May 26, 1968

Forty years ago today there was a little boy born in St. Paul, Minnesota.


Kurtis Shellby Wagner


This little boy who learned to love sports, but lives for hockey. Played hockey from the age of four, through high school in the State of Hockey - Minnesota, through college at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. And 40 years later still plays and is now teaching his sons his love for the game.

This little boy taught himself to fish. Running along to shores of Long Lake at his Grandparents cabin in Wisconsin trying to find the best catch because he didn't have a boat. Then his parent's finally bought him a boat so that he could find every hiding spot of fish. And 40 years later, his favorite spot to fish is that cabin in that boat and is now teaching his sons his love for fishing.

This little boy whose family moved to Texas when his father was transferred with 3M, said I'm never leaving Minnesota. He finally couldn't take it after two years of being away from his family and moved to Texas. And 40 years later, he never wants to move back to Minnesota.

This little boy who found a girl, blond, native Texan, who didn't know where Minnesota was or how hockey was played, loved her, married her, made a family with her, and loves her unconditionally. And 40 years later still learns from her - even if he knows it or not.

The little boy who knew he wanted nothing more from life than to be a father. Who stood by his wife time and time again as the hope of a biologically child faded. But who had the strength and determination to adopt two of the most amazing and wonderful boys from Russia. And 40 years later he would never want the path of his life any other way.

Happy 40th Birthday,

Bun, Kurt, Kurtie, Uncle Kurtie, Coach Kurt

Everyone who meets you, loves you and is a better person for knowing you!

Mother's Day Weekend 2008

I know, we don't get a weekend, but we should. In fact, I think you should accrue Mother's Day treatment like a paying job.

Let's say for example you get one week for every child you have. Then you get additional weeks for years of service. Let's say for every five years of service per kid you get an additional week. Sounds reasonable right?

Well, nevertheless, every day is Mother's Day when you are a mother. I can't believe that I have been blessed with two of the most wonderful boys. They can be the sweetest, kindest, most loving boys a Mom could request. They are my greatest accomplishment.

For my two boys, I didn't give them the gift of life - life gave me the gift of them. You see everyday I can't believe that these boys were not created in my body - they were created in my heart. I didn't think it was possible to love two children so unconditionally. No matter how upset I get when they are fighting, not listening, argumentative, and all of the everyday things they do to drive me crazy - every night I kiss them good night and pray to God that I have been giving the opportunity to walk with them down the path of life. Then, I pray to God to give me the guidance (and patience) that I am doing the right things is raising two wonderful, respectful, honest, loving boys.

I think that I am on the right path by the handmade gifts from Matthew and Samuel. Matthew presented me with a crown of flowers, a portrait, and a picture of us together. Sam made me a beautiful flower and his hand prints in the shape of a heart.

I hope that all the Mother's out there feel as special as I do - EVERYDAY!!!!

Mother's Day Tea at Steiner Ranch Elementary

I had an early Mother's Day celebration with Matthew in his classroom. We had strawberries & muffins & raspberry tea & the kids sang songs about how happy and proud they are of their Moms - I don't think there was a dry eye in the house! Oh, we also got lots of great homemade gifts & were pampered.

Here is the headband that Matthew made me. He explained that there is a pattern on it....white flower, yellow flower, white flower, yellow flower.....

Here is my foot massage...
Here is my manicure...(Matthew paints nails like he colors - outside the line!)
Here is the portrait Matthew drew of me...

Complete Collapse

Sam usually will not take a nap - unless I knock him out. When he does he collapses in a heap!

Most frequent statement for Summer '08

I hope that everyone is ready for the summer.

It's almost here, in less than a month, all of us Mom's will seek refuge at the pool with all of our rugrats.

We will hope to sit there with a trashy book, give the Mom's with the "perfect" bodies the evil eye, and hopefully sit back with a few good friends and good margaritas. Let's just hope we can keep ourselves in check and try not to yell this out at the pool..........................................................

I went to Zinger's today, looking for Mother's Day gifts & got this little fridge magnet all for myself!

Don't they make drugs for this type of behavior??

I have had this ache in my back for weeks. The downstairs living room was on my last nerve. If things are not in an organized manner, I will lose my mind.

There were toys everywhere. I know, what an awful problem to have. But it was out of control. Matthew wanted his Dallas Cowboys, but could only find two. Sam wanted to play with his stations, but couldn't find all the pieces. Result = total meltdown of both boys.

I knew it was going to take a long time to sort through. We needed to get rid of the computer from the early 90's that was invading the computer armoire; I needed to get a few more bins; the excuses overflowed. But come Sunday....enough was enough!!!

I sat down in the middle of the room and just stared for a bit, then jumped in. Once I had a few things sorted together, the boys were excited that some of their toys were found and wanted to play.......Hold up, Wait a minute.....

Kurt could see my steam valve was about to explode. In true Daddy fashion, he said, just in the nick of time...."Boys, let's go to the pool". Order was restored to Mission: Organization.

4 1/2 hours later....the results.....

Every toy has a spot & has been labeled. There are a few baskets in the boys room that is full of hockey guys. A bucket full of hockey sticks, swords, light sabers, and other assorted weapons. Plus, a few other baskets around the room with all of Matthew's "Guys" & finally a basket of miscellaneous toys.

When the boys got back we all sat down and this is the conversation we had.....

Mommy: When you are at school, how many bins of toys do you get to play with?

Boys: One.

Mommy: When you are done with that one bin, do you get to leave it out and move on to something else.

Boys: No.

Mommy: What happens to the bin?

Boys: You have to put it away!

Mommy: Really? Wow, what a good rule. We are going to do that at home too!

Boys: OK, Mommy, can we play?

Mommy: Yes, of course, you can now find what you want to play with!!!

Then today, reality was confirmed from a conversation that I overheard....

Matthew: Sam, are you finished playing with your cars?

Sam: Yes.

Matthew: Well, you have to put your bin away before you can play with the blocks.

Sam: OK. And he puts the car bin away!!!

I think there was a little tear in my eye. Either that, or they knew I was in the laundry room listening. Either way, they know the newest rule and hopefully will follow it.....for a least a week!

Hockey Movies

I know, there can never be enough hockey posts here. So here are a few movies. First up is Matthew. He is on the end of the line, closest to the glass. I'll let you watch the video and decide why they call this the Superman drill!

And introducing Sam! He is in the red and black jacket. He has gotten so much better, he gets on the ice and just moves everywhere. This is a drill they take stuffed animals, throw them, and skate to pick them up. There is a bag of about 50 animals and Sam always have to find his "Beaver, Beaver"! Big surprise Sam has to have the same one every week, huh?

Sam's Field Trip to Crowe's Nest

Sam's preschool class had a field trip to Crowe's Nest on Friday. Here is a picture of the class. I think that they were more interested in what was going on behind them, than taking a picture. The mom's tried to take this picture after waiting about 15 minutes to get in. We all took for granted how quickly we would get there on our new toll roads.

They got to go on a hay ride and see two baby ostrich! Something that has only happened twice at the farm. Yep, that is Matthew beside Sam. Matthew had the day off from school, so he got to go. He showed Sam's class the ropes - he went there two years ago with the same teacher!
Sam showing Nate the owls - whoooooo, whoooooo.
Look at the donkey - hee haw, hee haw! I guess he must have smelled bad - at least Emily thought so!

2008 Peace Lutheran Preschool Gala - Avery Ranch Golf Club

The day has finally come and gone - the gala night is over. All of the hard work, late nights (one up to 3am), and maybe a few tears, our great team pulled it off. We created the most entertaining and successful gala EVER. We literally had to make an announcement to ask people to leave. Someone said it best "When you have to kick people out - you know it was a good party!!!!" Now we are all exhausted and suffering from Post Tramatic Gala Stress Disorder!!!!!

Do you notice all of those signs? Those were our auction items. Every table was that full of them. Each one had the logo of the business that donated an item, the description of the item, and the value. I created all of them! I did have some help in assembling them!
The view from first walking into the room.
Our centerpieces that I created. We had "X", ships, and skulls!
Me, Kurt, Lissa & Steve Schulz enjoying the wonderful evening we created. Well, actually Lissa & I created it and our spouses held up our homes while we were consumed with the planning!
Our loyal auctioneer, Mac McWhorter & his fearsome sidekick, Pat Boher!
Sam's teachers - Ms. Michelle & Ms. Mac
Getting rowdy during the live auction!

Sam's 4th Birthday Celebration Continues.....

My April Fool's Day baby partied on his birthday at school! I guess I should have thought twice about blue icing cupcakes. The class did seem to enjoy them!

He also got some more gifts......now he can be a fireman with a working fire extinguisher.

And house arrest anyone who gets out of line!!!

More hockey games....

Matthew and his team mates once again battled against San Antonio. They were not successful in a win, but it was not for lack of trying. The boys from San Antonio, are just too much older that our boys!!!!!

The coaches trying to come up with a winning strategy prior to the game!

Spiderman Sam's Birthday Party

On Friday night we celebrated Sam's 4th birtday with his friends at Extreme Fun. The kids had so much fun. I don't think any of them stopped jumping except to eat pizza and cake!!!

I Don't Need No Stinking Training Wheels

Sam has been trying to ride Matthew's old bike with no training wheels on the back porch for a few days. So I decided to have him hit the open road while we were waiting for Matthew to come home from school......this was the result.....

That's it. Just like with his potty training, tell him what to do..show him what to do...he does it. Another milestone for my baby boy!!!

Happy Easter !!!

The day started with Matthew coming in our room at 6:30 am, saying their were eggs all over the house and he had to go get Sam. Whoa, nelly....we keeped him contained in our bed for about 20 minutes. Then is was off to hunt baskets and eggs....

Then we went to church to hear about the true reason for the day. Alleluia. I do love chuch on Easter. All the songs we get to sing with Alleluia after not getting to sing Alleluia for 6 weeks!

Then we landed at Uncle John's & Aunt Kim's new house, where there is a LOT of room for the kids to roam. So much Alex had to take all the cousins around on the "Mule".

Of course that left lots of time for all the adults to hang out, talk, and enjoy each other company.

And the Easter Bunny knew how to keep them coming back to the Wilder's!!!

Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday before Easter Sunday, we made our annual walk (or a better description, run) to the park for the Easter Egg Hunt.

On the way, the boys decided that Easter bonnets were not just for girls.

Sam already his picked out before the whistle blew!
And we stopped long enough to take a picture together. Too bad Sam was more interested in the tree & Matthew too busy picking his nose! Oh well, all they really wanted to do was eat the candy!!!