What's in a name?

background: I have 2 uncles with endearing nicknames.  Uncle Mike and Uncle Larry's names morphed when Abigail and Joshua were born.  Uncle Mike became Gumby using the initals G.U.M. (Great Uncle Mike) and Uncle Larry became Gulley for Great Uncle Larry.  For the last 4 years we have called them both by their new names. 

recently:  Joshua is big into nicknames right now.  It has been announced that Anna Ruth's nickname will be "Ladybug."  In fact, when writing her name Joshua often writes, "Baby Anna Ruth Ladybug Nolen."

current day:  This past weekend Joshua and I were in Jackson visiting with family.  While in the car the following conversation takes place:
Joshua: "Mom, I have a nickname for Gumby."
Amelia: "You do?  What is it?"
J: "Uncle Gumby!  Does that crack you up?"
A: "It sure does.  But you know Gumby is a nickname.  Gumby is not Gumby's real name?"
J: "WHAT?!?!"
A: "Gumby's real name is Mike.  We used call him Uncle Mike because he is my uncle.  And when you were born we started calling him Gumby.  So really Gumby already has a nickname."
J: "Are you serious?"
A: "I am.  And you know what?  Gulley isn't Gulley's real name either."
J: "WHAT!??!"
A: "That's right.  We used call him Uncle Larry because he his my uncle.  So really Gulley already has a nickname too."
J: pondering the new revelations..."Hmmm.  Well, I still think it cracks me up to call him Uncle Gumby."

and now back to our regular schedule

The last couple weeks have been busy and kept me from posting any news.  In the spirit of my friend Lora and a recent blog post she wrote I want to record a few things Dave and I want to be sure to remember. 

I want to remember that Joshua loved music even as a 4 year old.  He can regularly be heard singing "Hark the Herald,"  "Born on the Bayou" and "Midnight Special".  Joshua identified a Paul McCartney's voice in a song on the radio the other day.  He said, "that sounds like Paul McCartney and the Beetles" and he was right..

I want to remember how much Joshua loves to ride his bike.  He will petal as fast as his legs will go and declare, "I am a new super hero like Spiderman but I am Lightening Man because I am so fast." 

Lightening Man getting ready to ride down the street.

 

I want to remember that at age 4 Joshua has told us he wants to be a "bee keeper" when he grows up.

 

I want to remember that although initially unwilling to act as the ring bearer in my cousin's upcoming wedding when he realized that the Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins was sort of like ring bearers and in fact Frodo was called the "ring bearer", Joshua decided he definitely wanted to be in Travis's wedding.  Joshua said, "I am going to pretend to be Bilbo and try to put the ring on my finger so that no one can see me while I carry the rings."

 

I want to remember how much Joshua treasures that time that Dave sits down and reads to him.  Just when you think Joshua is distracted and not understanding what is going on in the story he will recite and/or recap large portions of The Hobbit-at times talking for up to 45 minutes.

 

 

I want to remember how excited Joshua is about the arrival of Anna Ruth to our family.  On every piece of paper he brings home from school he writes the names of everyone in our family.  Sometimes not in left-to-right, normal reading order but more like a word search.

I also want to remember how Joshua prays for his yet to be born sister each night and asks God, "please give Anna Ruth a new heart so she won't sin." 

I want to remember how God has been gracious to us and has evidence work in Joshua as he is much calmer and self-controlled than he used to be.

Thanks for helping me remember!