star light. star bright.

We have had the hardest time committing to a name for this baby girl.  It seems that with every child the naming process gets more difficult.  We each have different opinions, different likes and dislikes, plus we want to make sure that the name we do choose goes along with our other kiddos' names.  There were a few names that Jonathan had in mind that I was NOT a fan of.  There were a few of mine he wasn't even willing to consider, but there was always one.  The one, in fact.

I remember that Jonathan began liking this name while we were still dating.  He was working for a pediatric dentist at the time whose hygienist had a daughter with this name, and Jonathan was smitten with her.  She was cute as a button, and the name was so fitting for her.  To be honest, I wasn't the biggest fan of it at first, but we tucked it away, and with each pregnancy we've brought it up for discussion.  As soon as I became pregnant this time, that name was always on my mind for a girl.  But, we had some other big contenders, so nothing was set in stone.

Once we found out that we were definitely having a girl, Nora named the baby "Isabella."  Not that we don't like the name Isabella, but that was not really a name we were considering.  I told Jonathan that we needed to decide on a name quickly before Nora got really confused when one day we up and decided what it was going to be.  So, we asked Nora what she thought about the name we were seriously considering.  She said she liked it, and from that moment, the baby in my belly---her baby sister---has always been and always will go by that name.

Stella.

Stella Marie Bradshaw.

That's the first time I've typed out her whole name.  It's so weird to see it finalized and in black and white, but that's our precious baby girl's name, and we love it!

I've mentioned in previous posts that I am all about having family names as a part of each child's name.  Stella is obviously not a family name, but Marie is my middle name and is Jonathan's mom's middle name.  I was named Casey Marie after my father's grandmother, so the name Marie is very deep in our heritage.  Nora is named after Jonathan's Great Aunt Nora, and Liam is a derivative of William which is my grandfather's name and a family name on Jonathan's side.

Stella means "star" and although we have so many prayers for her little life, I pray specifically that she shines brightly for Jesus Christ.  I pray that the Lord saves her soul at a young age, calling him to herself and opening her eyes to a need for a Savior.  I pray that even as a small child she becomes aware of her maker, her Creator, and I pray that others will see the Eternal Light shining in her as she glorifies him with her life.

"He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names."  Psalm 147: 4

"Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!  Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!  Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! [. . .] Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created."  Psalm 148: 1-5

What a miracle that the God above who made all of the stars, the God that knows the exact number and placement of everyone, the God that calls each star by name...this God has given us this baby girl.  He knows the day she will arrive.  He knows the number of hairs on her head.

Stella Marie,
We love you so much already.  Bigger than space.  And we can't wait to meet you.