Stitch

Mr. Wagner's parents (Gr'pa and Gr'ma) flew out from the Midwest for a visit last week and we had a terrific time, regardless of the vacation starting off on the wrong foot...or "hand" rather. You see, Gr'pa and Gr'ma were left to fend for themselves while the West Coast Wagners made a (not so quick) visit to the Emergency Room on the first eve of their visit. Long story short but the Little Miss was helping me make dessert for a BBQ we were having that evening with Gr'pa, Gr'ma and our dear friends, Jack and Mel Glubrecht. Our girl was caught in the cross fire when Yours Truly was trying to get a glass jar of powdered sugar down. Being ever so graceful, Yours Truly knocked the jar over and it proceeded to land and break on the counter, with a piece slicing my sweet girl's hand. Praise the Lord it wasn't worse but we still had a very upset girl...and mommy! Mr. Wagner and his parents happened to be at the grocery store at the time but by God's grace, Jack and Mel arrived just in time to help take charge of the situation (Mel was also the first person there both times I was admitted to the hospital when I was prego so she has now officially been at all of our family emergencies. Thank you Jesus for friends like that!). Three hours, five stitches, and one new teddy bear (a.k.a, "Stitch") later, we were back home.

Our girl was the first ER patient of the day wearing a fancy pink tutu (she also had a tiara on when the incident occurred but we decided not to take that to the hospital)

The fam still smiling after our three hour ER wait. The Little Miss was sure a trooper! 

The Glubrechts with Gr'pa and Gr'ma...regardless of being abandoned and having to fend for themselves, they still managed to enjoy their visit while we were at the hospital.

Happy Father's Day!

I love Daddy when it's Father's Day...even when it's not. I love when Daddy gives me hugs and kisses and when he takes me to dates. I like to go to the shoe store in Bend [REI] with Daddy. I am excited that Daddy is going to drive the bus for my school [for field trips]. I think Daddy is cute when he kisses me on the cheek and it tickles. I love you Daddy!

Love,

Your Little Miss

End of the Season

It's official, the 2012 Riptides Rookie Softball season is over. It was fun to see our girl progress from picking flowers during the first practice to actually watching for the ball (most of the time). She has a pretty good arm on her and has the cutest batting stance (she even managed a few hits during the season without the assistance of a tee). The Little Miss (#6) especially enjoyed sharing the season with her daddy ("Coach Wagner") and Elle (#5), one of her best buddies who is also a curly-haired left-hander. Such fun to watch the girls.

What better way to end the season than with the team cheer (no, I was not the one to make this up): Potato chip, potato chip, crunch, crunch, crunch. We like the Riptides a bunch, bunch, bunch!

Schools Out For Summer!

It is crazy to think that the Little Miss is done with preschool! We are really looking forward to fun filled summer days but I admit, this mama is already thinking ahead to having to "let go" when our girl starts all day kindergarten in the Fall. Oh boy. So proud of the Little Miss and the way she has truly blossomed this past year. Now off to find some tissues...

Memorial Day Weekend

Our apologies for a month lacking of posts dear blog readers! We know all (three) of you have been waiting on pins and needles and do apologize. We have no good excuse other than we've been enjoying life (and lots of softball games, ballet practices/performances and planting our garden).

Now...back to blogging. The West Coast Wagners did get away for an extended holiday weekend to one of our favorite spots in the world, Central Oregon. We had a nice time visiting family, friends and ummm...dogs. A few snapshots from our weekend:

 Daddy and Daughter enjoying a view of the Deschutes River from Drake Park

The Little Miss with her "favorite" dog, Sage. Sage is my bro and SIL's old lab and is the first dog to have captured her heart. Our girl also had fun playing with another new favorite, Bandit (my aunt and uncle's toy poodle who just celebrated his first birthday. Yes, the Little Miss made sure we sang Happy Birthday but I drew the line at putting candles on the cupcakes).

My bro was working most of the weekend but we did get to see him one evening for dinner. He missed out on a nice BBQ we had another evening with family and friends.

Mr. Wagner enjoyed a mountain biking outing with our good friend Robert and a few guys from his church. Mr. Wagner loves riding the trials around Bend and would really like to move there...Lord willing, someday?!

The Joy of Motherhood

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I have been reflecting on why I love being a mom. I often find myself trying to savor the moment with our Little Miss, maybe in part because I have been given just one to mother and the precious childhood years are already quickly slipping away. Honestly, there are days that I feel less of a mother because I don't have more children (I cringe inwardly each time I meet someone who innocently asks, "is she your only one?"). Thankfully those moments are fleeting. I admire women with larger families and think it is awesome that God has filled their quiver with the blessing of children. That wasn't His plan for our family (my body didn't exactly cooperate well with the first). Even so, I am a mother and am so thankful that by God's grace and mercy, I get to experience the joy of mothering our girl. There are so many reasons I love being a mom, too many to count or explain. Just a few that have come to mind lately:

• I look forward to seeing the Little Miss every morning when I wake up. I especially enjoy the mornings where I can climb into bed with her and cuddle while she wakes up slowly and then asks me to tickle her back
• My heart is full every time she calls me "mommy" or "mama". That title comes with responsibility for sure but is such a privilege
• Being there when she asks tough questions like "Mama, how come we can't see Jesus in heaven when there are no clouds and the sky is blue?"
• Kissing her owies; in her mind even the smallest of injury requires a mommy kiss to heal (maybe not such a cute need when she's older but for now, I'll enjoy every minute!)
• Seeing the love and admiration she has for her Prince (a.k.a., her daddy) and watching their father/daughter interaction
• Taking her on mommy/daughter dates and fun "girl outings"
• Finding new ways to share Jesus with her even in the midst of our daily activities
• Teaching her to ride "our" horse. Just recently she has been trotting and even cantering on her own (I have him on a lunge line). Lucky is a BIG horse so that takes bravery for a 5 year old! It helps that she seems to have a natural talent to ride (to her daddy's dismay but her mommy's delight!)

There will never be enough time to say or show just how much I love being a mom to our girl. I tell her regularly that there is absolutely nothing better than being a mother. I hope and pray that someday, our Little Miss will have the opportunity to experience the joy of motherhood firsthand.

March For Babies 2012

The West Coast Wagners completed our second annual "March For Babies" in support of the March of Dimes this past weekend. This year we were joined by our friend Sheena who had her own preemie a little over 5 months ago. Baby Amy was born at less than two pounds but praise the Lord is now over nine pounds and is doing well.

This year Mr. Wagner and I ran most of the route with the Little Miss in the Chariot (i.e., a jogging stroller). It is the only 10k we will ever "win" (granted, it was not a race and no one else ran but are those details important?!). Our own "miracle girl" ran the last stretch with us. What an honor to help raise awareness and support for babies and their families dealing with premature births, an experience we ourselves will never forget.

Thanks so much to all of you who supported our team!