Happy Friday!

Pumpkin Express

The Little Miss and I met some friends at a pumpkin patch this morning and had a great time. It was the first pumpkin patch experience for both of us. We had a blast on the hay ride (her daddy will be proud to know that our girl loved riding behind the tractor, a John Deere nonetheless) and it was so fun to wander the patch looking for just the right pumpkin. This was the perfect way to welcome Fall!

Making Progress

Happy Friday to our many, many readers out there! I'm guessing we're numbering almost to the double digits now. Granted, 90% of you are related or "adopted" family members but hey, we're making progress and that's what counts!

Speaking of progress, have you heard the big news of the week? No, not that the financial bailout package bill finally passed...we're not talking about the VP debate and are definitely not referring to the Beavs loosing in the last minute to Utah by a field goal (argh). Put on your thinking caps. This is big news, people, we're talking B-I-G.

Drumroll puleeeeez...dah, dah, dah, dah...boom! The West Coast Wagners finally have grass in our backyard! Remember all the weeds? Well, some are still there but most are gone and are now replaced with our beautiful lawn! We obviously haven't gotten our landscaping completed and still have more to do however, I'm really quite proud of Mr. Wagner for all his hard work in getting the irrigation system ready and the sod down (thanks too to Fireman Jon for helping with the sod!). This all just days before the rainy season officially begins (did I mention I'm so not a fan of the rain?).

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!).

Tough Acts to Follow

I'm joining my friends Joani and Mel to take a cake decorating class, beginning this week. This should be interesting. I'm used to being a teacher's pet but in this case, both Joani and Mel have a serious upper hand and are going to be tough acts to follow. Joani's been making some pretty fabo cakes lately (see here and here and here). Then there's Mel who enters the chocolate cake competition at our State Fair every summer and this year "fared" very well (pardon the pun). Not to mention Mel has a niece who is a culinary school graduate and a chef/cake decorating expert. I imagine she'll be getting a few tips from the family connection.

Oh well, this is still going to be a lot of fun. I'm game as long as my creations don't end up showcased here.

(Thanks to Erica for that funny link...found it via Joani...love the blogging world!)

Like Mother, Like Daughter

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.

Birthday Letter 2008

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:

1. Faithfulness (“For we walk by faith, not by sight,” 2 Corn 5:7; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths,” Prov 3:5-6),
2. Compassion (“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world,” James 1:27),
3. Kindness (“..Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those to spitefully use you...Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” (Luke 6:27-31).

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!

Mom

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.

Birthday Blessings, Buddies & Boots

Our Little Miss is turning 2 years-old, unbelievable! In many ways it seems like just yesterday that she was a tiny preemie. When we reflect on those days, we are still amazed by the blessings we have been given. Our girl's birthday marks a major day for our family and this year, we invited friends to a pool party to join us in celebrating a few days early.



We were honored by the turnout and hope everyone had a good time. The Little Miss was sure elated to have so many of her favorite buddies around! As you can see, our "shoe princess" was also overjoyed by the new pink ostrich cowboy boots she got from the Peltiers. She had fun modeling them the rest of the evening along with her new baby dolls. I know I'm biased but it was pretty darn a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e.