since ivy ann was born we have gotten lots of surprised responses over the fact that we did not stick to another 'e' name. the simple answer to why is that we didn't like any 'e' names enough to use them. if we had, we would probably have stayed with the trend. but none of the 'e' names that we came up with quite seemed to fit.
i first came up with the name ivy because eden and i spent the spring reading slowly and luxuriously through the secret garden. the chapters where the entire manor is awaiting spring with bated breath were so acutely relatable to me. i was in a season of cold and dark and sickness, but there was a promise of coming life. as we read about all the life taking over the moor during the spring, the word 'ivy' caught my eye. and it just stuck. and i loved that it reminded me of reading with eden, a treasured part of our daily rhythm. and of our love for nature and all the beauty that unfolds from season to season. robert was not quick to latch on to the idea of ivy, so i promised him i would keep thinking of other names. but, as many of you know, when a name gets its teeth into you, sometimes you just can't escape it. she was ivy to me.
ann, the second part of her first name, is a nod to my mother, who was elizabeth ann neal before she married the man. and to my sister, who is elise leighann. i could not decide initially if i was ok with two of our girls having double first names and one not. but, if you know eden, then you know she is a one-name force of nature. like elvis, or madonna, or prince. girl does not need more than one name.
irema, which is her middle name, is rwandan. it was always important to me that my girls have names that were familiar to both of their families. even now, eden and etta mae are frequently called by their rwandan names, both in our home and by their rwandan friends and family. this brings me so much joy. the name irema refers specifically to God's creative power. and since ivy ann irema is the one child that we took no intentional part in attempting to create, i loved the idea of a nod at His power to create with or without our consent. according to, or in conflict with our best laid plans. thank God He knew his creative power was not done working in our family.
ann, the second part of her first name, is a nod to my mother, who was elizabeth ann neal before she married the man. and to my sister, who is elise leighann. i could not decide initially if i was ok with two of our girls having double first names and one not. but, if you know eden, then you know she is a one-name force of nature. like elvis, or madonna, or prince. girl does not need more than one name.
irema, which is her middle name, is rwandan. it was always important to me that my girls have names that were familiar to both of their families. even now, eden and etta mae are frequently called by their rwandan names, both in our home and by their rwandan friends and family. this brings me so much joy. the name irema refers specifically to God's creative power. and since ivy ann irema is the one child that we took no intentional part in attempting to create, i loved the idea of a nod at His power to create with or without our consent. according to, or in conflict with our best laid plans. thank God He knew his creative power was not done working in our family.
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