The Revelation (you know, the one after Jude)

So I've being mulling over for weeks how I'd write this post. (I know I'm ridiculous!!) And I'm terribly sorry that Tuesday just happens to be my busiest day of the week! I'm just now getting to your 26 comments (or more) that I was behind on!! I hope this post does not disappoint!!

I'm so sure you've already figured out our little guy's name...or at least close to it. According to the comments, many of you knew the right letters to fill in. The debate seemed to be over Brendan and Brennan. I hate to reward someone who made a guess at the full name, because according to the rules, that's cheating!!! Sorry for all of you who would have guessed!! Way to go to those who DID guess his name!!

So here it is...
the moment you've ALL been waiting for
(and us too!!!)
Our newest little one is...

B R E N N A N

E Z E K I E L

E S T E S

Oh I just love the sound of that!!! I already love this little one with SO much of my heart!! Who knew you could love your second baby as much as your first!! I just didn't think my heart was big enough!!

So on to the explanation...

This man. This friend. This brother.
Brandon Rogers
is Brennan's Namesake. *
We hope and pray that Brennan can look to Brandon as a wonderful example of godliness and humility. We pray he learns to speak the truth in love and with boldness the way Brandon does. We pray that Brennan's story is too filled with MUCH grace and MUCH passion for community and obedience. And I, especially, pray God gives him an incredible WIFE like Bethan!!

Brandon and his Lovely, Bethan, have been a HUGE gift to us. They've sharpened us in deep places and helped us grow up out of hurt and sin. What a precious gift we have in this couple.

They stood in our wedding and us in their's too!
The beautiful bride, Bethan, and me (very, very pregnant with Jude)

Oh how we wish you could be at the hospital with us for Brennan too!!

Here are Brandon and Bethan loving on a VERY little Jude.
So weird that they look alike and...wait. They're not even related!!

Sweet Bethan loved on a crying Jude so often and with so much patience!
I'll never forget that date night to Christopher's (and I'm sure she won't either!!)!!
Somehow we ended up with pictures of both of them with Jude,
but SO FEW with all four of us!! So sad!

In addition...
There seem to be many meanings for the name Brennan, but we chose it with the meanings “Brave” and “Prince” in mind. His middle name, Ezekiel, means “God will Strengthen”. We love the book of Ezekiel for a few reasons, namely how jealous God is for His glory among Israel. We’re praying these character passages over our Brennan Ezekiel…

Ezekiel 2:1-8
He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet and I will speak with you.” As he spoke to me, a wind came into me and stood me on my feet, and I heard the one speaking to me.
He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the house of Israel, to rebellious nations who have rebelled against me; both they and their fathers have revolted against me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and hard-hearted, and you must say to them, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says.’ And as for them, whether they listen or not – for they are a rebellious house – they will know that a prophet has been among them.
But you, son of man, do not fear them, and do not fear their words – even though briers and thorns surround you and you live among scorpions – do not fear their words and do not be terrified of the looks they give you, for they are a rebellious house! You must speak my words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.
As for you, son of man, listen to what I am saying to you:
Do not rebel like that rebellious house!
Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.”

Ezekiel 3:17
“Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you must give them a warning from me.

Brennan Ezekiel Estes,
we pray that you are a
Brave Prince whom God will Strengthen!

Thank you for sharing in our JOY!!

MUCH love!
And thanks again Mom for the fun!!

* Even though not exactly the same, Brennan was chosen
as a similar name to Brandon as a namesake.

The Name Game- Round 3

We're getting closer!!
After this post we should have some pretty obvious guesses!!

The Name Game
(Because my Mom is a superhero)


Get caught up!


first name:

B R E __ __ A __


middle name:

E __ E __ I E L


Incorrect Guesses:

J, S, O, T

Thanks for being so excited with us!!!

The Name Game- Round 2

This is getting so totally exciting!! Craziness!

So I'm giving in and saying that we'll go ahead and do 2-3 posts in 24 hrs! You people are just SO fun!! I'm such a softy. I went ahead and did FOUR guesses on this one!

Besides, I think Kaye is developing a hernia trying to hold in her excitement! We would want this mother of two to be bedridden now would we???

Here goes...

THE Name Game:
(Way to go Mom!!)
If you missed the first post, click here or here to get updated or in on the game!!



first name:

B R __ __ __ A __


middle name:

__ __ __ __ I __ L


Incorrect Guesses:

J , S


Keep up the fun!!

Just a funny,
Lindsee guessed the name Bandele!
Haha!!
She said it means "born away from home"!!
Don't you love it? Too bad we didn't think to name him that earlier!!
If you're pregnant and need a baby name, this one is TOTALLY up for grabs!!

The Name Game- Round 1

Well, my sister's really have made this game fun!! They may be literally standing on their heads waiting for this post to be published!

A Name Game:
If you missed the first post. Click here and get in on the game!!

first name:
B __ __ __ __ __ __

middle name:
__ __ __ __ __ __ L



Incorrect Guesses:
J

Happy guessing!!

Let the Games Begin!

Here's our Little Guy!
(profile view with his hand up at his chin)

A Name Game:
(read the rules first please!)

first name:
__ __ __ __ __ __ __

middle name:
__ __ __ __ __ __ __

So my mom came up with this great idea for revealing our lil' one's name!
It's kinda a mix between hangman and wheel of fortune!

Here's the gist (yep, that's how you spell it!):
-The object is to guess ONE letter of the name at a time, until (obviously) you collectively fill in the blanks and the name is revealed!
-Simply post a comment with a guess and...
-After your comment has been acknowledged and the letter has been filled in or rejected, you can make another suggestion!
-This could go pretty fast, so we'll slow it down by taking comments in sets of 3 or less. Don't hesitate to comment, we'll just post a new post with the progress and add your's in with the next round!
-I'll keep a list going of "rejected" letters just below the name blanks.
-Because of the time difference, there could be some delay in acknowledging/ responding to your guesses...so please be patient with us! At the end, we'll tell the how's and why's of this kiddo's name!

Here are some rules:
1. Only one guess per person at a time. After your letter has been approved or disapproved, you can make another guess. (We've got to keep this interesting people!)

2. Please don't spoil it and guess the whole name at once!

3. Again, don't hesitate to comment! We'll take the comments in sets of 3's (or less) so that you can see the progress!

Happy Guessing!!

(Remember, it's a boy!)