Hello all, just wanted you to know I haven't disappeared. I know I haven't stopped by to chat and check in on you all lately, but we are in full swing of school and it takes me a couple of weeks to get back into an early morning routine. The Oatsvall Team is up at 6:30 and goes non-stop till about 5:00... after baths, dinner, and some homework, we head off for a little family time (above picture of Hide-N-Seek in the house since it is 104% outside) and then hit the sack. After everyone goes to bed is normally when I would sit down at my computer with some ice cream and catch up with you all, but these days I am just tuckered out and need to hit the hay my myself.

I will be checking on everyone soon. Miss ya and can't wait to see what is going on in your crazy lives soon ....

SW: Social Worker . . . HS: Homestudy . . . PC: Paperchase

I have confirmation from post office that Maggie's packaged was received at her orphanage. Yiipppeeeee. Will be sending another one in September.

LOA's came today and we did not get one which means the wait continues....You must have an LOA before travel....

I blinked a hundred times going into the school to keep from crying. He was brave and excited, but a little hesitant. I left him and made it to the car where I broke down. Elijah won't be at the same school as Jeremiah and Scott till next year, so it seemed as if I was leaving him alone. He seemed so small to be there, but after a good cry and some encouraging words from Scott and my friend Suzanne I made it. When I arrived to pick him up, he was smiling and full of things to share. They had a bear hunt, made a necklace, ate in the cafeteria (which he said was "AMAZING"). He loved it and his teacher had nothing but praise for him. I adore my Elijah, he truly is the joy in my life.

A normal week always includes a daily trip to the YMCA, which gives me the boost of energy I need and the kids some playtime with others. Well, this week most kids went back to school, so the YMCA closed the youth room (the one Jeremiah goes to), so I had to work out at home and we really never left the house except for the fake 1st. day of school. It was fun to stay home in pj's all day, color, read, watch movies, and play around. One blessing of each day is watching the kids play together and be creative (they are playing Handy Manny in the picture), but then there are always the emotional break downs and high drama ... I love it all !!! I love being a mom, I love being a wife, I love being a stay home mother and being there for my family. They can get on my last nerve and drive me up the wall, but at the end of the day I feel like the most blessed person on this earth.

Ok so my brain is somewhere between Tennessee and China ... Remember today was suppose to be Elijah's first day of kindergarten. I was emotionally prepared. Put on my happy face and did my best supportive mom smile this morning. We all had breakfast together and walk him into his new class. His new teacher says I can pick him up in about 45 minutes. My brain is going "What?" .... I am ready to cut the apron string, I have my tissues already in the car, and packed his snack ... I put on my full "mommy in the know" face told his teacher "OK" and walked out the door and to my car where I fumbled through the mounds of paper that goes along with going to school and there it was in bold print ... TESTING DAY 1 HOUR.

So I tucked my emotions back in for Aug. 22 the ACTUAL first day of school. Perhaps I have had to much time at the pool this summer and I am water logged or still dizzy from all the sun or perhaps thinking about travel to China has pushed me over the edge. Whatever it may be, I have another week of my precious yet dramatic 5 year old red head !!!!

Picture included from one of the many pool days shared with friends at our pool....

While we wait to bring our precious Maggie home we want to make sure we don't miss the awesome blessings of each day. I want to wait well and show how awesome Jesus is in my life. The fact is He can care for all my children whether home, in China or Ethiopia much better than I ever could ....

A Father/Son friend of ours treated Scott & Jeremiah to a weekend in Chicago at ESPN Zone and WNBA game. They had a blast !!! Planes, Trains and Cabs ... Jeremiah couldn't stop talking about it.

So while the boys were away, I got a sitter and spent some much needed time with my friends. We got pedis, ate ice cream and did some retail therapy (pictures included).

Carlee and I ate at Red Lobster ... We laugh and cried together. I was a great time of catch up for us. Thank You Lord we were in a corner both !!!

I feel refreshed and ready for Elijah's first day of kindergarten (tomorrow)... If I hadn't mentioned it yet "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young is a fabulous way to start the day ... Love You All !!!

Dearest Daughter,

My words today will not come close to the depth of my emotions, but I wanted to pen you a letter of birthday wishes. You have already brought me so much joy in the month since receiving your picture. Your sweet face and the strength that shines in your eyes gets me through my days. I have prayed for you since the day your sister Emily was placed in my arms because it was that day that God spoke to my heart and let me know that I had another daughter in China. I will never understand what you have been through in your short life and the pain you have suffered, but I can tell you with all certainty of my being that you will never feel abandoned or unloved again. There will be hard times ahead, but as a family we will stand together and face them all. You will never be alone, but will be part of what makes us a family. The scripture says, "Where your treasure is there your heart will be also." My children are my treasures, so know that even though we are not there yet you have 4 hearts in Brentwood, TN that are with you everyday and you have a Lord that is your comforter, Father, healer, friend, master, protector, and refuge.

My Birthday Wishes
1. I pray for safety and health until you are placed in my arms.
2. The presence of God to bring you hope of a new life.
3. A prayer said each night for you to know my voice when you hear it.

I love you Maggie with all my heart, mind, and soul ...Happy Birthday

We decided to take off for the mountains for a few days. No phones, no camera, no computer ... I missed you all terribly, but it was a great time of rest, fun, and time of prayer ... I never realize how much there is to pray about until I am still and just let the Lord lead me into some one on one time with Him. He brought many needs to my heart and it was refreshing to just speak out the names and the needs ...

Will catch up on all your blogs after unpacking ...

P.S. TOMORROW IS A VERY SPECIAL DAY !!!!! STAY TUNED

My sweet friend Adele has nominated me for "Blogger Reflection Award." I am honored to be chosen by my new friend. This award is defined as ...

The “Blogger Reflection Award” should make an individual reflect upon bloggers who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way, and who have provided a Godly example. In other words, bloggers whom, when you reflect upon them, you are filled with a sense of pride and joy...of knowing them and being blessed by them.”

As, I come upon my sweet Maggie's 2nd b-day this Friday, I have been reflecting upon how much my sweet daughter has already suffered and survived. There are moments my heart aches so much for her, there are moments I can't breathe for fear of her needing me, there are moments when time seems to come to a stand still and I think I may never reach her and then all of a sudden I get a word from the Lord ... sometimes it is from one of my many blogger friends, my China sisters, my children, my sweetheart, a friend, or simply a soft whisper in my soul that assures me my God is is in control and His loving arms are wrapped around us all.

I am nominating my sweet friend Tina H. ... She inspires me daily with her words of wisdom and truth from the Lord. She sees Him in absolutely everything and I adore her spirit !!!!

See sidebar for Adele's and Tina's link ... I still can't figure out how to put links in my post ... Please don't take the award away from me ... LOL

I will make this short and sweet ... I have been nesting all day. I starting cleaning at 8:00 am (plus had Scott working on his HONEY DO LIST)and just stopped at 11:23 pm.... That can only mean one thing ... Something is coming. I pray for travel to get my sweet Maggie and for a new COP list for my waiting sisters....

I overhauled all three kids rooms, transfered Maggie's clothes into her room, clean and sorted toys, created a arts-n-craft table (those who know me know I don't do crafty stuff), moved furniture in every room of the house, cleaned out my closet, sorted my jewelry, clean out kitchen cabinets, moped, dusted, and so much more...

So watch out something is coming .... Have a fabulous week.

P.S. I decided that next Monday August 13, I am going to start training for a 1/2 marathon to try a split my focus for waiting on travel to sweet Mags....

What a fabulous day I had with Jeremiah. Words can not describe the way this child makes me feel. He is my first born and for 4 years it was just he and I before the rest of team showed up. He is kind, compassionate, and full of energy. He is always sweet to others and has the amazing ability to make any child feel welcomed as a friend. This was how our date day went... (all his choices)

1. Breakfast at McDonald's
2. School Shopping at Old Navy (shopping with him is quick and easy)
3. Game Stop for a new play station game
4. Chuck E Cheese for games, pizza, and drinks
5. Movie "Evan Almighty" ... highly recommend this movie .... what spoke to me - Part where God challenges the mother to think about what prayers really are ...if you pray for patience does God give you patience or an opportunity to grow in patience ... great lesson !!!!
6. Top the day off with "Cold Stone" ice cream ... my creation was dark chocolate ice cream with brownies and oreos .... can you taste it ????

We are preparing for school (thanks to blog fairy for the new facelift)... Elijah got the name of his teacher today, and Jeremiah's comes on the 10th ... The mother's day out program begged me to send Emily, but I am keeping her home another year, so her and Maggie can have some girl time with mommy ...

Love you all and hope blessings are flowing in your lives !!!!

Routines return to the Oatsvall home.
~blog fairy