For our part, we aren't even going to try to make a New Year resolution (we're still working on ours from last year!). I didn't even make my half-marathon goal so maybe this coming year? If not, as long as I get to it by the time I'm 50...or 60...
The Little Miss loved this nativity scene craft project that she got from her Aunt Tonya and Savannah. She often asks to hold it by saying "Baby Jesus!!!" (though once in awhile she gets confused and asks for "Noah". We're still working to get her biblical facts straightened out). When you ask her "What is Christmas about?" she replies excitedly "Jesus!!!". That's our girl.
Yes, I realize that she has more dresses than the number of Christmases she's been alive for, thus far. We were blessed with three beautiful dresses from two of my aunts and our friend Mel last year. That made it extra fun!
(P.S. A big Thank You! goes out to Janelle's parents, Wally and Carolyn, for watching the kiddos!)
We accepted the fact that our little girl was ready to graduate to a toddler bed so Mr. Wagner played handyman a couple of weeks ago and converted her crib to the toddler daybed. Our Little Miss loved her "big girl bed" from the first moment she saw it. She's done great with the transition and has only fallen out a couple of times. 
It was amazingly simple and inexpensive. We painted a piece of trim, added furniture knobs and used ribbon to hang the frames. Don't look too closely though or you'll realize I've still yet to add real pictures. I'll get around to it, eventually.
Beaver football has been keeping us on our toes. It's been exciting enough that Mr. Wagner has to drink out of a sippy cup so he doesn't spill his soda (ha, ha, not really of course). The Little Miss is a great cheerleader and proudly says "Go Beavs!" as she watches with her Daddy.
We hope you all had a fun, safe Halloween. We had a nice time at the Harvest Carnival our church puts on and enjoyed dinner afterwards with good friends. Mr. Wagner is back at the Carnival as part of the "clean up" crew. He'll be working hard for the next few hours! I'm sure thankful he is serving for our family. I think I'll ponder that thankful thought further while I go make myself a nice cup of hot Chai tea and sit under a cozy blanket (Love you Honey!).
Since the rain appears to be here for awhile, the rest of our plans (flower beds, shrubs/trees, pergola, extended patio...) will have to wait. Next summer we should be able to show you the complete "After" picture of our backyard. I know you may be thinking it's taking us long enough but what would you have to look forward to if we showed you now? I know, the suspense is intense.
P.S. If you want to read more about the results of our first cake decorating class go here (No, my creation did not look quite that nice). Really, click on the link because you can also see one of my favorite pictures of our Little Miss (thanks Wally!).
My parents would tell you that I wasn't the most graceful child....Hmmm, I guess this is proof that the Little Miss really is my daughter. You should have seen the poor table.
Dear Little Miss,
Today you turn 2 years-old, happy birthday beautiful girl! No matter what they say about the “terrible twos”, you are an absolute joy to both your Daddy and I. You still have the same sweet, gentle spirit that’s been evident since you were born. In many ways, I'd like to bottle you up and keep you at this age!
My Child, every day is a blessing with you. I love to wake up to your smiling face. I love that you are a “Daddy’s girl” through and through. I love your sweet smile, dimple and dark curly hair. I love watching your social and "girly" personality develop. I love the sound of your voice and am so excited by the new words you are speaking every day. Most of all, I love that you are a reminder about how much Jesus loves us. You are beyond our wildest dreams and are better than any gift we could have imagined.
You will always be our “Miracle Girl”. Satan may have wanted to take you the day you were born but Jesus intervened. He has an incredible plan for your life. I don’t know exactly what that looks like but I know without a doubt that God's created you for something very, very, special.
I pray regularly for you and believe that's my calling as your mom. I'm asking Him to make you into a woman who seeks Jesus first. I pray that He'll give you much love and joy in your life. I'm also praying that He will give you spiritual gifts of:
Finally, the verse God laid on my heart for you this year is: “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying “This is the way, walk in it,”” (Isaiah 30:21). May your ears always be attuned to the voice of Jesus and your feet ready to walk the path He has prepared for you.
I love you my Little Miss!
P.S. I’m hoping to start a tradition with this letter. The goal is to write each year on your birthday to share a glimpse of why you are so special and to let you know what God has been laying on my heart specifically for you.
How do parents of a young toddler survive in the wilderness you ask? First, make sure you have plenty of family and/or good friends around to help watch your little explorer. For housing, you'll want to have an extra large tent (forget the light-weight backpacking tents, ours is an 8-person). Since you'll be worn out and sore from following your energetic child around, you'll want to have a gigantic, comfy bed to climb into at night (a raised, queen sized air mattress works quite nicely). You'll also want a large vehicle with extra space for luggage to accommodate these "needs".
To avoid the cold, sleepless night of last year's camping trip, borrow a heater from your dear, sweet dad. "Papa" won't refuse of course because he certainly wouldn't want his own granddaughter to suffer. Instead, he and his wife will spend the night in their own tent snuggled up under extra blankets (Thanks for the sacrifice! Can I tell you how nice it was to not freeze after climbing out of bed in the morning? Toasty warm. Sooooo nice).
Finally, to truly enjoy your camping experience, we recommend bringing a personal chef so you can focus on spending time with your loved ones. If you don't have your own chef, enroll your older brother (a.k.a., Uncle Todd). Truth be told, this is the one time he cooked but those eggs were sure good. Cooking does seem to suit him, eh?
There you have it, the keys to camping with style. Proof that it can be done, even with young kiddos. Just be warned: while the West Coast Wagners really do hope to make more than an "annual" camping trip in the future, for now we decided we are thankful to even get one in. We had a lot of fun and it was well worth the hard work to prepare but we do have a new understanding of what our own parents had to do to take us camping when we were younger. Let's just say we will be spending the next few days recovering. Until next year...
This picture alone didn't constitute the theme room. I fear I may have crossed the boundary when I ordered this from Potterybarn Kids (Mistake #3). It was in the same colors of the room AND had a daisy to boot so I couldn't resist (For those of you who look closely, yes, I could have made this too. As I told you however, the craftiness was fleeting).
In addition to riding Lucky, we had a fun weekend with my dad and stepmom visiting. As always, the Little Miss couldn't get enough of her "Papa". She forgets about her own parents when he's around (this could come in handy when we are all together in HI for a family vacation this winter).
A few money-saving ideas that we've been incorporating lately:
These are just a few small steps that we've been taking. We could certainly do much more to be better stewards of His resources. In a way, I don't mind that gas prices are leading us to make choices that are better for our environment and I like thinking of ways to be more resourceful. I'm interested in knowing what others are doing as well.
How is today's economy affecting the way that your family spends money? Are you driving less? Traveling less? Eating out less? What, if anything, are you and your family doing to save more?
Photo courtesy of www.freefoto.com
Cara Lynn made several fabulous pies and a beautiful berry tart for the event. The Little Miss enjoyed partaking in dessert off of both her parent's plates and then...
On Saturday, Mr. Wagner got up early for a mountain bike ride with the guys while the Little Miss and I went for a run near the river. Later that day, Mr. Wagner and Paramedic Jon took the kiddos to our neighborhood pool while....
On Sunday we had our first outdoor church service of the summer. We also ventured back to the neighborhood pool with the Booths, Hansons and McAlisters. It seemed like the rest of the neighborhood had the same idea. Regardless, the kids liked playing in the water and we enjoyed spending time with good friends.
While the ride may not have been our girl's highlight of the trip, I was thrilled to get to share my horse with the Little Miss. Once she was off she did decide she liked Lucky again and kept wanting to tell him "hi" and "cluck-cluck" (didn't you know horses "cluck"?). What can I say, she's a girl so she's bound to change her mind frequently. I'm not giving up hope on our future equestrian, we'll have plenty of opportunities to practice.
What are your favorite things about Summer?
If only I had known, Dear Hubby, I would have said "Yes!" all over again.
Happy Anniversary!
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We also had a nice visit with my great Uncle Bob before we headed home. We were surprised that the Little Miss took to him so readily, especially since he's a serious Dawg fan and a U of O grad. 
Jon & Janelle headed towards the finish line. I'm a "dot" higher up on the path
Check out my form. Paula Radcliffe would be jealous. The smile? Totally fake. 
