FFF: Baby #2 Name Reveal

24 weeks along

I am so excited to announce that we have finally chosen a name for our baby girl!  Whenever we named Enoch, we took a whole weekend off for a retreat and used part of that time to focus on choosing names.  BUT we haven't had that luxury this time around, so we've been tossing around names in our spare moments, and we were finally able to choose one last weekend. {... and I am so pumped that I just couldn't help but post this as soon as I had it typed, so that's why there's another early FFF post.}   :)

For us, one of the most important factors in choosing a name is its meaning.  We want our children's names to be full of meaning and depth, and when possible, we like for their names to have some scripture attached to them that we feel like can give our kiddos encouragement and guidance in life.  One other thing we like to do with names is choose ones that can be conversation starters... usually this means slightly unique names that come from the Bible.  Enoch's name has generated plenty of conversations throughout his little life, and I always appreciate the open door it provides into discussing faith, God, the Bible, etc. with the people who are open to talking.

As I already mentioned, Hugh and I were pretty laid back with choosing baby girl's name this time around, talking about it here and there in our free, quiet moments.  I think I felt a little bit more of a rush to choose than Hugh though because after a week or so of talking about names, I had already picked out one that we had both initially liked and was starting to call her that in my head... haha!  {As a side note, this name actually did end up being the one we chose!}  In all honesty, choosing the middle name was the hardest for us, but finally, Hugh found a Scripture passage to tie the first and middle names together that we both loved, and that's what sold us.

"Karis" written in Greek

So, without further ado, since I'm sure you're  on the edge of your seat wondering what name we have chosen, our baby girl's name is Karis Grace Medal.  {pronunciation is like "Paris" only with a strong "k" sound at the beginning.}  "Karis" means "grace" in Greek {the language the New Testament was written in}, and we both feel like grace is such a tremendous part of the gospel that we loved the idea of naming our baby girl Karis {not to mention that we both love the way it sounds and how unusual it is}.  

Now you may be wondering why we are naming our baby girl "Grace Grace" {because in essence that's what it is..}, well that was one of my biggest hang-ups too, for a while.  But Hugh kept insisting that "Grace upon grace" was a good name.  And, when he showed me this passage, I was also convinced {focus on verse 16}!!

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.  (John 1:14-16)

Well, there you go.  That's how we decided on the name Karis Grace for our second born child.  I am so thankful to have a husband who is willing to choose a name with me and who also enjoys the process as much as I do!  We are so excited to welcome little Karis into the world in May, and we'd love for you to call her Karis even now when you think, talk, or pray about her.  :)