Best Friends

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart. ~Elisabeth Foley

This past weekend was an amazing blessing to me. My two best friends Becky and Amanda flew all away across the country,with Becky's beautiful 3 month old daughter Katie in tow, just so we could all spend the weekend together. I had the best time! I really had no idea how much I needed to see them. We laughed about old times, and cracked up and cried about new adventures. These girls are such amazing examples to me...and they spoiled us rotten!

Amanda basically took Sophia and kept her entertained all weekend!!! Becky was such a trooper~ she has a 3 month old and just did whatever I wanted. She lugged her out shopping and to dinner. I am so thankful such amazing, giving, loving friends....thanks for everything Chickie's!!

Soph and Amanda Lovin on Amanda

Katie sleeping on the couch

Katie and Sophia meeting for the first time

snuggle time Andrew with sweet little Katie

awesome mommy and daughter

sweet friends

too cute!!

Sophia's Baby Dedication

On Saturday afternoon we had Sophia's baby dedication at our church. A baby dedication is more about the parents that than child. Andrew and I stood up in front of the church and stated that we intend to raise Sophia up in the body of Christ, and that we want to be held accountable to that. There were ten other couples and their children. The really great thing was that two of our close friends were in service as well. During the service each family would go up and read a letter that they had written to their child. Below is the letter we wrote and read to Sophia, in case anyone would like to read it. We appreciate all the support and love as we raise up our little girl!

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised"Proverbs 31:30

Sophia Louise,

Our beautiful, sweet, precious baby girl. We have been blessed more than we could have ever imagined by having you as our daughter. You have been an answer to our prayers and the joy of our lives. We are so grateful that the Lord has given you to us.

We know that while we love you beyond measure, that there is One who loves you beyond comprehension: the Lord Jesus Christ. He loves you so much that he took upon your sin and gave His life for you. So that when you believe in Him your sins will be forgiven and you will have eternal life.

That is why today we dedicate you to Him and make a public declaration that we trust God's will for your life.We know that He is your true Father, a heavenly Father that gave His life for you. Our job as your earthly parents is to raise you to know the Lord your God, to trust His will and follow His commandments.

Our prayer is that you will grow into a Proverbs 31 woman, and that your outer beauty will pale in comparison to your inner faith and love for your Lord. We pray that you will be a woman full of grace, compassion, purity and love.

Sophia, we know that we are not perfect. We will make mistakes along the way, but it is our hearts' true desire to grow you into the godly woman the Lord desires you to be. We pray that our Lord, the living God of the Bible, will become your personal Savior. And that you will follow Him all of your days.

We love you more than words can say Sophie Lou!

Mommy and Daddy

Waiting for the service to begin.

Andrew, reading the letter.

Soph and her Daddy My good friend Megann and her daughter Kara Me, Megann, and Tabatha and Anna The three couples from our Sunday school class Family picture

The North Carolina State Fair, and Aunt Abba

This past weekend was very busy! We were so excited to have Andrew's sister Abigail in town for the weekend! Sophia loved playing with her Aunt Abba, and we enjoyed seeing family. On Sunday went to the state fair. It was packed so all we did was walk around and eat (still fun!).

div>Sophia all bundled up eating.... Sophia and Andrew checking out the livestock. Abba and Andrew eating funnel cake...yum! Family picture at the fair.

For my love...

Love you hunks...I know I don't say it enough...so I thought binary code would be appropriate :) I love you Andrew...you are the best part of my day. Thank you for all you do to lead, protect and provide for this family! You are our hero. XOXOXOXOX

Our little pumpkin at the pumpkin patch!

Saturday we took Sophia to a pumpkin farm. It really is amazing to see how much bigger a pumpkin is than your one year old! She had a great time exploring the farm and playing in the pumpkins. Here are some pictures from the trip....enjoy! hee hee...look how big her pants are on her tiny hiny! The pumpkins are bigger than she is! Me and my little pumpkin!

Our little toddler :)

Sophia is so fun these days, she is "walking" around by holding on to our fingers. She loves it, and wants to walk all day. One day I helped her for 3 hours at least...my back was killing me, but she got in lots of practice :) These pictures are of Andrew and Sophie in the front yard...we were waiting for him to get home from work and as soon as he did, Soph wanted to toddle around with Daddy!

My friend Cherie tagged me to answers these 35 Question about myself....so here it goes!

1. Do you like blue cheese salad dressing? Nope.
2. Do you own a gun? nope.
3. What's your favorite drink at Starbucks? raspberry mocha
4. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? COKE
5. Do you do push ups? no, my Kermit the frog arms have never been able to support my body weight.
6. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring and my pearl necklace that was my great grandmothers.
7. Favorite hobby? reading, blogging, party planning.
8. Do you have A.D.D? not if I like what I am doing.
9. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? I might be a tad critical of people...I'm working on being better about that.
10. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: I'm stuffed from pizza...I am enjoying watching football, and I am too young to be this tired.
11. Name 4 drinks you regularly drink. water, coke, lemonade, apple juice
12. Current worry right now? my stretched out post-preggo belly still flaps over my jeans. (I am looking at it right now....gross)
13. Current hate right now? there is no chocolate malted crunch ice cream in freakin N.C.!!!
14. Favorite place to be? next to Andrew
15. Do you like to travel? yep.
16. What color shirt are you wearing? Hot pink with "Los Angeles" written across it!
17. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? nope
18. Can you whistle? yes
19. Favorite color? Maybe a tie between green and brown
20. If you could would you be a pirate? nope...they look very smelly and I get sea sick.
21. What song do you sing in the shower? Right now it's bible songs for kids, I sing them while Soph plays with her toys outside the shower.
22. Favorite girl's name? Sophia Louise Bains :)
23. Favorite boy's name? Have to wait till we have a boy!
24. What's in your pocket right now? nada
25. Favorite bedsheets as a child? Rainbow Bright!!
26. Worst injury? umm...kinda graphic but...the four level 3 tears I had after having Sophia....hundreds of stiches..
27. Do you love where you live? I love our new house...I like N.C but miss L.A :)
28. How many TVs do you have in your house? three
29. Who is your loudest friend? Mia... I'm guessing she always will be :)
30. How many pets do you have? none
31. Does someone have a crush on you? Andrew does!!
32. What is your Favorite Book? To Kill a Mockingbird
33. What's your favorite candy? sour balls from Disneyland
34. Favorite Sports Team? University of Southern California Trojans!!!!
35. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? "Go back to sleep Soph!!"

Ok...I tag Lauren S. Kim Archer, Abigail Millwood, and Lauren H.

Sophia Louise Bains

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Psalm 127:3

Happy 1st Birthday precious little girl...you are an amazing gift and your Daddy and I love you with all our hearts. xoxoxo

Sophia's 1st Birthday Party

Saturday was the big party! Sophia had a wonderful day with her friends from Sunday school. Andrew and I felt very blessed by the friends that we able to make it to the celebration of our little girl.

Sophia and her friend Drew. (poor Drew) Lunch Trying to get at the cupcakes Mommy and birthday girl Playing Family picture messy cutie pie! Playing with Andrew's blocks from when he was a kid. Soph and her Dad.

Sophie's First Hair Cut!

Sophia could have used a haircut within her first few months of life, but everyone kept telling me that I would regret cutting her hair and that I should wait. Well I waited almost a year, and today Soph had her first haircut. I decided that it was going to be today since she has her 1 year portraits tomorrow and her hair was just a tad out of control. I took her to the kiddie salon and she did wonderful. She only fussed when I had to hold her head still so the lady could cut her bangs. She didn't cry....I on the other hand...cried on the way there, while they were cutting her hair, after she was all done, on the way home, and a little bit as I write this. I can not believe how big my baby is getting. She is now a "little girl"....goodness...I am going to be a mess at her birthday party. Anyway I took about 50 pictures....here are some favorites...enjoy :)

love her :)