!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.