Happy Birthday, Emma!

Happy 10th Birthday to Emma!

I've been looking forward to this birthday brag since I started doing them at the beginning of the year.

There are so many nice things that can be said about Emma. She is patient, kind, and generous.

She is obedient and respectful. It's a rare thing for her to have a bad attitude about something we've asked her to do.

She's smart and creative and a bookworm to the max.

She's hard working and dependable. I can always count on her.

She's a servant. She's the first one to jump up to do something that needs to be done. When she sees me working in the kitchen, she'll ask me if I need help.When there are days that I'm having to discipline and correct more than usual and she sees me starting to wear down, she prays for me and asks me if there is anything she can do for me.

She's a great friend. I tell her whoever gets to be her friend is blessed because she is such a great person. And she's the best kind of friend to have. She's not petty or a drama queen. She's level-headed and easy going. She forgives easily. She's fun. She's not concerned about what others think.

She's unbiased. She doesn't see people who are "different" as different. In fact, I'm not even sure she sees the differences. If she does, she never lets on. She accepts everyone as-is and treats everyone equally.

And whoever gets to marry her is even more blessed because she's going to make an awesome wife and mother one day!

Oh, Emma! I love you so much. I'm proud to be your mommy. You bring such joy to our family and set such a good example for your siblings. Thank you for being a servant and a leader all at the same time. God is going to bless you abundantly for the honor you've shown us. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Charlie

Happy 6th Birthday, Charlie!! Here's your birthday brag!

This kid is the spice of our lives! With his big, brown eyes, gusto and zest for life, he adds lots of flavor to our days.

I've learned the most about myself from Charlie because we are the most alike. We're both passionate in our beliefs and feelings. And though we love rules and really want to do what's right, we can sometimes have the hardest time submitting to them.


I love how his heart is so sincere in repentance when he realizes his sin.


His prayers are the best. They are thoughtful and hopeful. He'll say things like, "And thank you that we get to have a good day today...."

He's the one that is going to display the strongest leadership. Although I'm trying to teach all the kids that being a Wright/Wagner means they will automatically be leaders, I think Charlie will be the one who is more outspoken and less likely to back down when confronted. I'm just glad he's on our team!


Charlie is a take you or leave you kind of guy. He's confident and knows what he wants. He loves having friends to play with but doesn't feel the need to accommodate them to what he's playing.


He's an open book. You don't have to wonder what he's thinking or feeling. And while some might view that as a weakness, I'm learning it can really be a strength when trained.

I sure do love you, Charlie Barlie! You are a gift from God to our family and we just wouldn't be the same without you. You are an awesome kid and I can't wait to see how God uses you in the years to come!

Happy Birthday, Roddy!

Happy Birthday to the BEST Husband and Father Ever!

I couldn't resist doing a little birthday bragging on my hubby because he really is the BEST!


I don't know why God allowed me to journey through life with this man but I am so thankful He did! He is patient with me. He is kind. He has a servant's heart. He chooses to love me unconditionally because many times I am unlovable. I don't know what I'd do without him!

He is my best friend! My confidant! I know my heart is safe with him.


He is the best dad! He seeks to lead our family the way God would have him to. He makes us a priority by putting us before work or extra curricular activities.


When I talk to the kids about how wonderful God is, I start with their daddy. I'll say something like, "You know how awesome your daddy is? God is even more awesome than that!" So they know God must be pretty great because their daddy is tough to beat!


I love that I can say to the boys, "If you don't see your daddy doing that, you shouldn't either."And I tell Emma and Iris to be sure to marry a man just like their daddy when they grow up because they won't find any better example for a future mate.

Roddy, thank you for marrying me! Thank you for leading me. Thank you for loving me like Christ loves His church. Thank you for being the best husband and father! Thank you for living for Jesus and living like Jesus. I love you more than you know!

Happy Birthday, Jackson!!

Today is Jackson's 7th birthday!

What a special surprise he was to us! We had said we would wait a few years before we had more children - if we had more. Thankfully God had other plans.

Jackson - nicknamed Jay by his big brother - was born 7 years ago on my Dad's 60th birthday.

So let the birthday bragging begin...

He is such an awesome kid. About a year and a half ago he passed his older brother in height but never rubs it in.

He's very sweet and kind. He loves little kids. If there is a much younger cousin or friend over, he just gravitates towards them. He wants to read to them, entertain them, help them.

He loves to help. I have actually had to teach him to ask his little brother and sister if they want help before giving it because he just always wants to help them.

He sees the needs of others. Several times he has seen people on the side of the road and asked if we should pick them up or help them. One time when we were riding our bikes home from the park he noticed a neighbor (doesn't even know him) carrying some branches he had just cut from his palm tree. Jay asked if we should stop and help him.

He's a math genius! When he was in Kindergarten I was quizzing Gray (who was in 1st) on some math facts. Jackson would chime in with the answer. So this year for 1st grade we worked quickly through his Abeka 2nd grade math and then started Saxon's 4th grade math. It's just the way God made him but he cracks me up sometimes at how quickly he figures things out.

He's repentent. Often he has come to our room at night to confess something. He says he just can't sleep until he tells us.

He's an extrovert, friendly and a talker. I used to wonder what in the world he told his Sunday school teachers.

When Roddy's aunt and uncle came to visit last year, I wondered if the kids we're going to be shy and quiet. I don't think they were in the door 5 minutes when Jackson asked them to play a card game with him.

And 3 years ago when my brother was getting married he filled in as ring bearer when Gray (who is introverted) backed out! Thankfully he was on his way to catching up to his big brother in height and almost fit into the already rented tux.

He's loving. He never fails to come in and hug me in the morning. He always wants to sit by me in church. He says it's just because he loves me.

And he loves Jesus - which is most important.

Jackson Mark, we love you so much and are so thankful God gave you to us! Thank you for reminding us of our need to look out for others. We love your smile and giggle. You're a special boy and you're going to be an awesome father some day!

Happy Birthday!

The Park

Friday we joined my sister and her kids at the park for a birthday playdate. Her birthday and Iris' were both the 24th. Her daughter, Davis, had a birthday on the 25th and her son, Colt will have his birthday April 2.

Charlie, Colt, Davis

Case, Emma, Iris

Jackson and Case

Jackson took this one for us.

All the cousins (8 of them, that is)...

Charlie (5 1/2), Davis (5), Colt (almost 4), Jackson (almost 7), Iris (4), Case (1), Emma (9), Gray (8)

Happy Birthday, Grayson!!

Grayson is 8 years old today! I originally started this blog so I could brag about my children but since it's not nice to brag, I haven't really done it. Well, I'm doing it today!

This kid is awesome!!! Let me tell you just a few of the things I love about him....

He's easy-going. When he was a baby someone was holding him and asked me how he likes to be held. I said I didn't know because he never fussed no matter how you held him or didn't hold him. He's the same today. He just rolls with the punches.

He's hilarious. He likes to make people laugh. He says and does things that crack me up like no one else! He could do awesome drama if he wasn't so timid in front of people he doesn't know. At home, though, he let's loose!

He's athletic. Even early on, he would surprise us with his hand-eye coordination. He and Jay are playing a team sport for the first time - flag football - and this kid is all over the place. He's fast, he's aware. He covers defense and offense!

He's tough. He takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. When we had an above-ground pool over the summer, he'd go running full force and jump in. When the boys play ball, he gets hurt but you hardly ever hear him complain.

He's patient! A few months ago we went camping with a bunch of people from church. The kids were playing basketball and, of course, running into each other, knocking each other down, etc. Our friend pointed out that no matter what anyone did to him, he just got up and kept going. Never got mad. Never yelled at anyone or pushed back.

And he's the same way at home. It's a very rare occasion that he gets angry and lashes out at someone.

He's obedient. He's the first to say, "Yes, Ma'am" or "Yes, Sir" when we've asked the kids to do something.

He doesn't complain. I had no idea he didn't like green beans because he never complained about them. (Of course, we teach them all not to complain about their food, but you still usually know when they don't care for something.)

He's creative. I love it when he has a little writing assignment with school because his stories are so animated and fun.He's loving and unselfish. He's great about sharing anything. He takes care of his siblings. He's a gentlemen and considerate. He's a terrific big brother!

Gray, We love you more than you could ever know. We are so thankful to God for blessing us with you! Thank you for being a great example as the 'Biggest Brother'! Thank you for honoring us and bringing joy to our family every day of your life! Happy Birthday!