).  Who is going to watch over them, teach them how to survive, if their Daddy isn't around? His death, or impending death, has really hit me hard and I am struggling to comprehend it.

Life is so precious, hug the ones you love.  Don't go to bed mad.  Forgive. Forget.  We are only here for a little while and we never really know how long that little while is.

In the words of the GREAT Jack Sparrow "Better to not know which moment may be your last. Every morsel of your entire being alive to the infinite mystery of it all."

Times they are a changing.....

I had one of the most amazing few days, I had to blog about it.  I wasn't sure I would get home on Wednesday, but after a two hour delay at the bridge, I finally pulled into the house for a long needed break with the family.  I should have known that it was going to be a good weekend when I get home to watch UK win in basketball.

Thursday really was  a great Thanksgiving.  We took the girls to play in the park and after naps, we were ready to eat.  Patrick came over and the girls were so excited to see him.  It was really neat to have my girls making dumplings with me and my father.  Three generations of Ayers' doing what is a tradition in our house, making dumplings.  Then Baylor Grace worked her magic when she asked PawPaw to sit next to her.  It was too warm to have a fire in the fire place but it was good to sit around in the family room with the family, watching football.

Friday was an amazing day for November.  We decided to go to the Zoo and had almost the entire place to ourselves.  By the time we left it was getting crowded, it is true that the early bird does get the warm.  Friday night my Dad and I went to the Trinity game.  Trinity is something we both share a passion for and we don't get to go to too many games together anymore, so it was nice to get there and watch our Rocks play.  Trinity is on an amazing run and is playing it its 11th State Championship game in 12 years.  If Trinity wins on Friday, they will win Trinity's first National Championship.  Absolutely amazing.

Saturday, Brooke and I went out to breakfast together for a mini date.  Later we went to the movies and saw the Muppet movie....or as Baylor calls them, the Puppet movie.  It was great for me to go there with Patrick and Mom as well, because many years ago they got me into the Muppets.  To watch it with my girls made me feel like I was passing on part of my childhood.  The theme of the movie really played into that as well.

Saturday was a great day because I got to watch a lot of football with Dad too.  INCLUDING UK's victory over UT.  This was the first time in 27 years that UK has done this.  I realized I was Reagan's age the last time UK beat UT in football.  I have been to so many games where my "sports" heart was broken by UK in finding a way to lose to Tennessee.  I honestly was not sure if I would live to see us ever beat them in football.  The longest active losing streak in NCAA football is no more.  Now there is a new longest active losing streak....unfortunately UK owns that one as well- you're next Florida. After the Tennessee game, we went on an amazing walk through an area I used to play at as a kid.  It was great to take the girls there too.  It was a pretty flat walk so no one complained and 3/4 of the crew made most of the walk themselves.  It was one of the best hikes ever, on a great weather day. The day ended with my girls helping MaMaw put up her Christmas tree.

Like all good things, this weekend had to come to an end.  The girls got up early and left to try and settle back in for our last few weeks in Lexington.  I stayed around at Mom and Dads, just to hang out.  Once they left, it was amazingly quiet in their house.  It seemed, big, silent, and empty, without the girls.  The three of us talked about life and you could tell things were changing.  Us Ayersmen don't do well with change and this one is no different.  With the move to Chicago soon, things will change.  We will no longer be a short ride from Mom and Dad's, an even longer ride to Nashville.  I think this hurts my Mom and Dad more than they are letting on- it hurts me too.  We are all excited for the adventure ahead, but it is bittersweet and I think it hit us today.  When I finally pulled out of the driveway their were tears in Mom and Dad's eyes which hasn't happened in a while.  It was one thing when we left Louisville for Lexington, this is something totally different.  When I looked back and honked like I always do, I could see them standing their waving like always.  After hanging out with their grand babies, I think they realized how important it is for them to make the effort to get up to Chicago.  Especially after Baylor Grace asked PawPaw to sit next to her at dinner two nights in a row.  Blowing him a kiss when she left helped too.  I think we all appreciated the time we shared a little bit more than normal because we know that it won't always be that way.  It was sad for me too, sad for the same reasons, and sad because I saw that look in their eyes.

I went to the mall with my girls later on Sunday, something we always enjoyed doing.  While we were at the mall we saw a mannequin with purple hair.  We had to explain to Caroline that people don't really have purple hair, it was just for show.  The next mannequin model had white hair.  Brooke told Caroline that people don't really have white hair either.  Caroline said "nope, I know someone with white hair.  It is a boy (pause) he is a grandpa (pause) it is PawPaw!"  Later on the ride home Baylor Grace said, "I miss MaMaw and PawPaw."We told the girls that  we can Skype if they want and that we will see them soon.

It was a great weekend and I realize that nothing will be the same.  Yes, things are changing, things will be different, but that doesn't mean they will be worse.