It’s my blogiversary! I have some goodies for you!

sanctanomina Housekeeping, , ,
wordpressanniversary
Even WordPress is excited for me! 😀

You guys! Four years ago yesterday I posted my very first post! (I actually started writing this post yesterday on the actual day, but then had to make an unexpected run to the dr for an unexpected diagnosis of strep in my 11yo, so here we are! A day late!)

Each year on the anniversary of the beginning of the blog, I’m newly blown away by how amazing this all has been, and especially how amazing you all have been! I’m forever grateful for you and our little community here, and all that God’s allowed through it. Thank you thank you!!

In celebration of my blogiversary and as a thank you to you all, I started a St. Anne novena last night for all of you, with a special mention of those of you who are mothers or who want to be, and those who are hoping for a baby or are suffering from the loss of a baby or from infertility, as well as for all of your children, both living and deceased. St. Anne is the patroness of the blog, and I’ve felt her close by so many times in the last four years. She’s a loving and holy mother and grandmother and a great intercessor!

I’m also doing a giveaway! Yippee!! 😀

I have a few things to give away, so I’m going to pick five (5) winners. The first two will receive:

— A copy of my book (signed or not as you like, and I absolutely won’t be offended if you don’t want them signed!)

cropped-cover-04-13-181.jpg
(Best name book you’ll ever own! Just sayin! 😉 )

— This beautiful book of prayers and novenas to St. Annestannebook

— One (1) sheet of these amazing temporary tattoos that have “Be not afraid!” in St. John Paul II’s own handwriting! Each sheet has two (2) tattoos, and they come courtesy of Lindsay at Just Love Prints (she has the coolest things!). Consider the possibilities! Labor and delivery would be a great time to wear one (that’s my plan!), or during finals or job interviews, or medical procedures … these babies could really give you some peace of mind just when you need it! You can put them somewhere discreet, or show them off, whatever you like!

tattoo
Image from Lindsay’s Etsy shop

Again, the first two winners will receive the three things listed above: my book, the St. Anne book, and a sheet of temporary tattoos.

I wish I could give you all a copy of my book! But since I only have two to give away, I’m going to choose three (3) additional winners, who will receive the St. Anne prayer book and a sheet of the temporary tattoos.

To enter the giveaway, click here! It’ll direct you to answer today’s burning question: what’s your favorite way to honor St. Anne in a boy’s name? It will be open through tomorrow (Friday) night at midnight eastern, and I’ll announce the winners on Saturday!

Thank you again for all the fun name talk over the last four years, and for how we pray for each other, such a blessing. Happy Thursday! ❤ ❤ ❤

My book, Catholic Baby Names for Girls and Boys: Over 250 Ways to Honor Our Lady, is now available to order from ShopMercy.org and Amazon! It’s a perfect for expectant mamas, baby showers, and just because. 🙂 If you feel moved to leave a review on Amazon, it would be greatly appreciated!

53 thoughts on “It’s my blogiversary! I have some goodies for you!”

  1. I’ve never thought of Anthony as a way to nod to Anne, but I’ll take it! My parents have a devotion to Anne and our new baby’s middle name will be Anthony. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. I submitted Anno. It’s got a hip feel with the “-o” at the end (like Milo or Hugo). And easy to spell. (After giving my son a name with 11 letters, I realized my folly!)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. Oooh, I’ve never thought of naming a boy after St. Anne! She’s a particular patron of mine and I was sad we couldn’t fit in a nod to her when we named our daughter 2 years ago. We’ll be naming a baby boy soon (in the next 2-3 week, whenever he decides to make his entrance), and this gives me some new food for thought! I’m submitting Antonio, since we always do an Italian middle name. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. I found your blog when my husband and I were trying to find names for our first born. I am a huge fan! I am entering the name Porter. Porter means “gatekeeper,” and I first learned of this name from the porter character in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. I think it is perfect for honoring St. Anne, St. Joachim, and Mary. A famous wood etching called Joachim and Anne Meeting at the Golden Gate depicts St. Joachim and pregnant St. Anne meeting at the Golden Gate of Israel upon both learning that St. Anne has finally conceived. (This account is not in the Gospel but is in the Protoevangelium of James.) Thus, tying in the “gate” theme and honoring St. Anne. I think it has cute nickname potential of Port or Ports. (I also could not find a place to enter on Rafflecopter.)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. It didnt let me put in an answer, but it says I’m entered! My name is Ann so I don’t know what would feel like a good honor name for a son. I may pass on Ann as a middle name to a daughter at some point as it is my mom’s middle name too.

    I am intrigued by the Stanislaus option as I am of Polish heritage and my Polish grandfather was Stanley, but given the other Ann links in my family it feels a bit diluted!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. This is probably a roundabout way to do it, but the first thought I had as another option to honor St. Anne in a boys name would be to name him after her husband, Joachim!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. I also couldn’t figure out how to submit an answer. I think my favorite would be Andrew, although I also like Anders.

    Also, congratulations on your blogiversary and thanks for your prayers!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. I have never even thought of trying to honor St Anne in a boy’s name; fun question! This might be a stretch, and it’s probably not a name I would actually use, but maybe Graham? I’m taking this as a name-ization of “Gram” short for grandmother names, since St Anne was Jesus’s grandma. My sisters and I call our grandma Grammy and often shorten it to Gram, and graham crackers have been referenced jokingly over the years too. (:

    Grant is another one with “an” in it, and as a word could reference all the graces and blessings one would hope to be granted through such a wonderful patron’s intercession!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Ohmygosh Graham is such a cute idea! Grant is great too! (Since I have all boys, I’ve thought of a million ways to honor my beloved female saints with boys names!)

      Like

      Reply

  14. I love the name Anselm! My husband has been telling our oldest “Anselm stories” (tales of an adventurous sea captain) for years! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. I know the competition’s over, but I thought I’d offer my thoughts anyway – it was a fun exercise!.

    My suggestion would be Armo.
    It shares some sounds with Anne (the initial a, the nasal n/m), fits in with the popular ‘two-syllable, ends in ‘o” trend for boys and, while rare, it’s easy to spell and pronounce.

    According to behindthename.com (and Google Translate), Armo means ‘grace’ (or perhaps ‘mercy’) in Finnish, which links it through meaning to the name Anne.
    For an added St Anne connection, Armo is also the name of a commune in Italy. The parish church of Armo is dedicated to the Natività di Maria – the birth of Mary.

    One possible drawback – a google search of ‘Armo’ seems to indicate that it is sometimes used as slang referring to Armenian people. I’ve never heard of that term where I live, but it would be something to consider and research to ensure it’s not an offensive term where the parents live.
    My alternative suggestion if Armo isn’t useable would be the more common name Sulo, which also apparently means ‘grace’ (in the sense of charm) in Finnish. Other ‘grace’ names for boys include Chariton and Gratian.

    Or, drawing on Anne’s iconography, perhaps Porter or Durward (‘door guard’) would work as a reference to Anne’s association with doors? Or Valentine as a nod to her role as ‘health of the sick’?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  22. Congrats on the blog anniversary!

    After the fact contribution as well, but…
    Santana (used for both boys or girls) but is in the top 1000 for boys. Literally St. Ann meaning name.

    Any of the variations of Gracen/Grayson/Greyson – because of the first syllable being “grace” – the name meaning of Ann/Anne.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment