Maybe you’ve read about the Rogan Family already? Their story has been shooting around Facebook and their Go Fund Me has passed the halfway mark toward the goal of $500,000 in just three days. This is the kind of story that resonates with all of us; the kind of thing that makes you say Oh Lord or Dear God or Hail Mary and nothing more because, Dear God, the immensity of this tragedy, the similarity to so many of our own families and circumstances. It leaves you breathless to even consider what they’re going through.

From the Go Fund Me description:

“… Mike and Niki Rogan, were driving to the hospital early this morning [4/17/2015] with their seven children, in anticipation of welcoming an eighth child into their beautiful family.

On the way, an oncoming car hit a deer which was thrown into the Rogans’ vehicle.  Mike did not survive the accident. Niki and the children survived with only minor injuries. Niki gave birth to their son, Blaise, hours after the accident … Niki is a stay-at-home mom and homeschools her children who range in age from newborn to 15 years, and is left with providing for her family aided by only a minimal life insurance policy.”

God works in ways we cannot fathom, we know this. And still … Dear God.

If you can contribute to this family, I’m sure they would be so grateful.

(I feel like I need to whisper this: I added a “Donate” button to my sidebar.)

(cringe!)

I’m feeling very self conscious about it, and I’m eager to hear what you all think!

As you’ll read in my new “About the “Donate” button” tab up top, I’ve been hearing from some different people who are close to me that maybe I should consider accepting money for my baby name consultations. On the one hand — is that even right? When we all love to talk about our favorite saints and virtues and how much we love Jesus and Mother Mary? And we want to impart that holiness and love to our children even in the names we give them? So this all feels as much like a ministry as it does a hobby or even a (non-paying) job? On the other hand — I am spending a lot of time on consultations. I love it! I do! But … well, read my tab, and let me know your thoughts! I think it’s a good compromise?

I am wondering if I should add some text above the button … a pithy thing explaining what it’s for … if you have thoughts on that too, that would be great.

Happy Saturday night everyone!

I’ve emailed a few people back with consultations recently and haven’t heard back … it’s not a requirement to get back to me but I’m so worried that you might have missed the email?

I recently changed the email name, which might be contributing to the problem — it used to be “Sancta Nomina” (sanctanomina@gmail.com); now it’s “K. M. Towne at Sancta Nomina” (same email address).

Despite the fact that I keep saying it (he told me so more than once in the early years of our parenthood every time I wanted to talk about names), my husband would like you all to know that his name taste is not actually “Bob.” 😀 ❤

Abby at Appellation Mountain posted 12 Amazing Saints’ Names (that may shock the priest) over at Nameberry a couple days ago. I didn’t expect to be surprised by any of them, but there were a couple unfamiliar to me, including Endellion, which one of you had suggested for Grace.

If you were making a list of saints’ names that fit Abby’s criteria — “names that are downright stylish – as well as spiritually significant” — what would you include?

I won’t be posting any more until Monday morning, and will only be checking for comments and emails intermittently over the next three days. But get ready — I have some great name consultations lined up for the next three Mondays (including a super-cool celebrity-blogger mama this coming Monday!) and some other fun topics to post about, which I’ve scribbled very diligently and professionally on the zillion pink post-its that are all over my desk. I can’t wait!

I hope all of you have a very holy Triduum and a very happy Easter!

There have been SO MANY great great comments over the last couple days, from “longtime” readers and new (I know I know, no one knew about this blog til two months ago!), and I dearly want to respond to each one, but between my baby turning one (which I’m still trying to wrap my head around!) and this weird not-terrible but not-great cold that’s taking its sweet time making its way through my house, and my hubs texting me a little while ago that his stomach is feeling shaky, I’ve been off the computer and I know you all get it but I still just wanted to be sure you all know I’m not ignoring you or anything! I’ve read every single comment, and filed bits of info away in my head that might show up in later posts, because everything you all have to say — your opinions, your experiences — is so interesting to me. For 100% real. And now the baby’s napping and the other boys are having quiet time so I’m off to write the post I actually sat down to write. Check in again in a half hour or so!

I emailed two lovely moms back recently who were waiting for my response, and there’s certainly no pressure or requirement that you email me back but since most people do I’m worried that the emails haven’t reached their destination (though my account says they were sent). If you’re reading this and have been waiting for a response from me and haven’t received it yet, please email me! Or you can comment here. Thanks 😉