So the title of this was supposed to be mother’s day CONtest! but i couldnt get the CON to be uppercase…keep reading and it’ll make sense but i LIKED that title dang it! OK, soooo ill try to do this justice while not making it toooo terribly sad but it’s gonna be kinda hard…here goes it=)!
Alright one of my high school friends, Sarah, and i have lived reeeeallly super similar lives…i.e. her dad is a CPA in town, my dad is a CPA in town, her mom worked for her dad and still was able to STAY happily married..LOL…my mom works for my dad and still able to STAY happily married, her mom is THAT mom that always got her girls matching PJs to wear at Christmas even after they were grown, my mom is THAT mom that had christmas cookie decorating parties when i was little and Christmas Cookie Classes for me and my friends when we needed to learn for our kids! Her mom was AS excited anticipating her future grandkids as my mom IS doting on her grandkids! My mom had run into her at office depot or somewhere and she had my kids and Sarah’s mom went nutso over them and told my mom how very READY she is to be a grandmother as well! She WOULD absolutely have been that grandmother that builds a tribal hut in the woods for the grandkids summertime fun (note:if you dont follow us on fb my mom just did this for my kids)…i have copied and pasted from Sarah’s facebook page to make sure i get the REAL point accross as to what a special mom she has! Then i will EXPLAIN what we NEED from my wonderful facebook fans, blog followers, etc….now from Sarah’s page…
My life has changed a lot within the past year. My very best friend and hero, my mother, passed away this year very unexpectedly. There were no symptoms, no signs, no answers. God just took her and one day we will understand why. My dad, sister, and I continue to struggle on a minute by minute basis. We miss the person that was always there for us no matter what, who put herself LAST when anyone was concerned, but also knew how to make us laugh uncontrollably! She was also the kindest, most gentle person I have ever known or will know. As my future mother in law puts it, “she set the bar TOO high that no one will EVER be able to fill her shoes!” I miss my mother so much that there are no words. I am a ticking bomb sometimes, never knowing when I will cry, but I know she is happy where she is…it’s us who suffer! My life has also changed in that I am going to marry my very best friend this year. Travis is special to me, not only because I knew him when he was 8 and I was 10 and that he was at my house a lot growing up, but because of how he has dealt with me during this great turmoil of my life. Trav has shown me how much he truly loves me by being there, saying the right things, and just loving me no matter how hard I push sometimes. He has been there every step of the way even when I have been a monster to deal with. Emotional stress can make you that way! SO on Oct. 24, 2009 I will marry my best friend and lover! And I can’t wait!!! I will be Sarah Stinnett…who’d of ever thought!!! Especially when he used to ask me out in 04 and 05 and I always turned him down! ha, God has a plan!!!!
The night of the funeral it all just hit waaaay too close to home given our eerily similar lives and i went to the funeral w/my mom and literally (kinda wierd for me bc i can maintain kind of a hard as* on the outside like my dad sometimes)BUT i literally LOST it in the parking lot just telling my mom bye to go home! They had an amazing slide show of all the memories Connie (Sarah’s mom) had lived, captured, with and for her husband and girls and it hit me like a TON of BRICKS….after my mom finally talked me into a state where i could possibly drive back to knoxville (about 30 min away) i raced over to my office and emailed Sarah that her mom just BEING THAT mom made me realize that i was soooooo SUCKED into my business i didnt know my a** from a hole in the ground and that i needed to get my sh** together! That’s about when laura and i started hiring and firing left and right so i could TRY (note: still TRYING but doing better)to run my business that i LOOOOVE and be a mommy to the kids that i ADORE! I remember what the t-shirt said that i was making when my mom called me stunned and nearly speechless that someone had just told her of Connie’s death! It was that kind of SHOCK and unexpected tragedy! Still honestly blows my mind! And it all just kinda in my head relates to my business bc Connie was a regular reader or “pointless blogs by emtanner”…LOL…everytime i sound like a sailor i used to think…”sorry Connie Overholt” bc Sarah had told me that she and her mom were addicted to my pointless ramblings..well she didnt say that but we all know that’s what it is=)..haha!
So now Sarah is married to Travis and they are ready to start working on Connie’s (and Lonas’…that’s Sarah’s daddy…not doing him much justice here am i…Sorry Lonas=) grandkidlets! Sarah and I have always had this odd friendship in that we have lived in different places and totally been in different worlds probably since high school but we have always kept up via mail, email, etc…It’s wierd bc it’s like no time has lapsed when we do talk,email, etc….it’s one of those ya know “comfortable friends”…for instance…(and she is maybe gonna wanna kick my you know what but this will definitely lighten the mood)…the other day she emailed me to ask me some questions about the “trying to get pregnant process” bc im well pretty dang good at it..LOL…and she said ya know you are one of the only people besides my mom that i honestly feel like i could just call and ask if it is normal that i have grapes coming out of my butt…LMAO…just to clear up! it was a figure of speech..Sarah does NOT have grapes coming out of her butt…well not YET anyway, but i assured her that it might be normal after a couple kiddies..haha…and then went on to explain to her how i stood on my head to be SURE it “took” when i wanted to be pregnant YESTERDAY with hadly! and it worked! Soooooo now i am sure you get the idea that we are quite comfortable w/each other! LOL..we can always continue to be REAL with each other and hide well pretty much NOTHING even though we dont see each other on regular basis these days…
NOW with all that said…Sarah asked me to get my creative wheels turning and help her and Travis think of both boy and girl names that have CON (for Connie) somewhere in it…doesnt have to begin w/ “CON”..just has to have “CON” in it!! That kinda thing is right down my alley BUT it is pretty dang hard after pondering it for like a week i am not doing so hot….sooooooooo i couldnt think of a better contest for MOTHER’S Day at EMTanner Designs bc i do have quite amazing peeps that help me out a lot! soooo now i want YOU to help SARAH name that baby in the works after her special mommy, CONNIE! And in the meantime don’t let everyday BS get in the way of you and your kiddies even though we ARE raising kids in a superduper hectic crazy day in time…STOP and smell the roses! be THAT mom! MY MOM and CONNIE are THAT MOM and look how great me and sarah (and laura..sarah’s little sis) turned out!!! JUST KIDDIN’!ha! Oh and just to make you want to help w/names even more Sarah WILL be THAT MOM without a doubt! She needs like 5 or 6 i think!
SO post your thoughts here or on a facebook NOTE that ill be adding labeled CONtest..C’mon guys blow us away! we will randomly pick someone who played with us to win a $100 gift certificate in honor of her mommy, CONnie!=)…GAME IS ON…let’s name that Stinnett baby to be! I know i can count on you guys! get creative!!!! Cannot WAIT to see what you come up with!!!
Well, this hit close to home for me. This past October, we lost my husbands mother to a 6 week battle with Pancreatic Cancer. She was 58. I have 2 beautiful children who will never get the chance to know their grandmother- and that rips at my heart. This will be our first Mothers Day without her- and Im devastated. I want to be at that point where thinking about her floods me with warm memories and makes me smile ear to ear. Unfortunately, Im not there yet- I miss her everyday, thoughts of her well my eyes with tears and each milestone my children make is met with a little sadness that “Little Grandma” wasnt here to be a part of it. Anyway, I think using her moms name in a new babies name is a beautiful tribute- and its something we have been thinking about for down the road as well. I wont kid you- I am no good at baby names
My son is named after my husband, Nicholas Aaron II and my daughters name took us nearly the entire 9 months to put together- she is Emily Kay (Kay, after my grandma).
So, I did a little searching, and this is my offering. A little different than what you were looking for, but perhaps a lovely alternative. And the name is perfect as its suited for either gender
Quinn … May also mean “descendant of Con” …
I think its awesome that the name actually means, descendant of Con
Comment by Jessica Thomas — May 4, 2010 @ 9:18 am
Hugs and much love to you both!!
Boy- Connor
Girl- Still thinking!!
Comment by Sarah — May 4, 2010 @ 9:43 am
This might be stating an obvious, but for a girl—-Constance – her mother’s love will always be constant w/in her as she passes her love to her new baby. Boy name- Conn- simply put- it’s grandma’s name! May her tears of sorrow turn to joy as she and Travis welcome a new life into the world.
Comment by Stacey — May 4, 2010 @ 9:56 am
Ok I cried like a baby in the Target checkout line when I read this. What a sweet story and what a fabulous friend you are!!!
Girl- someone beat me to Constance
so I’m gonna have to go with Conley ( that could go for boy too)
Boy-Deacon. stong name that still honors his grandma!
Comment by Alyse Taylor — May 4, 2010 @ 10:11 am
EDIT***** my girl name is much cuter spelled CONLEIGH! What was I thinking? Conley would be better if using it for a boy!
Comment by Alyse Taylor — May 4, 2010 @ 10:17 am
Conley is one of my favorite names and could be boy or girl…
Comment by Carolyn Bonde — May 4, 2010 @ 10:43 am
Hi, So I spent some time doing name searches and this is what I came up with. I hope that it helps! Xoxo
Starts with “Con” ;
Conall (boy)
Conan (boy)
Concetta (girl)
Conley (boy)
Connell (boy)
Conner (boy)
Conner (girl)
Connery (girl)
Connolly (girl)
Connolly (boy)
Connor (boy)
Conor (boy)
Conrad (boy)
Conran (boy)
Conroy (boy)
Constance (girl)
Constantin (boy)
Constantine (boy)
Constanza (girl)
Consuela (girl)
Conway (boy)
Conciana (girl)
Concordia (girl)
Ends with “Con” ;
Deacon (boy)
Falcon (boy)
Lacona (girl)
Laconia (girl)
Macon (boy)
Macon (girl)
Oscon (boy)
Beacon (M)
Brecon (M)
Hacon (M)
Lincon (M)
Zircon (m)
Comment by francine — May 4, 2010 @ 10:45 am
WOW …YOU ARE GOOOOOD!
Comment by admin — May 4, 2010 @ 11:39 am
I know what its like to be without your Mother. Mine abandoned my brother and I when he was five, I was four. She had many problems and I knew she was troubled, but I still cried for her at night for years. Now that I have three children of my own, I understand the sacrifice and joy of Motherhood, and understand the gift it is. I think it would be wonderful for not only the name’s spelling to mirror Connie’s name, but also for the name’s meaning to be a tribute to her special qualities. Wise, brave, stong… etc.
“Con” or “Conn” – means counsel which is so sweet, since Connie was always there to counsel and guide her daughter.
“Conall” – means strong and bold during times of trouble.
“Coney” – means Deep, great depth of character.
“Constance” – means steadfast, consistent, dependable. Such a tribute to Connie and her qualities.
“Conant” means wise. Mothers are always right, right?
“Concetta” means conceived and desired. A way of saying “I wanted you and loved you before you even existed.
“Congalie” means constant and faithful.
“Conlan” means hero. Perfect, right?
“Conleth” means ardent and wise.
“Connolly” means brave and wise.
“Connor” Much desired, loved.
“Conrad” honest and treasured adviser.
“Conroy” wise and knowing.
“Contessa” royal, special above others.
“Conway” Holy, deeply spiritual.
I wish you all the joy on your quest to become a Mother. Nothing will ever fill your heart with peace like this does.
Casey Midgley
Comment by Casey Midgley — May 4, 2010 @ 12:21 pm
What a wonderful way to honor someone who both loved and was loved so much!!
The one suggestion I could come up with that I didn’t see above was:
Conesa (Conisa, Connesa, Konesa) , which means free-flowing nature.
Best wishes on all that is to come!!
Brigetta Wingender
Comment by Brigetta — May 4, 2010 @ 6:25 pm
I loved your story! Thank you for sharing! I lost my dad to cancer when I was 16 and my mom also to the exact same type of cancer when I was 21. She was my best friend and the coolest mom and she always put her kids first. She always threw us the biggest b-day parties and our home was THE hang out place after school. I miss her so much and when I got married, I looked forward to having another mom but ended up with a mom-in-law who is ill and not able to really be a mom to me or a grandmother to our 2 toddlers. It makes me so terribly sad to know that my kids will never really know a loving, doting grandmother. I’ve realized that I instead have to be THAT mom to my 2 beautiful children and give them the same wonderful memories that my mom gave to me.
I don’t think I can add anything to your name competition because it looks like you’re well-covered but I totally agree with the folks who came up with Conley/Conleigh. Great name.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Comment by Amy — May 4, 2010 @ 10:53 pm
I am deeply touched by the response of this CONtest! I literally sat by my computer all day watching and waiting with my notebook to write down everything that was suggested. (Good thing I was off work yesterday!!!!) I am amazed by the response and truly appreciate the kind words and encouragement. It is a daily struggle…just trying to understand (she was ONLY 55 years old!!!) but I know she is in heaven taking care of our baby until it is time for he/she to be with us. AND I CAN’T WAIT!!! We had some CON names picked out but wanted to see if we were missing something and there were several that I loved, Trav-not so much….he is an old-fashioned kinda guy so some were way out there for him, even if I liked them. I think we will stick to the original ones we liked but most of you liked the same ones….the winners: Conner and Conley…there are lots of Conner’s out there but it’s a good name and people would KNOW what it stood for when they said it. My husband’s middle name is Judson so I think we’ll either use Judson Conner or Conner Judson…..for the girl….not sure if we’ll use as middle or first name and what with it, but we will work on that!! He likes Tatum Conley and I like Conley Claire, but who knows! I think we will KNOW when the little tyke is in my belly!!!
Maybe I can keep you all informed of my “journey” because we women seem to like that sort of thing….I am a 33 year old woman that just got married in October so I am a little late in the game, but if it’s God’s will, it will happen!!! Love to all and again, thank you so very much!!!
Sarah Overholt Stinnett
Comment by Sarah Overholt Stinnett — May 5, 2010 @ 9:42 am
So does that mean I won since I was the first to suggest Conley? teeheeehee
Comment by Alyse Taylor — May 6, 2010 @ 5:25 pm
When will the winner be announced?? The suspense is killing me, lol.
Comment by Alyse Taylor — May 10, 2010 @ 12:58 pm