April happenings {Spring concert & Easter eggs}

A couple of weeks ago, we had some friends over for dinner.  Alex and I have been in denial for months that they were actually leaving, but it's true. The Ottos moved to Florida on Thursday and we will miss them dearly.

Our kiddos (minus Caleb)

April 6th~ Finally able to wear some Spring-y outfits to church!

One day this past week, Annabelle lost one of her top teeth. Her speech is even funnier now.

Brielle was so excited that Ella came to play one day.

I overhead the sweetest thing while the girls were playing.  There is a family picture upstairs from when I was pregnant with Brynna.

Ella: Brielle, that's when your mommy's belly was big because she was gonna have you.

Brynna: No, that's when I was in her belly. We adopted, Brielle, remember?

Ella: Oh ya. I forgot. ♥

Thursday, Braylee had her Spring music concert at school. It was a country-western theme.

Oh these two. Love them.

Friday, the big girls had Camp Read-a-lot at school.

We had amazing weather all weekend. Lots of time playing outside, including dyeing Easter eggs yesterday.

Brynna loves to teach.

A friend shared the idea of putting crayon shavings on the hot eggs to make designs as the wax melts. The girls loved it.

(I added some more info about Beilyn's ears to the last post.)

Beilyn Update!

I had mentioned previously that our agency was in China in March and met Beilyn.  Monday, I received the videos from their time there! I have debated about whether to post the videos. Since there is a lot of talking going on in them and I don't understand Mandarin, I've decided to only share them with close friends and family for now.  But... I made lots of pictures from the videos. :)  My agency also sent a few new photos too. We were told she loves her foster mom, and there are 5 other children in the home with her.

These were taken on March 23rd, the same day we shared our news with our families! Beilyn was 17mo old then.

A little hint of a grin. :)

With our agency girl holding our photo album. 

Do you see how good her left ear looks?! I do think it sticks out a little (like Brynna's ;)) but the shape of it looks much better than in previous photos! Alex and I both noticed this right away!

Getting her package from Mama and Baba! She looks so beautiful to me!

Another look at that perfect ear! She was definitely responding to the noises around her too.

♥ Seeing her family for the very first time. ♥

Just love her little profile

Walking with her foster mom

I see a smile!

Don't you just love the split pants? 

 Just a few more weeks until we can fly to China to get our little sweetie.  Please be praying for Beilyn's heart as she prepares to make yet another big transition in her life.  She lived with her birth family, then in the orphanage, then in a hospital room for a month, back to the orphanage, and is now in foster care.  That is a lot of changes in 13 months for anyone, let alone a tiny baby who is learning how to love and trust people. We are praying she feels an instant peace and comfort in our arms but we know the bonding and attachment process will take time.

It probably goes without saying that Brielle needs prayers too. :)  When I ask her if I can hold Beilyn, she says (pointing to my shoulders) "She can hold on this side and I can hold on that side." When I ask if I can hold just Beilyn, she says, "Nooo! Cause I want you to hold me! Cause I don't like you to hold Beilyn." Our little Chinese Empress is going to have quite an adjustment period.  

Our visas (to get into China) are ready and Beilyn's visa paperwork will be picked up from the US consulate in China on Monday and overnighted to Beijing. Then we will be waiting for our last approval, the Travel Approval! I need to start packing!

**Edited to add: About Beilyn's ears... in her referral photos (especially one that I've never posted because it is just not flattering), both of her ears looked abnormal, the right one more so than the left.  The doctor described the right as a "lop ear" and the left as a "cup ear."  While we can still see the right one doesn't appear "normal," it does look much better and we are amazed at how perfect the left one looks compared to earlier photos! The way her ears look doesn't bother us, but it's what they could represent with the different syndromes that made us nervous.  We think she is beautiful but as a momma, I was already worried about kids making fun of her. We know God created her for a purpose and we can't wait to see her story unfold! :) 

Update for March

Nothing all that exciting but I want to record our family memories. :)

3/8- Matthew came to hang out with us. My girlies smother the poor boy. ;)

3/9- Girls taking selfies before church started.

These two are my crazy ones. ♥

Taking advantage of some warmer weather to visit the "mermaid lagoon" in our neighborhood.

3/10- Cheering as the Vikings win Sectional

3/13- Brynna & Brielle were decorating paper plates as "Easter eggs." I am impressed with Brielle's details on her people. Just this week, she started drawing bodies and fingers on them too. (Brynna drew the dog.)

3/14- Twelve years since my tumor was removed. A reminder to enjoy the little moments like lunch with my mom, sister, & Grammy.

Oh the struggles of being the baby. She wants to do everything the big girls do. She said, "I'm sad. And I mean it!"

My cousin Taryn was home visiting from Virginia. What a surprise for the girls when they got off the bus and Taryn was sitting on our front porch steps with us! I think they only slept a few hours that night. :)

3/16- Little ladybug after church

3/19- Brielle got to sing on stage at Awana that night. The two standing beside her are in her class. You can see she's a head shorter than her peers. She is little but feisty!

Braylee with Sydney & Presli

3/21- 1st night of Spring Break. Pool Party with Alex's family!

She said, "I'm a mean shark!"

That night, my phone accidentally got knocked into the water. After a couple of days in a bag of rice, it's working great!

3/22- Semi-State Champs! She was so excited about her Viking tattoo.

3/24- Craft time with friends during Spring Break

 While Greta and her kids were still at our house that day, Brielle was sitting on my lap playing with a baby oxygen mask. Somehow she sling-shotted the thing right into my eyeball with the elastic strap on it. It ended up causing a corneal abrasion and I spent the next day in bed with my left eye shut...which also happened to be my birthday. The day wasn't what I had expected, but it was another day to be thankful for!

3/27- Her hair is finally growing! Her first french-braid!

3/28- Wonder Lab with their Egnew cousins

Miles, Braylee, Brynna, Hadlee, Kooper, & Brielle

3/29- With our besties at State. It was an exciting game! We sadly lost in overtime after being up by 10 in the 4th quarter.  We were super excited that Micah won the Mental Attitude award though! He is the cadet teacher in Braylee's classroom.

When we arrived home that day, I found a package in the mail from one of my adoptive momma friends! The oreos didn't last long. ;)

3/30- Brielle's doodling in church. She loves to write.

Perfect Sunday afternoon. Mommy & Daddy watching a Disney movie with our three ice cream-eating girls and puppy in front of us. And there is a perfect spot for Beilyn next to Brielle. ♥