Catching Up...

First, thank you for your thoughts and comments about Home of Hope. If you want to read more thoughts on the orphanage, visit my adoption blog here.

Meanwhile, I have quite a few events to document! In just the last two weeks, we have:

1. Had TWO dancing ballerinas perform in their spring recital. There is just something about watching my little girls perform. It makes my insides turn over with pride.

Here's their proud daddy too:

Graceful and elegant, our oldest ballerina really amazes me with her skills. It's becoming more than "just" an activity for Kendyll, and I absolutely love watching her dance. :)

This was sweet Carlie's first big recital at the DBC studio! She was adorable in her pigtails and rolled her Texas Star prop so well! (The theme of the show was "Happy Trails" and she was a Wagon Trail Wrangler.)

2. We welcomed our baby sister and favorite aunt Cailee home from Oxford!!! SUCH a great day, full of tears and hugs, as we saw her for the first time in over four months. {And, that's a LONG time for our family!} We waited in great anticipation...

And, were so excited to see her coming our way!!

The nieces and nephews ATTACKED her with hugs and kisses. And, there the tears began.

Do you think we overwhelmed the other families waiting in baggage claim? Just a little.

This girl couldn't get enough of her Cailee. She told her again and again "My love you Cailee".

3. We celebrated Mother's Day at the ranch with Gammy! Here is Gammy and 3 of her 4 girls...it was so fun to be together, even if we were incomplete. (Missed you, Cass!)

Here's Cailee with her boy, Travis. {My girls are VERY into Cailee and Travis. We've had some great talks actually, about when and why you date. Cailee, thanks for being a great example for my girls on this subject!} Abby Kate told Cailee "Happy Mudders Day" about a hundred times, and even gave her gifts. Now, that's jumping ahead just a bit.

Here's Cortni with her little cuties on Mother's Day...have you ever seen a cuter threesome or a more beautiful mommy?

And, here's me with three of my four cuties. :)

I sure was missing my Chase on this important day. But, am prouder than ever to be his mommy and to still be connected to him even though I can't hold him in my arms. Someday, I'll love on him and it will be like Mother's Day every day forever. :)

4. We ended preschool for Abby Kate with a VERY CUTE spring program. The two year olds were basketball players, complete with sweatbands. I mean, can you even believe this cuteness?

And, she ASKED me to take this one, so "I could see her name and her face". The girl cracks me up.

Here she is singing "We Will Rock You", Sunshine School style. Hilarious.

And, here is her beloved Mrs. Amy. They are also known as "The A-girls".

She had such a WONDERFUL school year and has learned and grown so much. It's hard to believe it's summer time already around here!

5. Carlie also ended school this week with a party. They recited the poem Trees, by Joyce Kilmer, and also said Phillippians 4:6-8, one of my all time favorite {and most needed} scriptures. There's just something about children saying verses like this one that make my tears flow.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

Precious.

Carlie's favorite part of the party was the giant birthday cake a mom brought for all the kids in her class. They all have summer birthdays, so we had a celebration for them all. It was so cute and made them all feel so special!

So, it's another year down for Miss Carlie Reese! Another year of learning and fun, thanks to a wonderful teacher and sweet little friends. :)

Now it's Happy Summer to us...almost!