our boy is here

Our baby boy arrived this morning at 3:54am!  Allow us to introduce Abishai Steven-though 3 weeks early, our biggest baby at 7.7 pounds and 19.5 inches long with dark hair (a first for our bald babies).  


His name in Hebrew can be interpreted "Gift of the Father".  We believe, despite the difficulty we've experienced in our part in bringing him into this world, that Abishai is indeed a gift from our Father in Heaven.  His middle name was chosen to honor Roxanne's father, and means Crown. 


A few years ago, before we ever imagined we'd have a male child to name, Jason was reading through the Old Testament.  While reading 1 and 2 Samuel, he became impressed with the biblical figure Abishai.  Though not someone that a reader of the Bible might immediately recall, Jason found himself intrigued by this man's absolute loyalty, fearless leadership, intensity,  and immediate willingness to take action.  We thought this would be the perfect name for a son, were we to ever be blessed with one.

Please join us in praying that Abishai Steven might embody these traits himself, as he grows and serves the Father.  And that he might one day receive a crown rewarded him by his maker.


Though we aren’t advocating that our son take literal action on these verses, here are some Scripture passages that speak to Abishai’s character.  We like to think of him as a “Biblical Badass!”




• 1 Samuel 26:6 - “Who will volunteer to go in there with me?” David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother. “I’ll go with you,” Abishai replied.
• 1 Samuel 26:8 - “God has surely handed your enemy over to you this time!” Abishai whispered to David. “Let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t need to strike twice!
• 2 Samuel 16:9 - “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?” Abishai son of Zeruiah demanded. “Let me go over and cut off his head!”

To our little Abishai,
The news of your arrival was a complete shock and surprise but we are already in love and cannot imagine this life without you.  I am grateful that even though I dug my heels in and arrived here only with kicking and screaming (and some moments of surrender and glimmers of hope), God chooses to bless us and gives us what we do not deserve.

Abishai, you are already a fighter and we pray God grows you to be His warrior.  This world is only temporary but we pray your stay finds His peace, joy, and abundant love.

Welcome to the crazy wonderful chaos that is the Engstrom family little boy!

xoxox, Mama