Sorry to have been out of touch this past week, but it has been a packed week so I thought I would update you in bullet points.
1. Work trip to Chattanooga for 2 days
2. Basketball Tourn. in Georgia/ 6 games and Jeremiah broke his ankle (thanks everyone for the prayers).
3. Emily sleeping in big girl panties and waking up dry!!!
4. Visit with high school friend Angela in town for the 1/2 marathon
5. Funeral visitation for great uncle, who passed away on Friday
6. Air conditioning out on the Ghetto Yacht and boy are we sweating
7. 5 trips to the YMCA to keep me sane.

A highlight of the week was Elijah entering the Hot Shot Basketball Game during the tournament. It was for only 8/9 year olds, but he begged to do and I was so proud that he actually went out there. Oh and notice the color of Jeremiah's cast. You know he is secure in his masculinity with that color choice.

We are off to Georgia for our first ever travel basketball tournament. Won't have a computer to post, but will check in when we get home on Monday. Jeremiah is super excited and laid his uniform out last night and made his bed this morning. That is a first. The boy loves basketball and we love watching him play. Blog ya when we get back. Have a blessed weekend everyone.

This may be the very first award I have received that I will honestly say I don't deserve. My sweet friend and long lost sister Emmie Beckering nominated me. She is a super cool teenager and the more we blog the more we realize how much we have in common. I am convinced we would have been best friends in school or I would have been super jealous of her (not sure). I couldn't even figure out how to set up my blog without the help of the blog fairy (see sidebar), and I have copied all cool things like slideshows and music from my other blogger friends. This whole world of computers and blogging just baffles me, but it has been the biggest blessing as a stay home mom. I feel connected to my friends and most importantly my China travel mates. So instead of nominating 5 people, since all my travel mates have been nominated like 4 times already I am going to encourage anyone that has ever thought about adoption or knows someone who has to please take a look at all my travel mates blogs and see how wonderfully our lives have changed since bringing home our precious little girls ...

Thanks Emmie for making me feel special !!!!

After we went to the funeral visitation last night, I was taking the babysitter home and we decided that just the girls would hit Target. We are just strolling around and everytime Anna and I pick something up then Emily picks something up and either says, "It fit me mama" or "I need this" or "It is beautiful". All in a voice that I swear sound like she is about 10. So after the clothing section, you know what comes next...SHOES !!! We are just having a blast because I keep trying to tell Emily that we haven't gotten to her section yet. Although she did pick out a cute pair of leapord print flip flops. We finally made it to her section and I let her pick out a pair of flip flops (like we need another pair, but she was being so good). We then venture to make-up where she is begging for some lip gloss which I manage to talk her out of. As we are heading to the check-out counter the once acting 10 year little girl finally reverts back to the 2 3/4 that she is. She sees a push pop and says I need it, so I give her a choice - the flip flops or the push pop. She chooses the push-pop and saves me about $7. It felt good to have the little one back because I am certainly not ready for her to be 10.

Background: Jeannie, Kristie, and I have been friends since we were kids. Our lives have gone in many different directions, but we have always managed to stay somewhat in contact over the years.

Tuesday night I get a call from Kristie that Jeannie's brother Jeff has died. He had MS, but it was still a shock. Kristie flew in from FL yesterday and last night we found ourselves sitting in Jeannie's old bedroom like we had done so many times as teenagers just talking, laughing, and crying. During our adult lives we have been in and out of each others lives and have seen a lot of ups and downs with one another, but sitting there last night talking as if no time had passed since our last sit down (it had been at least a year since I had seen them)it hit me ... These two girls know me better than just about anyone. We have different lives, different view points, and a million other differences, but the core value of love will always connect us. I thank the Lord for Jeannie and Kristie. I ask you to pray with me for the Ross Family as they the mourn the death of Jeff and I encourage you to make the effort with those people in your life that love you for you. Those are the friendships that will stand the test of time. lol Kristie and Jeannie !!!!

As some of you know we as a family have been struggling with where God has been leading us to serve. Not sure if it is the second adoption, my Daniel Bible Study, or just testimony of one of my mentors, but Scott and I just felt God calling us to deeper service as a family. We have been apart of two fabulous churches in the last 8 years and the teaching has been so strong and mission clear. We as Christians have to be "Doers" and not just "Hearers" of the word. We have taught Sunday school, lead at VBS, volunteered at church events, and donated to many missions or service oriented projects, but just felt that if we don't show our kids the "Doing" aspect of God's word then what will happen as they get older.

We are going to make feeding the homeless a twice monthly activity for our family. It was amazing the questions the kids had and the care with which they took to make sure each bag was prepared. I just happen to walk by an end cap at Target and they had their blankets at 75% off. Only $4.88 per blanket. I felt God telling me to buy all they had and for good reason. It was 35 degrees today and raining. We prepared 24 lunches and had 24 blankets to had out. Jeremiah was deeply moved and felt God sent those specific people to our car today and was concerned that we were one short. He said next time we must prepare more. I was proud of the kids and feel blessed that God can use us. I pray that He will continue to challenge us as a family and show us where we can serve !!! Enjoy the preparation video below ...

Most of you may know that I love FOOD (chocolate to be exact) and EXERCISE. Back in 1998 I was in love with the new Tae Bo videos, and since then have owned a bag(had to leave at the last house) and taken up kick boxing. There is just something exciting and freeing about kicking and punching. I can just see the stress fall off of me and the strength I feel is so much fun. So last night after much begging and shopping around we got a stand alone punching bag for the family. We had a blast last night whomping that thing !!!! We have had to set some clear rules for the kids, but what fun!!!!! So if you ever need a quick stress release come on over to Casa Oatsvall and grab a pair of gloves....

Stay tuned for tomorrow ... the Oatsvall's have a project tomorrow that could be life changing for us as a family!!!! Pray 4 US !!!!

After 3 trips to the dentist and a fridge repair man at my house for the third time this week I am ready for the weekend. The kids did great at the dentist. Jeremiah had to have a baby tooth pulled because his permanent tooth we coming in too fast. He did fabulous and received $3 from the tooth fairy for being so brave. Now as for Emily, I had to bribe her to get her in the chair. She is obsessed with Jeremiah's friend Michael, so I promised her if she would be a big girl at the dentist he could come over after school and play. She hoped right up in the chair. Her first boy crush (yikes). Elijah is starting karate today. I bid at a silent auction $40 for a month worth of lessons and won. What a deal and he gets a free uniform also. He is really jazzed. I am actually on the verge of a major chocolate fest if my fridge doesn't start working fast. First it was just the ice-maker, then the entire freezer, and now today the whole fridge is out. This mom can't survive without her ICE !!!! My diet cokes don't work on me without ICE!!! Did I say I like ICE!!! I know I need help!!

I'm not sure if you all know that I helped Gwen start her blog and she has allowed me to continue to have access even though she could boot me out. So, I use her as a kind of test ground and also an advertisement. Erin is trying to earn enough money to go to Israel this summer. If you have friends that are interested in a new blog look, please send them my way. Thank you. ~v

1. Finished the book "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers @ 11:30 Friday night. It was the most amazing book ever. The lessons learned will change my life. Please Read it.

2. 2nd year Gotcha Day. Words can not describe the depth of the emotions on this day. I must have kissed Emily a hundred times today and just thanked the Lord for this amazing child that was born of my heart. Love to all the Pingjiang Families. We will forever be connected by these glorious creatures !!! Gotcha Day w/ the Shockley's was a blast and the restaurant was still standing when we left (barely). It was great to see them and Pam is glowing. We talked about Ethan and we just can't wait to see him. It is always so sweet to see the girls together, ever though they don't really talk to each other. We guess that maybe Emily took toys from Hannah in the orphanage and that is why she is so scared of her. I will have to say that the Oatsvall Zoo Crew is a little overwhelming for Hannah !!! Hee,Hee.

3. Easter Sunday - What can you say ... "Jesus has Risen" .... What a great day for the family and great discussion for the kids ...

4. We spent Easter with friends and family. Mimi bought the kids matching outfits for Easter and they look very pretty and handsome. We grilled out at our house, hunted eggs and ate more than a small country needs ...

check out the slide below as proof ....

No time for pictures today ... I have been reading a book since 4:00 yesterday and I can't put it down. "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers based on Hosea ... I have heard women rave about it for five years and while I was at Lifeway getting some Christian books for Jeremiah I said "What the Hey" and treated myself to the book ... Oh my gosh, I can't put it down. This has never happened to me before. I will be finished in a couple of hours. It is the most amazing story and the fact that it speaks of God's redeeming love has just captured my heart and paints such an amazing picture of the deepness of God's love. Oh and yes my house is a wreck, the kids ate chips and granola bars for lunch, and I have ignored all phone calls and emails ... but I had to check in with you all. If you haven't read it, you have too !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Catch ya tomorrow when I return to my right mind ...

We celebrated Cade's 1st B-day on Saturday. What a brave little kid he is. Two surgeries and two more to go. I also went on a field trip with Jeremiah's class to the Hermitage (Andrew Jackson's Home). Now that is crazy fun ... 18 2nd graders in a historical home where they can't touch anything !!!! And tonight we are going to some friend's home tonight to experience our first ever Pass Over Super ... The kids are so excited. We anticipate Good Friday and the realization that our Mighty Lord and Savior went to the cross for us. Reminds me of how it is our "Gotcha Day" as God's adoptive Children!!! Picture from the field trip, Cade's B-day, and Emily/Mommy in China finalizing paperwork ....