what's in a name?

So that's the million dollar question. At least at our house, it is. Our children have been relentless about naming the little prince. They've asked often when he would have a name and why we were waiting so long to settle on it. We kept putting them off. I mean, we've wanted to include the kids in the process. All the while, we knew the decision would fall on our shoulders instead of theirs. But we felt like it was a good thing to flesh it out with them. And boy did they want to be included!

Their top suggestions, in no particular order, were...

D@rth Maul

William "Will"

Nolan

Captain Jack Sp@rrow

Lincoln

Jackson

James

D@rth Vader

You can see our dilemma, yes?

We did consider a couple of these but for some reason or another, quickly dismissed them as being a possibility. Still, we had no real direction. Jase and I had a name in mind and had really been praying about it specifically. It was one with a great deal of personal meaning for us and others. But in the end, we came to the conclusion that it wouldn't be best...for us or for the others. So we let it go.

But that put us back to square one. Seth's name came so easily really. We both loved it from the minute we discussed it. This time is different. I will probably get all of that out here in a post sooner or later but I'm just not up for it yet. :)

So we had a short list. We wanted something more timeless. Not a top ten name or one that a ton of other little boys his age may have. A couple of weeks ago, I brought the short list to bed and we worked through them one by one. And we came to a decision. A decision we feel great about and really love.

Our little prince's first name means "strong man of God". Oh that that would prove true someday. That is our most earnest prayer for all of our children...that they would be people of faith in Jesus.  So we felt that this was a fitting start.

Both the first and the middle names are biblical, which we didn't necessarily set out to do. Of our three babies at home, only Joel has a biblical name. But the middle one was easy to choose. It just seemed like the right thing to do. It means "appointed" or "placed". I love that. And once we said them together, it just fell into place. Sooo...

The little prince is to be now and forever known as our precious Gabriel Seth R....

He is strong.  He has endured much in his short and sweet life. {Here} We hope that he will be granted strength of spirit though as he grows and is taught about the Lord and His Word. Strength in faith and strength of character.

He has been placed. Placed in our hearts. Placed in our family. We anticipate with joy the day he will be placed in our home.

And we pray that he has been appointed unto salvation and that he will indeed be a strong man of God.

What's in a name?

A whole, whole lot.

This image was taken {10.30.2011} just eleven days before his brother and namesake would trade a sick heart for a whole one, and a fallen world for a perfect one. Even then, before we knew he existed, he was our Gabe. Our beauty from ashes. We are blessed. 

Hang on sweet boy! We'll be there as soon as we can!