What's in a name?

Names for us, like most parents, are very difficult to choose. We thought coming up with girls names were hard!!! But, when we found out we were having a boy-- we learned differently!







It took us almost nine full months to decide on Grace for a girl.  It is family tradition on Jenelle's side that the oldest girl has the middle name Kay.  As we were walking to the hospital to have Grace-- we had a conversation on definitely using the name Grace. We loved it's meaning, and how it is such an important part of our faith.  It was really the only girls name we could agree on.

Then we had Hazel.  Another girl. Back to the name drawing board.  And this time Grace wanted a say.
 And Chad got sick for a few months which stalled the talks.



















 Miraculously we all agreed on Hazel Rose.  We really liked Hazel because it went with Grace, and used Rose for Jenelle's Grandmother Bosler, who was Virginia Rose.


We were happy to hear we were having a boy-- no need to come up with a girl name!!! So we revisited our boys name-- Matthew.  Did we love it? Does it go with Grace and Hazel? What we thought was going to be super easy, turned out to be more of a challenge than we thought.







I wanted  to name our son after my dear friend, Matt, who died of Muscular Dystrophy.  He was my first best friend.  As a young girl I called him Math-me instead of Matthew (Matt-You).  It was one of the hardest losses to go through.  As I was wavering over the name, I think Chad knew how important this was for me, and insisted that Matthew was the way to go. Looking back now, I am so glad as I wouldn't have it any other way.

(Matt- 9, Karlee- 6, Jenelle-8)

Now we needed a middle name. I was insistent that we use a family name from Chad's side of the family.  We tossed around many suggestions, but ended up with Paul for Chad's maternal grandfather Paul Culbertson.   As Chad's students said, " So he's named after two dead people?" Sadly, yes. We wish they were still with us, but we are so glad to have our son carry on their names.








As a bonus-- Chad's middle name is Matthew, and it is also a biblical name, helping us hit a trifecta for the naming of our son.

Welcome to the world Matthew Paul. You are named for some great men and have big shoes to fill.



















"And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love;

with him I am well pleased.'" Matthew 3:17