Looking Back

I have to admit that while doing my Project 365 blog is a lot of work, there are definitely some positive things that come out of it. Like this post. I saw this on someone else's blog and decided to copy it. I wanted to take a look back at what was going on in our lives on some significant dates in Neylan's life. Little did we know that while we were having fun here at home, our second child was entering the world.

On June 20, 2010 Neylan was born. This was actually Father's Day, which I think is pretty cool and special.

This was the only picture I had taken that day. Adam left to go out of town to chaperone at youth camp, but Grayson and I kept up the routine of going to the volleyball game that night so he could play outside. It was a beautiful summer day here.

I really hope we are able to bring Neylan home in time for Father's Day this year.

Just a few days later on June 23rd, Neylan was placed with his foster family. This was the only picture I took that day and made the comment that it was a very uneventful day for us. Little did I know how eventful it was for Neylan as he left the mother who graciously carried him to birth and then gave him up and was placed with a family who would take care of him until we are able to bring him home. We are so grateful for the care he is receiving and the love that is being shown him by his foster family. It makes the waiting a little easier knowing he is in good hands. 



We've Got It!!

I know, I know. I have been lazy in updating the blog since we made a final decision on our little one's name. But since yesterday was Korean American Day, it's a great time to reveal. I meant to post yesterday on the actual holiday, but forgot. So. . . . . .

Neylan Min-Seok

 is what he will be called. Neylan means "our wish has been granted" and Min-seok, his Korean given name, means "sturdy and bright".

I hesitate to even tell the story of how it came about, but it's fun and we will have to tell it eventually. So, I'll just put it out there. As you know we were having a really hard time with his name for some reason. I guess we should have been more prepared with a boy name just in case, but we weren't. So, I had to buy the book. This book has a bunch of different categories of names listed such as names of politicians, famous musicians, hillbilly names, artists, athletes, and on and on. I read through all of those and then came to the category "College football stadiums". And of course, Tennessee's stadium is listed, Neyland. I mentioned it out loud as a joke and Adam jumped all over it. He loved it. So, just to humor him, I turned to the back where all the names and meanings are listed to see if there was a better meaning. Neyland wasn't listed but Neylan, without the D, was. And it meant, "our wish has been granted". Adam was sold at this point. And I have to admit, I didn't mind the sound of it either. This was the first name that we both somewhat liked. We then learned that the stadium is correctly pronounced "knee-land" and our name is "nay-lan". So, they are similar, but do not sound the same. After thinking about it for several days, asking family their opinions, and saying it outloud, it has stuck. I also think it fits his picture. So, then I said, "our wish has been granted"? We started this process wishing for a girl. Adam's response-- MY wish was granted. I'm getting another boy!!

Oh, the Pressure!

The pressure to pick a name is big. I never thought it would be so hard. But this time around, we are having the hardest time. We didn't have another option or a second choice when Grayson was born. He was just going to be Grayson. I'm thinking it's been harder for me since I know what he looks like. We throw out a name and then look at his picture and know that it's not a good fit. So, the list of options got shorter and shorter. Not to mention that we both have worked with kids for over five years. Again, the list shortens because we can't name him the same name as one of our most dreaded kids. So, after going home for Christmas and having lots of pressure from family to name this little one, I gave in and bought this book. Adam and I had thrown around lots of names, but couldn't agree on ANY of them. I quickly found out that there are a lot more girl name options than boy names. I think I've read all of the options and we do think we have made a decision. Give me a few more days to think about it and then we will reveal.