Happy Birthday Mom!

(Abby, Ashley, Barsha--Napa Valley--2009)

Today is my mom's birthday, we won't tell you how old she is, but she is one wonderful woman. She has worked hard all of her life to be a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, friend, and employee. I cannot recall one time when she has let anyone down even when her plate is full. She strives to be good a whatever she does whether it be skiing down a mountain or quilting a beautiful piece of art. Though we often give her a hard time about whatever she is doing (not working for 7 days in a row) she takes it all in good fun and gives you this look that cannot even be described. She might be approaching senior citizen age, but she keeps herself young with all the fun things she loves to do!

I write this today to celebrate my wonderful mother who is about to be a grandmother to 4 little ones and takes it all in stride. She is always there to help Abby or me no matter what the circumstances and no matter what time the plea for help comes. She has taught us to be strong independent women who love their families unconditionally. She has taught us to be hard, deligent workers in our jobs and reap the rewards (she is the queen of planning vacations). She has taught us to be well rounded in so many ways that I cannot even begin to count. Most importantly, as I prepare to become a mother, she has taught us how to love, teach, protect, guide, and support our children in all ways possible, just as she has done with her children for the last 30 years.

Happy Birthday Mom. I love you more than I can ever tell you in words.

Registering for baby

Today is a day focused on little Matney. Though she has not arrived; today we beginning the process of preparing for the daily needs of our little one. I have finally suckered Brandon into going to register for her as we don't have long until the scheduled showers begin. Besides, if this little one keeps growing the way she is, she won't stay in until April 2, 2010 or she will be the size of a large watermelon (and Mommy doesn't want that).

We have decided to register at Bab*es R'Us and Tar*et. I have decided the decision making process about what to register for, where, and what is really needed is somewhat diffficult. Do you buy the regular highchair or the space saving highchair, do you buy bottles you have used before with nephews or do you buy different ones, do you get Pa*pers or Hugg*es? If not for my sister who has had two children, I think I would be completely lost of what to do today.

As any parent, you only want the best for your children and want to keep them safe. However, there is no one review out there on the websites that doesn't discredit something about each product. I guess this is where the matter of personal opinion/judgement comes in and you just have to hope you have chosen what will protect your child and keep them safe and warm. For instance, some of the larger things that we need to get for every day use (ie: infant carrier) have all the best ratings on the websites, but the catch is, they are only available on the websites. Being a first time mother, I really want to see what we are registering for, touch it, examine every part of it, and assure myself that it is the one I want to make sure Matney will be safe. However, it doesn't appear this will be possible, so do I take the chance and get it site unseen, or do I register for something else that is in the store that might not have as good of ratings/reviews. Oh the things running through my mind...

I have a feeling that today will be like the blind leading the blind as my husband is still figuring out why he has to go with me and I can't just take my sister or my mom. I know he wants to protect and support Matney and me, but just like a lot of dad's, he isn't sure what the best way to do that is sometimes, I think. I have told him that this will be the last time we have to register for anything and it is a memory we are making together to share with our children someday. I think he gets tired of my grand ideas, but he usually ends up giving in and having a good time or appreciating my efforts (at least he acts like it).

In closing, here is a recent picture of Brandon and I before our anniversary date. I took pics of the growing belly bump for all to see.

1st Anniversary

One year ago tomorrow, December 6th, I married the love of my life. It is hard to believe how quickly the year has past, but I am thankful for every quick minute of it.

This time last year I was either getting my hair done or getting my makeup done, this year, I am sitting here drinking coffee and reflecting as I sit in my pajamas and listen to the TV going as Brandon is watching some insane show. It is nice to be spending the day together and know that we don't really have to be doing something or going somewhere to be happy with each other. We are content to spend time together relaxing and preparing for the future changes in our life either alone in seperate rooms with the occasional "I love you" as we pass each other or together making breakfast. If 5 years ago you would have told me I would be in this place and waking up each morning next to the man I will love for the rest of my life, I would have laughed at you. However, now, I couldn't be happier to call the man I fell in love with 4 years ago, my husband and friend.

I am thankful for so many things that God has given to me since bringing Brandon into my life.

• That we each have a good job and are in a comfortable place and able to pay the bills each month, especially when we see others in the community struggling so bad due to the loss of a job or depletion of savings due to the economy.
• That we have been able to buy and sell our first home, in order to buy a beautiful house on 15 acres where we can both do things we enjoy together ie: decorating and cooking for me, playing outside in the barn for him, or fishing together in our new pond, and looking forward to the future family gathers around the swimming pool next summer.
• A husband who loves, cares, and trusts me no matter what the situation.
• That my faith has grown stronger in the last year and that God has lead us to join a new church as a family. (We join tomorrow--good way to remember what day we join--our anniversary).
• A husband who cooks dinner when he has been off all day or when he knows I am tired from working all day, even though I sit at a desk on the phone and he is the one who does the manual labor.
• The future birth of our daughter in April. Last year at this time, I would have never believed we would be expecting our first child, but we couldn't be happier and more excited to welcome Matney Paige into our warm and loving home. Daddy will have her spoiled in no time.

I pray God will allow our marriage to continue to grow and become stronger and that he will prepare us to be wonderful parents to the child that he is blessing us with. I pray and hope that my husband is kept safe each and everyday and that I love my husband as much with each passing day and more than I loved him the day we got married.

Preparing for Christmas

The house has been decorated yet again for the wonderful Christmas season. It is hard to believe it is Christmas time again and the decorations have all been hung. It seems like we were just decorating our old house for our first Christmas as husband and wife. This year has flown by with many wonderful memories.

We are excited to share the holidays with our family and friends and see what new memories the upcoming year will bring.

We pray that you all have a wonderful and safe holiday season and that your New Year is filled with blessings and joy.

Baby C

For the last several weeks I have taken to calling this little blessing in my belly, Baby C. I am excited to share that we found out what we are having yesterday at my 20 week visit. Our appointment wasn't until 3:30 but I was so antsy all day, I could barely work. Finally the time rolled around for Brandon to pick me up and head to our doctors appointment. Luckily since we got there early, they got us in early.

We went back to the ultrasound room and I immedialty jumped up on to the table--well jumped as much as a pregnant woman can jump. The ultrasound tech put to gel on my belly--thankfully it was warm, and started hunting for Baby C. She took measurement upon measurement and the anticipation continued to grow. Baby C stopped moving around after a bit and decided she was done with being pestered. They made me get up and go to the bathroom then lay back down. The tech immedialty found Baby C then. After a few shots to determine the sex, she said "Well, it looks like a girl," and I said, "How sure are you?" She continued searching for a better image. Finally little Baby C got in just the right spot and the tech said, "It's a girl!!".

I think the minute Brandon heard those words, his jaw hit the floor and the first thing out of his mouth was, "oh dang". Not oh dang in a sad way, but more of a depressed, what have I gotten myself in to for the rest of my life, on dang. Me being the mommy, teared up. I had tried so hard not to get myself hyped up for a girl and when they told me; I think I was too in a bit of shock.

You see, the Crawford's have no girls in their entire family except us wives who have married in, so I had no hope for a little girl. Now that I know, I am a bit worried that the tech was wrong, but she said that with the angle she got the picture at, she was sure she was right.

Daddy is still in shock but coming around. Last night he mentioned buying a pink B*rbie jeep and asked if we could make sure her room wasn't covered in pink. Then he said, "She is grounded the minute she is born until she is 18." Men have such a doubled standard! I know lots of little girls are daddie's girls, but I cannot wait to see my little one and her daddy together as he will be smitten at first sight.

So no more Baby C for us...we are so excited and full of anticipation to meet Matney Paige Crawford in April!!!

!Happy Birthday!

Our first and oldest nephew turns 4 today. It is so hard to believe that he is already 4 and maturing so quickly. I remember the day of this birth just like it was yesterday. I was still in school at MIZZOU and had been in class all day. I knew Abby was in the hospital being induced so I called several times to check how she was doing. I went to my 4:00 evening class and begged the professor to let us out early or to let me leave. (We had this deal in the class that if you didn't miss any class, you got something special or less questions on the final--so of course I couldn't miss class). In the end he let us out! I ran to my car and raced to I-70 and all the way to K.C. I walked in just in time for them to tell me she was pushing and it wouldn't be long. The cutest little guy you had ever seen arrived just in time for his Auntie Bub.

Today, as he celebrates 4 years, I think back on that memory and all the others we have created. He and his Uncle Me'Me' are very close and I love watching them together. Brayden loves the farm and would stay there forever if his Mommy and Daddy would let him. As much as he loves the farm, he is very well rounded for 4. He likes to play inside and watch movies, he doesn't eat much even though we beg, and he likes the things his daddy likes---God help us, we hope there is not a second St*r W*rs collector in the make. I also see the love he has for his little brother, which is so adorable, and my heart grows more for this little man. It has been amazing to see how much he has changed in the last year. He sometimes asks the most intelligent and sometimes off the wall questions, but it amazes me how he knows such things and how to verbilize them.

We love you Brayden Davis Biggers and wish you many more and blessed Birthdays.

Baby Crawford

Guess who's having a baby?

We are so excited to be pregnant and anticipating the arrival of our little one. Who knew you could be so excited at almost 12 weeks? Our little one is due April 2, 2010. Seems like so far away, yet the weeks are passing so quickly. We have several friends who are pregnant as well and due all within a month of each other so our little one will hopefully have a lot of friends.



I had my monthly appointment today with Dr. LeMon. If the time it took for the nurse to find the heartbeat is any indication of future behavior, we might be in trouble. It seems our little bundle of joy didn't want to be found today. I was able to finally hear the heartbeat, but boy, is that a scary thought when they are pushing on your belly for so long and cannot find the sound. My quick little pray was answered and I finally heard the little wooshing sound! What a wonderful sound to a mothers ears.



This week our little one is about the size of a fig. We have taken to calling the baby each week by the fruit or item that is similar in size. Last week we were a kumkwat, this week a fig. Kumkwat has been my favorite name so far. Didn't really care for kidney bean--not a very cute description, but maybe they used that one because it is during the time when you don't feel so hot. Wonder what we will be next week?



Here is a picture of figs to show the approximate size of our little guy/girl. By the way--figs don't taste very good. We tried them last week in Napa. Strange. We also saw kumkwats!

Rainy days

I had the best of intentions when I woke up this morning to accomplish a long list of tasks. However, it was raining outside and quickly I was drawn into rain induced sleep (after only being up for 3 hours--but I had run some errands already). Why is it when you have house work to do, something seems to get in the way? I must say, I loved my mid morning nap and might consider taking another one...

As I am in lazy mode here is a list of my favorite things on rainy days.

1. Snuggle up on the couch with a warm cuddly blanket and pillow.
2. Snuggle with my little Bella as she only likes to lay on me when I have the a soft blanket on me. If I do not have the blue afghan on me, she snubs me as she walks by.
3. Read a book. (I went to the library this morning and checked out two books--I had forgotten how much fun the library was.)
4. Make yummy comfort food for dinner. (I won't get to accomplish this tonight as my husband will be at a poker tournament, but I did make lunch!)
5. Watch a good movie--I am on the lookout for what I am going to watch tonight while Brandon is gone--I'm thinking Marley and Me.

Goodbye Pastime, Hello Future...

On Monday Brandon sold his pulling truck, Careless and Imprudent. This was a big decision for him but he decided to sell it for his future desires. With no pushing or questioning, he made this decision on his own and I am so proud of him. It was hard to see the truck go as I fell in love with Brandon while he was pulling and we have a lot of memories from this time. However, he knows that he really wants to move out of town and find land for cattle and farming--now if we can just find land. Finding what we want is prooving to be harder than expected, but I keep reminding him that all things come in time and God has a reason for us not finding what we want. If anyone knows of any great piece of property though, for a good price, let us know!

Even though the truck is gone, we are still going to pulls every now and then to keep up with friends. I must say, going to one and knowing that you aren't going to break something and potentially spend hundreds of dollars the next week to fix it is much better for stress levels.

I will always treasure the memories of our years as truck pullers---who knows, we will probably have a bigger and better one someday!

(the future!)

!Happy 1st Birthday!

Tomorrow is the celebration of Grayson S. Biggers first birthday. It is hard to believe that it has been a year since our second nephew was born, but a wonderful year it has been. He is such a joy to have in our lives (just as his big brother, Brayden, is) and we always seem to find ourselves spending our free time with our little men. Both boys hold a very special place in their Auntie Bub's heart for many different reasons, but Grayson has etched out a special place of his own unlike any other due to the first memories I have of him. I was given the honor of sharing his birth with his mommy, daddy, and Nanny B on July 12, 2008. I have never witnessed anything so amazing as the birth of a baby and the minute I saw his mis-shapen, wrinkle blondey red hair, I knew I was smitten. Ever since that day when he looks at me, reachs for me, or crawls my direction to play with me, my heart melts a little more. Now, if we can just get him to say "Bubbie", I will be lost forever to this little man. There is nothing like hearing you aborable nephews say your name or tell you the love you.

(Love at first sight-Uncle Me'Me' and Grayson)

Papa is so proud of me and my brother!

(Mommy-Abby, Gray Gray, and Auntie Bub)

(the start of the "give me more, I like it" look)

It is amazing to see how much Grayson has changed in the last few months-from scooting along trying to learn how to crawl to his little grunt and face he makes when he wants more of something and he is not getting it on demand. I just love watching him grow and change.

"I am so big"- 1 month before 1st bday

We thank God every day for our two nephews and the joy they have give us. Grayson--we hope every year of life brings you many more memories, lessons, blessings, and love from those around you. Happy 1st Birthday to

My first entry...

So, I have decided to join the blogging world..not sure why, but I have. So here goes my first entry.

Brandon and I have been happily married for a little over 7 months and we love every minute of it (maybe I should say I). We have a small house in Marshfield and are working to make it into a home. Currently, Brandon is attempting to find his dream land so he can pursue his farming aspirations. I just keep reminding him that things will happen in time and the right piece of property will come our way. So in the meantime, I get in the car and drive all over the countryside looking for "For Sale" signs. It has been fun though as it is time with my husband. Today, we went on an outing to Niangua to look for land (this was after I sweet talked him into going to the store with me and taking care of friends houses--he did not appreciate that I left a few of the errands out--so he then wanted to go on his outing). On our little trip I proceeded to tell him every story of my youth as I have traveled those roads many times with my Grandpa. I am pretty sure he thought I was crazy for going on and on about everything out that way and who lived where, but you can never hear the story too many times of what creek Mom played in when she was visiting friends and where your loved ones grew up.

The rest of the day was spent working on getting this house into shape after a few days of neglect and working on our yard. My honey is such a good little worker and I appreciate him so much for all he does. Brandon is currently telling at me that blogging is not allowed and he doesn't want to be associated with it. Probably because he thinks I am a blog stalker, but I love keeping up with all of my friends and family.

Through my blog I hope to share with everyone about the adventures of life in the Crawford Household. I love to cook and will hopefully find the time and inspiration to share my delights with everyone. Brandon loves to eat so there is never an empty stomach at our house. Also, you will probably see a lot of our nephews intertwined into the blog as they are a large part of our life and we love spending time with them, not to mention the rest of the family. Hopefully, you will not find the blog boring--if you do tell me--we couldn't stand to be boring. So here is to my blogging future as I prepare to eat a wonderful dinner and drink my champagne with my husband.