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)

Wagner Spring Project

Alright, the kids have finally wore down Greg. This spring we are supposed to finally build a clubhouse/swingset. Unfortunately everyday we do not start construction Katelyn's ideas get more elaborate. At this rate Greg's final creation will never live up. The above picture came from a catalog at Grandpa Mo's house that Katelyn found. We explained to her this would cost as much as our house but she still does not see the problem with that. We will be scaling back to a 2 tier clubhouse with slide and rock wall.

Hey Good Catholics.........

I hope everyone remembered to get there ashes today (Ash Wednesday). We all attended the school mass this morning. As always, this is definitely a day of penetance for me (ixnay on eating fish or cheese). I have now had 4 tuna salad sandwiches. I am certain I cut some time off of purgatory.

Oh, and THE REDS WON THE FIRST GAME OF SPRING TRAINING!!!! I know, it doesn't mean anything but man you got to love Marty and The Cowboy on the radio. The line on Homer Bailey: 1 inning, no runs, no hits 8 pitches, 2 strikeouts, one ground out. That is the Homer we are looking for. GO REDLEGS!!!

Patrick's on 19....

Tonight Patrick's tiger cub den went on a tour of WXIX Fox 19. We got to visit the set, learn about production, and see the behind the scenes working of a television station. We got to meet Dan Carroll and Steve Horstmeyer. We learned how the weatherman does his weather in front of a big green screen and has to look off to his left and right to see what it is that he is pointing to. (No Aunt Julie, we did not inform him as to how inaccurate Cincinnati weathermen tend to be. These are Tiger Cubs and we are working on polite and respectful.) We found it interesting that the Channel 19 News set is EXTREMELY small. The weather desk, news desk, green screen, and the stage where they set in the three chairs for the morning broadcast would all fit in an area slightly larger than our basement. Patrick got to shake hands with Steve Horstmeyer's skeleton, and his favorite story is about how Steve does his skeleton broadcast every Halloween. We also learned that the Big Switch fiasco (your incredibly organized, efficient federal government at work) is costing Channel 19 an additional $40,000 ($10K per month) due to keeping both the analog and digital broadcasts going. They did not like my idea of putting sports and weather in the first 10 minutes of the news. Oh, and the call letters are WXIX because XIX is 19 in Roman numerals. And they DID have problems with the audio and video syncing up when they first went Hi Def ( I knew I wasn't crazy). The problem is worked out with Dish Network, over the air, and cable. If you have DirectTV you could still see it occasionally and you are ENCOURAGED to complain to DirectTV as it is a problem with their system. Here are some pics:

Nothing says "I Love You" like.....

Yeah, turns out my sister, who has been married to Chris since August 12, 2000, DOES NOT put an "e" after the "o" in her sir name. You will not find the blog cronically my sister's family if you type www.schroedertimes.com. Follow that link and see. So, nothing says "I love you Sis" like the inability to spell your last name correctly after nearly nine years.

The Weekend...Idiots, China, and Project Office

I know, I know.....EVERYONE wants to know, "What did those zany Wagner's do this weekend?" Well, Friday night we went to Grandma and Grandpa Moes for some ham and mashed potatos. The big event of the night, Big Daddy Wags went all Grumpy Old Man on the way home. NO MOTHER, not with my own children, but with some kid on Greenwell Avenue (the first road back into our neighborhood from Mr. Alverno).



Typical Friday night, many useless little, er, uh...I mean early teenage children congregated in a driveway. When Molly drives by in the minibus, one decides to run alongside the van to see if he can run as fast. I lost it, told Molly to stop the van, and jumped out. It is SO FUN to strike fear in the hearts of those little heathens that deserve it. Like cockroaches when the light comes on, they run for the garage. I proceed to the front door and begin knocking (pounding really). Junior answers with Mom in tow. "May I help you?" I am in no mood and lay into Junior with Mom caught more than a little off guard. "I was just crossing the street," says Junior. "Your an idiot and a liar," says I. Now mom is in Mama Bear mode. Fair enough. I explain, over top of Juniors pathetic excuses, what he did and how it is a very good way to die. Mind you, it is about 8:55 at night, so young Junior is a little hard to see running down the road. Mom assures me that when Dad gets home there will be a lengthy discussion. Who knows, but I doubt Junior wants to ever see me again. And maybe he'll think twice before being a complete idiot the next time.




Saturday I got to have some great time with Patrick in the morning. We made run to Lowes to get a board for a new shelf. We had a blast looking at tools, parts for a playset, new grills, and generally clowning around. It was during our time looking at the pre-packaged playsets that my avid little reader noticed MADE IN CHINA on the box. "Made in China, that stinks. It's probably junk," says Patrick. Gotta love him. So later we are looking at some shovels, because what 6 year old boy doesn't like shovels. MADE IN CHINA, right on the neck of the shovel. "Is EVERYTHING made in China?" asks Patrick. From the mouths of babes. So, we looked hard and were able to find on shovel that was Made in USA. He gave me his blessing to buy that kind should we need a shovel. Patrick is a big fan of protectionism at this point in his socio-economic viewpoint development. From what I read he would be bad for the global economy. I still bought him some gum and a candybar (both made in the US) for the ride home (in our Chevy Silverado, manufactured at Fort Wayne Assembly in Ft. Wayne, IN).


This brings us to the Office Project. Here is our office before:


And actually, this is after some of the work had been started. This began at approximately 1:00 pm. Files were emptied, garbage bags were filled, and furniture was moved, sometimes more than once. On a good note, I got the chance to use the table saw Dad gave me (Thanks Pop) to cut out the new shelve in the recessed bookcase so any day you spend time in the shed with a saw is a good one. At 8:30 I was mentally drained so I completed my portion today. Here is what it looks like now:





It is actually very hard to represent in a picture the full extent of this purging and reorganization, but the most telling fact is Molly's comment today: "I actually like to be in this room now." Oh, and if any of my Briarpatch brethren are checking in, the club trophy is on the wall, in MY OFFICE, where it was naturally meant to be!!!












Other than that, pretty low key weekend. Kurtis did a science experiment where he looked at micrometeorites in rain water under his microscope, which was pretty cool. Here is the mad scientist at work:


The Katelyn quote for the weekend (and there were plenty to choose from) came Saturday afternoon. She is on the couch, still in PJs, into what is likely her 4th hour of toonies. I walk in and say, "What's that smell? I think I smell your brain cooking into mush." Without missing a beat she says, "Nope. Mom's cooking spaghetti."

I'm Learning.......

Things I am learning now that I have started a blog:

1) Video is only to be uploaded in small quantities (that lesson was learned last night)

2) People actually expect you to update it

3) You start to go through the day wandering if the thing that just happened is "blog worthy"

4) If it was "blog worthy", how can I make the posting funny and witty

5) 10 year old boys REALLY want to be involved in blogging

6) 37 year old men are slow on the uptake when it comes to technology


Now, a quick update on our life....

Patrick woke up and promptly threw up. He then sat in front of the toilet for about and hour crying about his aching stomach. The line of the day (in very pitiful 6 year old) "I just want to throw up, I know I'll feel better." But alas, to no avail. Nurse Katelyn Nightingale then administered to his every whim all day. He didn't even have to reach for his crackers; she was right there to hand them to him. By the time I returned from the frozen tundra that is Columbus, Ohio he was feeling well enough to eat a sloppy joe sandwich, play MarioKart, and do some bizarre celebration dance at the table. I think school will be attended tomorrow.

Kurtis is asking that everyone note he has finished the Pirates book and has moved on to Inkheart. He is also working on a journal. He recently got the book "The Lost Journal of Indiana Jones" at 1/2 priced books (thanks Grandma Kathy). He is chronicling the sickness of Patrick as we speak.

Patrick's Valentine's Day

Here is a little video of Patrick taking yet another step toward manhood.......the losing of the first tooth. The tooth fairy was right on schedule with a note, a dollar, and a pack of Star Wars Clay Action figures (this is gold in our house). Ventriss and Count Dooku for those of you scoring at home. What would have been even better video was Dad squirming as he got the heeby-jeebies from watching the whole thing. I DO NOT like teeth, the care of, the extraction of, or especially the wiggling back and forth of when the tooth is being held on by one or two roots.



Oh and yes, Kurtis is quickly becoming the family photographer. This is a good thing as Molly and I usually remember to take a picture about 3 days after an event takes place.

First Post.....

Well, I've spent time checking out everyone else's so I thought I would take a crack at making one for our family, especially since half of my in-laws are out of the country. Not sure how often I will update it, but hopefully it will at least force me to occasionally take stock in the wonderful life that sometimes I feel is flashing past me. Maybe it will even make me take a few more pictures of our everday life (we'll see). Probably the best thing I can do is get some input from my lovely wife, without whom this wonderful life would not be possible. Please comment as you like (yes Mom, you too!!).