Alive and Well

Hello, dearly beloved blog readers. Please don't give up on us, I know we've been slacking on the updates. The Wagner family is still alive and well. Like most of you, we are keeping busy at this time of year. Here are just a few of the things we've been up to lately:

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.

Next up is a picture of the most recent home decorating project that we completed in the guest/playroom:

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.

Finally, Saturdays have been filled with this:

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.

That's all for now! I'm off to plan for the Big Day of Thanks coming up next week. More to come about that later...

Planning to be Random

I was "tagged" by my friend Sam a few weeks ago and was asked to post 7 random facts about myself. Since I'd already confessed 6 random quirks in a prior post and didn't know how much more you all could stand to know about me, my initial temptation was to pretend like I just missed the request. However, since Joani, Janelle and Mel have all faithfully followed through, I figured I too would jump on the band wagon. Here you go, 7 random facts:

1) I have a hard time being random.
It wasn't only that I'd already posted those quirks, I also just plain had a hard time coming up with random facts. I'm a "planner" by nature. I get paid to manage a team of project managers and large projects. What do project managers do? We plan. This request to share random facts has just reiterated my need to plan as I've had to ponder ideas for weeks now. Speaking of planning...

2) I really enjoy planning parties and surprises for others.
Coordinating events, including coming up with the details (a theme, decorations, and food) is something I truly enjoy. I much prefer to do this for others than to have it done for me. I think it's because this is one way my (limited) creative side can be exercised. Party planning does have it's downfall though because it often brings to light one characteristic that I struggle with...

3) I have a tendency to be somewhat of a perfectionist.
I can go detail-overboard. I don't expect perfection in everything, and try not to put that expectation on others, but I can be hard on myself in certain areas. The best example I can give is when I finished my thesis. Many graduate students have to do a number of re-writes before they are approved. Since I was so thorough in reviewing my drafts, by the time I presented, my graduate committee had no corrections. It wasn't that I was a genius, it was that I can be anal retentive. That leads me to another quirk...

4) Color coordinating is very important to me.
While I am far from a fashionista, "matching" is something I'm a stickler about. This crazy need relates to both clothing and decorating. Poor Mr. Wagner doesn't even attempt to pick out an outfit for our Little Miss for fear that it will not meet my color coordinating standards. However, being that one of my first memories of my husband-to-be was of him wearing a mismatched plaid shirt with striped shorts, his cautionary approach may not be such a bad thing. Speaking of my main man...

5) I had a crush on my hubby for a long, long, long time.
Ok, so this isn't new news for most of you. It was actually the same day that he was wearing the mismatched outfit that he first caught my attention. We were at a church picnic playing beach volleyball with a group of friends. The rest is history (about 7 years later!)...

6) I can be stubborn.
Some may think that I must be extremely patient to have waited for Mr. Wagner that long. In actuality, those who know me well can tell you it's probably more likely the fact that I can be a little stubborn (a quality inherited from my dear, sweet Dad). Once I realized that Mr. Wagner had the qualities God had laid on my heart for a husband, I knew he was worth the wait (so yes, I did have one very short season of dating someone else during that time but let me remind you again, I did have 7 years to fill. Elizabeth Elliot didn't even have to wait that long!). And...

7) I completely love being a wife and mom.
The wait was more than worth it. A day doesn't go by where I'm not reminded of just how blessed I am to be Mrs. Wagner and together, how incredible it is to have the joy of parenting our Little Miss. There are no words that could fully describe just how thankful I am for my husband and child. I'm so glad I have a lifetime to do my best to try to show them.

Ride 'Em Cowgirl

We may be partial but we're pretty darn certain this here is the cutest Rodeo Clown you'll ever see (we started off going for the cowgirl look but as you can see, the end result was much more rodeo clown-like). The Little Miss sure looked cute as can be with her pretty pigtails, rosy cheeks and pink cowboy boots! You'll have to try to visualize the straw hat because she wanted nothing to do with the real thing.

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!).

Where Has The Month Gone?

I can’t believe we are almost to the end of October, seems like it was August just yesterday! Our apologies for slacking on the blog updates this month. Weekends have been busy with several trips to the central and southern part of our state as well as fun times with out-of-town guests. Weekdays have been busier than normal with the addition of my cake decorating class and the Little Miss’ first swim class (I know and agree that swimming is really important. We will stick to it but I sure am looking forward to taking her to dance or gymnastics…or pretty much anything else). We’ll post pics of both when: 1) I get better at decorating and, 2) the Little Miss smiles through most of her swim class. Make yourselves at home because you may be waiting awhile…

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!).