Sofia's first verse

About a month ago the girls and I were driving, listening to Rob Biagi. I noticed that Sofia was singing almost ALL the words to "Before I Go." Although it's a fairly simple and repetitive song, I was still amazed at her memory! This got me thinking...if she's able to memorize songs...surely she is able to memorize Bible verses!

Proverbs 29:11 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

Mike and I believe that a large part of "training our child(ren)" is Bible memorization. As stated in:

Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

So, with all this in mind, we began working on 1 John 4:8b, which says, "God is love." It's the first step in what we hope and pray will be a life-long discipline in her (and Olivia's) life: to hide God's word in their hearts!




A little bonus - Sofia sings "The B-I-B-L-E"

With this ring, I Thee wed...

It's so hard to believe that we said, "I do" 3 years ago (June 4th, 2006)! As I look back over the past 3 years, I can't help but be joyful of all that we have been through together, and how evident the Lord's hand is in every step of our lives. I rejoice in Him for blessing me with such a wonderful husband who is so perfect for me! We continue to seek the Lord in all that we do, and strive to put Him at the center of our marriage.

The wonderful thing about marriage is, it keeps getting better and better with time. I think back to our first few months of marriage, and although they were not as traumatic as I hear some are, it's still a transition to learn how to live with someone else. The longer we are together, the more we learn about each other; how to encourage, love, fight, and pursue one another. My heart joyfully anticipates this next year and all that God will teach us. I pray our marriage would be not only be glorifying to Him, but that it would also be a reflection of Christ and HIS bride (the church). May our love for each other emulate the way that He loves us!

I look forward to this next year because I feel we have better tools to carry out our marriage. As we continue to focus on the Biblical model of marriage and family, it is my prayer that the Lord will bless our efforts. As Mike submits to the leadership of Christ, and yet becomes the head of our family, I ask the Lord to give him strength and resolve to carry out his duties. I ask the Lord for a submissive heart, and that I would better learn how to control my "take charge" attitude.

As we begin this next year of marriage I feel thankful and blessed for my wonderful husband...the Father to my children, head of our house, and my Best Friend! I love you Mikey!! Happy Anniversary!!!

Sofia Ruth - bringer of JOY!

Tomorrow is going to be Sofia's 2nd birthday! I can't believe that 2 years have already gone by since the first time I heard her cry as the Dr. pulled her out of my womb. I will never forget that sweet sound, it was truly music to my ears and my heart lept within me. As many of you know, because of the difficult labor and the fact that I began to feel what the Dr. was doing during my C-section, I had to be completely sedated. Although Sofia was born at 12:10pm on November the 9th, 2006...I actually didn't SEE her until somewhere around 2pm that day (only because I was sleeping from the sedation). I will never, ever forget that moment...

I was conscious before I had the ability to open my eyes. I heard our nurse, Mary Beth calling to me, "Erica? Erica? Can you wake up?" I answered, "Yes, I am awake." She said, "Can you open your eyes?"
I replied, "No, they feel too heavy. Where is she?"
"She's in a crib right next to your bed."
"Can I hold her?"
"Of course."
I heard Mary Beth moving around the bed, and then felt Sofia being placed in my arms. She was all bundled up, and although I still didn't have the ability to open my eyes, I held her, and rubbed my fingers over her face, much as a blind person would.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" I asked.
Mary Beth said, "She's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen."

Mary Beth was right! When I was finally able to open my eyes, she really was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. Sofia continues to be the most beautiful child, not only on the outside but the inside too! As her personality has begun to come out more and more over the past 2 years Mike and I have begun to see the beauty our daughter possess in her heart. She has an undeniable spirit of JOY that is infectious to all those around her. You can't be around her and not smile or laugh at least once!

Our sweet ZuZu has been prayed over ever since she was in my womb being knitted together by our Heavenly Father. Her Lina prayed that this child would bring JOY to all those she came in contact with, and I know the Lord was faithful to hear and answer her prayer.

I often feel overwhelmed when I realize the HUGE responsibility Mike and I have been entrusted with. To care and provide for, and most importantly, to teach this beautiful joyful child about God. To diligently pray for her until the day she repents of her sins and puts her faith and trust in Jesus Christ. I ask that you join with us in prayer for our daughter:

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for the blessing of our daughter, Sofia Ruth. Thank you for the joy that she brings not only to us, but all those around her. Thank you for her health and for knitting her perfectly together within my womb. Thank you for entrusting us with her care.
Lord, we ask that you would be a mighty fortress of protection around Sofia. May your angels be round about her, guarding her from the Evil one. May your Holy Spirit, even now, be at work within her heart. We ask that as soon as she is able, she would make the decision to repent of her sins and put her faith and hope in Jesus.
Help Mike and I to be good and faithful stewards of this precious gift you have entrusted to us. Teach us to be good parents, and to always set an example of what a Godly marriage and home looks like. We admit that we can not do this without you, we admit that we will need your strength, wisdom, patience, and love. Please go before our family and plan out our steps.
We love you Lord, and are amazed at your love for us. We continue to wait with expectant joy for your return!

In Jesus name, Amen!

(P.S. We also pray this prayer for our other darling girl, Olivia Anne!)

"Momma, love you"

Today my sweet Sofia Ruth said, "Momma, love you." It was the first time she has every said, "I love you" to anyone. These literally were the most precious words I have ever heard, and I have been waiting almost 2 years to hear them! I don't think I will ever forget this day as long as I live. I hope that I will always be able to remember the way her little 2 year old voice sounded when she said it!

I was in my bathroom, putting on some make-up...when she walked up behind me and said, "Momma, love you." I whirled around, knelt down right in front of her, and said, "What did you say?" She said it AGAIN, "Momma, love you." I pulled her in for a hug so quickly, I think I may have scared her. But I kissed her and said, "Momma loves you too! Momma loves you too!" All the while tears were streaming down my face. She then gave me a kiss on the check, turned around to Olivia, who was lying right next to us, and said, "Baby, love you." This, of course, sent me into more hysterics as I marveled at the love and blessings my gracious heavenly Father has lavished on me. It was a perfect moment, and I hope it stays this fresh in my mind for the rest of my life!