Tales of a Carolina Girl and Her Family In Rocky Top

Little Harry Harms...

My friend Holly is having a baby boy in January! I have known Holly since she was in the 6th grade. She has always been a really cool girl - but she is going to be a rockin' mama! Holly's family "adopted" me when I was in college at Belmont in the early 90's. They are some of the greatest people I know and am so blessed to have had them in my life. We hosted a little shower for Holly and baby Harms (who has no name yet - but I have donned him Harry Harms until birth upon which I will use his given name).

We had her shower at her mom's house up in Hendersonville. It's amazing how much has changed since we left 5 years ago. Oh how I wish there weren't 55 miles between Cool Springs and H'ville because I would so move back there tomorrow if we didn't have to commute. I love it up there - good friends, good food, good fun...there's just something about it!! Anyhow..I digress....

Here are some shots from Holly's baby shower yesterday up in Hendersonville. Love ya Holly ...I still can't believe you are going to be a mama (makes me feel old) but you are going to totally rock at the job! I think I also owe you quite a few babysitting gigs - so feel free to call us anytime to take care of little "Harry Harms"!

Catching Up...

Yay - I am back! It's been over a month since I've updated my blog. A lot has been happening in life - thus the blog break. So to catch you up.... Dave and I both made career changes this fall. He took a new position with a company in town called MaxxTechnology. He's the GM of Touring and things are going well in his new world. I started a new job 2 weeks ago in Franklin with a company called Summit Professional Education . I am the new event/meeting planner. Things are going well - just trying to figure it all out and keep it all moving. The kids are "stretchy" and have adjusted to their new schedules. Ainslee started at a new preschool and it's going great - she's making lots of new friends. Sid started SACC at school - which is the new after school program that HES has this year. After the first week she was begging me to not pick her up so early. I on the other hand am still adjusting to my new schedule which begins at 4:45am each morning. I work from 6-3pm - which I love because I am home before dark - but my body hates 4:45 every morning when the alarm rings. Dave and I also launched Posh Parties For Kids this fall and things have been going very well. We've been getting some great response and have booked several parties already. We are planning some exciting things for PP4K in the new year and are having tons of fun building the business! Life has been up and down and really is an amazing journey. God is good and has been teaching up a lot lately about living by faith. In all these changes He's been faithful to give us just what we need when we need it. He's given me back precious time with my family that I was taking for granted, He's provided an income that we depended on, He's challenged and made us grow by placing obstacles in our path. How amazing is it that the creator of the universe knows everything about us - what was, what is and what is to come. To find peace and rest in that should be the easiest thing we do each day regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in or those of our friends, family or nation - to know that God is the painter of this life and the next gives me great peace! Other happenings in the Wagner world.... We hosted our annual halloween party this year on halloween and it was a ton of fun. Here are some pics of the kids all dressed up and ready to hit the town trick or treating! We took the girls to Ghouls at Grassmere this month and it was a cute night for the kids. I also got some great ideas for new booths at Hey Day. A few more of our family pics that my sister shot for us a few weekends ago. I am hoping to get a few more good ones from that group to use for the christmas card. But - we'll see.... We are getting geared up for Thanksgiving. The entire Bingham family is coming for Turkey Day. So - we are excited and getting geared up for lots of turkey and fixins'.

Some New Pictures For My Hubby...

So I'm pretty luck to have my talented sister at my beck and call to take pictures of my kids and my family whenever we need her. Friday marks 10 years of wedded bliss with my huz! So - I had her take some new pics of me for the honey.... Here's the result..

Dance Class...

Ainslee is taking dance this fall and she couldn't be more excited about it. She's been asking me for weeks how many sleeps until dance. Well - yesterday was dance - thank goodness! She was so cute...and had so much fun dancing like a butterfly! These pictures aren't the greatest - I had to sneak to take them....

Sid's First Softball Game....

Sid had her first softball game of the season this week. A double-header on Monday. It was so cute to see her in her uniform. She did fantastic....and she looked cute (and we all know how important that is in sports - right??) Oh well - here are a few shots from her games.... We didn't realize until we got to the game that she got her Aunt Misty's number from high school and college (lucky number 8)!

Beautiful Carnton...

If you haven't had the opportunity to visit Carnton Plantation in downtown Franklin - I highly suggest! Especially beautiful at dusk....

We took in the last of the Sunset Concert Series last night with a Beatles tribute band. I got in a the mode to cook and made chicken salad, fruit salsa and homemade chips and a strawberry ooey gooey butter cake for our picnic.

We ate, danced and explored Carnton - much fun was had!

Softball....

Our girl started softball this week. With pink bat and balls in tow - she hit the field. Aunt Misty came out to watch practice and impart her years of softball wisdom! Too fun....

A Beautiful Harvest...

Earlier this summer we decided to try a "mini" vegetable garden. When I say mini - I mean one tomato plant and a squash plant. Anyhow - the squash have been beautiful with several yellow flower blooms - but no squash to be seen!

The tomato on the other hand has been growing slowly all summer. We finally picked the first one this weekend!

To fun....

He Is....

He is the Best Friend I've Ever Had
He is the Father of My Children
He is the Stealer of My Heart
He is the Recipient of My Affections
He is the Keeper of My Joy
He is the Eater of My Cooking
He is the Hero of My Love Story
He is the Balancer of My Craziness
He is the Manager of My Remote Control
He is the Love of My Life

I am totally thankful today for my sweet husband. He is a man of immense patience and abundant love!! He is always there to help me, he may grumble just a little bit - but he ALWAYS gets the job done!! He's also pretty handsome!!

Thank you Lord for this man and allowing me to share this life with him!

My Little Mermaid....

Here are some more pics of Ainslee's birthday party done by the professional. Thanks Jonathon for taking these - they are amazing!!