Ethan Asher Conner

Let me just tell you there are so many names out there! Sadly though, Craig and I had a name picked out like a month ago, okay maybe like two months ago....  We both love "E" and "C" names, so ever since we found out I was pregnant, we have been mulling over name choices. I know your are probably thinking we will be those people that send out Christmas cards and our whole family will have "E" or "C" names... and you will want to gag yourself. haha. Well, let's be real it just might happen, so don't judge us! But i give you free reign to make fun of us!

On a serious note, one of my old mentors Stephanie Qualls talked to me one time about the importance of the meaning behind a name, and why her and her husband decided to look at names that they not only  liked but that had a deeper significance, so that they could pray over their child based on the specific meaning of their name.  That really resonated with me, so Craig and I were on a mission to find an "E" or "C" name that had a special meaning as well! We officially decided on Ethan Asher Conner! Ethan means strong, firm, optimistic, and enduring, while Asher means fortunate, blessed, and happy!  Both names are Hebrew, and Ethan in the Old Testament was a member of David's court and wrote Psalm 89. The first part of the psalm says, 

               

  "I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.  I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself."

We pray that our little Ethan will grow up to be a man who deeply knows the Lord's love and faithfulness in a way that will bring hope and light to others! The Lord has already used Ethan to deepen our understanding of the Lord's deep and committed love for us, so I can't begin to fathom how He will use Ethan to share love with so many others! 

It's a Boy!

  As our first blog, we thought it fitting to announce we are having a little baby boy! After a cancelled appointment two weeks ago, we have been reeling with anticipation and excitement to find out the sex of our baby, and today we did! We officially knew the baby was a boy when the ultrasound tech announced, "Look there is his little turtle!" Hilarious! I'm sure he will blush every time he hears that story when he is older!

  Craig and I were completely overjoyed to see our little man today! We watched the monitor in awe as  our little one moved around in my belly! He yawned, kicked, and even sucked his thumb for us...so precious! The 3D/4D ultrasound was incredible! We could see his eyes, nose, ears, fingers, and toes. It is so hard to believe that after only 20 weeks God has created such an intricate precious human being .  We truly feel thankful and blessed! We spent most of the day talking about him and dreaming about him, and we even bought him his first Cardinals t-shirt...Pujols of course! The first of many, I'm sure.

   Today was such a great blessing!  As I sit here reflecting on it, I am amazed at the many ways God has already been using our little baby boy to teach us and love on us! Craig and I have both been learning so much during this season of pregnancy about deepening our trust in God's unwavering character! So many fears and circumstances have pulled at us to try to take away our joy in this season, but the Lord keeps showing us that we must put our hope in Him, not in fear or circumstances because there will always be things to fear. I truly feel so much more aware of the Lord's presence in my life through this little one! I can't believe there are only 4 more months until we get to meet our little guy! That blows my mind! 

   We are excited to see what the rest of this pregnancy journey will bring, and we feel so blessed to have incredible friends and family to walk alongside us in the process! We love you!