Long time no update!

What an adventure these last few months have been! The Lord has graciously allowed me to give birth to a beautiful baby boy, Donatello {Donnie} Maxwell Hoffman. No, we didn't name him after a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, didn't even remember that it was one of their names! It means "Given by God" and after the loss of our first baby, the heartache and difficulty that came with that situation, I did not expect to be pregnant for a while, however the Lord saw it fit to bless us with another little one SO SOON after my miscarriage. Clearly all children are given by God, but we felt that this name in particular was really appropriate for our little man, with his timing in mind. I am so thankful for my sweet bundle of joy!

Moving on, I had a baby, packed up my house (with lots of help, thank you all!!) and had to wait an extra month to move (our new home wasn't finished and only found out a couple of days before we were supposed actually move.) Let me just say, after packing your whole house and having a newborn..still living in the old house for 30 days was NOT fun, but the Lord is sovereign over all things and we ended up getting lots of extra perks with our landlord because of his mistake in not informing us sooner about the progress of the house. I am grateful that our dear Lord was growing me and teaching me to be patient and to trust Him in ALL things. Fast forward to December..it's where all the fun begins.. Dec 1, we moved and my sister, Olga, (THANK YOU!) flew out to help me unpack the important things in my house so that I could be able to live and function for the first week. On the 7th, we flew out to LA for a week, to see our brother Max get married to the lovely Hailey Rochow, who is now Hailey Hoffman, yay for more sisters! LOVE YOU! :) And I got to see my family too...soo nice and refreshing, I did not want to leave! After getting back, Zach went RIGHT back to work at Whole Foods, and a few days later, it was sweet Hopey's 16th Birthday party, then Christmas, then my dear sister, Viktoriya and her hubs and baby came to visit for a couple of days, which was so fun and relaxing! It's always a joy to see family! Ok, THEN it was Max and Hailey's Nashville reception, then a small[er] get together at our house on New Years Eve and now I am here. It's January 1, 2012 :) I am home with a sick husband, and a baby who is ready to get sick anyday now and I feel my body finally giving in to all the craziness as well. But I am sure we will be alright. :)

I am so excited for our new place and getting it fully set up, there are so many things I want to do and create, I can't wait to post some projects on here! Finally. hah.

I'm also really starting to get into the swing of things and having the baby around and actually getting most things done around the house, my body is well and recovered. {Thank you Jesus for a great midwife who did a fantastic job, delivering the baby and sewing me up later!}

I love the beginning of new year, I feel refreshed and determined to do better and know that I will because the Lord is faithful to grow me, because He LOVES me. What could be more encouraging than a God who disciplines because He loves and a God who has given me all things that pertain to life and godliness?   Nothing drives me to want to be more like Christ than knowing that He has provided all resources for me to lead a godly life! I pray that God will grow my passion for Him more and more each day!

....I could write a novel on here about lots of other details and things, if I had the time, but my baby is hungry and being ever so cute with all of his coos and caas and I want to plaayy with him :)
Check back soon!

-Sasha