Monday, July 13, 2009
Forgotten blogger?
Okay, so it has been so long since my last post that I forgot my password to log in to the website! That is sad. Very, very sad. I could offer lots of valid excuses for why it has been so long, but no one would believe them anyway. Not sure if anyone even reads this anymore, but I just wanted to say a quick hello with the promise of more to come later. I am on Facebook so if you are just DYING to learn more about the ever-exciting life I live, search for me on there! :) Landon thinks the computer is his own personal toy, so trying to type anything when little Monster Man is awake is almost as pointless as my attempts to load the dishwasher in his presence. (Sigh). He's sleeping now, and I have a feeling that he will be my 6 am wake up call, so off I go. More to come!!!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Random ramblings...
First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! This year might qualify you for the worst gift-getting ever, as I just mailed your birthday card yesterday (no chance of it getting there by tomorrow unless the postman flies all night to deliver it for only 49 cents...) and I still have yet to finish your present. What do I do with myself all day? I'll try to be more on the ball next year, but for now, hope your day is great!!
I have been reading some awesome stuff lately and, not that I have any brilliant insight to add, wanted to share. I grabbed a book at the Christian book store the other week called "Found Faithful" by Elizabeth Skoglund. It is a compilation of stories about Christian heroes like Charles Spurgeon, Amy Carmichael, C.S. Lewis, and Ruth Bell Graham. I found myself reading the part on Spurgeon, not because I wanted to be some big shot intellectual, but just because I wanted a little light reading to help me fall asleep (sorry, Chuck!). But, what I read kept me up a lot longer than I had planned, pondering over how God uses terrible, inadequate, miserable people to do His awesome and mighty will. The man who was called the prince of preachers was so overcome by depression and anxiety that he would spend weeks in bed and was physically ill with worry and loneliness. My favorite quote that I read was "'The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy.'" I realized that God might have given Spurgeon this cross to bear so that he would never be able to fully rely on himself and pat himself on the back at all that he had accomplished. Rather, it would keep him with one eye on the world and one eye on his Lord, without whom he could so obviously do nothing.
I'm also reading a book by Stormie Omartian, the author of "The Power of a Praying Wife". This one is called "Just Enough Light For the Step I'm On"...a long title but pretty self-explanatory. One quote grabbed me so much that I am stuck at that point in the book - I can't read another word until I get my puny little brain around these..."Even if you are certain God has given you a vision or dream for your future, He will still ask you to surrender it to Him so thoroughly that you will think it's as good as dead." Now, I don't know what that means to you, but that thought kind of scares me! Good as dead? Yikes! How about stable, doing well, or even "kicked in the rear but still breathing!". The more I think about that statement, though, the more freedom I see in it. Hope it means something to you, too.
Well, since I have left myself with no room to hide, guess I'd better get cracking on that present for my dear old madre. Hang on, Billings...spring has to be right around the corner...right?
Cherishing every minute,
Brooke
I have been reading some awesome stuff lately and, not that I have any brilliant insight to add, wanted to share. I grabbed a book at the Christian book store the other week called "Found Faithful" by Elizabeth Skoglund. It is a compilation of stories about Christian heroes like Charles Spurgeon, Amy Carmichael, C.S. Lewis, and Ruth Bell Graham. I found myself reading the part on Spurgeon, not because I wanted to be some big shot intellectual, but just because I wanted a little light reading to help me fall asleep (sorry, Chuck!). But, what I read kept me up a lot longer than I had planned, pondering over how God uses terrible, inadequate, miserable people to do His awesome and mighty will. The man who was called the prince of preachers was so overcome by depression and anxiety that he would spend weeks in bed and was physically ill with worry and loneliness. My favorite quote that I read was "'The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy.'" I realized that God might have given Spurgeon this cross to bear so that he would never be able to fully rely on himself and pat himself on the back at all that he had accomplished. Rather, it would keep him with one eye on the world and one eye on his Lord, without whom he could so obviously do nothing.
I'm also reading a book by Stormie Omartian, the author of "The Power of a Praying Wife". This one is called "Just Enough Light For the Step I'm On"...a long title but pretty self-explanatory. One quote grabbed me so much that I am stuck at that point in the book - I can't read another word until I get my puny little brain around these..."Even if you are certain God has given you a vision or dream for your future, He will still ask you to surrender it to Him so thoroughly that you will think it's as good as dead." Now, I don't know what that means to you, but that thought kind of scares me! Good as dead? Yikes! How about stable, doing well, or even "kicked in the rear but still breathing!". The more I think about that statement, though, the more freedom I see in it. Hope it means something to you, too.
Well, since I have left myself with no room to hide, guess I'd better get cracking on that present for my dear old madre. Hang on, Billings...spring has to be right around the corner...right?
Cherishing every minute,
Brooke
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Ni-Hao, Kai Lan
Weird title, I know, but I am watching this very strange show with Juliana before she goes to bed. I can tell she's getting older...she used to wind down with books before bed and now it's "Can I please watch a show?" At least all the shows she loves are on safe channels so far, like Noggin and Sprout. (By the way, Ni-Hao means "Hi" in Chinese...aren't we so multicultural?) She still does love to read, though. Today I had to read her a book ("Pinkalicious"...yes, that really is the title!) three times in a row, and when I refused to submit for a fourth she picked up the book and started "reading" it to herself, making up the words by looking at the pictures. Ahh, a girl after my own heart. I remember getting in trouble at school for having my Nancy Drew book stuffed inside my math book, and reading it during class when we were supposed to be doing homework (if you're reading this, sorry mom!)
I have started trying to get back into the gym, since the last time I dragged myself to a scale (sneaking into a friend's bathroom while we were at lunch last Sunday) I was amazed at the pounds I still have left to lose after Landon. I really thought all of those midnight milkshakes and chocolate chip cookie bakes with Juliana were adding to my overall nutrition, calcium and all!! Guess the older you get the harder it is to keep the spare tire at bay...I remember in high school not giving a thought to calories, fat content, or sodium! (I'll miss you, Salt and Vinegar potato chips!) Please don't send me emails telling me not to worry or fret, or how spare tires ARE actually coming back in style...I guarantee I will not starve myself or do anything crazy like give up chocolate. I just feel better when I try to get some exercise, and as an added bonus, an hour to myself every other day. Montana isn't exactly famous for being a bathing suit state (unless you count three weeks out of July) but our trip home to NC in June looms in front of me, full of opportunities to showcase my extra 10 pounds. :)
That seems to be all my little brain can muster up for now. I'll leave you with my top five ways you know you have become a Super Mom...
5. When you ask your husband "What's that white crusty stuff all over your shirt?" you already know the answer is dried snot, but it doesn't gross you out in the least.
4. After putting the kids to bed, when given the choice between doing the dishes or goofing around on the web, you choose to update your blog...
3. While at the mall, you find yourself admiring not the latest style and fashion, but the awesome new stroller parked beside yours...must be the first kid because there is not a dent, scratch, or spit-up stain to be found on the whole travel system.
2. When your toddler says "Daba daba doot do" you know that translates into "I love you Mom!"
1. Instead of fixing yourself some breakfast, you eagerly await the leftovers from your kids plates! Half eaten blueberry pancakes and two bites from a carton of yogurt...HEAVEN!
***********************************
Love and miss ya'll!
I have started trying to get back into the gym, since the last time I dragged myself to a scale (sneaking into a friend's bathroom while we were at lunch last Sunday) I was amazed at the pounds I still have left to lose after Landon. I really thought all of those midnight milkshakes and chocolate chip cookie bakes with Juliana were adding to my overall nutrition, calcium and all!! Guess the older you get the harder it is to keep the spare tire at bay...I remember in high school not giving a thought to calories, fat content, or sodium! (I'll miss you, Salt and Vinegar potato chips!) Please don't send me emails telling me not to worry or fret, or how spare tires ARE actually coming back in style...I guarantee I will not starve myself or do anything crazy like give up chocolate. I just feel better when I try to get some exercise, and as an added bonus, an hour to myself every other day. Montana isn't exactly famous for being a bathing suit state (unless you count three weeks out of July) but our trip home to NC in June looms in front of me, full of opportunities to showcase my extra 10 pounds. :)
That seems to be all my little brain can muster up for now. I'll leave you with my top five ways you know you have become a Super Mom...
5. When you ask your husband "What's that white crusty stuff all over your shirt?" you already know the answer is dried snot, but it doesn't gross you out in the least.
4. After putting the kids to bed, when given the choice between doing the dishes or goofing around on the web, you choose to update your blog...
3. While at the mall, you find yourself admiring not the latest style and fashion, but the awesome new stroller parked beside yours...must be the first kid because there is not a dent, scratch, or spit-up stain to be found on the whole travel system.
2. When your toddler says "Daba daba doot do" you know that translates into "I love you Mom!"
1. Instead of fixing yourself some breakfast, you eagerly await the leftovers from your kids plates! Half eaten blueberry pancakes and two bites from a carton of yogurt...HEAVEN!
***********************************
Love and miss ya'll!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Pictures from a Party
Hey everyone! Not much typing this time - just some pictures from Landon's first birthday party. I had mentioned that we were just having a small, simple affair, but (ahem) it kind of grew as the weekend went on. We hate to leave anyone out so we decided to invite our entire community group from church (they have been such a HUGE blessing to us since we moved here). The grand total at the party was 15 adults and 13 kids. Now Lori Carnes, if you are reading this, I thought back to Jadon's first birthday party with the BBQ in the backyard and the folding chairs and tables, where half the church turned out to wish your little man a happy day. This in no way rivaled a Carnes affair, but it was close. (Love ya girl).
Hope you enjoy the pictures! We sure enjoy our kids and try to relish every day with them. (Landon just popped up in his crib..."Relish? Hot dogs?? I could eat!")
Love and miss everyone!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
How the Time Flies...
Hi everyone! Can't believe it's been almost a month since I updated. Man, I'm getting slack. Could be all the chocolate chip cookies I've been consuming lately. Unfortunately, I am usually consuming those cookies while watching The Biggest Loser and thinking "Man, how do people get that big?". Um...HELLO! It's not like I'm eating DIET chocolate chip cookies! I have finally found the perfect recipe for higher-altitude baking and I've been getting in WAY too much practice lately.
On to skinnier subjects...
Bo is in Denver this week doing a bunch of things for work. The kids and I are at home trying to do a bunch of things to keep the boredom (and craziness) at bay until he gets back. Is it really only Sunday night?
Landon will be a year on Thursday, and it is hard to believe how the time has flown by. We're just having a small, simple party on Sunday after church - it fits his laid back personality. He is starting to give Juliana a run for her money as far as getting into things, and his new nickname is "Destructo-Boy!" If he can dump it out, tear it up, or turn it over, he will. It cracks me up because Juliana used to dump things out and then PLAY with them, but Landon just seems to delight in creating the mess and then finding the next thing to attack. He is such a sweetie pie, though, and has all of the nursery workers at church wrapped around his chubby little finger. One lady even has his laugh as her ringtone on her phone...a little disturbing but cute all the same.
I will post some new pictures of the birthday boy and big sis later on this week. Hope everyone in NC is doing great and staying warm!! We have some extra room out here in Montana if you don't like the recent cold snap...it was 62 degrees here today! WooHOO! Only in Montana can you have 30 below and 60 above in the same month.
Love and miss everyone!
On to skinnier subjects...
Bo is in Denver this week doing a bunch of things for work. The kids and I are at home trying to do a bunch of things to keep the boredom (and craziness) at bay until he gets back. Is it really only Sunday night?
Landon will be a year on Thursday, and it is hard to believe how the time has flown by. We're just having a small, simple party on Sunday after church - it fits his laid back personality. He is starting to give Juliana a run for her money as far as getting into things, and his new nickname is "Destructo-Boy!" If he can dump it out, tear it up, or turn it over, he will. It cracks me up because Juliana used to dump things out and then PLAY with them, but Landon just seems to delight in creating the mess and then finding the next thing to attack. He is such a sweetie pie, though, and has all of the nursery workers at church wrapped around his chubby little finger. One lady even has his laugh as her ringtone on her phone...a little disturbing but cute all the same.
I will post some new pictures of the birthday boy and big sis later on this week. Hope everyone in NC is doing great and staying warm!! We have some extra room out here in Montana if you don't like the recent cold snap...it was 62 degrees here today! WooHOO! Only in Montana can you have 30 below and 60 above in the same month.
Love and miss everyone!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
A Not So Perfect Christmas
Hello everyone! Hope that Christmas was great for you and your family, and that everyone got to celebrate Jesus's birthday in style. We had a whirlwind last few weeks, as I'm sure everyone did, with gifts to wrap, parties to go to, places to go, people to annoy - oh, wait. Forget that last part. We had a wonderful, relaxing Christmas, and spent the day at home opening (and playing with) presents. Juliana's one request was a Barbie cash register from Costco, with a real working microphone and pretend money and credit cards. She was so happy to see that cash register that it took her a half an hour to even notice she had other presents under the tree. She was very concerned that Santa didn't bring Landon or Mom and Dad as many presents as she had, but we assured her that next year maybe Landon would have a longer list. He was content to eat the wrapping paper and crawl all over Juliana's gifts, much to her annoyment. (Is that a word?)
I say "Not So Perfect Christmas" because I found myself getting so caught up in all the little things that just weren't quite right. The tree looked funny because we had to put all the ornaments on the top half (thanks, Landon). My Christmas cards got mailed out on the last possible day that the post office would take them and still tell me with some confidence they would get there before New Year's. Bo and I didn't really get each other anything because, let's face it, it's more fun to buy for the kids! And, I was bummed that I would spend another Christmas without my family in NC getting to see the look on the kids faces when they saw Santa or opened presents. Christmas Eve we went to service at church and the pastor's message opened my eyes to what I almost missed. He said that the first Christmas wasn't exactly post-card perfect, so why do we put such high expectations on our earthly attempts at celebration? He reminded me that Mary, bless her little pregnant heart, probably did not enjoy the trip to Bethlehem very much in her condition, and Joseph was probably heartbroken at the thought of his first born kid being brought into this world in a stinky barn. Perfect by our standards? No. God's perfect plan to remind us of His human-ness and holiness? Yes.
So the tree looked goofy, but it reminded me how blessed we are to have two perfect, hilarious kids to tear the house apart and put their own stamp on decorating. Did the cards get there in time? Maybe, but addressing the envelopes reminded me of so many special people and friendships in our lives to be thankful for. And Bo gives me a gift every day in the kind of father he is to our kids and the provider he is for our family. As for all of our family and friends in NC, we are looking at coming this summer in June for my sister's graduation, so we will hunt you down and hang out!!
So, overall, I'll take my not-so-perfect Christmas any day. Hope yours was not-so-perfect in a perfect kind of way, too.
Love!! -Brooke
I say "Not So Perfect Christmas" because I found myself getting so caught up in all the little things that just weren't quite right. The tree looked funny because we had to put all the ornaments on the top half (thanks, Landon). My Christmas cards got mailed out on the last possible day that the post office would take them and still tell me with some confidence they would get there before New Year's. Bo and I didn't really get each other anything because, let's face it, it's more fun to buy for the kids! And, I was bummed that I would spend another Christmas without my family in NC getting to see the look on the kids faces when they saw Santa or opened presents. Christmas Eve we went to service at church and the pastor's message opened my eyes to what I almost missed. He said that the first Christmas wasn't exactly post-card perfect, so why do we put such high expectations on our earthly attempts at celebration? He reminded me that Mary, bless her little pregnant heart, probably did not enjoy the trip to Bethlehem very much in her condition, and Joseph was probably heartbroken at the thought of his first born kid being brought into this world in a stinky barn. Perfect by our standards? No. God's perfect plan to remind us of His human-ness and holiness? Yes.
So the tree looked goofy, but it reminded me how blessed we are to have two perfect, hilarious kids to tear the house apart and put their own stamp on decorating. Did the cards get there in time? Maybe, but addressing the envelopes reminded me of so many special people and friendships in our lives to be thankful for. And Bo gives me a gift every day in the kind of father he is to our kids and the provider he is for our family. As for all of our family and friends in NC, we are looking at coming this summer in June for my sister's graduation, so we will hunt you down and hang out!!
So, overall, I'll take my not-so-perfect Christmas any day. Hope yours was not-so-perfect in a perfect kind of way, too.
Love!! -Brooke
Friday, December 12, 2008
Baby it's cold outside...
Hello everyone! Has it really been THAT long since I posted? Man, I am getting to be a terrible blogger. We have had some interesting developments on the home-front, so I have been trying my best to keep all the plates spinning for the past week or so. Those of you who know my husband know what a medical miracle (medical incredible!) he is with all of his ailments, and this week proved to be no exception. He was lifting Landon out of his carseat carrier on Tuesday when he heard a "POP" in his back and suddenly found himself unable to move. Long story short, we ended up in the lovely ER for a few hours that night and they determined he has a herniated disk in his back. It's almost painful to even TYPE that!!! He has been given the title "Chief Couch Holder-Downer" for the past few days to try to rest and recover. Add in LOTS of narcotics and muscle relaxers and you've got the ingredients for an all-around good time at the Wagner house. (Nathan Stamey, if you're reading this, we could have used you the past week!)
We are STILL planning on moving tomorrow morning, in spite of Bo's back and the weather forecast. Put a sweater on before you read this...the high for Sunday....yes the HIGH for Sunday...is 28 degrees. Then, it gets better. The high for Monday is negative 5. Are you people hearing me??? I don't even think you can BREATHE in weather like that. So please don't email me and tell me that you are still wearing shorts in that balmy 60 degree NC weather. I am just going to delete your email and send you a nasty reply, anonymously, of course.
I've had some requests for our address for Christmas cards, and it is still the same one we have always had since we moved here. It's our box at the UPS store, so if there are any creepy stalker-type people reading this, a mapquest search will only take you to the post office. Our mailing address is: 1302 24th Street W., #295, Billings, MT 59102. I'm going to try to get my cards out next week - no fancy letter but I promise some cute pictures of the kids.
Well, better get to bed. I think we're all going to freeze our buns off before this weekend is over so I'm going to snuggle in with my electric blanket while I still can.
Love and miss everyone!
-Brooke
We are STILL planning on moving tomorrow morning, in spite of Bo's back and the weather forecast. Put a sweater on before you read this...the high for Sunday....yes the HIGH for Sunday...is 28 degrees. Then, it gets better. The high for Monday is negative 5. Are you people hearing me??? I don't even think you can BREATHE in weather like that. So please don't email me and tell me that you are still wearing shorts in that balmy 60 degree NC weather. I am just going to delete your email and send you a nasty reply, anonymously, of course.
I've had some requests for our address for Christmas cards, and it is still the same one we have always had since we moved here. It's our box at the UPS store, so if there are any creepy stalker-type people reading this, a mapquest search will only take you to the post office. Our mailing address is: 1302 24th Street W., #295, Billings, MT 59102. I'm going to try to get my cards out next week - no fancy letter but I promise some cute pictures of the kids.
Well, better get to bed. I think we're all going to freeze our buns off before this weekend is over so I'm going to snuggle in with my electric blanket while I still can.
Love and miss everyone!
-Brooke
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Welcome back, Jack!
I only bite my nails during 24. Honest. Actually, that's not true. But I REALLY bite my nails during 24.
I have just a minute to write this since I am watching 24 on the other computer as I type. We don't have FOX for some unknown insane reason, so we are resigned to watching the episodes a few days later on fox.com. Which, I must say, is nice, because there are still no commercials. I can't imagine knowing that 24 was being shown on TV AT THIS VERY MINUTE but knowing I can't watch it until the season comes out on DVD, so being able to watch my breathless hero Jack Bauer save the world one more time just brings me more joy that I can even express.
A few bones to pick, though.
1. Why does the new president ("Madam", this time!) have a hairdo that looks like a sprayed on hair helmet? Can't they get a decent hairdresser for that poor woman after 7 seasons?
2. Why do people still argue with Jack Bauer when he is standing there covered in blood with half his ear chopped off and a huge gash above his eyebrow? Where do they get the nerve to confront him when he looks like he could eat them for a mid-afternoon snack?
3. Can Jack go at least one season without having his best friend/girlfriend/fiancee blown up or harassed or buried in some type of concrete? Doesn't the poor guy deserve a buddy?
That's all for now - until next time....BEEP...BEEP...BEEP...BEEP
I have just a minute to write this since I am watching 24 on the other computer as I type. We don't have FOX for some unknown insane reason, so we are resigned to watching the episodes a few days later on fox.com. Which, I must say, is nice, because there are still no commercials. I can't imagine knowing that 24 was being shown on TV AT THIS VERY MINUTE but knowing I can't watch it until the season comes out on DVD, so being able to watch my breathless hero Jack Bauer save the world one more time just brings me more joy that I can even express.
A few bones to pick, though.
1. Why does the new president ("Madam", this time!) have a hairdo that looks like a sprayed on hair helmet? Can't they get a decent hairdresser for that poor woman after 7 seasons?
2. Why do people still argue with Jack Bauer when he is standing there covered in blood with half his ear chopped off and a huge gash above his eyebrow? Where do they get the nerve to confront him when he looks like he could eat them for a mid-afternoon snack?
3. Can Jack go at least one season without having his best friend/girlfriend/fiancee blown up or harassed or buried in some type of concrete? Doesn't the poor guy deserve a buddy?
That's all for now - until next time....BEEP...BEEP...BEEP...BEEP
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Wagner Family
Hey everyone! We just got our pictures back from the photographer so I wanted to post at least one tonight! I get lots of comments (complaints?) that there's lot of pictures of the kids on the blog, but none of Bo or I, so hopefully this will satisfy all of you crazy people.
Post more later! Going to chat with my hubby...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
There's A Reason We Call It An Adventure!
Hey from Wagnerland! I have some exciting news to report, although I can hardly believe it myself. (No, I am not pregnant - that would just be weird). Bo and I have been married for 5 years, and in the next few weeks we will be moving into our 6th house as a married couple. Yes, do the math...that is more houses than some people live in in their lifetime. I proclaimed this fact to Bo this morning with just a hint of negativity, and he responded with a very positive "Yep!"
I am actually REALLY excited about our new house, just not too excited about the prospect of moving again. We will be moving from a good situation to a great situation, so you can't really ask for more than that. We are renting the house we're in now, and with the current fragile state of our economy we don't really want to buy, so we have been given the opportunity to do a rent-to-own (Thanks, God!) in an even BETTER place with lots of updates and all of the bedrooms on the same floor. Right now our bedroom is in the basement and the kids are upstairs, so I will feel better when everyone is right across the hall. Yay! Here's the perfect part...Juliana's room is already painted pink and has a total diva/princess feel going on, so she is stoked. Landon is just concerned with whether or not there will be anything to eat in the new house, so he's good to go (I'd say we're going to give the kid a complex, but the boy can EAT!)
Throw all of this in with the fact that Thanksgiving is coming up, then the whirlwind that usually is December, and it could be a busy couple of months! Please be nice and don't send me hate mail for not updating the blog more often. If I could figure out a way that I could give up sleeping and eating I could get an astounding amount of stuff done during the day.
Miss and love everyone and hope all of our NC friends aren't freezing to death - it was almost 70 here today! (Don't worry, I won't be so chipper here in a few months when it's 10 below.)
I am actually REALLY excited about our new house, just not too excited about the prospect of moving again. We will be moving from a good situation to a great situation, so you can't really ask for more than that. We are renting the house we're in now, and with the current fragile state of our economy we don't really want to buy, so we have been given the opportunity to do a rent-to-own (Thanks, God!) in an even BETTER place with lots of updates and all of the bedrooms on the same floor. Right now our bedroom is in the basement and the kids are upstairs, so I will feel better when everyone is right across the hall. Yay! Here's the perfect part...Juliana's room is already painted pink and has a total diva/princess feel going on, so she is stoked. Landon is just concerned with whether or not there will be anything to eat in the new house, so he's good to go (I'd say we're going to give the kid a complex, but the boy can EAT!)
Throw all of this in with the fact that Thanksgiving is coming up, then the whirlwind that usually is December, and it could be a busy couple of months! Please be nice and don't send me hate mail for not updating the blog more often. If I could figure out a way that I could give up sleeping and eating I could get an astounding amount of stuff done during the day.
Miss and love everyone and hope all of our NC friends aren't freezing to death - it was almost 70 here today! (Don't worry, I won't be so chipper here in a few months when it's 10 below.)
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Treatapalooza
Hey everyone! I've added a few pictures of the kids on Halloween. They had a GREAT time! We went over to the church for "Treatapalooza" and got entirely too much candy. I read somewhere that it is better to just let the kids eat the candy all at once rather than spread it out over weeks and weeks, but I just can't bring myself to do it. Juliana has taken to having "parades" in our living room where she pretends to ride on a float and throw candy to her friends watching the parade. Cute, but very messy. I've stepped on so many sucker sticks with my bare feet that I'm almost running out of acceptable words to say when it happens. In case you're wondering what Landon is supposed to be, we thought it was only fitting that he dress as a 50's rocker dude - we spiked his hair and he wore a button down shirt with the collar and sleeves rolled up. I found him a leather bomber jacket that was TOO CUTE but unfortunately TOO HOT to wear inside, so he ditched it within the first 10 minutes. Juliana was the most beautiful princess at the ball, and she was very proud of her Sleeping Beauty dress and tiara.
Hope everyone is doing great and recovering from the drama of the election. I, for one, am just glad it's over and now we can move on to bigger and better news stories (like what type of trouble Brittany Spears is into now!)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Adventures in Rodeo
Hey everyone! Sorry it's been so long since the last update. We have been crazy busy Wagner-style around here and by the time evening rolls around, I have just enough energy left to haul myself to bed and turn out the light. We've been having a late-night nocturnal visitor to our room for the past few weeks (her initials are Juliana Wagner) and between a little peanut asking for juice at 2 am and another little peanut requesting to be held at 3:30 am, we're not getting too much sleep around here! I always said I didn't want to move to the whole family-bed sleep arrangement (too many elbows and feet flying) - not to knock anyone who this DOES work for...I just can't sleep when I'm crowded!! I am starting to see the beauty of it, though. I have learned the art of barely having to open one eyeball to move over a little bit and let Juliana snuggle under the covers. Hopefully it's just a phase, but for now we're going with the motto "IF IT LEADS TO SLEEP, LET'S TRY IT!".
If any of you are YouTube fans, I have tried to post a video of Juliana at the Stick Horse Rodeo from a few weeks ago. I think if you just type in "Stick Horse Rodeo" and maybe "Juliana" it should come up. Somebody email me and let me know if I actually did it right and you can find it!
For those of you who are now wondering, "What the heck is a stick horse rodeo?", rest assured - it is not much more complicated than the title would suggest. It was during the event called the NILE (Northern International Livestock Exposition) which is pretty much a week-long celebration of all things western. Kids can sign up for the rodeo in events like barrel racing, calf roping, and even bull riding. Instead of scary and smelly live horses, the coordinators wisely provide stick horses for the kids to use. Add in a cowboy hat and a real paper number to go on their backs and you have an arena full of hyper preschoolers ready to take on those wild animals! It was pretty hilarious, and also much more hypo-allergenic than the real rodeo which followed. Check out the video and prepare to be amused.
That's all for now, folks! Hope everyone is doing great and enjoying some good weather - it was almost 70 today!!
love and miss everyone!
-Brooke
If any of you are YouTube fans, I have tried to post a video of Juliana at the Stick Horse Rodeo from a few weeks ago. I think if you just type in "Stick Horse Rodeo" and maybe "Juliana" it should come up. Somebody email me and let me know if I actually did it right and you can find it!
For those of you who are now wondering, "What the heck is a stick horse rodeo?", rest assured - it is not much more complicated than the title would suggest. It was during the event called the NILE (Northern International Livestock Exposition) which is pretty much a week-long celebration of all things western. Kids can sign up for the rodeo in events like barrel racing, calf roping, and even bull riding. Instead of scary and smelly live horses, the coordinators wisely provide stick horses for the kids to use. Add in a cowboy hat and a real paper number to go on their backs and you have an arena full of hyper preschoolers ready to take on those wild animals! It was pretty hilarious, and also much more hypo-allergenic than the real rodeo which followed. Check out the video and prepare to be amused.
That's all for now, folks! Hope everyone is doing great and enjoying some good weather - it was almost 70 today!!
love and miss everyone!
-Brooke
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Are ya kidding me?
Low. Grow. Know. Show. SNOW!!!! Yes, that's right. The forecasters are calling for snow this weekend in Billings! (I'm so depressed as I'm typing this that I just ate an entire Snickers bar - no, I really did.) After enjoying temperatures in the 70's and 80's for the past few weeks, winter has decided to make it's arrival a little early in Montana. This is all very confusing for Juliana, who is trying hard to figure out the seasons and get them in the right order. I was explaining to her the other day how fall is the same as autumn, and next comes winter, and then spring and summer. Here in Montana it is apparently more like spring, fall, winter, summer, spring, winter, fall. Don't even try to figure it out. All the moms I talked to this morning at preschool made me laugh because they all have entire outfits for every season for every kid in their vans at this very moment.
I got to go to the annual consignment sale here today and spent waaaay too much money all in the name of BUT LOOK HOW MUCH I'M SAVING! It's an addiction, really. This is the biggest consignment sale in the state, and if you've ever seen the Running of the Brides at that bridal store in New York, you have a little taste of what this sale is like. Women were lined up 30 minutes before the doors opened, and when they finally let us in it was like letting my husband loose in a Mac store - madness! Women were running to things like high chairs, bouncy seats, and play kitchen sets, knocking each other over and cursing like sailors at anyone who got in their way. Okay, maybe that last part was a stretch, but I did see one lady running valiantly towards a Thomas the Train lego set. Anyway, it was fun, and I got some good stuff for the kids.
Well, better try to get to bed. Juliana has requested snow cream if we really do get the white stuff, so I'd better rest up for the big day tomorrow. Hope everyone is enjoying warmer weather!!
love,
Brooke
P.S. - John Curran, if you're reading this, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
I got to go to the annual consignment sale here today and spent waaaay too much money all in the name of BUT LOOK HOW MUCH I'M SAVING! It's an addiction, really. This is the biggest consignment sale in the state, and if you've ever seen the Running of the Brides at that bridal store in New York, you have a little taste of what this sale is like. Women were lined up 30 minutes before the doors opened, and when they finally let us in it was like letting my husband loose in a Mac store - madness! Women were running to things like high chairs, bouncy seats, and play kitchen sets, knocking each other over and cursing like sailors at anyone who got in their way. Okay, maybe that last part was a stretch, but I did see one lady running valiantly towards a Thomas the Train lego set. Anyway, it was fun, and I got some good stuff for the kids.
Well, better try to get to bed. Juliana has requested snow cream if we really do get the white stuff, so I'd better rest up for the big day tomorrow. Hope everyone is enjoying warmer weather!!
love,
Brooke
P.S. - John Curran, if you're reading this, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Adventures in Anesthesia
Thank you to everyone who was thinking of and praying for Landon today! His test went well and we are just so relieved to have that behind us. We went in at 9:00 this morning and checked him in, and took him back to the room where they were doing the procedure. At this point he was all smiles despite the fact we had been starving him since 8:00 the night before. At 20 pounds, Landon is not used to missing many meals, so he was in a surprisingly good mood for his malnourished state. We were able to be with him while they gave him some "sleepy medicine" through a mask - he fought going to sleep and it was hard to watch him struggle. We got to hold his hand and I sang "Baa Baa Black Sheep" (a Wagner kid favorite) while he went to sleep. Then we had to leave while they got him all set up. When we came back in the room he was on the table with a little breathing tube taped around his mouth, his eyes taped shut (so they didn't dry out) and an IV stuck in his little hand. Bo and I both just looked at each other and willed each other not to show how upsetting it was to see our baby like that. The anesthesiologist was in the room the entire time and was a wonderful guy, and there was another nurse who was right by Landon's side for the whole procedure. When it was finally over it took him awhile to wake up and come out of the anesthesia. He cried and cried and it was weird because it is so unlike him to be that upset! Guess what made him feel better? His wonderful 6oz bottle of pure joy - he gulped it down and we were free to go.
We heard from the doctor late this afternoon and it sounds like there is definitely some kind of blockage on that left kidney that isn't allowing it to drain properly, but there was nothing from the test that had the urologist concerned enough to do surgery. We are just going to follow up with an ultrasound in 3 months and see where to go from there. It's a little frustrating not having many more answers than we did this morning before the test, but it is GREAT to know that his kidney IS working and functioning well.
Thanks again for all of your kind words and phone calls!
On a more fun note, I'm posting some new pictures of the kids from Juliana's trip to the pumpkin farm. The lady on the hayride is an aunt of one of her classmates that Juliana decided was obviously there to visit HER - she wanted to sit on her lap during the hayride and was her little buddy for the morning. We love our two little pumpkins!!
Hope everyone is doing well! Love and miss you all.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Throwing Up Trumps Going Under
Hey out there everyone! Just a quick note to say that Landon's procedure has been rescheduled for this coming Monday, October 6th at 9:00 am. I called the radiology nurse this afternoon just to let them know that he had, in fact, had the stomach bug in the past few days, and they weren't comfortable using anesthesia unless he was at 100%. SOOOO - even though I am disappointed that we won't have any answers for a few more days, I am relieved that he will have a little bit longer to recover before going through the test.
Thank you so much for your prayers - I've gotten lots of emails letting me know you all are praying for Mr. Creed (as we call him...one look at his hair and you'll know why). I'll update again before Monday just to let everyone know it's a go.
Thanks again for the love and prayers!! Miss everyone.
-Brooke
Thank you so much for your prayers - I've gotten lots of emails letting me know you all are praying for Mr. Creed (as we call him...one look at his hair and you'll know why). I'll update again before Monday just to let everyone know it's a go.
Thanks again for the love and prayers!! Miss everyone.
-Brooke
Monday, September 29, 2008
The Bug
Hey everyone! Just a quick update - we have been fighting the stomach bug here at the Wagner household. I'm surprised the screen isn't turning green right now...it's been a gross past few days! Poor Juliana got pretty good at aiming for the bucket by yesterday afternoon, and that's all I'm going to say about that in case any of you are reading this on your lunch break.
Landon's procedure (it's technically called a nuclear scan) is scheduled for this Thursday at 9:00 am. Please be praying for the test to go well, for him not to require too much anesthesia, and for the test to reveal 100% kidney function.
I'll try to update with some pictures before Thursday. Hope everyone is doing great!
love,
Brooke
Landon's procedure (it's technically called a nuclear scan) is scheduled for this Thursday at 9:00 am. Please be praying for the test to go well, for him not to require too much anesthesia, and for the test to reveal 100% kidney function.
I'll try to update with some pictures before Thursday. Hope everyone is doing great!
love,
Brooke
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Random Ramblings
Hello everyone! Wondering when I was EVER going to update this blog again? This week has been crazy. Bo is helping out with the college ministry at church on Tuesday night, then leading a men's Bible study group REALLY early Wednesday morning, and then playing in soccer games Wednesday nights. The kids have been keeping me busy, too - I don't know why I ever thought having one kid was so hard. Juliana has preschool Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and gymnastics in the middle on Wednesday morning. Landon is getting to that phase where he is not always in the same spot you left him in when you put him down. He doesn't really crawl yet but he does this weird scoot/roll/flip thing that gets him around the living room. Juliana likes to "help" him roll over and she says "He likes it!" but he usually just looks annoyed.
We had our first women's Bible study this morning and since I am helping to lead one of the breakout groups with Motherwise (a study just for moms - you probably got that from the title) I was super excited. This is a little out of my comfort zone - I'll sing all day for the women but lead them in the Word? Uh...let's see...I can barely find Genesis some days. Luckily I am leading with a very competent lady named Myla who has been a great friend since we've moved here. She has three kids so she is slightly crazier than I am but still manages to look pulled together when it counts.
Just a little insight into the mind of my daughter...we have had several discussions on the appropriate title for her preschool teacher. In a very casual way, Juliana has begun calling her "Rosanne" which is (luckily) actually her name, but she just omits the "Miss" that we tried to get her to put in front of it, as in "Miss Rosanne". Trying not to panic at the thought of my firstborn throwing all respect for her elders out the window, I very calmly (okay, kind of calmly) told Juliana that it was polite to call her teacher "MISS" to show respect. Juliana looked me square in the eye with one hand on her hip and sighed, "But Mom, Rosanne no mind!" I talked to her teacher today who informed me that it was, in fact, okay with her if Juliana just called her Rosanne. She said they were "cool like that" which was odd to hear from a preschool teacher (but funny in a weird sort of way).
Well, just one last request from this tired blogger. Landon is scheduled to be going in for a test on his little kidney sometime next week. We don't have an exact date for the test but I will post it as soon as we know. From the time I was pregnant the pediatrician has been following some slight swelling and fluid buildup in his left kidney, and it has gotten to the point where it is not decreasing as quickly as they would like. We've been through a few ultrasounds and tests so far but this test involves anesthesia and an hour long nuclear exam where they will take pictures of his kidney processing fluid and checking to see how it's functioning. Bo and I will be able to be with him the whole time but I just hate the thought of our little guy having to go under anesthesia and go through that. I know that God will hold him in His hand the whole time and we have nothing to fear, but I'm just asking everyone to pray for a smooth test, calm nerves for me and Bo, and for clear test results so this can be the end of it for awhile! Thanks in advance for your prayers and I'll keep you updated.
Love and miss everyone!! Email or call when you can - we miss our NC buddies!!
We had our first women's Bible study this morning and since I am helping to lead one of the breakout groups with Motherwise (a study just for moms - you probably got that from the title) I was super excited. This is a little out of my comfort zone - I'll sing all day for the women but lead them in the Word? Uh...let's see...I can barely find Genesis some days. Luckily I am leading with a very competent lady named Myla who has been a great friend since we've moved here. She has three kids so she is slightly crazier than I am but still manages to look pulled together when it counts.
Just a little insight into the mind of my daughter...we have had several discussions on the appropriate title for her preschool teacher. In a very casual way, Juliana has begun calling her "Rosanne" which is (luckily) actually her name, but she just omits the "Miss" that we tried to get her to put in front of it, as in "Miss Rosanne". Trying not to panic at the thought of my firstborn throwing all respect for her elders out the window, I very calmly (okay, kind of calmly) told Juliana that it was polite to call her teacher "MISS" to show respect. Juliana looked me square in the eye with one hand on her hip and sighed, "But Mom, Rosanne no mind!" I talked to her teacher today who informed me that it was, in fact, okay with her if Juliana just called her Rosanne. She said they were "cool like that" which was odd to hear from a preschool teacher (but funny in a weird sort of way).
Well, just one last request from this tired blogger. Landon is scheduled to be going in for a test on his little kidney sometime next week. We don't have an exact date for the test but I will post it as soon as we know. From the time I was pregnant the pediatrician has been following some slight swelling and fluid buildup in his left kidney, and it has gotten to the point where it is not decreasing as quickly as they would like. We've been through a few ultrasounds and tests so far but this test involves anesthesia and an hour long nuclear exam where they will take pictures of his kidney processing fluid and checking to see how it's functioning. Bo and I will be able to be with him the whole time but I just hate the thought of our little guy having to go under anesthesia and go through that. I know that God will hold him in His hand the whole time and we have nothing to fear, but I'm just asking everyone to pray for a smooth test, calm nerves for me and Bo, and for clear test results so this can be the end of it for awhile! Thanks in advance for your prayers and I'll keep you updated.
Love and miss everyone!! Email or call when you can - we miss our NC buddies!!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Mom for VP
Hey everyone! First I have to give a Happy Birthday shout-out to Laura, Lori, and Lowell - my three favorite "L's" to celebrate a birthday today! I know their ages but I'm not telling.
Today was Juliana's first morning of preschool, and I was more worked up about it than she was! She hopped out of bed, got dressed, and marched her little pony-tailed self into the classroom like she owned the place. I told her I was leaving and she said "Oh, wait, Mom - gotta give you a hug!" I was expecting tears and drama but as it turned out, they were only from my end. My plan was to take a picture before we went in but we were running late, so I'll try to get one this afternoon to post.
I don't usually comment on the political happenings (I know just enough to be dangerous but not enough to speak intelligently about it!) but I just wanted to say how interesting the whole McCain/Palin camp is turning out to be. I am excited to see how a woman who is a past beauty pageant winner, moose hunter, basketball player, and mother of five will do as a potential VP. We'll see how it will all play out but I am encouraged to read about her values and Christian beliefs - who knows if she isn't an Esther-esque figure "for such a time as this". Okay...enough of my soapbox. Research and make your own opinions, but I for one am excited.
Well, better try to get something done while I have a rare moment to myself! What will I do with all of this new-found free time Tuesday and Thursday mornings?? (Laundry, dishes, dusting...nah, forget dusting...)
Pictures to follow!
love and miss everyone.
Today was Juliana's first morning of preschool, and I was more worked up about it than she was! She hopped out of bed, got dressed, and marched her little pony-tailed self into the classroom like she owned the place. I told her I was leaving and she said "Oh, wait, Mom - gotta give you a hug!" I was expecting tears and drama but as it turned out, they were only from my end. My plan was to take a picture before we went in but we were running late, so I'll try to get one this afternoon to post.
I don't usually comment on the political happenings (I know just enough to be dangerous but not enough to speak intelligently about it!) but I just wanted to say how interesting the whole McCain/Palin camp is turning out to be. I am excited to see how a woman who is a past beauty pageant winner, moose hunter, basketball player, and mother of five will do as a potential VP. We'll see how it will all play out but I am encouraged to read about her values and Christian beliefs - who knows if she isn't an Esther-esque figure "for such a time as this". Okay...enough of my soapbox. Research and make your own opinions, but I for one am excited.
Well, better try to get something done while I have a rare moment to myself! What will I do with all of this new-found free time Tuesday and Thursday mornings?? (Laundry, dishes, dusting...nah, forget dusting...)
Pictures to follow!
love and miss everyone.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)