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!
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| Meeting Beilyn for the 1st time, being carried by the orphanage worker. |
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Finally holding my baby. She was so scared |
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| Beginning to relax a little in mommy's arms. |
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| She had been with us about 48 hours at this point. We were in love. |
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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!)
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The weather was perfect! |
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The kids paraded around shouting "Happy Gotcha Day!" |
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| 💜💜💜 |
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| 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!
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| She's gonna be a big sister! |
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| With my mom and sisters. |
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| Missing two of my sisters-in-law |
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| 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!
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