Beginning to look alot like Christmas

Now I need to get busy wrapping gifts. I hope to get some done on Sunday. We still have our yearly trip to the mall to see Santa to do. I need to finish Christmas cards too. I have a few gifts still left to get, but I am about 80% done I think. I have to work on the new tradition we are starting for Christmas Eve morning along with thinking about what goodies the girls and I will make for our neighbors and friends this year. It's a busy fun time of year for us.

In case you are wondering about the new tradition. Everyone in our family is asked to give each person a gift on paper. They can print off a picture,draw it or cut it out of a magazine.They have to tell each person why they choose the gift for them and money is no object of course. The kids are very excited over this and I have asked them to keep them a secret till Christmas Eve.I will help the little guys with their "shopping". I think this will be alot of fun and help them with the feeling of giving gifts not just receiving. The real gift is their time and love that they put into this project and being together sharing a moment.I will let everyone know how it goes.

The picture of the shelf above is displaying some of my favorite things. There is a collection of snowmen, Santa and penguin painted gords that a dear friend introduced me to.They come out with different ones each year and its always a treat to see which one will be added to my collection each year. There are several Jim Shore items a Santa, snowmen and baby snowmen that Doron turned me on to years ago and the baby ones she gave me for my birthday one year.The toy store was given to me by a family friend the first year I was married and the sleigh is from my grandmothers Christmas decorations and I can remember playing with it as a kid growing up. Looking at these things remind me of the past and the friendships and good memories. Thats what makes them special to me these are not just random store buys but they are my treasures because of the things they represent. They aren't expensive items but they are priceless to me.

A Last Goodbye

Picture taken in 2006 in Virginia in front of the house Granddaddy was raised in.


Just about an hour ago Heavens gate opened up to accept Granddaddy home.Today the world lost a wonderful person but the Angels rejoiced and welcome him with open arms. Brian's grandfather Dewey Moss leaves behind such a legacy for us to carry on.


He will be greatly missed but we will try to reflect on the good times we shared . He leaves our children with fond memories of playing games with him or even hearing him sing a funny song to them. He had such a love for life and he had the best laugh.Granddaddy was a friend to so many and this included animals too. No one ever went hungry with him around and he loved to treat us all to a good meal. Granddaddy could bless a meal like no other person I know. His prayers were humbled ,heart felt and often there wouldn't be a dry eye in the house when he was done.

I will personally miss his warm hugs, his laughter and those sweet songs he would hum as he rocked each of our babies. Granddaddy took each opportunity he had to tell Brian and I how proud he was of us and also how much he loved all our children and what a blessing they were to him . We will never drive away from his house without a flashback to the many memories of him standing there on the porch waving goodbye as we slowly drove down Pine Avenue. I am proud to have been apart of his family for the last 14 years, to learn some life lessons from such a good man, who possessed such a great sense of humor and wonderful outlook on life.

We are greatly saddened right now but comforted by the fact his suffering has ended and he is dancing and singing in heaven today. Please remember us in your prayers in the days ahead.

Thankfulness

Like years past I asked the family to tell me what they are thankful for this year.

Collin said, "I am thankful for stop signs ,Huddy, toys and turkey."
(I kid you not he said stops signs, what a goofy kid)

Parker said, "I am thankful for family and the world"

Molly said, "I am thankful for for my family, my room, my clothes,for food to eat and God."

Macy said, "I am thankful for my best friend Payton and my family."

Logan said, "I am thankful to born into a family that doesn't live in a cardboard box."
(Yes he said this , I guess he knows someone who does live in a cardboard box? Shrugs..)

Brian said,"I am thankful for my healthy children, having a family I can depend on that is together, and grateful I can provide for my family."

For me I am thankful my children who constantly amazes me with their beauty and their minds. Thankfulness for the men and women willing to sacrifice their lives for our freedom. All of our family and for all of their love they show us.

Miss OMS Pageant

This is her photo entry that won her Miss Photogenic.

Macy was in the Miss Odenville Middle School Pageant on Saturday. Macy won 3 titles for the 7th grade division the included Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality and 1st Runner Up Class Favorite. We are so proud of our girl. She is beautiful inside and out. Congrats Macy!

Thank You GPS

Collin does things from time to time that just amaze me. Just like the time I discovered by accident that he could recognize his alphabet without someone sitting down and teaching it to him. Back then around age 2 he watched several episodes of Sesame Street a day and I believe he just soaked up the knowledge.

Last year for my birthday Brian got me a GPS for the car.Collin wouldn't let me go anywhere with turning it on, he was so entertained watching the maps. He liked hearing the GPS voice tell me which way to turn and he would pipe up from the backseat "Turn left Mom!".

Yesterday Brian asked me if I knew Collin knew his left and his right. I sure didn't, so I quizzed him asking him to show me his right arm or left ear and so on. He got them ALL correct, much to my surprise. Today on the way to school I had him to tell me which way I was to turn left or right and he did it perfectly, without the GPS even on. I honestly think watching the GPS taught Collin his left and right. How cool is that?

Happy 10th Birthday Molly Ann!

Happy 10th birthday to Molly "JoJo"!
Click the image to see a slide show of Molly's first 10 years.

New Do

I have been toying with the idea of a major hair change for awhile. A couple of weeks ago we found our box of old photos and look through the pictures really gave me the push I needed for a change. My hair for the majority of my adult life had been the same so I took the plunge to shake things up alittle.

If you remember me posting a good ways back about losing 50 pounds I haven't given up the fight and I am still working toward my 120 loss goal. To date I have lost about 80 pounds so far. I have become so much stronger and overall healthier which is the most important thing to me. It's hard for me to see the change because it's been a slow work in progress but looking at old snapshots was very eye opening. I am hoping to handle the holiday season in moderation. I did just fine with Halloween I allowed myself a few pieces of chocolate and that was good enough for me. I hope I can do as well with the famous Moon family Thanksgiving dressing (YUM!). That stuff is the highlight of the day. It's all trial and error and a learning process. But it does feel great to be able to run, something I could never imagine I would do for several miles . I am not perfect on my eating or an expert in exercise by any means I just finally see the importance of my health. I have just been using sensible eating and simple exercise.

Anyways thanks for the encouragement and compliments it does mean alot. The biggest reward for me will be the health benefits for the years to come.