I'm back!

So, I am returning to the world of blogging after my long hiatus. I decided to take a break from blogging for awhile because of some silly personal issues that I was having. As many of you know, blogging is an incredible way to keep up with old friends that you don't get to talk to often, but at times, it is also a place where people post their very strong opinions about different issues, and it became disheartening to me for a time. Now, of course, that is what blogging is for, its like a journal, right? So, of course people would post their opinions about issues on their blog. Well, I guess because of my own insecurities, I really took some of the posts that I was reading to heart. So, I took a "sabbatical" from blogging to really search out God's purpose for me as a wife and mother, as well as to really look at my family, and to know exactly how I feel about the care of them and my home. And, I have come to a conclusion that is so simple after all. God has created and wired each of us so differently. He has instilled in us values and convictions that may look like complete opposites compared to those around us. It doesn't mean that they are right or wrong, they are just different. So, most of you are thinking, uh yeah, duh! But, I just needed some time to search that out for myself. I don't want blogging to be a place where I am "comparing" myself to other mom's, I want it to be a place where I can keep in touch with friends and get some good ideas. I never want it to be a place where I am pushing my opinions on other people, but rather just voicing what is going on in our lives, because, again, what works for some, may not work for others. God has reiterated to me that my family is my number one ministry, and it is my job to make sure that they are taken care of in the best way that I know how, and that way is to search out what God would have me to do. Praise Jesus that I have a God to does not expect me to do this all on my own!!!

So now that is out of the way, we have some exciting things going on in our life. For those of you that don't know, we are expecting a little boy in January! We are so excited! What many of you may not know is that back in December, I found out that I was pregnant. When we went for our first ultrasound, the baby looked a little small, but we didn't necessarily think there was anything to be concerned about. When we went back again, we saw that there were actually twins in there, but something just wasn't right. So, after several weeks of waiting and looking, sadly we found out that we had lost both babies. It was a devastating time for us, but God shown His grace to us in unexpected ways. We have an INCREDIBLE group of friends around us who really took care of us through the whole thing. More than anything, what God taught us is that we are not in control of our lives, thank goodness! No matter what we have planned for our future and our family, His plans may be different. The gift of children is so precious and a thing not to be taken for granted. When I look at Addie, I am reminded daily of the miracle of life, and that they only reason that she is in our life is because God chose to bless us with her. Losing a baby makes you look at pregnancy in a whole new light. Yes, of course there is fear involved, but that fear just teaches me to hold on tighter to my Jesus, and trust him with everything that I have in me. The only reason that there is life inside of me right now, is because He has put him there. We are so thankful for this baby. So far, everything is looking great. He is right on track with he has decided on Jett Daniel. Its different, but I really like it, GOOD JOB ADAM! Hello, my name is Taber, how much more different can you get???

I also had the blessing of becoming a full-time stay at home mom two weeks ago. I have had a wonderful job working two days a week, but I have been blessed with the opportunity to come home, and I am SO THANKFUL! We are having SO MUCH FUN! I am so thankful to my husband for working so hard to make that possible. He knew that was my heart's desire, and he wanted to see to it that it happened. I love you Adam! And, we are trusting God as our provider, He has never failed me yet!

So, here are some recent pictures of our little honey! She is getting SO big, and seems even bigger now that I know she is going to be a big sister soon! She is moving to her big girl bed tonight, I am in a state of denial. Could she really be ready for that??? We'll see, I'll let you know. It could be a long night in the Crawford house!

This is Addie with her best little buddy, Lizzie! These two are attached at the hip! Lizzie's daddy is a pastor at our church with Adam, and her mommy is one of my closest friends! So, it works out nicely that they have just moved into the house directly behind us, WHAT A BLESSING AND SO MUCH FUN!!!