My sweet girl told me the other day with no prompting "I lufa you." I think we have turned a corner here and I just know that God has used you all to keep my heart full and focused. Taking each day at a time with Maggie made the journey so sweet. On the hard days, I just prayed Lord help me get through this day. On the sweet days, I said Lord let me catch every blessing ...

Maggie loves her home and feels so safe. I am leaving her home w/Scott more now to run errands or whatever and she is doing fabulous. She is understanding who we are ... To see her run to Scott when he comes home from work just makes my heart leap out of my chest ... Her brothers and sister adore her (even when she scratches and bites ...still working on that) ... They don't shun her, but try to teach her to be soft ... I am so proud of how they are loving their sister ...

We are healing here and it feels good. God has made us stronger because we were so weak... He gets all the glory...I love you all and when I say you have helped me through this I mean it ...

P.S. Thank you Verna for my new look .. What a selfless and sweet friend you are ... Praying for smooth adjustment for Noah ...

P.S.S. Check out the top icon on my sidebar ... Becky has set us up a great Adoption Fundraiser Blog ... Check it out and buy all your gifts there ...My honey got me the Africa Necklace for V-day from the Junk Posse site ... It is beyond fabulous ... Let's support bringing children home to their forever families and give a gift that will bring blessings forever !!!!

This picture has nothing to do with the post, but you all get angry when there aren't any pictures ... hee hee hee

OK, first of all no jokes on the title ...

1. A quote from the book Denise sent me, "The comfort of a friend is priceless ...Girlfriends are one of God's sweetest gifts." (not to leave Mr. Brian out because He is considered one of us) THANKS DENISE FOR MY SWEET GIFTS ...

2. Not sure if anyone remembers, but I ask for prayer for a an unspoken way back in China and we feel like God is answering our prayers ... We have been wondering in the desert on this issue for months now and feel thankful that it is finally being resolved ... Please keep praying and I will share more when I can ...

3. I think I forgot to do a tag awhile back about 7 things about myself you might not know (I am a proactive user (love the stuff), I was voted most athletic ib my senior class and no I wasn't a cheerleader even though people assume w/my big mouth that I was, I married my high school sweetheart and moved to California - been married 17 yrs now, I wanted to be an actress at one point and took lessons - big joke, I love college basketball on TV, My favorite show is Biggest Loser - can't get enough of Jillian (she pumps me up for my workouts), I am bear if I don't get a workout in 6 days a week - no comments because I big eater) ...

4. JESUS CALLING ... the last week or so has been on finding peace .. I feel like at times that can look very differently ... Because peace w/Christ isn't always peace in your life ... That has been a great realization ... I feel so peaceful in my walk, in Christ's will for my life, and for His direction to our family, but that doesn't mean an easy road and I am learning that following Him makes all the difference in my life ... I desire Him, I adore what He adores, and I feel His presence w/ me daily ... (now honestly, the whole love your enemy thing keeps me stumped and I am working on that one ...) BUT I FEEL PEACEFUL IN THE LORD ...

5. My excitement for Verna right now is so off the charts ... My sweet friend has her little boy and just causes me to pray for all my sweet waiting mothers ... You are so brave, courageous, and an inspiration to me ... I pray for you all !!!! I pray even more for what I call my HIT LIST ... It is my list of people who say they have thought or prayed about adopting ... I now pray that God lays that burden on your heart so heavy that you begin the process ... Scott named it the Hit List after we came home from China with Emily and so many people would tell us they have prayed about adopting ... don't' want to start a controversy here, but if God has laid it on your heart and we know it is very important to Him then please consider this as a way to grow your family and I promise it will change your life like no other decision out there ...

6. I am seriously thinking about planning a blogger 1st time reunion ... I may make it connect to my China family reunion so those that are interested can do both ... I am thinking about 4th July 2009 ... Stay tune for more details ...

7. Please keep praying for my niece Savannah Hope ...

Thanks is it for now ... Love You All ...

Pizza fun !!! So much to say about weekend, but I will let the pictures speak for themselves ... I am taking reservations at Casa De Oatsvall ... The Beckerings have already booked again for April ... Anyone else???

How many ears were burning this weekend as we talked about our blog families !!! hee hee ... I am thinking a 1st blogger reunion may be in order one day !!!!

God sent me all the way to China to find the most amazing friends !!! Love Ya China Family ...


More friends over to visit !!! They had a blast and the noise was at an all-time high

No visit is complete w/out a trip to TARGET !!!

Love spending time w/Emmie ... She is fabulous and coming to spend a couple of weeks w/me this summer ... Love ya Girl !!!!


Thank You Lord for friends that enrich our lives beyond what words can say !!!!

Trying not to rub it in ... But it has been a fabulous day with Emmie, Steffie, and Sophia ... No pictures yet, but what blessing ...

Try Not To Be Jealous !!