First Camping Trip in our RV {Sharing our surprise with our girls!}

May 1st-May 3rd

We packed up the RV and headed out on our first camping trip of the year, our very first trip in our new [to us] RV. The weather forecast was amazing, and there were four super excited little girls ready for an adventure!

When we arrived at Spring Mill, we quickly realized our water hose was too short, we still needed to pick up firewood, and we had no bug spray for the pesky gnats.  We made a list of things to go buy after dinner, but before that... we wanted to share our big news with the girls! ♥

We gathered around our empty campfire, and I asked the girls if they remembered what we did on May 1st last year.  I reminded them that we had boarded the plane for China to go bring Beilyn home! We talked about what a miracle she is in our lives.  Then I told them God was working on another miracle! That my two-month-long bellyache was actually a miracle! (They were too oblivious to realize my bellyache had been morning sickness.  My sweet Braylee had even suggested I try Activia yogurt to help my bellyache. ha!)  I told them God had decided mommy and daddy should have another baby! Brynna asked immediately, "You're pregnant?!" She cheered and tears filled her eyes. Braylee asked, "For real?! You're not joking?! I want a boy! Or a girl. I like girls too." They were so excited and jabbering away. Then matter-of-factly, Brielle says, "Mom is pregnant." lol. They asked lots of questions and loved guessing the baby's due date.  All weekend, they pulled on "wish-bone" sticks...Braylee hoping for a boy and Brynna hoping for a girl. I think the final score of the weekend was boy 8, girl 4. 💙💗

I am sure Beilyn doesn't really understand, but what we do know is that she LOVES babies. And since we told her the US picture was of a baby, she said, "Hi, baby!" over and over again to the picture and even kissed it a few times. 💕

All FIVE of my babies in one picture!

We ran into town for our needed supplies, picked up ice cream treats on the way back, and then sat around the campfire... all the while discussing the fact that mommy has a baby in her belly.

Eating taffy around the campfire. 

The next day, we walked through the pioneer village and campgrounds, climbed in the tree beside the camper, had batting practice, took plenty of bike rides, and ate lots of junk food. It was an amazing day. 

Beilyn was a good girl and slept all night! Can't you just see the mischief in her smile?! 😄

Dumping her scrambled eggs in. 

Early morning bubbles and archery practice

Making pizza pies to cook over the fire

She was very timid at first but then realized how much fun climbing trees could be!

The girls climbed and climbed while Beilyn was napping. 

She joined in the fun later!

On Sunday morning, we went down to the village for church. After a few more bike rides and lunch, we headed home to get ready for Beilyn's 1 yr Gotcha/Adoption Party!  

6+1=7

We recently celebrated Beilyn's 1 year Gotcha-versary, but that's not all! 

cookie cake- $10
party supplies- $12

pizzas- $$

Telling our families there are actually 7 Knepps in this picture- Priceless!

♥ Baby B #5 due 11.26.15 ♥

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Eph 3:20

Happy Gotcha Day, Brielle! {3 years}

It's Brielle's Gotcha/Adoption Day!  Three years ago, she walked right into our hearts forever in a hotel room on the other side of the world.  We are honored to be her parents!  She is bright, spunky, and full of silly sayings. We love her so much!

Trying on her Gotcha Day outfit.  It's getting a little snug.

That afternoon, she accompanied Braylee to the doctor. Braylee does not like seeing the stitches. 😊

We stopped at Orange Leaf on the way home. It's a 4+ hour round trip. She's a trooper.

Then it was time to celebrate! Three Years of Forever with our XinMeng!

She spent a long time smearing the icing all over her cookie but never did eat it!

Every time she picked it up, she'd have to sit it back down to lick off her fingers. Over and over. 😂

Brielle is still spreading the icing... 

Snuggles with my baby at bedtime.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, 

who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

Braylee's 1st surgery

We've known since Braylee was little that her feet were shaped a little differently (making it difficult to buy shoes sometimes), but it wasn't until she started crying about the pain last summer that we decided we better do something.  We first saw a local podiatrist who referred us on to a specialist a couple hours away.  The specialist showed us on the x-rays where she has 3 different deformities that are causing her feet to not be stable when she walks.  She had her first surgery on April 6th. She will have her other foot repaired after Fall Break. Each foot requires a 12+ week recovery. 😔

Our Braylee has a heart of gold. God has blessed her with such a sweet and unselfish spirit. Taking care of her has been so easy because of this. The first week was a little rough because of the amount of pain and needing to ice it frequently, but once we bought her the knee scooter, she has found more independence which has helped a lot. (She isn't able to bear any weight on it for the first 5 weeks.)

Before surgery. They had an inflatable warmer on her which is why she looks all puffy. 😉

Post op. 

This is her left foot. (View from the bottom of her foot.)  They did two bone grafts and then used the pins to set them.  She has an incision on the lateral side of her foot and on the top part of her foot. We are really thankful they didn't have to do the tendon release with it. 

She loves giving her little sisters rides on her scooter.

They love it too!

Brielle selfies. She put pink lip gloss all over her eyes. 😁

Easter 2015

This was Beilyn's first Easter with us! 

She LOVED dyeing the Easter eggs. She had the dye everywhere though! 😄

My camera died so we had to use the phone for pics.

We love going to my Grammy's house for Easter dinner and a big egg hunt.

My mom and sisters

Great Grandkids, minus Noah & Aiden

Great-Grammy helping Beilyn ♥

She loved it!

Then Mamaw handed out silly string!

Someone wasn't as amused. 😁

That afternoon, we left the little girls with my parents and headed to Indy for Braylee's foot surgery. We are thankful she was able to run and play on the beach and enjoy Easter first!