Named

Naming children really is not as easy an endeavor as I used to think. I know so many of us girls have had our children's names picked out since we were seven years old. Inevitably, that changes for a lot of us when it actually comes time to pick the name that will follow your child around for the rest of his or her life. Naming Nora seemed so easy. Before we even knew whether she was a boy or girl, we had a first and middle name for both genders: Nora Kathryn and David Leland. This time, however, was a totally different story. Jonathan and I really couldn't agree on anything for the longest time, so we finally came to the point that we decided not to even discuss names until we found out the gender. Truly, I don't know where Jonathan was coming up with some of the names he liked. And, like a sellout, names we had always liked and discussed as potentials were suddenly on his dislike list. I was so confused. Who was this?

Naming our children after family is so beautiful to me. I love the idea of carrying on the legacy of our family through these new lives, so we try to include a family name in some way. Nora is named after Jonathan's Great Aunt Nora. I never met her as she passed away before I came into the picture, but for years I have heard stories of Aunt Nora's beauty and love for children and love for the Lord. What an honor to have such a rich heritage! Kathryn is just a name we really like and thought fit perfectly. Jonathan and I love Nora's name.

As soon as we saw the proof that this baby was a boy, he was named. The name is a family name, sort of, and it's one that I have always loved. Jonathan wasn't always a fan of the name, but somewhere along the way he changed his mind. I swear, I didn't bribe or manipulate him. It just fits. I will confess that it took me a couple of weeks before I began referring to him as his name. Part of that, I believe, is because I was in shock for a while about having a boy. I am so excited, but boys seems so unknown by me. It will definitely be a learning experience!

So, our little boy that is due in less than 40 days will be named:

Liam Piper Bradshaw.

I love the name Liam! It is an Irish form of the name William. I love the name William actually. First of all, it is a family name, on both sides! Score for the team! It's my paternal grandfather's middle name and it's a grandfather's name in Jonathan's family, too. Secondly, William has such great potential in nicknames, which to be honest, not all names have. He could be called William, Will, Liam, Bill, and I am sure there are more I am not thinking of. Liam definitely struck my fancy a few years back, and I have wanted to use it in some way. I really liked the idea of naming him William but calling him "Liam." However, Jonathan thinks that whole concept is confusing. "What you call him is what you should name him." I see his point, but I don't necessarily agree that it's confusing. So, Liam it is! It's a good, strong name which means "determined warrior." Very masculine.

Piper we chose after pastor John Piper. What a godly man! John Piper, for those who don't know, is an author and pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN. I cannot even begin to tell you how much he has influenced our lives and our Christian walk. Jonathan, especially, has benefited from the wisdom and teaching of Dr. Piper. One interesting fact is that when Jonathan and I met way back when in college, we both happened to be reading the same devotional by John Piper titled A Godward Life. We were even able to attend a Desiring God conference this past September, which is a conference put on my Dr. Piper's ministry. It was such a wonderful, rich experience that we were so blessed to experience together, just a few weeks after finding out we were pregnant with Liam. What a legacy for our little man to have. When Liam is old enough, we will be able to share with him the teaching and truth that John Piper so passionately and uncompromisingly preaches.

So, there it is folks. It won't be long until we are blessed to hold Liam Piper Bradshaw in our arms. We are so excited and are greatly anticipating his arrival!