Baby Favors and the "NAME" . . .

Me again . . . Just wanted to share some favors I made for those that came to visit Baby Asa in the hospital.  I used the Sizzix Pillow Box die.  Out of a 12 x 12 DP, I could get 4 boxes!  :)

The pillow box was the perfect size for the chocolate covered cookie.

Here's the end product . . . I added a band around the box and a little label introducing Baby's name. I blurred out the name because I added our last name to it.

I'm going to ramble here a bit.  If you don't want to read this, I won't feel hurt.  Just thought I'd explain how we chose Asa's name. 

ASA:  (ay-sah) . . . Azariah was the original Hebrew name of Abednego, who along with Shadrach and Meshach, was thrown into a burning furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar (see the book of Daniel 3 in the Bible).  The 3 men never wavered in their faith.  They emerged unscathed from the furnace.   

My husband and I wanted a shorter version of Azariah, but didn't like naming our son Aza (a-zah), thus changing the "z" to an "s".  Asa is also a Biblical name meaning "healer or physician".  We like them both.

Now, on to the middle name, DEAN.  My eldest son and daughter both have Hawaiian middle names.  My son took my husband's middle name and my daughter has my sister-in-laws middle name.  Click {HERE} to see my post about her.   Well, it just seems that in our case, when there is a new life, there is death.  I realize the whole cycle of life happening, but there is so much joy and yet so much tragedy.  I really wanted to carry on having a Hawaiian middle name for Asa, however, it was not the case here. 

Asa is named after my husband's cousin, Dean.  Dean (age: 46) is the first cousin out of 19 on my hubby's side of the family (hubby is #3).  They've always been close and share similar passions.  We also have a side business together renting out our condo on the Big Island.  In August, we found out that Dean has been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).  If you google CJD, you can find out more about this rare disease.  Here is a short version . . .

~ This is a disease that is a rare, degenerative, invariably fatal brain disorder. It affects about one person in every one million people per year worldwide; in the United States there are about 200 cases per year. CJD usually appears in later life and runs a rapid course. Typically, onset of symptoms occurs about age 65, and about 90 percent of individuals die within 1 year.

Dean's wife, Kathi, has been there right at his side making sure Dean gets the best care and making sure Dean continues to live life the way he's always lived life . . . enjoying family, friends, and all the things he loved doing when he was well.

Here is an article from the Oregonian on one of Dean Harvey's "many things to do" list.  Click {HERE}.

We are very honored and thrilled to have Asa carry Dean's name.  Dean is an amazing, giving, humble, and selfless person and we will have lots of stories to share with Asa about him. 

Thank you so much for sticking through this long post.  Have yourselves a Happy Thanksgiving!  Enjoy the time with your family and friends!  Also, stay safe if you're one of those that mob the malls for those great deals!  :)