Definite Housewife

I am definitely a housewife based on how excited I was to see these boxes arrive today. Dealnews.com (the company Brian works for) had posted a awesome deal through Amazon on Tide laundry detergent. Four of the large bottles for a really low price like $30 with free shipping. Here at the Moon house we wash alot of clothes. So we jumped on this deal and I was all excited to have a stock pile of detergent for the next month or so.  Later that day there was also a great deal on Cascade dishwasher detergent so how could I resist? If a box shows up every couple of months with the household supplies I seem to be constantly buying each week and it saves me time and money that is something to get excited about! I plan on finding the right deal on paper products too and getting that on the Amazon subscribe and save program also.  This is the coolest thing since slice bread !



Here are some pictures of Collin and Hudson from today! For some reason  they both asked for something to eat every 2 minutes today. I guess it was boredom but man it gets old quick. They are so excited about Christmas. Maybe all the Christmas stuff makes them want to eat !?! They are cute and I love them even if they can eat a whole bag of animal cookies in one sitting. Lil stinkers!

That time again

The decorations are up with alot of help from the kids. I still have a bunch of things to wrap and that's on the to do list for tomorrow between loads of laundry. I am very happy with my new Christmas tree this year. My old one was a cheapy and the lights had gone out in spots so replacing it was easier than trying to rescue it. The color scheme is lime green, red and white  and I love it. It's fun and whimsical and really brightens up the house.

Over the weekend we have the last annual Dealnews Christmas party. It was so much fun seeing everyone. It was decorated so pretty and the food was good. I had the spinach salad with cranberries,walnuts with  small amount of honey balsamic dressing and a piece of prime rib. I didn't have any of the large amounts of appetizers (cheeses,salami,crab cakes,sausage pinwheels and so much more) and I skipped the grits bar that had every topping you could want. The dessert table hosted a large variety of cheesecakes. I had thought of getting a small sliver of something chocolaty but the chocolate was already gone so it was easy for me to pass up the rest. Seeing old friends and meet new was the highlight of the party. I understand the need to move the gathering away from Christmas because of it being their busiest time of year. They are talking about hosting a Halloween party instead which sounds fun too. 

December is just flying by so fast. We have several more Christmas gatherings and have to get to the mall for Santa pictures very soon. The girls are already talking about our Christmas baking. We still have the gingerbread houses to make and the list goes on. We have watched as a family a handful of our favorite Christmas movies and tonight play a Christmas game after dinner as we sat around the dining room table. I can't believe school will be out on break in just 2 weeks!

Thanksgiving in pictures

We have so much to be thankful for!

As you can see we had a very nice Thanksgiving. The food was awesome as usual! The kids were out of school all week and what a nice break they had. Brian's Grandmother Jane was down visiting all week so the kids took turns staying over to see her. Logan had wrestling camp 2 full days and while he learned alot he was worn slap out each day.

Having the older ones home was helpful for me with the little boys and it allowed Brian to focus more on work during the most critical week of the year. My recovery is going awesome. I feel really well and am able to pretty much be back to somewhat a normal life. While I am limited on heavy lift, pushing and pulling I can do the things I need to do pretty easily. The girls and I made a pecan pie , pumpkin cream pie and a German chocolate cake to take over on Thanksgiving.

The doctor cleared me last Wednesday to get back to walking as exercise. So on Thursday morning I was happy to go out with my ipod and walk the neighborhood. I took it slow and stayed away from the steep hills. Exercising has become apart of my life now and the 2 weeks without it was really bringing me down. It's not just good for my body but for my mental health as well.

I did not go out to the stores on Black Friday but instead shopped online. Brian and I sat in our jammies with our laptops and shopped the deals posted on Dealnews.com (the company Brian has worked for 12 years now). We put a large dent in our Christmas shopping all from the comfort of home. Not only were the prices great the free shipping made it super sweet.  The website handled the large amount of traffic well and the coverage of the deals was top notch. I feel very proud that we have been apart of the company from the ground up.

Of course on Friday we also watched the Iron Bowl (Alabama vs Auburn) and it was a painful game to endure. Congrats goes to all our Auburn family and friends on the win. What a game!

Over the weekend we started decorating for Christmas. The tree is up, the front door decorated but I plan to finish up tomorrow when I have less people underfoot. With everyone home we stayed busy just keeping on top of dishes and laundry. Brian did get the carpet upstairs cleaned and they look so much better. 

I am happy tomorrow life will go back to normal and we can move forward with Christmas. I love this time of year! But I have noticed since the weightloss and surgery I have never been so cold in all my life. I see flannel in my near future!

1 week down

A week has passed since I had my partial hysterectomy and abdominoplasty  surgery done. These pictures are from yesterday when I was heading to the Doctor. It felt nice to be able to put clothes ,jewelry and makeup on but boy was just getting ready exhausting!

I honestly can't tell you what the pain from the hysterectomy feels like because the tummy tuck pain has been intense! But I am so very thankful to be able to have it done. After the 6 c section and losing 120 pounds I had a serious problem with my abdominal skin. The before and after pictures are amazing already.

I am forced to take the sideline of life for the next 6-8 weeks. It's not my nature to just sit around. I am usually doing 2 things at once. I do certain chores every single day sometimes several times a day. Things that keep the family running smooth that no one usually notices. Sweeping, dishes, washing counters, picking up after people, gathering and washing laundry and cooking. All these things are in my usually daily task. So it is hard to turn off the desire to do those thing but when you need help just making your way to the bathroom so its impossible to do chores right now.

Today I was able to get a real shower. It was exhausting and I needed help but it felt nice. I now understand the need for soap on a rope because I kept dropping it and Brian had to get it for me each time. This is a slow process but I am doing really well. My scar looks great an is healing well. I am resting alot and taking my medicine. The kids are home all next week and I look forward to the company.

I love this picture! Molly caught Hudson mid laugh in this photo. It's so him. I laugh each time I look at it.

On the mend

After having surgery on Wednesday and coming home from the hospital on Friday things are settling down alittle. We are finding a new routine around changing bandages,taking meds, helping me get up and down and fetching me drink or food. The boredom is sinking in alittle but I remind myself how important it is to rest and recover now. I am sure will have plenty of time to blog in the weeks to come.

 Thanks to my Sister in law Kristi for the yummy meal last night. The Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Oriental slaw and homemde mac n cheese was so good. Everyone loved it here and I even had alittle bit of slaw for breakfast today. I know I am weird but I love that stuff. My family has been so very helpful this week and I am really greatful. It helps put my mind as ease so I can heal . I love you all.

Molly Ann turns 11

Molly will be 11 on Thursday! We celebrated on Sunday with a bowling party and Monday night with a dinner at the house with the grandparents. Molly got some awesome gifts and had a blast with her people.

Happy birthday to Molly! Mommy loves you so much! I had surgery on Wednesday and wanted Molly's birthday to be special ,lucky for her it's turned into a week long celebration. She has a shopping trip planned with Maw on her birthday.

Beautiful Girl

At 13 years old your life is consumed with friends, texting, homework and cheerleading. Your like me that you could shop everyday. You like your multiple bracelets and your silly glasses. Most days are spent wearing blue jeans and you wear a tank top under everything! You are funny, kind, you always  love and support those close to you. You love music and I smile when I hear you sing. We often belt out a song together and sometimes Logan will even join in. Macy, my wish for you is that you always do your best, laugh often even at yourself, and always remember we love you and are proud of you!

A snipit of life

Living life in fast forward pretty much wraps up how things are around here. I do love my large family and I am blessed with the life long dream of having a bunch of kids.

We have the teenagers, Logan and Macy. Both smart kids both into sports and school clubs like Freshman Class President and Middle school Historian and Photographer. There are lots of invites for birthday parties and going places with friends. I try to get their attention long enough every few days to discuss school work, test scores , homework,upcoming projects and basically touch base on how things at school is going.Remembering who as practice or games , when and what time can be a full time job. There are times I am in the car most the afternoon. Both kids have chores which seems unheard of in this day and age. They still manage to have plenty of time for facebook ,texting and video games. Sometimes it dawns on me how big they are now and how quickly the years are passing.

Then we have the Middles, Molly and Parker. They are at the age where they need alot of help with school work still. There are papers to be signed and homework to go over. The school still wants the parents to come help with events and encourages interaction with the teachers. Both kids are good students but sometimes struggle with mastering new skills. In the afternoon playing outside is still important along with an after school snack. They both enjoy spending time with friends and watching their favorite tv shows. Parker is in the doesn't think he should have to bathe EVERY SINGLE DAY!! stage and Molly likes to takes a 45 minute shower. They have chores but have to be reminded constantly. I remember these days from when Logan and Macy were in this stage.

And lastly the Littles, Collin and Hudson. I refer to them as my little bosses. They are both home with me this year. They get along pretty well and do well entertaining each other. Collin helps alot with Hudson during the day. Both boys like the same tv shows, they like playing with trucks and cars. Both boys make sure there are no meals skipped around here. Breakfast must be eaten within 15 minutes of waking up no matter the time.They can't read a clock they have a knack for knowing when the clock strikes 12 it's lunch time! The Littles are usually in the car for the pick up of the bigger kids from practice, sometimes it takes some bribery with M&M's to get them to go willingly. They look forward to the big school bus pulling up in front of the house to bring home new people to play with by afternoon they are tired of each other . These simple days are numbered and pass quickly. Next year Collin will head off to school and life as we know it will change once again.

Somedays are so busy they are a blur. The noise level and chaos could push some people to run from the house screaming. This is our crazy life right now and I know in just one year from now things will be so different. I try to take a moment to soak it in. I love my kids, I love how they are all unique and special. When I dreamed for a large family so many years ago I didn't have clue what all that would involve. In my mind I just saw some Kodak moment of a pretty family picture with a Mom and Dad surrounded by kids of all ages, smiling happily at the camera.  Boy was I wrong but I wouldn't change it for the world!

Halloween 2010

The pumpkin man

I wanted to add a picture to this but I can't seem to get it scanned. Just a post will have to do for now.

During this season there are alot of memories that come to mind about my Pawpaw. Just the other day as I was walking the neighborhood I noticed someone had made a pumpkin man that was sitting in their yard. I got alittle choked up  behind my sunglasses. I started thinking about Pawpaw and his tradition of making a  halloween pumpkin man every year. Oh how I miss Pawpaw so much and the fall and holiday season brings back those feelings.

He loved the holidays and would be so excited over them. He was almost like a kid about the presents and the yummy food. His holiday spirit was contagious and he would be so happy over receiving just  a simple can of his favorite peanuts or bag of candy as a gift.

I like to tell Collin stories of my Pawpaw. Collin was named Humphrey after  him and I want him to understand just what an honor that is. It warms my heart that Collin has some  traits of Pawpaw like his ears and seems to be interested in fishing, camping and likes tinkering with stuff too.

I am happy to have these memories of him but in my heart there's a small ache wishing all my kids got to enjoy his company during this time of year. I have never seen a grown person so full of cheer like he always was and it's something I never forget.

What a month!

October is just flying by so fast. The kids are all doing well and I am happy to say we were very pleased with their first report cards of the school year. I feel so blessed to have such bright kids! I am posting some random pictures from the last 2 weeks. 

 Molly and I had talked about getting her a pretty major haircut for a few weeks. Her hair was midway down her back and it became more work than she wanted. The constant complaining about tangles and fussing over hairstyles made it an easy decision. We went yesterday and she was able to have enough cut off for the charity Locks of Love. Macy also donated a few years back and I think it is an awesome achievement for my girls to know they helped out another child!

 Friday our High School celebrated Homecoming. Logan was elected Freshman class President so he was responsible for getting together the class float. The float theme was Roast the Eagles , there was a fake fire pit with some roasted "eagles" on rotisserie. It was pretty cute and they had a blast making it. Brian had to pull the float trailer with  Larry's truck so it became a Moon family event . Parker and Collin rode in the back of the truck while I sat upfront to take pictures. Larry brought Hudson to watch the parade and they had the best time gathering candy. He told us how the kids riding the floats would call out to Huddy as they passed by like he was a celebrity . Hudson doesn't know yet just how blessed he is to be the baby of the group and to be loved by so many. He sure does eat up the attention!

 Last week our nephew Blaze had to have surgery on his toes. Poor guy has suffered from ingrown toenail so badly that they needed to be surgically removed. I took Blaze into the Orthopedic when the scheduling left them needing help. I was happy to do it and get to spend some one on one time with Blaze.  When Blaze had surgery Wednesday baby Phoenix came over to spend the night. He slept great and he is hands down the easiest baby I know. I took him along on cheerleading carpool and walking the track and he was good as gold. It's funny how out of practice I felt having a baby around to tend to but I enjoyed getting to care for and play with him .

 Six flags Fright Fest 2010 was so fun! I prefer to do Six Flags in the fall , the weather was just perfect. The monsters roaming about the park provided so much entertainment. Macy and her best friend Payton had a blast riding all the roller coasters. I really liked watching the different shows too. As the sun set and the air became cooler it was just right for sipping a hot chocolate and sharing a funnel cake. The fall season is just flying by so quick , but we have been so busy before we know it it will be Christmas time !