Aliyah Jewel Grudda

"The day she was born was the happiest day in her parents lives. 'She's perfect,' said her mother. 'Absolutely,' said her father. And she was. She was absolutely perfect. 'Her name must be everything she is,' said her mother. 'Her name must be absolutely perfect,' said her father. And it was." - Kevin Henkes

      We were recently blessed with the task of naming our first born daughter. WE got to choose the name by which she will be referred to for the rest of her life. Incredible. Her name is Aliyah Jewel Grudda...and we think that this name is "absolutely perfect".

      When considering names, we were quick to decide that we wanted a name which would associate her with her roots in Morocco, Africa. We also wanted a name with a strong Biblical meaning. Aliyah [AL-e-yah] is a name with both Arabic and Hebrew origins. Its multiple meanings fit our criteria perfectly.

      In Arabic, Aliyah means "highly exalted". In Hebrew, Aliyah means "to ascend". Jews originally used the name to refer to their ascent into Jerusalem, and it is still used in reference to their ascension back to their promised land of Israel OR in reference to the ultimate ascension of Christian believers into Heaven.

     Aliyah's middle name, Jewel, is a combination of two family names: Julia and Julianne. These two individuals were very precious to us.

Welcome to the world Aliyah Jewel Grudda

Born November 12, 2014 at 12:33 PM in Casablanca, Morocco. 

Weighed 3.425 kilos (7 pounds and 9 ounces).

-Proud New Parents