An update finally.......

Most everyone who follows our blog already knows this but I wanted to update everybody. I was notified on March 31st that due to extremely bad economic conditions at Kroff I was being laid off. I am officially employed until April 30th, but the laptop has been turned in, the cell plan has been changed, the test kit given back. There has been a little bit of drama as my boss asked that I help out with a sales opportunity. I did not understand why he would want me to, then he explained that he was turning in his letter of resignation. He wanted me to not loose out if Kroff decided to call me back once he resigned. So, I did the call and helped out the boss. Well, he resigned yesterday (Monday April 13) and my phone hasn't rung yet. Basically, Kroff is shedding 2 salaries. And they are completely abondoning any customers and progress we've made in the area. I can't contact any of my customers to even let them know what is going on. Sooooo...........I am officially another one of the "first time jobless claims" that you hear about. At least I will be come May 1. Resume has been updated and is being distributed. We'll see what happens.

Aside from the financial aspect, it really stinks as I was trying to build something for my family, not just survive. Starting over, especially at a company that I may very well not believe in, is the part that worries me. I have, however, had some really crappy jobs and situations, so I will do what is necessary for my family. I really believed in Kroff, right up to the moment I was told I was being let go, and I've come to find that believing in the company you are representing makes the difference when it comes to enjoying what you are doing. Maybe the next company will be the same. We'll see.

Anyway, that is why the lack of posting. I just haven't been in the mood. We'll hopefully be blogging some more now that the initial shock has worn off. Baseball season is upon us, both Professionally and amatuer wise, so look for updates from the field.

Greg

Pinewood Derby

The Pack 483 Pinewood Derby was held today. The Wagner boys brought home some hardware today. Patrick was running the American Racer while Kurtis was at the helm of the Hurryin' Hoosier. Both boys ended up in the finals (top six in the pack). Patrick finished 4th and Kurtis finished 5th. The way it worked, Patrick got a trophy for his pack 4th place finish, Kurtis got a trophy for tops in his den. Technically, Patrick was the top car in his den, but the way we work it is you only get one trophy. Below are some pictures:

Needless to say, there is a lot of Wagner pride in the house, and just a bit of jealously from some of the other participants!!!

Also, I wanted to post a picture of Patrick's program from the state champion basketball game yesterday. Tell me he wasn't into this game!!! Tarkanian has his towel, Patrick goes to work on a program.

For Kevin and Moe......

I have had to listen to Elder this, Saint X, that blah, blah, blah........The new king of family high schools is none other than lowly Jac-Cen-Del High School, my alma mater. Yesterday, they became the newly crowned Indiana Boys Basketball Division 1A Champions! Who are, who are, who are we? We are, we are, JCD!!!!

The boys and I got up and headed to Indianapolis yesterday morning to watch the game at Conseco Fieldhouse. Not quite the nostalgia and history of Henkel fieldhouse, but it is a nice place non the less. The Eagles never trailed in this one. Practically the entire populations of Osgood, Napoleon, and Delaware were on hand. It was loud and proud in the JCD cheering section. There is simply nothing better than high school basketball in Indiana, although I think Ohio high school football is in the same league. The best part is that I got to share it with the boys, who were completely into the game. I also got to see a ton of old friends. Just how it is with a little school like JCD. One of my best friends from high school was there with his kids, and they came in from Louisville.

If you google Jac-Cen-Del there are many stories now about the game. Matt Gehl, the tourney MVP, is my cousin. Little family pride there. SOOOOO, at least for now, the only current state championship in the family belongs to none other than Big Daddy Wag's and the fighting Eagles of JCD!!!!!!

New Addition to our House.........

Starting tomorrow, Friday March 27th, 2009, you will once again find this fine product in the cupboard of the Wagner household. Katelyn Rose Wagner has been designated PEANUT ALLERGY FREE by the fine folks at Children's Hospital. To say the least, an answer to prayer.

birthday weekend

Here is the birthday weekend. Greg is very busy this month at his job and I am not as techno savvy yet.

We had a great , exhausting weekend. Even Patrick in the middle of his party on Saturday was sitting off to the side. You can see his comment in the quote of the day section. We skip back and forth through the weekend because I haven't learned how to control the way the pictures are added into the post (no time today to learn).


Katelyn (5 years old) and Patrick (7 year old) birthday party with family

THANK YOU TO ALL THE GRANDMAS AND GRANDPAS, AUNTS AND UNCLES AND ESPECIALLY COUNSINS (AND BEDELS) FOR COMING. wHAT A GREAT DAY AND WONDERFUL WEATHER. tHE CAKE LEFT SOMETHING TO BE DESRIED (MOLLY REPLACED THE EGG WITH PUMKIN BUT THE CAKE NEVER SET UP WELL UNFORTUNATELY WE DID NOT NOTICED UNTIL WE WERE SERVING THE CAKE, i HOPE THE GOOD ICE CREAM MADE UP FOR IT.

"Dont' worry Patrick I won't tkae your bike for very long"

PAtrick singing Opera (or as he calls it "Oprah")

Patrick wants to take over reading for Katelyn (he is not the most patient at letting someone learn)

The picture with little boys and camouflage were Friday afternoon Friend party for Patrick. All I can say is the terrorist better watch out. This group looked like a bunch of silly goofy (and load) boys during cake and ice cream but put on camouflage paint and give them military games to play and they turned into a well oiled fighting machine. As much fun as the army obstacle course, wearing a real military uniform, pin the medal on the soldier, and save the wounded soldier games were, the agreed upon favorite was the impromptu war battle in the Wagner basement. Star wars light sabers, nerf guns and balls (for bombs) were the weapons of choice.

Patrick is way too happy buried below a dying soldier (Well, I guess if you are still alive that is something to be happy about)

Oh Yeah! It's my Party and I will be crazy if I want to!
Notice the whoppers - Patricks idea to simulate cannonballs and grenades.


Thank you Michael for donating your old Army shorts found in the bottom of closet at mom's house). They turned into a nice Army banner for the party. We also used a pair of fatigues for the boys to put on during their military obstacle course. About the time you retire from the Army maybe one of these boys will join up.

Saturday was the opening day of Little League baseball practice so all were happy. Greg is assistant coach on both teams so he was booked solid Saturday morning with both boys practices. He has always thought he was too busy with job and running cub scout programs to be a coach but the grin on his face Saturday told me he will manage it all well this Spring. Our backyard is baseball training central for the neighborhood. Every night since last Thursday you will find Greg throwing pop ups and grounders to a line of 6-8 kids (He complains that our grass is awful because of all the playing on it - but I love the sounds of kids playing outside my kitchen window.) When Greg moves on to other tasks the game turns to pickle and the fighting ensues. He pushed me, You can't throw the ball out of bounds, I am always the thrower, I quit! Then mom has to get involved. The joys of parenting. I will say I was incredibly proud when Kurtis told the other kids if they push or throw the ball hard at Katelyn again they could get out of his yard. Later when the pickle game broke up several older kids thought it was funny to teach Katelyn cuss words. He told them to never do that again and brought Katelyn inside. What a great big brother. Needless to say, Greg had to have an uncomfortable conversation with the kids Dad. I think it went well since many beers were shared.

When I learn how to post video I can show you Katelyn on her new bike. Sunday after the birthday party you could find her for hours riding her bike (grandma Kathy present) ringing the bell added to the bike (part of grandma mo's present) and wearing an adorable new outfit and necklace(part of Grandma Ann's present). It was quite a sight. Monday Katelyn requested to go on a long bike hike with me. We started around our block but she wanted to do more so I took her on the route I used to run (when I was exercising everyday). She is a good personal trainer. Every time I fell a few houses behind her (she is a jackrabbit on her bike) she would ring her bell and tell me to pick up the pace. All in all she went 2.5 miles and never quit. I think she will be my endurance runner. The boys love sports but were never long distance walking or riding.

The other funny moment (or scary with how quick witted Katelyn is). Monday morning Katelyn complained to me that her brothers are naughty boys to her sometimes (the reality is they pretty much do whatever she wants - except for 1% of the time). S0 I pointed out how she can be bossy and demanding of them. I was trying to show her that when you "point a finger" at others there are 3 fingers pointing back at you. As I was explaining that means that all of us make bad choices so rather than focus on everyone else we should just focus on fixing our behavior. She interrupts my lesson to quickly point out my analogy in not true and shows me how I should point in the future, with 3 fingers pointing away and 1 finger pointing back at myself. All this happened n a matter of seconds. She reminded me that children's thinking is not in a box. They are still very black and white and creative. Watch out world! You better know what you are talking about with her or she will turn it back on you. There is never a dull moment! I will miss her wit terribly next year when she is in school.

Wagner's Through the Winter

Trip to Chuck E. Cheese with friends

watch out St. Dominic next year
Katelyn times 2 (Katelyn Wagner and Katelyn Schlomer)

Chocolate Fondue

(Wagner Valentines Day Tradition after the heart shaped meatloaf dinner)

Best Friends

(This is a daily scene at our house- I am not sure what Carly will do next year when Katelyn goes to school)

Cookie Reception after Scout Sunday (the most important part according to Patrick)

Kurtis Receiving the Parvuli Dei medal from Father Jim at Scout Sunday

Snow Tubing at Grandma Mo's (snow day from School)

Two Sleeping Beauties

Birth Week want-to-be

We are bummed out that TJ is headed to Seattle. On the flip side we are very excited that Uncle Mike is moving from Seattle to Fort Campbell (Kentucky) this summer! The Kids will finally meet Maggie, Uncle Mike's dog, in person. Katelyn is so excited to play with her (no offense Uncle Mike and Alia, she misses you too).

The countdown is on for birthday weekend. Yes, Patrick is attempting to strive for Aunt Megan's ultimate "birth week". He still has more to strive for to meet her standards. Friday after school our house will be transformed into "camp Wagner". Patrick's best friends have been invited to basic training with drill Sergent Mom. We have scheduled many tasks to see if they will be given their dog tags. All should have fun! Saturday afternoon is the party for both Katelyn and Patrick to celebrate with their relatives. Lots of fun scheduled with the cousins (last weekend was cousin Lily's b-day party and all the cousins were seen making secret plans for this weekend's reunion at the Wagner birthday party). Sunday is Patrick's actual birthday. At our house that means the whole day is about you. Patrick has been careful not to voice his disappointment about sharing his day with God at church Sunday morning. We then have a family hike scheduled and Patrick's favorite meal, BBQ ribs, will finish off the Birthday weekend. Watch out Aunt Megan I think he may come to you for advise on getting the entire "birth week" experience! I tried having the kids birthday party with relatives on Patrick's actual birthday, this Sunday. Rather than state the obvious problem with this, he would miss out on his own birthday dinner on his actual birthday, he tuned on the concerned brother approach and insisted it would not be fair since the party was also for Katelyn's birthday and she would probably not get as much attention if the party was on his actual birthday. Gotta love the unselfishness (or is he working over his mom?)!

PS- Molly has scheduled a bubble bath and some other relaxing activities for her and Katelyn on Monday. As we all know, dads are tremendous help for birthdays, but moms make it all happen with that special touch that makes us all feel like the world is ours one day a year! (or in Patrick's case three days)