"What's in a name?" Partie Deux (that's part two in French -- impressed?)

Several months ago, I posted about my blogging name "GiBee," because I was receiving so many questions on how to pronounce it and why I chose it ... see the Original Post here. It's really good (lol!) By the way, here is a quick explanation on the correct pronunciation of GiBee: The Gi part is pronounced just like the "Bee" part, but with a G instead of a B -- GeeBee (not "ih" like "instead" or "ick" -- because that would make it GihBee). Did any of that make sense? To find out why I didn't spell it like GeeBee, you'll have to read the Original What's in a Name post.

Today, however, I am feeling a bit inspired by several bloggers to step up to the plate and blog about why I named my blog Kisses of Sunshine. Barb over at A Chelsea Morning started this cool name game on her post The Name of your Game. You'll want to go by her blog and check out why she named her blog the way she did ... and while you're there, you might as well check out some of the other stories from other bloggers, too! So, since she's getting everyone on the band wagon (close to 100!), I thought I'd join, too! I think that makes me number 99... so if you haven't done this yet, get going and be number 100!

Well, I originally started blogging back in 2004. Actually, I think I started lurking back in the winter of 2003/2004, and finally "came out" with my own blog in July 2004. I didn't start off blogging daily, and at first, I think I may have been intimidated to share my faith too much, because the "network" of bloggers I was associated with (infertility) wasn't really open to that. But, my old blog (Infertile Meanderings) was all about our battle with infertility, along with other stuff thrown in. I'm pretty sure the name of my old blog is self explanatory.

Once our son was born, I really struggled with the name of my blog. While I was proud of my blog, it no longer fit my current circumstances. Also, I had just found some new Christian blogs that I was so excited about, and really wanted to be a part of the circle of Christian friends I had found. In fact, Shannon from Rocks in My Dryer and Lauren from Created for HIS Glory are the very first two Christian bloggers that I had stumbled across. I think I might have clicked on a comment that Shannon left on one of the blogs I was reading in the "infertility ring," and voila ... my life was forever changed. I think Momrn2 from My Quiet Corner and Carol from She Lives were next, and then Peach from Just Peachy and then ... the rest of you began appearing! Since then, I have come to admire, respect, and love dearly these women and their blogs. I feel like I'm part of their family, and would fly to great lengths to meet them.

Oh, wait ... I am ... Texas! Yay! Sorry ... another story, another time. Okay ... back to me.

So now I was faced with a new dilemma... What should I name my new blog? I really wanted a name that would highlight my new swirl of emotions that I was experiencing... so I prayed about it. And it finally came to me. Here is part of the post I wrote introducing my new blog and the scripture I use in my header:

"Today, I have finally chosen a new blog name to mark a new start in life. After fighting years of sorrow and pain that comes from infertility, God has blessed us with a beautiful baby boy. Our son is a miracle. A gift from God that warms my heart like kisses of sunshine.

Thank God for his promise that "...weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5b --- I have found joy!

So today, I mark the beginning of a new life, and a new blog. As the song says ... I've traded my sorrows for the joy of the Lord. Yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, Lord!"

So there you have it! The "why" behind the name of my blog.

Edited to add: I named my blog Kisses of Sunshine before knowing that Carol Kent had a series of books called Kisses of Sunshine (for moms, grandmothers, sisters, teachers, women) -- one of my blogger friends pointed that out to me... So, Carol Kent is making a lot of money on Kisses of Sunshine ... blah, blah, blah ... we all know where the real Kisses of Sunshine can be found, right?