What's in a Name?

Naming a kid is HARRRRD!  I mean H.A.R.D!!!!

Seriously...I have trouble making decisions as it is.  In fact, sometimes I buy two different scents of deodorant because I can't make up my mind.  And when I can't decide what to order off the menu at a restaurant?  I number them in my head and tell Caleb to pick a number.  That's how I make my choice!

Crazy, huh?

So when it comes to naming my children, imagine how confused my brain is!

Caleb and I love how names in the Bible were adjectives.  They described who that person was...which is why people were given new names.  So when we were pregnant with Mia Jubilee, we asked the Lord who she was.  After all...He was the only one who knew her at this point.  Long story short, He gave us the perfect name for who she is.  Mia (she belongs to Him)  Jubilee (JOY). (some people also say she is "my joy")  If you ask anyone who knows her to describe her in one word, 9 out of 10 people will say "joyful".

Fast forward to January.  We find out we are pregnant with Baby #2!  Uh oh...time to choose another name!

Over the past several months, I have spent a lot of time asking Abba who this sweet baby is, what her life is going to be like in the Kingdom, and what I should call her.  One of the first pictures I got (even before we knew the gender) was of a warrior up on a hill with all of the soldiers looking to him for direction.  They trusted their leader and were ready to follow.  I heard the word "peace" and felt like this baby was going to be a light in the darkness.  I also felt like this baby was royalty within the Kingdom...a son/daughter of the King!  From all of this, I totally thought we were having a boy, so when we found out we were having a girl, I was confused.

Over and over again we have received words from countless people about this baby and her wild personality, relationship with the Spirit, and even that she is a warrior.

A couple weeks ago we decided on the name "Lucy" for several reasons: it is cute, means light, and sounded good with Mia.  haha  Everyone LOVED it when I shared her name, but for some reason I just didn't have a total 100% peace about this name.

On Sunday though, I felt like I was supposed to ask the Lord what her name was again.  I immediately saw the name "Ellie".  So I googled the meaning and look what it said:

Noble, exalted;

Sun ray, shining light;

Other, foreign;

Famous warrior

Doesn't this make you smile? :)  I waited until Caleb woke up from his nap, shared the new name and meaning with him, and he agreed...This baby's name should be Ellie. :)

But what about a middle name?  AHHHHH!!!!  

Before I even said anything, Caleb said "I still really like 'Grace' for a middle name."  You see people...my middle name was 'Grace' before I got married, and I LOVED it!  Plus, the meaning of it is wonderful.

Caleb often talks about how sometimes when we are too familiar with something, it loses its power and umph.  I totally agree.  'Grace' is a common middle name, but full of power!

Several years ago at Engage, a bible study for 20 somethings, I heard someone speak about how the meanings of MERCY and GRACE are often misused.  To put it simply though, MERCY is where God has brought us FROM...GRACE is where He has brought/and is bringing us to.  Get it?  GRACE is the "above and beyond". :)  love it!

So there you have it...

Ellie Grace

is 'more than likely' our baby's name!

This is a long post, but this has been a LONG process.  There is even SO MUCH MORE to this story!  I can't wait to share it with Ellie when she gets older!

So what are the stories behind YOUR kids' names?  I know some of your stories, but I would LOVE to hear others!  Family name?  Sounded cool?  Named after a star?  Awesome meaning?  Share it!!!!