4.21.2014

{what's in a name}

April 21, 2014

I have always loved names.
I've made lists for as long as I can remember of what names I would give to my children.
Nomi. 
{I was a young teenager trying desperately to avoid fitting into a mold.}
My second son was named Saylor for about two weeks when he lived in my uterus.

Ultimately, I ended up with 
Karli Blayne 
{She's named after my godfather.}
Drake William Elie 
{ He's named after Freddie's 2 grandfathers.}
Brant James Lee 
{ He's named after Freddie Thomas James and Freddie's parents- both who have Lee as a middle name.}
Aubree AnnaLynn
{She's named after my grandmother and my godmother.}

Their names are very significant to me.
Their first names are names that I liked. 
Names that settled into a place within me that just felt right.

I have always taught my children to treat their names with respect.
Especially their family name.
My boys need to be certain that they give that name to the right girl.
Their names are significant and special and important.
When their name is spoken, a thought will be come to mind.
It is important to make sure that those thoughts are honorable.

Maybe, they will do so much with their life here on earth 
that their names will live on like many others before them.
Abraham Lincoln.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Mother Theresa
Moses
Jesus.

But what if they don't?
Will their name fade away into history, 
etched only onto a headstone never to be spoken again?
I believe that no matter how long their names, 
or mine,
is spoken of here on earth
it will never sound as sweet or mean so much 
as when our name is called in Heaven!

I will hear Jesus present me to His Father one day by my name.

"Conquerors will march in the victory parade, their names indelible in the Book of Life. I'll lead them up and present them by name to my Father and his Angels." Revelation 3:5

4.07.2014

{fifteen}

April 7, 2014


  1.  i LOVE that i have a very fun and entertaining birth story to tell
  2. i LOVE that I KNEW you were a girl no matter what any ultrasound may or may not have said
  3. i LOVE that you have blue eyes, just like i prayed for
  4. i LOVE that you have way more self-confidence than i could ever pretend to muster
  5. i LOVE that you have a personal and strong relationship with GOD
  6. i LOVE that you trust me
  7. i LOVE how self-motivated and driven you are
  8. i LOVE that you are trustworthy and responsible
  9. i LOVE that you work hard for the things you want even though they don't come easily
  10. i LOVE that you call football uniforms costumes & correct anyone who calls a turn a spin
  11. i LOVE that you have grown into a girly girl who loves all things glittery & high heels
  12. i LOVE our relationship & i treasure you
  13. i LOVE when you put your feet in my bath and the talks that naturally follow
  14. i LOVE how wise you are beyond your years
  15. i LOVE the beautiful YOU that God so graciously has shared with me!
Happy Birthday, Karli!
{and many more}