M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

The Moon clan will be headed down to see Mickey in Orlando next Saturday. We are excited beyond words and I am nervous on how this will all play out. I have read websites and books and planned as best I could and I HOPE everything runs smooth.

But taking 5 kids and a pregnant Momma on a week long vacation is sure to provided some funny stories and possibly a meltdown or two. This coming week I will be packing and preparing. Packing for 7 people is enough work on it own but I also like to make sure to leave the house nice and clean so when we return it will be nice to be home again.

I am wondering how the kids will do on the airplane. Luckily it's a short flight and we don't leave till 7 pm. So no waking early and rushing around.

Can't wait to see their faces when they enter the Happiest place on Earth for the first time! Stay tuned for pictures , we will be back on March 28th.

Snow in Bama, AGAIN!

Wow! For the second time this year we had snow for the kids to play in. It was all gone by noon, but we got out early and took some pictures. Click the picture below to see more.

Scaling Mt. Laundry

Just so you feel better about the amount of laundry you have here is an example of what we did today. This was less than 1 weeks worth of clean laundry. I usually try hard not to let it pile up and be such an overwhelming task but it doesn't always happen that way.

We have a system for tackling the mountain of laundry and it works pretty well. First everyone goes to their closets and collects hangers. Then I assign each kid a job. Today Logan folded and stacked all the underthings. Molly's job was towels,washcloths,and dishtowels. Macy hung the shirts and tops. Brian hung all the pants and jeans. I was the person whole went through and made everyones piles along with folded jammies, t-shirts, and play clothes. Parker did a large part of the putting away once it was all folded and on hangers. This took about an hour verses the few hours it could take 1 person.

So now you can be happy about your little bitty laundry pile that you have waiting for you to do. Sometimes I wonder if I'll miss these huge mountains when the kids are grown and gone? No I don't think I will, but if I do I can go visit the kids and wash their clothes for old times sake.

A look back

These pictures were taken the first week of March 2003 thats 5 years ago . Molly had decided to give herself a hair cut just a few days before she was to have her pictures taken for Ballet class.

The pictures were taken by Mimi (my Mom) who had come over to my house after I called her in a panic and explained what Molly had done. What you can't see from the photo is how in various sections all over her head Molly cut her hair down to the scalp. Luckily Mimi saved the day and was able to cut Molly's hair into this short style.

Thank God Molly had curly hair and I could scrunch and fluff the curls to cover the bald spots. The hair cut actually turn out sorta cute and it grew out pretty fast. I tried shaming her for doing such a bad thing but it seemed EVERYONE commented on how cute the cut was on her. I would explain how the hair cut came about and Molly would just give them a grin. It was like she was thinking to herself that she had done a pretty good job on her hair do.

Wow, 5 years have flown by! These pictures are a reminder of the saying "Don't sweat the small stuff " . This was a MAJOR event to me back then but today it is a faded memory. I didn't even know it happened in March until Mom sent these pictures in an email the other day and reminded me. I am sure I am due for more of these "What were you thinking????" events , I hope I have learned that time passes quickly and hair grows back. And lastly even if I am mad and distraught at the time I should take a few pictures to remember the occasion because time flies and it too will be a faded memory.

I help Logan, Mommy.

Logan is our #1 trash man around here. While Logan was at school the trash was full I turned around to find Collin struggling to remove the full trash bag. I looked at him as he was attempted to tie the bag closed and he told me "I help Logan, Mommy." He then strained and struggled alittle more till he pulled the full bag out of the can. It was so cute and he was so proud!

Final Score: Girls 2 Boys 4

Yes you saw that right the next Moon baby will be a BOY! I can't say that there wasn't alittle bit of disappointment shown around the house by the other females that we aren't getting a pink bundle but God knows better than we do.

I reminded the girls all the good points of another brother. Like the fact that Dad will have a whole crew of boys to cut grass , carry out the trash and kill gross bugs and they might escape having to do these task.I reminded Molly how she can be our baby girl forever. We told them maybe in years to come we can adopt us a little Asian baby girl. This made them both giggle.

We are greatful and thankful for this little boy. He will be loved and welcomed with open arms. I know in just a few months there will be lots of fussing over who will get to hold him first.

In so many practical ways another boy makes perfect sense. I can't wait to see him for the first time. I can't wait to see all the kids with their new little brother. He is a blessing and we pray he will be healthy. His name will be Hudson Bennett Moon with the nickname of Hogan. Since I have been very sick like with Logan's pregnancy we have called this baby "Hogan" for several months now.

Please keep baby Hudson in your prayers as we have to have a more detailed ultrasound done in April to take a better look at his kidneys. The ultrasound from yesterday was unclear and the doctor was concerned that one kidney looked larger than the other. She didn't find it to be an emergency but something to look at closer.

Oh and we will be getting a new license plate that says 8Moons in June. :)

In case your looking for me

In case your looking for me I am in the bathroom. I pretty much spend most my days there lately since Collin is potty training. He is doing well, we aren't completely there yet but we are close. Our lives are focused around the potty and the business that happens there, how exciting is that? We are offering him stickers and small pieces of candy for a job well done and he seems to like that.

I think in 2 weeks this will all be a faded memory and I can add potty training 5 children to my list of accomplishments. But if you get to missing me I am being the cheering section in the restroom.

Baby Food!

My pregnancy craving this time has been baked potatoes and ..... fried pork skins! Sounds kinda gross doesn't it? I can eat the pork skins and NOT get sick , it's amazing.

So yesterday I ran into the grocery store to pick up a few things and I bought a bag of my beloved Pork Skins. I put them in the pantry and today I hear Parker ask Molly , "What are THESE?"while he held the bag up to show her. Molly replied with, That is Baby Food. Momma likes to eat them for the baby. I thought it was pretty cute.

As far as pregnancy goes we are moving right along. I am now 15 weeks .We will have the BIG ultrasound on Feb.27th. I will be happy to know who it is that likes to keep me so sick. Maybe then I can call the baby by name and tell him or her the knock it off ALREADY! And of course it will be fun to do some shopping for little bitty clothes again. :)

Mom Prevails

12 days post Surgery


For those of you who don't know on the morning of January 10th my Dad returned from letting the dogs in from the backyard to find my Mom laying on the floor unconscious. At the Emergency Room they discovered Mom had a skull fracture and blood clot on her brain. She had brain surgery to remove the clot, fix a brain bleed that they discovered during surgery and they used a plate and screws to fix the fracture.

Since January 10th our lives have come to a screeching halt. Mom has been the top priority for all of us. Mom and Dad's friends, church members and coworkers have been so loving and kind. I know there have been many many prayers sent up for Mom over the last 2 weeks.

Considering all that Mom has been through she is doing great. Each day her communication improves and her memory gets a little sharper. We don't know what all the future holds right now but we are counting our blessings that she is doing so well.

This experience has been the scariest thing I have had to face thus far. The days when my Mom would only be able to speak enough to beg me to help her and to moan in pain were the most heart wrenching in my life. I was spending day and night in her hospital room doing whatever I could to help her just as she would do for me. Mom needed me and I am thankful that Brian,my kids and friends understood this and supported me in any way they could.

I know this has forever changed us. I think we all realize how life can change in a mere second. I believe we learned our family is a strong unit and we can depend on each other in times of crisis. Our love and appreciation for each other has definitely grown.

Thank you for all the prayers and positive thoughts for my Mom. We were all touched by the out pouring of love and support for that we are eternally greatful..

Snow in Bama

It snowed this morning in Alabama. This is a huge event for the Moon kids since they have never really seen any snow other than a flake or two. The kids all bundled up and headed out to play in the falling snow. There was about 1 inch of snow which was just enough to collected on the trampoline and cars so that they could make some snowballs and a small snowman. Here are a few pictures of this morning snow fun.

The boys first wrestling match

The boys started wrestling this year. We have been practicing since November. This was only a practice match, but it was the first time they have been in full gear and wrestling someone other than their teammates. Unfortunately, the other club did not have anyone Parker's age and weight. So, he ended up wresting a teammate. I videoed the whole match. Here is Logan's first match. He pinned both his opponents and was very excited. Please excuse my loud voice. I was standing right next to the camera. Logan is the boy that starts on the left and is wearing the maroon singlet.

Another Year Older

On Tuesday I turned 31. The picture above was taken last weekend before going out to dinner with friends for an early b'day celebration. There wasn't much fan fare on my actually birthday because the kids had returned to school and Brian was returning from being out of town for work plus we had ballet and wrestling practice. But thats okay with me because I am happy to have the life I have, morning sickness and all. I just think of it as reassurance that the baby fine. Life is good that is present enough for me!

Womb with a View

Click picture to Enlarge

Here is the newest picture of #6. Seems this baby likes to keep Mom on her toes. I am now remembering the days of Logan's pregnancy. My older kids are scared to go places with me for fear I might get sick and sometimes it happens no matter where we are.

Today at my Doctor's appointment I saw a doctor who is not my favorite. He kinda brushed off my small bit of weight loss probably thinking I could lose a few anyways. I wanted to ask him how much he GAINED over the holidays but I didn't. I did tell him I needed Zofran which is a high powered nausea medication and he was nice enough to prescribe it to me.

The baby seems to be hanging out very low and the nurse gave me a good scare when she couldn't get the heart rate with the Doppler. The nurse happen to be the mother of a friend of mine from football,nice to have some sort of connection. So she hurried me over to ultrasound to keep me from worrying. Luckily everything was fine and I now have another set of pictures and a few more gray hairs.

For you experienced ultrasound folk in the picture the baby is facing looking out somewhat on it's side. You can make out the eyes, nose and mouth. The tech said the hands appear to be together possible holding the umbilical cord and the legs are spread apart.

My next appointment is in 4 weeks I hope to report it was a boring one.

Sums up the Scene

I was fiddling with the flash and I caught this picture of all five kids scoping out the Santa loot. Yes Logan is playing his trombone , he dashed off to get it as soon as he spotted his new music stand. He played us a few bars of Jingle Bells. Collin is playing with the kitchen Santa left out for him. And it's okay with me that Molly is just a blur because thinking back that is how I remember those first moments of Christmas morning as they all rush down the stairs. Maybe some of the best pictures aren't the perfect ones. :)

Whew we made it!

Christmas Day is now a memory. We have celebrated with Christmas parties, band concerts, school programs, dinners and unwrapped more presents than I can count. The kids couldn't seriously want for another toy for a good while. As I was feeling alittle disappointed in myself for only getting Brian 2 small gifts, some new slippers and a shirt. I then realize the gang have been asleep for hours and he is still up playing the kids new video games, so now I don't feel so bad.:)

We had a nice holiday with food and family. I was very touched with a card Parker made for me at school. Christmas morning after the kids had opened all their gifts it was time for me to open the ones Brian had gotten. I remembered that Parker had made a special card and asked him to get it from his backpack. He returned with his head hanging down and his lips poking out. He commented on how it was ugly because one of the eyes that they had glued on had been lost. I told him we could fix it and that I am sure I will love it. As I read the card out loud it made me cry. I wasn't expecting something so touching. Seeing the poem pasted upside down and written in his best 1st grade handwriting was the best present ever. Here is the poem..

The most precious gift I am told,
Is all the love the heart can hold.
I give it to you;
You give it to me,
There's enough for the whole world;
And the gift is free.



After all the thought, stress, money, planning, wrapping that went into the big stacks of gifts the kids had just opened this card was perfect. I know I do all this because I love them but I was also reminded that just my love is enough.

I hope everyones Christmas was merry and bright and you are looking forward to the New Year!

Christmas Parade 2007

Click on pictures to enlarge

Our float theme was Christmas Candyland. Brian and Logan did an awesome job of cutting out the decorations. We work hard at making this successful and it turned out so nice. My sister in law Kristi took on decorating the Gingerbread house and making candy for the banner and that added just the sparkle it needed. Our girl scout troop had a float party and the girls helped glitter and glue some of the props. All the hard work was well work it when our troop float won 2nd place. The girls looked great in their matching sweatshirts and pink santa hats.

Baby News

Patrick and Lori Moon are the new parents of our new nephew Blaze Franklin Moon. He is so very cute and we can't wait to get to spend more time with him!

Over the weekend Brian insisted we share our news that baby #6 is due in July. I had great plans to surprise everyone at Christmas but he was excited to tell. It does take off some pressure because it's hard to hide feeling sick these first months.

The kids took the news okay. Parker and Molly both insisted we were lying. Collin was making funny noises and faces and generally just didn't care. Macy and Logan were happy. Logan said it was fine but wished everyone would stop asking him if he was excited. They are hoping for a girl and I told them they have a 50/50 chance on that.

Our parents didn't seem surprised and said they figured it would happen. The school teachers are all now informed and I have gotten lots of congrats, wows, and several better you than me comments. It's funny to me because having 5 kids doesn't seem that impressive to me . We have a routine and things run pretty smoothly. I am living my dream and can't imagine life any other way.

Santa Did you Know?

You must enlarge to get the true effect! Click on picture.


Santa did you know...

The amount of thought I put in to what they would wear to see you for all of 10 minutes.

All the ironing, primping,brushing that 5 kids need.

Did you know I spent 15 minutes today searching for Collin's black dress shoes that are still missing , and that is why he is sporting his Converse. And that Collin's pants are not capri's but are regular dress pants that are bunched up under your hands as you hold tight keeping him on your lap long enough for the picture.

That no one shed a tear (this year)until I sat Collin in your lap.

Did you know I was nice enough to make Parker and Molly shorten their Christmas list to the Top 5 items so it wouldn't take too long to read.

I purposely came to see you on a Wednesday night in November when the mall was dead. I remember to well the nightmare of waiting with hungry, tired, bored children in a long line in mid December.

That I bribed them with dinner out if all went well. They didn't know we were eating out regardless.

Did you know Collin was crying like I just handed him over to a pack of wolves and it didn't phase me. We have a large variety of pictures featuring crying children trying to flee your lap and I love those pictures dearly.

Santa did you know it's all worth the effort. That seeing my kids big and small gathered around you is a tradition to me. Tonight will be the only night the whole gang will step inside a mall together till we repeat the process again next year. We listened to Christmas music in the car and sang along. These memories are priceless to me and I love my big book of pictures from the years past with you in the center.

Thanksgiving 2007

Click on pic to Enlarge
Here is a picture of all of us at Mom's on Thursday. Out of 8 pictures this one was the best, it is so hard to get everyones eyes open ,mouth shut, and looking the right direction on cue . We call this our preparing for Black Friday picture.

The second is a picture I snapped of Collin after I gave him his Thanksgiving dinner plate. He was ready to dive in. And don't worry he didn't overeat most of the food was left on the plate. He enjoyed using (playing with) the knife and fork.

I am thankful for

I asked the children this morning to tell me what they are thankful for. Their answers are very fitting for the ages and show their personalities.

Logan's response was...
"I am thankful my ability to go to school, my after school activities, my parents, my house, and my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents."

Macy said....
"I am thankful for my family,my home, my brothers and sister, my freedom,my friends and teachers, and my clothing.

Molly is thankful for...
"My mommy,my daddy, my brothers and sister, my grandparents, and my doggie.

Parker ...
"I am thankful for Erin she's a good friend, my family and my school. Can I go now ???"

And Collin...
When I asked Collin what he was thankful for he just repeated Thank You several times. He was more caught up in sitting with Daddy watching the Macy's Parade.

As for me, I am thankful for my family. I have been abundantly blessed. I have beautiful ,smart, loving children. Sure it isn't always easy but I know that being a mother is my hearts desire. The toughest job with the best benefits. I have some much to be thankful for and to appreciate.