The story of Grace's name

We've had several questions asked regarding Grace's name. Great questions. I'll start with letting you know that Grace is not her given name. We struggled a lot with what to do about her name. I don't want to go into a lot of details...some are private and we want to respect privacy of others as well.


I can tell you that it wasn't that we didn't like her given name. It is a beautiful name. It just didn't quite seem to fit. Can't explain it.

It was very hard. We visited with our social worker, read in a few books, researched online, etc. It is one thing to change a name of an infant, but a toddler? There are very few publications dedicated to toddler adoption, so good information was hard to come by.


In the end, we chose to change her name.

She is truly our 'Amazing Grace'. Her story - and how much it parallels Carson's - is an amazing story. She's beaten the odds. Many times over. It is through God's grace that she was placed in such a loving and nurturing foster home with Papa Ron and Nana Jane. It was also through God's grace that her story unfolded through many mountains and valleys. Even though there were many challenges, God's plan was there all along. There are so many people that love this little girl and have prayed and prayed for her forever family to be found.

In the meantime, we had been praying and praying for God to guide us to the right option to expand our family. When we chose adoption this past spring, the decision felt so right. We felt the wait would be extensive, but well worth it.

God's grace once again was illustrated by the timing of everything. Now we have found an extraordinary little girl and she has found us. Nothing else but 'Grace' seemed fitting for this miracle and answer to many prayers.


Fortunately, it doesn't seem she was attached to her given name. She is responding to Grace (and will typically look at you as soon as you start talking anyway). Her name has given way to several nicknames, including Gracey and Gracey-kins. She's also Daddy's Little Pumpkin.

Regardless of what her nicknames may be, we know in our hearts she will always be our 'Amazing Grace'.