With summer being so busy, I thought I might do a catch up post and tell you about how fabulously blessed we are ....

1. Scott and Jeremiah (A couple more Dads/Sons) did a cookout for a homeless shelter. Scott said it was amazing and Jeremiah has lots of questions, but not to impressed with how much people smoke (hee hee) ... We had a great opportunity to share with him how decisions made affect our lives.

2. This past week we had over 100 visitors at our home. This is truly the House that God built. I love opening my home and enjoy fellowshipping with others.




3. On Emily's actual b-day the new COP (special needs list) came out and there are some of the most precious little ones ever on this list ... We are praying for God's direction as we make our request for them.

4. Jeremiah and Elijah had 6 basketball games. At one point Scott put Elijah on the court with Jeremiah for a few seconds and it just melted my heart. Jeremiah did a fancy dribble over to Elijah and handed him the ball. Elijah of course immediately handed it back to big brother for a shot. LOVE MY MEN!(this is one of my fav old pictures and a picture of Elijah patiently waiting his turn to play)






5. Highlight of the week... Emily and I are looking at pictures on the computer and the conversation goes like this..

Mom: Ya know Emily if anyone asks you where you came from, you can always say Mommy's heart ...

Emily: Not China?

Mom: Yes, you came from China, but also Mommy's heart.

Emily: I miss you when I in China. (Tears Just Flowed and I Thanks My Lord and Savior for this precious child born of my heart)..Picture: This is the moment they handed her to me.



6. Pingjiang Reunion is only 7 days away and I can't wait ... My travel group has become its own little family!!!

7. Scott is building a bamboo fence. He always needs a project going.

We are blessed to have a beautiful, spirit filled, loving daughter and a great grandmother, who has amazing health and love. These two special ladies share a birthday. Emily loves her Nana. I am always amazed with each passing year as my children get older at how blessed we feel to have these amazing gifts from God. To my precious, Emily, you are the light in my life and because of you our family has found a calling and a purpose from the Lord. You were created from the beginning of time to be an Oatsvall and we are proud to be your family!!!

Will post slide show after her family dinner tomorrow night!!!

Just had to post the exciting adventure of the Shockley's leaving Emily's b-day party. Apparently Greg thought that you didn't have to look at the road when driving. We were all really scared at first, but then things got comical. Just a few pictures of the adventure. Also, just wanted to add that we all were laughing at Scott driving his lawnmower out their to pull the car out, but we have to say, "That John Deer Tractor" got the job done.

I am starting to think you all don't believe I went tubing, so here are a few pictures of me in action !!!! I will have to say that my arms, shoulders, and neck are still sore !!!

What an amazing couple of weeks it has been. We finished team camp with a record of 15-5 I believe. It was an amazing 20 games in 7 days. We took a much needed break and headed to our pool for some fun in the sun. I just love this team !!!


After team camp was over, I flew to Michigan for the weekend to surprise Steffie (one of my travel mates from China) for her 40th birthday. Becky another China travel mate from Iowa also flew in for the surprise. We haven't seen each other in two years, but thanks to blogging and our forever bond of being Pingjiang moms, we didn't miss a beat . We talked until the early morning hours and just loved it. David and Emmie (Steffie's family) pulled off a wonderful surprise and I am so thankful to them for the chance to catch up with my friend.




I flew out Sunday from Michigan and gave Scott a quick Father's Day hug and we headed off to the Lankford's lake house with the team for some bonding time (super thanks to the Lankford's for hosting us). I for the first time ever tubed behind a boat. It was so much fun and we are all sore. The kids are trying to talk Scott into a boat now, so we can tube more often....







It has been a super fun, exciting, exhausting, busy, and loving time with the girls, friends and the kids. It is good to be back in blogger land. I have missed you all. If you want to see more fun pictures from the basketball trip check out thepridelions.blogspot.com. I will be putting together a super fun slide show later tonight.

We finished our first camp 6-2 ... The girls did amazing and of course there were a few bumps along the road, but everything worked out. These girls have such a commitment and heart for this game. It makes it fun to coach and watch. Thanks to my mother-in-law for watching the little ones. We are off again today to another camp. I like that they are day camps and not spend the nights. I don't think I could be away from the 3 angels that long. They are long days, so I will try and check in with everyone on Friday.

I will be checking out of bloggerland for about a week. We are headed off to basketball camp and with 3 or more games a day, working out childcare, and trying to keep up the house work I may not be posting much, but I will try to check in on everyone. The above picture is some of my girls. They are a great group with unbelievable dedication and love for the game of basketball.

Elijah is my nature boy and he loves most all creatures. He has been begging to catch bugs lately, so we ventured out tonight for a time ole tradition of catching "LIGHTENING BUGS." Well all I can say is my eyesight isn't what it used to be. We only caught one LB for our 1/2 hour of chasing around in the front yard. I tell ya I couldn't see those critters for nothing and Jeremiah and Elijah run at them so fast they scatter. But we do have one lonesome LB we named "Lighty" and I sure hope for Elijah's sake that he makes it through the night.

Second highlight for Elijah is this will be his second week to attend basketball with his Daddy. He used to be so sad when Scott and Jeremiah would leave to go out to basketball camp the last couple of years because he wasn't old enough. But this year he made the cut. He is loving it and growing up right before my very eyes. My special red head.

Just got Jeremiah's report card in the mail and he finished the year with straight A's. We are so proud of him. He is a gifted child and I am always amazed at how easy it is to parent him. I pray God's blessings and guidance on his life. I still remember the day before going in to have my C-section with Elijah that I was a little sad because it has just been my little warrior Jeremiah for 4 years and that was about to all change. Of course when the red head showed up he opened our eyes to what a joy each child can be. I love my kids and I hope God blesses us with many more.