Today Sophia Elizabeth Paiva is 11 !! Wowie... That is all I can say! She is in my "baby" bunch being grouped together with Nick and in which I label the "younger ones" . I see the glare she gives me when I refer to her like this....but its how it works out in my head....the older 2 and the younger 2.
But it doesn't seem real to me that she is 11. We went and got our nails done today and to Taco Bell (just the 2 of us) and I watched this girl of mine.....where does the time go? Is this little curly haired baby who my mom use to call the opera singer because of the pitch she could reach when she fussed and who was happiest safe in my arms...how is she 11? How am I 38 !! How faithful is my God to give me such a treasures in my life.
I think God is awesome at giving surprises.......and Sophia was one of those God surprises ! After struggling with staying pregnant and then being blessed to adopt Nadia and give birth to Steven all with in a few months of each other. I was pretty satisfied that God had heard my cry (and it was a guttural cry) but He had been faithful and I was a happy mommy settling into a little routine. Then SURPRISE another one on the way.... I can still picture Steve's smile from ear to ear.....and my panic was way off the scale !! But once again God was faithful and His plan is always so much better than mine! I am so glad he knows enough NOT to let me plan my days.....it would be such a bore...so safe and predictable!
So having 3 kids in a period of 20 months was NOT boring! It was full of surprises and blessings and challenges! But through it all God has always faithful to me....when we went ahead and started planning to adopt Nicholas ......He walked by our sides even when it felt scary and uncertain He saw us through to getting our 4 kids home, which ever way they came to us .....it's all a God SURPRISE to me!! Sometimes I picture God peeking around a corner and shouting "surprise Heather......this is your blessing from me!!"
That's how I feel today as I look at Sophia ....11 years later I am still blown away that God saw fit to have her be my little girl.....I remember those early days I would wake up an just hold her in the middle of the night. She was such gentle baby....she would just look at me with her big eyes and she seemed to be in awe of me, her mommy.....and really what did I do for her....a little food, clean diaper, comfy bed.....How much more in awe should I be for what God does for me each and every day.......faithful.......true.........steadfast.......and yes he is a God full of surprises!!
Happy Birthday Sophia ....I love you my sweet girl!!
I think you are right - God likes to surprise us! Now that I've moved out of the infant season, when I think of adding 4 kids in 5.5 years I realize how crazy it all was. It didn't seem crazy at the time. It's so much fun (and hard work) now that I wouldn't have God change a thing about that time - except maybe a little more sleep for us all! :)
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