In case you're wondering...
I did a post last year about the title of our blog. Just click to see how the kids got their nicknames.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query nicknames. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query nicknames. Sort by date Show all posts
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Friday, February 22, 2008
the nicknames
I realized I never explained the title of this blog and where the nicknames came from, so just in case you're wondering...
Carter has loved baseball most of his life. I'm not making this up, I promise! From the time he was a baby he would be captivated by MLB on TV. He used to whine himself to sleep up until about 7 months. If I would swaddle him and lay him in front of baseball...absolute silence.
We posed him with the predictable hats, gloves, and balls as a new- born, like many parents of little boys do with their favorite sports/ teams. Our family loves baseball and it's a fairly good guess he'll like it in some form. Little did we know...
We took him to his first game when he was 16 months old. We are
so fortunate to have a brand new minor league stadium in Greensboro. Go Hoppers! It is a beautiful place, like something out of a movie. He was captivated for a full 9 innings. He watched like it was the greatest thing he'd ever seen. He couldn't get enough. We continued to go all summer long. We were all sad when fall rolled around. We played a lot of baseball in the living room that winter. He's actually a natural at catching
and hitting. He was thrilled to get a t-ball set for Christmas and was whacking those balls in no time. We used to laugh because his throwing accuracy was so good we often got pegged in the head with balls because he'd initiate a game without warning.
Fast forward to 3 yrs old. We've enjoyed several more summers with the Grasshoppers. (We are such devoted fans, we took Julia
to her first game at only 4 days old!!) Highlights for Carter- getting a foul ball caught by the man sitting behind us, getting Hoppers souvenir "bases" to add to our living room games (this was the beginning of learning "the rules"), the addition of Babe the precious black lab who retrieves the bats, and the pinnacle...getting to run the bases 
after the game. He was one of the first kids in line to do it and ran around, little legs chugging like the Energizer bunny. He was lapped many times, but made it- running the whole way and slid into home. He was bursting with excitement and wanted to do it again. He was able to get at the end of the line and be the last kid around. Timmy "the Y turtle" ran with him, and Hopper and Gigi cheered him on the whole way. He smiled for days- he was actually glowing afterwards :) My heart bursts just remembering it. I can still see those tan little legs, shoes covered in red dirt, dusty brown hair lost in his cap- so proud of himself!
We discovered, almost by accident that the YMCA in High Point starts tee ball at 3 yrs old. We signed him up and he was the big man on campus. He couldn't wait to start. The coaches and parents thought he was the cutest thing. The smallest kid on the field by a long shot, yet he knew all the rules, "coached" the other kids, lined up all the bats 
and helmets behind the plate, and took the whole thing very seriously. It was a great first season (except those last few games when it was 104 degrees!) and he was so sad when it was over. "What do you mean no more baseball- no Hoppers, no tee-ball?!" It was sad day..... then came the Boston Red Sox and the day Carter "met" Big Papi. We were at an out of town wedding with the fam and Carter had headed down to Mimi and Grandpa's hotel room for a visit. Grandpa was watching ESPN- I know big shocker for those of you that know him :) Maybe it's better to say Grandpa was watching only one game at the time and Carter climbed up to find out more and began to ask questions. Grandpa happily obliged with lots of answers and mentioned Big Papi was up to bat next and he 
hits home runs. And what do you know- he did. Next at bat, same thing. Carter was sold! The kid that remembers everything was never forgetting his baseball lesson that day. He continued to 
bring up The Red Sox and Big Papi on a daily basis, so we started watching the games. And what do you know, the Red Sox kept winning. He was hooked. It doesn't get any better when you're 3 years old to have your hero do such a great job. Our backyard games took on a new tune as Carter would announce he was "Big Papi" up to bat. he probably weighs about as much as Big Papi's bat!! His imitation and confidence made us laugh every time. We started calling him Little Papi. It was a big day for him when the Stone's (some purebred Bostonian friends :) , 
brought him an Ortiz jersey from their trip) He was elated. The admiration continued and in history-shattering fashion, the Red Sox won the World Series. There's nothing better to a 3 yr old (if you know one, you know how hooked they are on being the best and being the winner)- we couldn't have scripted it any better. Around the same time, Daddy got a Wii for his birthday and the game MLB Power Pros. It has all of this year's teams (in animation) for you to control and play with. Carter knows the Boston lineup like they're the kids down the street. And he clobbers team after team- usually scoring around 22 or so runs- in baseball!! And so the nickname. We have a deep love for Boston around here, don't worry Dad we cheer for the Phillies, too. But this little guy loves Boston through and through and always will :)
And as for Miss Julia. It just happens with little girls, I guess. Especially when they're your second. You look at your firstborn, your "baby" and this new child is just so tiny. It's so natural to call them "punkin". It's a nickname close to my heart, too. When I was a nanny for the years before kids. Sweet little Ally was such a tiny thing. Six pounds from the start, 12lbs at a
year and still wearing some of her newborn-sized clothes when she was walking! We had a very special bond and will always be close. She was my first "punkin" in all her "tinyness" and I just had to share the name with little Julia. So it is for Julia, though most often everyone in the house calls her JuJu Punkin (her full name, I guess).
...just in case you were wondering...
Carter has loved baseball most of his life. I'm not making this up, I promise! From the time he was a baby he would be captivated by MLB on TV. He used to whine himself to sleep up until about 7 months. If I would swaddle him and lay him in front of baseball...absolute silence.
We posed him with the predictable hats, gloves, and balls as a new- born, like many parents of little boys do with their favorite sports/ teams. Our family loves baseball and it's a fairly good guess he'll like it in some form. Little did we know...We took him to his first game when he was 16 months old. We are
so fortunate to have a brand new minor league stadium in Greensboro. Go Hoppers! It is a beautiful place, like something out of a movie. He was captivated for a full 9 innings. He watched like it was the greatest thing he'd ever seen. He couldn't get enough. We continued to go all summer long. We were all sad when fall rolled around. We played a lot of baseball in the living room that winter. He's actually a natural at catching
and hitting. He was thrilled to get a t-ball set for Christmas and was whacking those balls in no time. We used to laugh because his throwing accuracy was so good we often got pegged in the head with balls because he'd initiate a game without warning.Fast forward to 3 yrs old. We've enjoyed several more summers with the Grasshoppers. (We are such devoted fans, we took Julia
to her first game at only 4 days old!!) Highlights for Carter- getting a foul ball caught by the man sitting behind us, getting Hoppers souvenir "bases" to add to our living room games (this was the beginning of learning "the rules"), the addition of Babe the precious black lab who retrieves the bats, and the pinnacle...getting to run the bases 
after the game. He was one of the first kids in line to do it and ran around, little legs chugging like the Energizer bunny. He was lapped many times, but made it- running the whole way and slid into home. He was bursting with excitement and wanted to do it again. He was able to get at the end of the line and be the last kid around. Timmy "the Y turtle" ran with him, and Hopper and Gigi cheered him on the whole way. He smiled for days- he was actually glowing afterwards :) My heart bursts just remembering it. I can still see those tan little legs, shoes covered in red dirt, dusty brown hair lost in his cap- so proud of himself!
We discovered, almost by accident that the YMCA in High Point starts tee ball at 3 yrs old. We signed him up and he was the big man on campus. He couldn't wait to start. The coaches and parents thought he was the cutest thing. The smallest kid on the field by a long shot, yet he knew all the rules, "coached" the other kids, lined up all the bats 
and helmets behind the plate, and took the whole thing very seriously. It was a great first season (except those last few games when it was 104 degrees!) and he was so sad when it was over. "What do you mean no more baseball- no Hoppers, no tee-ball?!" It was sad day..... then came the Boston Red Sox and the day Carter "met" Big Papi. We were at an out of town wedding with the fam and Carter had headed down to Mimi and Grandpa's hotel room for a visit. Grandpa was watching ESPN- I know big shocker for those of you that know him :) Maybe it's better to say Grandpa was watching only one game at the time and Carter climbed up to find out more and began to ask questions. Grandpa happily obliged with lots of answers and mentioned Big Papi was up to bat next and he 
hits home runs. And what do you know- he did. Next at bat, same thing. Carter was sold! The kid that remembers everything was never forgetting his baseball lesson that day. He continued to 
bring up The Red Sox and Big Papi on a daily basis, so we started watching the games. And what do you know, the Red Sox kept winning. He was hooked. It doesn't get any better when you're 3 years old to have your hero do such a great job. Our backyard games took on a new tune as Carter would announce he was "Big Papi" up to bat. he probably weighs about as much as Big Papi's bat!! His imitation and confidence made us laugh every time. We started calling him Little Papi. It was a big day for him when the Stone's (some purebred Bostonian friends :) , 
brought him an Ortiz jersey from their trip) He was elated. The admiration continued and in history-shattering fashion, the Red Sox won the World Series. There's nothing better to a 3 yr old (if you know one, you know how hooked they are on being the best and being the winner)- we couldn't have scripted it any better. Around the same time, Daddy got a Wii for his birthday and the game MLB Power Pros. It has all of this year's teams (in animation) for you to control and play with. Carter knows the Boston lineup like they're the kids down the street. And he clobbers team after team- usually scoring around 22 or so runs- in baseball!! And so the nickname. We have a deep love for Boston around here, don't worry Dad we cheer for the Phillies, too. But this little guy loves Boston through and through and always will :)
And as for Miss Julia. It just happens with little girls, I guess. Especially when they're your second. You look at your firstborn, your "baby" and this new child is just so tiny. It's so natural to call them "punkin". It's a nickname close to my heart, too. When I was a nanny for the years before kids. Sweet little Ally was such a tiny thing. Six pounds from the start, 12lbs at a
year and still wearing some of her newborn-sized clothes when she was walking! We had a very special bond and will always be close. She was my first "punkin" in all her "tinyness" and I just had to share the name with little Julia. So it is for Julia, though most often everyone in the house calls her JuJu Punkin (her full name, I guess)....just in case you were wondering...
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Julia's Namesake Part 1
I have been holding this post in my heart for a long time now and I really want to share it with all of you...
I have written in the past about where the kids' nicknames originated, but never where their names came from- particularly Julia's.
When I was pregnant the second time, we found out after Christmas that we were having a girl. We had until May to choose a name. We had a long list we liked, but never could narrow it down and commit to just one. I kept saying I just want someone to tell me what her name is, I don't want to pick the wrong one. At the top of our lists was the name 'Julia'. And Carter told us a few times that his sister's name was 'Julia'. That name carried such special meaning to us...
Before Carter was even born I was a part of a weekly women's Bible study in a friends' home with women of all ages. It was in that group that I was blessed to meet Julia Middleton. Julia is one of those people whose presence illuminates a room- literally. Her laughter, compassion, love, and spirit are palpable. You can't help but be drawn to her and want to know what makes her tick. She is glowing with the love of Christ from every part of her being. Her Jesus water is splashing on everyone around her, all the time. I was actually visiting my mom in CA when Billy met Julia for the first time at a birthday party. He called me later that night and said, "I met the most amazing person tonight. Before I even knew her name I knew this was your friend Julia."
In 2000, at the age of 32, Julia went to the doctor with shortness of breath, expecting antibiotics. She was instead given the diagnosis of stage IV thymoma cancer in her chest. She was the picture of life and health and was told this intruder had taken over her body. She left that appointment with the obvious shock and sadness at the overwhelming battle ahead. Shortly after she heard a sermon about Abraham and God's request that he sacrifice his own son. Abraham had to fully rely on and trust God and step out the next morning in obedience, knowing he could not do this himself. This was how she had to face cancer. The Bible gives us many heroes of the faith...Noah, Stephen, Peter, Job....and God was with them always.
She had an epiphany while meditating on scripture...
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition; with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6 & 1Thess 5:16-18)
She realized that cancer was God's will for her life. It was her mission. She concluded, "I was excited about the prospect that my serious case of cancer was the way I was going to reach out and share the gospel. It was my course, my path. I was joyful and gave thanks!" And from that moment on she never turned back. She lived out every part of this verse- finding joy in everything, always giving thanks, relying on prayer, and fully accepting God's will for her life.
Julia had always wanted to witness to others in a big way, but (like so many Christians) never had. Now, she would do it. These verses became her life verses. She said she learned to trust in a God that was good and not in the goodness of life. And from the moment she made that decision Julia embraced her life in unimaginable ways. She lived out God's calling for her life. She fought her cancer with such grace and determination that what was initially a death sentence, gave her 7 years of amazing LIFE! She touched countless hearts and brought many to a real relationship with Christ in their own lives. Hallelujah! What a praise!
Sadly, for those of us who loved her, Julia's cancer took her life in September 2007 when she went home to be with Jesus- seven years after her original diagnosis. She endured so much with chemo, radiation, surgeries, infections, etc. But she lived so fully. Her Homecoming Celebration was one of the most powerful gatherings I have ever attended. Every person in that room felt intimately connected to Julia. She had the amazing power to give a piece of herself to everyone she met. But most importantly every person in that room felt closer to God because of Julia.
That is a life well-lived.
So many people wonder what God's purpose is for their life and what they should be doing. Julia knew with every fiber of her being what she was here to do and she did it, with gusto. I encourage you to visit the website her dear husband Mid set up with a collection of her speech notes, photographs, and her life celebration. I pray you see God's perfect work in her life through these memories and smile with the angels as you find out what a drive-by planting is :) Her sweet spirit continues to live in the hearts of so many and through these words, pictures, and memories.
And now our own Julia has a special angel watching over her helping to guide her through cancer. Little did we know when we chose that name that they would ever share this journey. Julia, thank you for your love, your example, your witness, and your inspiration. You have touched our lives and hearts forever and will always be a part of us.
...to be continued...
I have written in the past about where the kids' nicknames originated, but never where their names came from- particularly Julia's.
When I was pregnant the second time, we found out after Christmas that we were having a girl. We had until May to choose a name. We had a long list we liked, but never could narrow it down and commit to just one. I kept saying I just want someone to tell me what her name is, I don't want to pick the wrong one. At the top of our lists was the name 'Julia'. And Carter told us a few times that his sister's name was 'Julia'. That name carried such special meaning to us...
Before Carter was even born I was a part of a weekly women's Bible study in a friends' home with women of all ages. It was in that group that I was blessed to meet Julia Middleton. Julia is one of those people whose presence illuminates a room- literally. Her laughter, compassion, love, and spirit are palpable. You can't help but be drawn to her and want to know what makes her tick. She is glowing with the love of Christ from every part of her being. Her Jesus water is splashing on everyone around her, all the time. I was actually visiting my mom in CA when Billy met Julia for the first time at a birthday party. He called me later that night and said, "I met the most amazing person tonight. Before I even knew her name I knew this was your friend Julia."
In 2000, at the age of 32, Julia went to the doctor with shortness of breath, expecting antibiotics. She was instead given the diagnosis of stage IV thymoma cancer in her chest. She was the picture of life and health and was told this intruder had taken over her body. She left that appointment with the obvious shock and sadness at the overwhelming battle ahead. Shortly after she heard a sermon about Abraham and God's request that he sacrifice his own son. Abraham had to fully rely on and trust God and step out the next morning in obedience, knowing he could not do this himself. This was how she had to face cancer. The Bible gives us many heroes of the faith...Noah, Stephen, Peter, Job....and God was with them always.
She had an epiphany while meditating on scripture...
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition; with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6 & 1Thess 5:16-18)
She realized that cancer was God's will for her life. It was her mission. She concluded, "I was excited about the prospect that my serious case of cancer was the way I was going to reach out and share the gospel. It was my course, my path. I was joyful and gave thanks!" And from that moment on she never turned back. She lived out every part of this verse- finding joy in everything, always giving thanks, relying on prayer, and fully accepting God's will for her life.
Julia had always wanted to witness to others in a big way, but (like so many Christians) never had. Now, she would do it. These verses became her life verses. She said she learned to trust in a God that was good and not in the goodness of life. And from the moment she made that decision Julia embraced her life in unimaginable ways. She lived out God's calling for her life. She fought her cancer with such grace and determination that what was initially a death sentence, gave her 7 years of amazing LIFE! She touched countless hearts and brought many to a real relationship with Christ in their own lives. Hallelujah! What a praise!
Sadly, for those of us who loved her, Julia's cancer took her life in September 2007 when she went home to be with Jesus- seven years after her original diagnosis. She endured so much with chemo, radiation, surgeries, infections, etc. But she lived so fully. Her Homecoming Celebration was one of the most powerful gatherings I have ever attended. Every person in that room felt intimately connected to Julia. She had the amazing power to give a piece of herself to everyone she met. But most importantly every person in that room felt closer to God because of Julia.
That is a life well-lived.
So many people wonder what God's purpose is for their life and what they should be doing. Julia knew with every fiber of her being what she was here to do and she did it, with gusto. I encourage you to visit the website her dear husband Mid set up with a collection of her speech notes, photographs, and her life celebration. I pray you see God's perfect work in her life through these memories and smile with the angels as you find out what a drive-by planting is :) Her sweet spirit continues to live in the hearts of so many and through these words, pictures, and memories.
And now our own Julia has a special angel watching over her helping to guide her through cancer. Little did we know when we chose that name that they would ever share this journey. Julia, thank you for your love, your example, your witness, and your inspiration. You have touched our lives and hearts forever and will always be a part of us.
...to be continued...
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