A Rare Bird...

Have you ever heard someone say, "Well, she's a rare bird"? Or is it "rare breed"? I don't know, but I was thinking about that on my way home from the gym. We have a couple of eagles that live near us and when I saw one this morning, I started thinking, What is our fascination with these birds? Every time we go by we all search to see if they are there. I guess it's the fact that it is such a rare sight and I feel privileged to have them so close by. So even though I get to see them often, I realize how uncommon and extraordinary it is.

Then I thought about my "rare bird" of a friend, Cece. She epitomizes Phil 2:14-15, "Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,"

and Col 4:5-7 "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Those are just 2 that come to mind)

Doesn't matter how much time I get with her, I always want more because to have someone who is so wise and loving and gracious is a rare find! I am a better Christian, wife and mother because of her and I'm so thankful to God for allowing me the awesome privilege of calling her friend.

Camping in the Back Yard

The kids wanted to camp out in the backyard one night so I said, "Sure." They got everything set up, packed their bags, bathed and dressed to brave the elements. One-by-one, they each came in with different reasons why they had changed their minds.













So Hubby told them he would sleep out with them Friday night. He fired up the hibachi, skewered some chicken and cooked baked beans. Then we roasted smarshmallows (as the kids call them) and made 'smores.















At 8 o'clock everyone loaded up in the tents. Yes, they are on the trampoline. By 8:30 #3, #4 & #5 were back inside. But Hubby, #1 and #2 made it all night.

Field Day

My sweet friend, Stef, put on a field day for several home-schooled families last week. The kids had a blast! They played tug-o-war,had a sack race, a leap-frog race,an obstacle course race, had a water balloon fight, blew bubbles and to top it off got ribbons to remember it by. God provided beautiful weather and Stef supplied the fun!

Extreme Makeover - Wagner Kids' Edition

One morning after Bible-time, the kids and I were going over math flashcards. The boys were quizzing each other while I worked with #1. When I finished with her, I said, "Okay, boys, Mommy's going to do some with you." Then I added as I sprawled out on the floor, "Right after I take a little nap." (Sometimes getting up at 5:15a.m. makes me very tired.) Well instantly, #2 comes over and starts massaging my shoulders while #3 goes to get some baby blankets to cover me with and #1 decides to give me a pedicure. She got the electric foot buffer and some lotion and proceeded to smooth my feet. Well, of course, that gives them the idea to make me over. #2 painted my nails and someone put makeup on me. Then they picked out a dress and shoes and did my hair - with the hairdryer, no less. While #2 and #1 were working on me, #3 went downstairs and heated up leftover lasagna (with some help from #1) for me to eat and brought it up. It was quite the pampering, I must say.

The sad part was that we were heading to the library after an early lunch and #2 was so disappointed when I took my hair down and changed my dress. I did keep the polish on the entire week, though.

Wash One Another's Feet...

From John 13: [Jesus] began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him...When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."

The kids were painting this morning and somehow #3 had gotten paint on the bottom of his feet. The next thing I know, #2 has gotten a rag and is washing #3's feet. He didn't stop there. He even washed the paint off his hands. Just filled my heart up.

Tagged

Stef "tagged" me. I am supposed to tell you 7 things about myself.

1. I had a crush on my husband in high school. I had a picture of him from his graduation in my locker my senior year. That is until my boyfriend at the time came to school and saw it. I still have that picture somewhere around here.

2. I eat Starbucks Java Chip ice cream as my afternoon snack! Yum!!!

3. I hate spending money. When Hubby buys me something, my first thought after, "How sweet" or "How thoughtful" is "I wonder how much it cost."

4. I like big, shiny trucks with big wheels and big sound. I like Harleys too. My dream car, though, would be a '58 or '67 Corvette.

5. I love gray hair. Could be because my dad's been gray since I was in high school. I also love my mom's hands.

6. I would love to live with an Amish family for a month. Not sure how I'd do without make-up, though. I don't even go to the mailbox without it.

7. I'm an imperfect perfectionist. I'm a sinner saved by grace alone! God is so patient, loving and gracious that despite my many flaws, He has blessed me with 5 awesome, beautiful, loving children and the best husband ever!

Baby Goes to Awanas

#5 went to Awanas with #1, #3 and #4 Sunday night for the first time. They go to the one at Mom and Dad's church (right behind our house).

It ends this month so we just outfitted her with #2's old vest and bag.

10 kids!

Saturday evening, the Fittro family came over for dinner. We had 4 adults and 10 kids - ages 1 to 8. The kids had a great time and got along famously! Can't wait to do it again.

The Beach

Friday afternoon we drove to the Beach. Hubby's parents are vacationing in Hawaii so we stayed at their condo overnight. It was actually cold because we didn't get there until 3:30 and the breeze off the water was chilly. Of course, the kids loved it anyway.

Laundry

Had a little laundry to do Thursday. What's ridiculous is we weren't missing any of it - not really. But for the 2 weeks before this day, I hadn't been on top of it. In our house, we are NEVER done with laundry. I used to think when my laundry basket was overflowing, I had a lot to do. Now I have 9 laundry baskets. One holds the clean laundry that just comes out of the wash to be hung up or folded from out of the dryer. One collects clean matchless socks and other items that don't get put away right away and it stays in our closet. One is to collect the dirty laundry in our bathroom. That's where the kids bathe and we put all our laundry until it is brought downstairs. Hubby built shelves in our laundry room where the utility sink area is. So I fit 2 baskets per shelf there.

Want to know what they're for? One is for towels, wash clothes and very dirty white socks - this load gets bleached and washed in hot water. One is for nice whites that get washed in cold water. One is for underwear - washed in hot water. One is for darks - red, blacks, dk brown, dk blue, dk orange, dk green - washed in cold. One is for lights - khaki, lt blue, pink, green, pastels basically - and for dark clothes that have any white on them - like a dk blue shirt with a white collar - washed in cold. The last one is for sheets, blankets, white socks that aren't needing bleach, and Hubby's t-shirts - washed in warm water.

I had 11 or 12 loads here. I got 6 done Thursday, 4 done Friday. Then the weekend came. I did 2 Saturday after getting back from Daytona and while getting ready for the Fittros to come over; 3 Monday and only 2 today. So the baskets are low but none are empty. The underwear basket was empty for about 30 minutes.

I'm sure this is way more information than you ever wanted to know about the Wagners' laundry. If so, enjoy the next blog!

My Bike-riding Girl

Iris turned 3 the end of March and right on schedule started riding her bike. Actually it's Emma's bike that she got when she turned 3.

Here's my cutie pie in Charlie's basketball clothes riding on the back porch. At least the helmet is hers.

The Best Husband Ever...

and he's all mine!

A couple of nights ago, I was in need of a break. This doesn't happen too often. But Monday night I asked Hubby if I could run up to the gym for a little while. He enthusiastically said, "Sure, Baby. I'll be home in 20 minutes." Well I decided instead of doing that, I wanted to have some one-on-one time with #1. We went to one of her favorite places - the library. While we were there, Hubby called and said, "Why don't you two go out to eat. They are growing fast and we need to make the most of these opportunities." We ended up at a yummy little coffie house that serves delicious waffles. Yum! When we got home, Hubby already had dinner cleaned up, had mopped the kitchen floor, had #5and #4 cleaning the playroom (which was a week overdue) and greeted me with a smile. The next morning I found love notes in the kitchen that he had written to the children and me - while he was fixing dinner the night before.

How does he love me? Let me count the ways: He puts me before the children. He always forgives me (before I even ask). He encourages me. Serves me willingly and cheerfully without being asked. He reads the Bible to the children at dinner. He is oh so patient with me. He checks on me throughout the day. He prays for me. He desires to be a better husband and father. He loves God. He understands the importance of training our children in righteousness. He wrestles with the kids and makes up crazy, fun games for us to play. He chooses his family over work. He's an awesome example to our children. He loves me as Christ loves the church. He loves me unconditionally! (and the list goes on)

There's a Shania Twain song that makes me think of him every time I hear it. The verses are below:

In your arms I can still feel the way you want me when you hold me....I can still hear the words you whispered when you told me....I can stay right here forever in your arms

In your heart I can still hear a beat for every time you kiss me....And when we're apart, I know how much you miss me....I can feel your love for me in your heart

In your eyes I can still see the look of the one who really loves me....The one who wouldn't put anything else in the world above me....I can still see love for me in your eyes!

And the chorus says:
I'm keeping you forever and for always....We will be together all of our days....Wanna wake up every morning to your sweet face--always

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om4s71i0J5Q&NR=1)

Our Pet Squirrel

A couple of months ago Hubby's co-workers found this very young squirrel in the company parking lot. So Hubby brought it home for us. #2 was the next child to get a pet since #1 got a gold fish for her 7th birthday in '06. We have gone through names like Brownie, Chestnut, Carmel, Spaghetti and are currently on Lolli (short for Lollipop). What's up with all the food names? Anyway. We're having lots of fun with her. Here she is on #3's head eating something. And that's Hubby rescuing her after she climbed up the side of the house.

Lead Dog

I heard this last year from Todd Wilson (familymanweb.com) for wives:

Imagine a team of dogs pulling a sled over the snowy plains of Alaska. All of a sudden the Master says, “Turn right.” But the lead dog turns left and the others follow. So the Master stops the team, walks around to the lead dog, shakes his little face and says, “I told you to turn right.” Then he gets back in and off they go. Again, the Master says. “Turn right.” But again the lead dog turns left.

Well this time the dog behind him turns right like the Master said but in the process creates chaos. So the Master stops the sled, walks around to the lead dog, shakes his face and says, “I told you to turn right.” Then he walks to the next dog that obeyed his command to turn right shakes her little face and says, “I told you to follow the lead dog.” Get it? Your husband is the Lead Dog. Your job is to follow the Lead Dog because that is what the Master really wants.

We wonder why there is chaos in our homes. Could it be our desire to control and lead? Relax in the comfort of knowing you are protected when you obey the Master and follow your husband’s lead. Your husband will be held accountable for his decisions. You will be held accountable for how you follow and support those decisions. Love him, pray for him, support him and let him lead.

Ephesians 5:22-24

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

It fits!

Sort of. I couldn't breathe but I got my wedding dress on the other day. I don't remember how the subject came up but Hubby said, "Try it on." You should have seen him trying to zip up the back. I said, "Don't rip it!" Then the kids climbed under the skirt like the lady in the Nutcracker story.

My homeschool soapbox

So at dinner the other night with Chris and Heather, the subject of homeschooling came up. Heather shared a conversation she had with a friend who called asking why she homeschools. I loved Heather's answer and hopefully I will do it justice. She said that God has called us as parents to teach and train our children - especially when it comes to character. When we send our kids to school, essentially it's their peers who are teaching them.

What about socialization? If you're a homeschool mom, how many times have you heard that question? To me, socialization is learning how to get along with all types of people. I certainly didn't learn that in my diverse public school. I learned that from Hubby when he taught me what a relationship with Jesus Christ is really about.

What about education? Personally, I think education is highly overrated. Have you watched Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? But our kids need to be educated so they can get a good job - especially our sons, right? Why? So they can spend too much time in the office like some husbands I know? Who gives us our jobs and determines our future, anyway? Hubby doesn't have the job he has because of his education from UCF. He's not doing anything remotely close to what he went to school for. God put him where he is today. And we're thankful for it.

Does that mean I think education is unimportant? Absolutely not. Education can be a tool for advancing the Gospel (although it's definitely not a requirement). I want my children to be able to articulate their faith. I want them to be able to defend what they believe intelligently. I want them to speak the truth in love and eloquence. But academics are not the focus.

On the other hand, as a testimony to homeschooling, colleges and universities are seeking homeschoolers because they are better self-disciplined for that type of educational arena and because they are more likely to excel. And Hubby was just telling me he heard on talk radio that schools are wanting to keep homeschooled kids out of the spelling bees because they keep winning! Ha! There’s your education argument!

Ultimately, the decision to homeschool is between you and God. I do not stand in judgment of anyone who chooses to send their kids to public or private school. I am just passionate about what I believe. So there's my soapbox.

We're kooky that way

When Hubby and I were dating, we would show up at church usually in the same color. I'd have a black dress, he'd have a black suit. Or blue and blue. We didn't plan it. It just happened that way. And in my orderly mind I love it. Well it has carried over into the children matching or coordinating when we go to church. It used to be that we would all be in red or black or whatever. Now we have the kids coordinate ad then Roddy and I coordinate. So tonight we are going to Chris and Heather's for dinner and for the guys to discuss their next Raising a Modern-Day Knight class (starting tomorrow night - for anyone interested). Everyone took a bath and then I sent them to get dressed. The boys came out in matching outfits, picked out themselves! What a bunch of cuties.

Camping with Meme & Papa

This is the second time Hubby's parents have taken the kids camping. They love it! The hi-lights this time were learning how to cast a line on kid-sized fishing rods (thanks, Uncle Randy, for sharing), roasting 'smores in the campfire and watching an alligator in the lake only a few feet away.

Papa and #1
#5 got in on the fun with Meme Saturday morning when we went to pick up the kids (big brother encouraging her).
Meme set out some in-door/out-door carpet so the kids wouldn't have to play on the gravel, but the first thing they did was to make roads and mountains out of it. I've not been one to over-stimulate my kids with entertainment so thankfully the simple things can still be fun for them.

There was a reason...

...we weren't supposed to go away this weekend and leave all the children with my parents. Friday morning my mom starting feeling bad. Not sure if she has the flu or what, but she was on Tylenol all weekend. She needed rest not 5 children to take care of. So "God controls throw-up" and now we know why!

P.S. Hubby's parents still took the older 4 kids camping Thursday thru Saturday. They had a great time and I'll blog about it after I download some pics!

God controls throw-up

I know that's gross but I had to tell myself that this morning. Hubby and I have been planning for a month to get away for 4 days this weekend. His parents were going to take the kids camping 2 days and mine were going to take them to a farm/zoo on Saturday and to church on Sunday. Well, Monday, #5 (3 yrs old) got a stomach-bug. And then threw up again last night. So instead of exposing our parents to the germs (because you may not know it, but those germs hang around long after the heaving subsides!) we cancelled. And I was okay with that until this morning. I think I was in denial. This morning it hit me and I felt like crying. But then I thought, "God controls throw-up". He knows what's going on and why. And I trust Him.