Springtime, Mother's Day, K graduation....

Whew! We have been having fun! We LOVE being outside and enjoying the fresh air! It's always easiest to update in pictures, so here we go...



Sometime in April- yes she is in pajamas. :)



Finally got this little cutie sleeping upstairs.
We call her crib her "Big girl bed."
She says, "But I not a big girl, I jus' a yittle girl."
She really loved sleeping in the pack n play in our room.

This was the night she climbed up the drawers to get the nail polish
remover from the top shelf of the upper cabinet. Little stinker. ;)
Thankfully, she didn't open it!

Playing doctor again. Brielle always seems to be half-patient half-doctor. :)

Brielle loves "adult" food- stuff most kids don't request. Tomato Basil soup is a fave. :)

After picture night at dance.
I am too tight to pay for the dance pics and just snap some at the recital instead.
Brynna was a bit disappointed that she didn't get to pose like
the other girls though, so we took a couple on our way out. ;)

My niece Emilee had her 1st prom (She is a sophomore and went with a friend.).

My brother, me, and my sisters

Brielle attempted T-ball for the first time.
This girly can't decide if she's a lefty or a righty.

Pretty proud of herself!

Brynna had her 1st recital at the beginning of May.

Braylee and Sydney at their first softball game of the season.

This one is for Papaw- He will be proud of her for not swinging at the high one.

A little moment captured...

Brielle loving on Mallee at Mamaw's again. She loves puppies.

Little sisters watching the big girls at dance class.

Friday night- free entertainment.

The Saturday before Mother's Day, we did a little shopping and they took me out for dinner.



Mother's Day! So thankful He entrusted these 3 to me!



My girls love to have "special" days. They have Royal Saturdays (all about princesses),
Spy Days, Craft days, Science days, Pioneer days, etc.
They pick them and plan them all on their own.
Mother's Day just happened to be "Rockstar Day." 
They requested I take this picture before church.

More of Rockstar Day.
They were disappointed when I made them wash it on Sunday night. 

One of Brielle's favorite poses.



Yesterday, we were invited to Brynna's Kindergarten "graduation" in her classroom.

 When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, she said a ballet teacher!


And in case you aren't on Facebook... here is Miss Brielle reciting John 3:16.

Celebrating Forever Family Day

On April 23rd, some of our family and friends came over for a little dessert party in honor of Brielle's Adoption Day. We tried to keep it very low-key. Braylee asked to say the prayer before we ate and what a sweet little prayer it was for her little sister.

 

Some of my AP (adoptive parent) friends and I have talked about this, but during the adoption process, people make comments (not always directly) about how this will affect our bio kids. Well, let me tell you... It has affected them in so many ways, so many wonderful ways! Braylee and Brynna love Brielle fiercely. They accept her completely and treat her no differently than they treat each other. It is a beautiful illustration for our girls to witness first hand how much God loves us as His adopted children. It has taught them about patience, trust, a different culture, and that we are all His children no matter where we are from or what color our skin is. It has also taught them about sacrifice...adoption isn't cheap, mommy has spent extra bonding time with Brielle, and naturally, adding another person to a family means less money and time individually but it doesn't matter to them. They recognized Brielle's need for a family and to learn about Jesus and that was what mattered to them! I do believe adoption is the best gift we could have given our bio girls.


So, we celebrated our Forever Family that evening. I tried to draw the characters for Forever Family on the cupcakes-- let's just pretend that's what it says if it doesn't. :)

Brynna had us pose like this. :)

Opening her Americana outfit from Great-Granny

We gave her a little embroidered change purse we bought in China last year.

LOVE these kids!

And these girls! Don't know what I'd do without them!

Getting some help from Pappy.

Papaw & Brielle

Gramma & Brielle
My poor mom had to work- again. :(

With Aunt Krista

Miss Brielle has changed so much since we've had her. She weighs 25.5 pounds and is about 34in- which means she has gained 5 pounds and grown 4 inches! She is smart and has an amazing memory. She is sassy and spirited but so so sweet! ♥We just love her to pieces!♥

Her shirt says, "God made me, chose me, and brought me home."