Hey all. We had a long day today. It was rough, but Shane and I held hands and walked through it all together. We've cried, laughed, and shared with friends and family our most precious memories of Ave.
We wanted to extend a heartfelt invitation to ANYONE who would like to attend Avery's memorial service. It would be an honor for us to have each and every one of you celebrate her life with us. Feel free to wear whatever attire you are comfortable in. She would want us to have a joyous day! I will leave all the information about the service at the end of this post. Please join us, and we will continue to take refuge in all your prayers and comments. They truly carry us!!!
We will start visitation at 2pm (no open casket) and the service will begin at 3pm.
Pulaski Heights Baptist Church
2200 Kavanaugh
Little Rock, AR 72205
Lastly, many of you have asked what we need. There is no short answer for that but if you want, you can make donations to the Avery Mae Fund (button is on the right top of the blog). We plan to make a donation to Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) in Avery's name. Or, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to ACH in Avery's name.
Love to all- Carissa. Sorry, the date of memorial service is this Saturday: July 18,2009.
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I know today was tough. Glad your parents are in town to help. See you on Saturday. Keeping you all in our prayers and especially Kaitlyn... Blessings-Pat and Holli
ReplyDeletei remember the joy i had that i got to come home to my baby boy (travis was just 16 months when we had cana) and was able to pour all my love for my TWO babies onto just the one i had here. I often wonder how we'll talk about her when he's older..as she is still very much a part of our daily conversation. i always want him to be able to share about her, never afraid to mention or bring her up for fear of my pain or sorrow. That is something i see in you all (how? guess it's all grace!)...but i just continue to share with you my heart is with you and clinging to hope. With all we've got...cause it's all we've got.
ReplyDeleteif the tears i shed for your baby girl lightens the pain you feel, even for just that moment, i offer them up for you all. You are showing the world how faith endures, and mercy renews each morning! What a glory baby!
I am glad to hear that Avery is no longer in pain. The tone of this post is much different and more upbeat than your past few. It must lighten your load to know that she is healthy and happy now. I know that you will miss her but I admire your attitude of celebration of her life. I will pray for you during the funeral that you will continue to be filled with peace and comfort.
ReplyDeleteI am not good with words, but I really prayed for your family and my heart breaks for you. So glad that she is not hurting now. You are such a testamony of God's love shown here.
ReplyDeleteClaire
I said this before and I am saying it again, you guys are amazing. I will be thinking of you all and Avery during the service.
ReplyDeleteLove you all,
Dai
San Jose, CA
Shane and Carissa,
ReplyDeleteMy heart hurts for your family tonight. I know this has been difficult and I pray that God gives you peace only He can provide. I am thankful that our paths crossed and am thankful that Jaxon got to play with Kaitlyn in the waiting room. I will continue to lift your family up in prayer and know that God has wonderful plans for your family.
May God Bless You and Keep You,
Justin Windsor (Jocelyn's Dad)
Noble, OK
To my dearest friends....I love you with all my heart and am sending MANY cyber hugs your way. When I got your message last night, I said a prayer and shed some tears for your lil angel. She put up quite a fight and we are all so proud of her.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could be there to send her off on Saturday, but know I am with you in spirit. However, next week, next month, or whenevr you need some extra hands to hold, please don't hesitate! I will be on the next flight.
I am exceedingly proud of my friends...you are amazing people and awesome parents!!! All my love to you and God Bless
xoxoxo Lyns
You two are amazing. We will be there to celebrate Avery's life with you!
ReplyDeleteIs it possible for Shane to drive anything but a jeep? Well, I guess he did for a bit, but it sure didn't seem to fit him like the white jeep did.
Love you guys and see you soon. We'll be praying.
I really wish I could make it to the service. But, I will be thinking of your family while here in Ohio. You are continually in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I think he should name the jeep Avery. :)
I have been following your blog since you were pregnant. And the strength that you as a family have shown is so much to be admired! I know the CDH journey is a tough one. Our CHERUB is with us still going strong at three and a half. It pains me though to read/hear when a CHERUB has earned their wings. I pray for your family, and for Avery. I wish that I could attend the services, but unfortunatly, distance does become a factor! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank-you for sharing your journey, and I look forward to following the Keirsey's as they grow as a family!
My heart aches for the physical lost of your sweet little fighter but I can just tell by your words written that she is with you always and will be forever. Her strength, her fight, her beauty is in your hearts and in your souls. I pray you have a little more peace in your hearts each and every day. Avery is an inspiration. Thank you for allowing me to glimpse into the life of another ^angel^. God Bless!
ReplyDeleteYou have been in my prayers since the day Avery was born. I am one of your Mom's co workers from Calvary Preschool in Colo Spgs.
ReplyDeleteI pray that all of you will find peace and wisdom from this road that you have traveled.
May God be with you.
Kathy Fiedler
You all are amazing, I have had the most wonderful lessons of loving, learning, and losing with you!
ReplyDeletehttp://bumpkinonaswing.blogspot.com/2009/07/amazing-fight.html
Lisa aka The Bumpkin
Ocean Springs, MS
God love you and your family. We know you from your blog and Shawn and Steph in Tx. Know that you are a part of every thought and prayer that we have at this time. May you feel the arms of God around you at this time and bring you comfort and peace. You have so many people praying for you that you don't even know. Hopefully, you will feel the love and prayers on Saturday. God bless you and yours.
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
The Overstreets from Plano, Tx.
There is no shortage of things that I want to express to you dear friends, but the most important is that I am so honored to count you as my friends - Avery was truly blessed to be your earth angel for these past nine weeks and God has her safely in His arms now until you go home to her one day. Please know that my heart will be with you on Saturday as you celebrate your sweet girl. Call when you can - I love you so much.
ReplyDeleteam giving thanks tonight that Avery is up in Heaven, sitting with God, looking down on you all and knowing how LOVED she is.
ReplyDeleteAvery Mae put up a good fight,but is now safely in the arms of God. She will forever be in my memories. What a gal!!!
ReplyDeleteLilly's Nannie
We are looking forward to celebrating Avery's life on Saturday with you. I thank God that you are able to lean and find strength in each other.
ReplyDeleteOh no, I'm so sorry :(
ReplyDeleteI haven't been on Blogger for about a week, because we got married and then everything got really chaotic, but I was thinking of little Avery, and I'm so sad to hear of her passing.
I haven't read all of your recent posts yet, but I'm sure you all did everything you could to keep your little star shining.
She will be at peace, and I hope that in time, your family can be too. Sending you all so much love and good thoughts.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletePraying for you & Shane in this difficult time! I know Avery is in the best place now, but it's so hard loosing anyone. My prayers are that you will find peace and comfort during this time.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI envy your strength right now. I have prayed and prayed for her and know that God is holding her close in His arms. I wish we could be there for the service. Please know that we are there in spirit.
ReplyDeleteWith love and prayers,
Stephanie
I am so glad you are holding your head high and looking at the memories and celebrating her life. She is playing with all the baby angels and will be looking down on you everyday. God Bless You and thank you for letting me be a part of your journey. I am a fellow CDH MOm Claire is my world as Avery is yours.
ReplyDeletePeace and Love-
Ashley jackson
Baton Rouge,LA
I will be there with you in spirit. God bless your family.
ReplyDeleteTammy from Ohio
We so praise the LORD with you and celebrate her new life...but share in your grief also. We DO pray God's comfort will increase as you experience this great loss. Love and miss you guys, look forward to seeing you soon. The Dudley's
ReplyDeleteDear Kiersey Family,
ReplyDeleteGod's plan is at work and he will continue to give you comfort. She is a precious little angel and will always be a special part of your lives. Thoughts and prayers continue from our family to yours. She is no longer suffering and that is a blessing too.
Love, The Grantzes in Co Springs
I just want you guys to know how very much I love you all! My heart was broken when I heard the news. I wanted to call but I had little to no service where I was at but just know that you never left my thoughts and prayers. I will see you on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteKristin
We will be thinking of you guys this Saturday from Portland. Lots of love.
ReplyDeleteDustin and Lindsey
I am so saddened to learn of Miss Avery's passing. She will be dearly missed by all. You should be so proud of her and all that she was able to fight through. She was tired and ready to go home, ready for no more pain and suffering. You know are precious Father will take very good care of her. I hope you always remember the love you felt for her and her legacy will live on in your hearts always. You both are stronger than you think. You will make it through all of this. I will continue to pray for you guys. I will miss hearing about little Avery. My heart goes out to you guys. No parent should ever have to bury their child.
ReplyDeleteI am continuing to pray for your sweet family. I wish I could come to the funeral but as I can't, I will be thinking of Avery during that time and praying for you.
ReplyDeleteDear Carissa, I will be there in spirit!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Fer
I admire you both for your strength and courage during this difficult time. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteWarmest regards,
Alison Hoffman
I am thinking of you this afternoon as you get ready for the service. Please know that prayers of support continue, as you walk through this day and beyond. May God Bless You and Keep You.
ReplyDeleteI only recently found your blog and started following,,have been praying right along with everyone for sweet little Avery.She was born on my birthday so I kinda felt some connection to her.May you and your family find peace and comfort in the days ahead.Prayers & love from Florida.My sincere condolences are with you during these difficult times.
ReplyDeleteHi Carissa, my name is Erica and I'm friends with Aileigh. I just read her blog and she sent her readers over to your family's blog. I have just read through the last couple of weeks of your blogs and I cried with you. I'm sorry I didn't meet your family sooner, but just want you to know that as a Sister-in-Christ, I'm praying for you and your family.
ReplyDelete{{hugs}}