Thanks to Verna I am now connected to a yahoo group from Maggie's orphanage. Verna is always looking out for me. The above is a picture of her orphanage. She is in a very poor area and we will more than likely not visit the orphanage. It is over 8 hours away from Changsha.

Other News:
1. Elijah lost another tooth. He is banking his money for a big toy.

2. We had a cook out at a half way house for Restore Ministries. We pulled up and one of Scott's childhood friends was there. God is so big. Scott shared his testimony, we cooked out and of course Emily had everyone eating out of the palm of her hand.

3. Renovation of the house is almost done. We have enclosed our screened in front porch as livable house space now. I think Scott is getting ready for all the children God will bring into our home.

4. I got a new picture of Maggie's head burn and I think it looks great. I feel so blessed that God is caring for her till I get there.

5. I am super excited about Wed. ... Jeremiah and I are going out on a date for the day. I adore my oldest son and love to hear what God is doing in his life. We try to do a date every 3 months or so to have some one on one time.

That is all for now. I am so excited about some of my new blogger friends.... You all keep me so encouraged and focused on the BIG PICTURE !!!

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.

What a blessed couple of days. I feel so blessed to have several different groups of people that I call families. I have my own crazy bunch that gives me love, laughter, and smiles daily, I have my extraordinary extended family that really is such a lively group of love and energy! I have my church family that never fails to support and encourage and I have my girls from the team that have become like daughters to me. And then their are those friends that are so much like family you wouldn't know what to do without them. And my of course my CHINA FAMILY !!! My travel group have become like sisters to me and I don't know what I would do during these emotional days of our second adoption w/out them (lol). Here are just a few of things we did over the weekend with our FAMILIES! Thanks everyone for always being there and for loving my family!!!

1. Athletic Banquet on Friday to honor athletes. I love to see my girls all dressed up. They are one beautiful bunch. These girls have impacted my life in so many ways. Coaching is about so much more than the sport itself. I get the privilege of helping these girls figure out who they are. I love each and every one of them. They always make me feel special and I love the way they love my kids. Thanks girls!

2. Carlee, Chris and Cade come over for a swim. The water was a little cold, so Cade wasn't real happy, but I love it when he comes over to play. He loves the dog Sarah so much. He is such a champion and his second surgery went well !!! Prayers for my CADE !!

3. Trip to the airport to see Miss Jadyn Hood come home. I don't know about you, but I love going to the airport and seeing our precious little ones come home from China. She looked so happy and very attached to her family. I loved seeing her dig her head into Amy's shoulder. We have prayed for this little for almost 2 years and she is finally home. Thank you LORD !!

4. After the airport it is off to my niece's graduation. Tori is the most beautiful young lady. She will be playing soccer on scholarship at King's College in East TN. We are so proud of you Tori !!!!

5. Sunday has two more parties.... I am off to the Chapman's house for a grad. party for Canan .... Here is a young man who will do big things in the ministry. He is a master with Kids !!!! My kids almost tore down the house ... I only have 3 kids, but sometimes it seems like about 6 ...

6. The day ends with a Retirement Party for Mimi (Scott's Mom) ... She is so happy to be retired and has such peace in her life now. We had a blast at Kobe's Japanese Restaurant and honored Mimi for all her years of service. We gave her a beautiful butterfly ring to remind her to spread her new wings.

Well that is another packed weekend with the Oatsvall's .... notice the first missed tooth for Elijah in the slide show to follow ...

You know the old song "Count Your Blessings Name the One by One." ... well here goes

1. I had a very special Tea Party with Elijah at school last Thursday. He made me beautiful gifts.

2. Friday was the annual Grandparent's Day at CPA. Jeremiah was honored to have Mimi (Scott's mom) and Duh (My mother) in attendance. We had a great time and the school did a 50's singing production. We then ended the celebration with lunch at Longhorns and ice cream. SPECIAL SURPRISE - EMILY CHAPMAN WAS THERE AND WE GOT TO VISIT FOR A MOMENT (MY EMILY'S NAMESAKE)

3. Mother's Day was spent with family and a cool new workout out for me. We also got to see our pastor by satellite in China with his new daughter. It was the best church service ever.

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all my friends. You are amazing mother's among you and I have learned so much. May the Lord continue to grow and bless our families.

SEE SLIDE SHOW BELOW FOR PROOF OF MY MANY BLESSINGS !!!!

Forgot to update you on Sunday about our "feed the homeless" ministry... We made our lunches and headed out on the beautiful Sunday that the Lord so beautifully orchestrated and with in no time we had depleted our lunches and as we were heading home we saw a group of 4 men reading the word outside of a small building. Scott ask me to pull over and he got out of the car to see if there was anything they needed. They admitted that they were hungry and that normally there is a small church ministry in this building, but no one was there yet. Scott told them we would go get them some food and be right back. One of the men said, "I remember you, didn't you give me a blanket and food a couple of weeks ago." Our service to the Lord really "DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE."

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.

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!!

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 ....

You know how they say there are some experiences that bind people together forever, well I feel that way about my travel group to China. Of the 11 families we traveled with 10 families are still in weekly contact. I just think that is amazing and the support we are building for one another is strong, but more importantly we are building a community for these girls. Our Pingjiang Princesses will always have that connection back to China together and some super cool girlfriends. This picture is Emily, Chloe and Sophia on the famous RED COUCH. Kisses to all the girls!!!

I guess the downside to being a popular teacher is that we get TPed about once a year. Scott says he will find out today who did it because if there is one thing teenagers can't do it is keep a secret. The kids had a blast cleaning it all up and I don't think they even realized they were working. Oh and can I just say - I am ready for warm weather. I am over the cold and want to wear flip flops and t-shirts. Have a great day all.

Organizing Pole Results (1)Invest in rubbermaid tubes or baskets (2) Purge toys and clothes as often as you can (3) Train children to pick up each night (4) Turn all hangers in your closet around one way - as you wear something then turn hanger in opposite direction - at the end of 6 months if you haven't turned the hanger around then it is time to get rid of it.

What an exhausting past week emotionally with the COP list request. I think I failed miserably as a mom during that time. I was so anxious, short tempered, and unavailable, but in the midst of it my kids never missed a beat. They gave me hugs, kisses, and "I love You, Mom." My lesson learned is that in the trials of following Christ's Plan for our life (Example- COP List, we can't be so focused that we miss His blessings along the way. Things I overlooked that I now see. 1) Jeremiah wrote on his brand new basketball shoes, but He wrote scripture 2)Elijah completely destroyed his room with clothes everywhere, but He dressed himself all week with no help 3)Emily got into my make-up and made a mess, but when I got on to her ... she simply said, "But you tell me to share." So I guess it is all in how you want to look at things. I am going to look at the blessings of my messy house, dirty dishes, screaming kids, and say "Thank You Lord."

P.S. still waiting on everyone to weigh in on the Home Organization Email I sent out. That is my next post.