Last Day of School

Today was the girls' last day of school!  During the Awards program, they were recognized for their hard work but also both received the "Classy Character" award.  Every day as I kiss them goodbye, I remind them to be kind to everyone and helpful to their teachers.  I am so proud of the little ladies they are becoming.  Brynna didn't realize what her award meant.  I said, "It means you are kind and sweet."  She just grinned.  Love these girlies and happy to have them home for the summer!

Outstanding Achievement (All A's all year) and Classy Character awards

High Honors (Honor Roll with All A's on Semester grades) and Classy Character Awards

It was a great year thanks to these awesome teachers and super sweet best friends!

Emilee's Graduation

On Friday, my niece Emilee graduated from White River Valley. She was born on the 1st day of my senior year of high school so it was surreal to see her graduating already! How did that happen so quickly?!

Emilee was 8 when Braylee was born. Emilee and her brother are the ones who started calling her Bray-Bray. 💜

Four Generations- my brother, Grammy, Emilee, and my mom

The only picture I got yesterday at Emilee's Open House.
Beilyn & Aunt Heather

Brynna's Dance Recital {May 16 & 17}

Our Brynna Annabelle has wanted to be a ballerina ever since she learned to walk. She LOVES dancing, but like most kids, she would complain at times about having to go to dance class.   So when I found out her class would be almost 2 hours long this year, I wasn't quite sure how it would go, especially since she was the youngest girl in her class. As usual, there was no need to worry. She loved being with the older girls and looked forward to her class each week. We assumed she was improving her skills over the year, but Alex and I were both a little emotional when we saw her on stage at the recital.  Seemingly overnight, Brynna had become a true ballerina, so graceful and poised.  She looked so much older than 8 years old on that stage. I couldn't help but smile as I watched her, knowing she was loving every single moment!

After the recital on Saturday. Hugs from baby sister.

With Mamaw

We also got to meet Dayli! ♥ Her dad and Alex are 2nd cousins.
They adopted her in China one week after we adopted Beilyn.
We had hoped to be in China together but it didn't work out.
It would have been funny for the Knepps and Grabers to be in China together! 😊

Dayli is a peanut but it also shows how tall Beilyn is. She is only 3.5 months older than Dayli.

Pictures before the recital on Sunday.

She was shaking her tassels on the way back into the house. 😄

With Gramma & Pappy

Flowers from Daddy.  Alex picked her up from dance each week and would treat her to ice cream.

With Laura, her dance instructor.

Mother's Day 2015 {and Ultrasound pics!}

Mother's Day is always special, but it feels extra special when expecting another bundle of joy. Thankfully, I am beginning to feel better too as I near the 2nd trimester, so we went out for dinner that evening and did a little shopping. Last year, we spent Mother's Day in China with Beilyn. 💗

I love being their mommy!

Baby at 12 weeks.

Beilyn looked so cute in her new dress from Great Granny!

5/20/15- 13 wks. Baby's first handprint! 

Baby stretched its legs out for us too and bounced around a little. So sweet!

Every Friday, Beilyn has speech therapy with Miss Jill.
Beilyn loves her!

Jill and Beilyn

The girls did some chalk painting after therapy. 

Nap time. She's so stinking cute! 💜

1 Year of Forever with our Beilyn AnnaKai

On May 4th, 2014, we met Beilyn in the same hotel that we had met her big sister in almost exactly 2 years prior.  She was so thin, so scared, and so sad. While I was feeling uncertain of what our future with Beilyn held, I am so thankful I felt an instant affection for her. Beilyn started coming out of her shell a few days later, and we could tell there was a feisty personality waiting to emerge. She has endured a tremendous amount of pain in her first two years of life, and yet she exudes joy like no one else I know. We are forever grateful for the opportunity to parent her. She has been a huge blessing in our lives already!

Meeting Beilyn for the 1st time, being carried by the orphanage worker.

Finally holding my baby. She was so scared

Beginning to relax a little in mommy's arms. 

She had been with us about 48 hours at this point. We were in love.

Sitting on the couch where we had just met 5 days prior.
 What a difference!

On May 3rd, our families came to celebrate our 1 year anniversary of Beilyn's Gotcha and Adoption Days! Daddy was certain we needed a cookie cake, and the girls insisted on balloons. I was just trying not to get too emotional...after all, we were celebrating one of our most precious gifts as well as preparing to share the news of our surprise baby #5! (May 3rd also happens to be the day we arrived home from China with Brielle!)

The weather was perfect!

The kids paraded around shouting "Happy Gotcha Day!"

💜💜💜

We sang "Happy Gotcha Day to you!"

Then Alex shared how thankful we are for Beilyn and that God has big plans for our family this year too because there are actually 7 of us standing there! There was a collective gasp and my sisters said they were waiting for us to show them a picture of a new China baby. 😄💗  We have waited many years for this sweet surprise and are humbled by His gift of another baby!  I love the expressions on Braylee and Brynna's faces because they were bursting to share the news too!

She's gonna be a big sister!

With my mom and sisters. 

Missing two of my sisters-in-law

Some very excited big sisters!

The next day was her official Gotcha Day. We dressed Beilyn in the outfit she came to us in. 

Happy Gotcha Day, sweet girl!  We love you forever!