Day five

My cell phone took a dip in water today and it is recovering in a bag of uncooked rice. So far it is working. What a day!

Day four

I spent some time today working on those resolution I had posted about earlier this week. I cleaned out and reorganized my collection of shoes. I really did get rid of about 10 pair that I no longer care for. There is a system to this mess but it probably only makes sense to me. Brian was sure I could only possibly need 15-20 pairs . Haha he must be joking right? I did a little Googling and informed him the average woman my age has 40-60 pairs of shoes. I think I fall into the average because I have some more shoes in the bottom of the tv cabinet in our bedroom. While I was moving things around I dusted and vacuumed our room too. It was nice to check one thing off the to do list.

Hudson was about to dig in to his dinner. I am happy that he ate the chicken and the broccoli. He left most of the mac and cheese but I can't fuss because I'd rather him eat his veggies. He is talking so much lately. He understands things pretty well too. It's nice he is reaching the age where he can be reasoned with. He loves to go and if someones leaving the house he always wants to go too. This causes some tears so we often have to get crafty about slipping out while he is occupied. We are talking about the potty with him. He is scared of it and even the little potty. It will happen in time and I just hope its a smooth process. Collin seemed to take forever and I do not want to go down that path this time. Brian pointed out the other day how much Hudson talks about his self in 3rd person. He will say " Is this Huddy's plate?" so I am trying to make myself aware of this and correct him. It is kinda cute but I can see where it could start a bad habit for the future. I still get tickled when he ask to "Get his dress on" when he wants to get dressed. That's one of those saying I will have to remember to tell him about  when he's a big kid. 

Day three

  Little boys in rain boots make me smile!


Tomorrow the school kids are headed back. Yippee Skippy! I am ready to get life back into a routine again. I think the kids are secretly ready to go back too. Or at least get a break from their siblings for awhile each day. 

Today I returned to Bootcamp , well it was a modified version since I did no abdominal work. It felt great to get back to it but 4:15 in the morning sure came early. It feels great to get back to working out , I really missed it!

Day two

Sunday brunch at The Moon's. You should have been here it was delicious! This sort of meal reminds me of Brian's grandaddy Dewey. He loved a good breakfast and the spread of food he would serve was always awesome. If he wasn't in the kitchen cooking when you woke up you could bet your last dollar he was taking you out to one of his favorite places to enjoy some good food. I could feel him smiling down on us today as we enjoyed our meal together.

1/1/11

In 2010 I learned a lot, I made some mistakes, I reached some goals , I loved, I laughed, I cried, and I have no regrets. The new year is full of promise and opportunity and I welcome it with open arms.

Today I went back and read my goals from last year. Here they are below. I think I did pretty good working on some of these.

*Spend more meaningful time with my family. I want to be mindful that it doesn't take alot of money or some far away destination to make memories together.

My reflection on this :We did some day trips, did a beach trip on a budget, all girls weekend trip, watched movies together, played games together. And got back to eating dinner in the dining room together. 


*Take more pictures of the older kids.

My reflection on this: I did a little better but I still have room for improvement. I feel like this year I took less pictures in general.

*Work on projects at the house. We have been in our house going on 6 years this June. There are things that need repairing and sprucing up.

My reflection on this: We painted all the boys bedrooms, hall bath, kitchen, dining room, guest bath. We replaced the old stove and microwave.

*Continuing my fitness and weightloss goals.

My reflection: I rocked this! Exercise is apart of my life now. I love my runs and going to boot camp. I am stronger and healthier than I have ever been.

I am still thinking on my goals for 2011. These things on my mind right now .

*Start to buy more natural foods and prepare more from scratch meals. Experiment with new healthy recipes for the family.

*Continue on my fitness journey. Push myself and become stronger. Use my experience to help others.

*Declutter and organize. We have some drawers and closets that need some serious work.

Just for something different. I am going to attempt to post 1 picture everyday for the month of January. These will just be random things some will be from my iphone because sometimes it's what I have handy. I hope to make it through the first month of 2011 and repeat it in December too. So here is today's pictures. For lunch we made homemade marinara sauce and used the pasta and Parmesan cheese Brian got as a Christmas gift from a salesman at work.  The next picture is a apple pie before going in the oven. I made it from things we already had. It tasted pretty good with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Think on this

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do." -- Eleanor Roosevelt

 Smart woman that Mrs. Roosevelt. As the new year is approaching ponder those wise words. I couldn't have summed it up better myself but it really is the type of thinking that started my journey. Always believe in yourself!

Christmas 2010

Christmas was excellent ! Kids were happy and thankful with the gifts. Santa's sleigh brought in some snow for us on Christmas Day. It was enough for snowballs and snowmen. In the first picture I rushed the kids outside as soon as I noticed the snow flakes flying. It was the first white Christmas I can remember. The pictures of the kids in the snow were later in the day on Christmas Day.

On to the excitement on Christmas morning!!

Hudson was cute with his gifts and walking around stealing everyone's loot. He would say "This is Huddy's" and start to walk off with it . He loved his Power Wheels jeep, Toy Story Jessie doll, and guitar from Santa. He loved the toys from Mom and Daddy too.

Collin was thrilled with his remote control truck, his wii game, and is in love with his Paper Jamz Guitar and Drum set from Santa.

Parker was the happiest I have ever seen him on Christmas. He got a super neat remote control car, new bedding, new wii remote and game and a book he's been begging for all just from Santa. 

Molly got alot of stuff for her room like a lamp and picture. She got a wii game called U draw and Fur real Panda bear. Plus lots of other stuff from Mom and Dad.

Macy racked up with a 32" flat screen tv! Santa knew she had been really good this year . She got new bedding and curtains for her room. Lots of makeup and some clothes too.

Logan got some new games for his xbox and alot of clothes. He got a really nice watch and wallet too. His tv will have a HD cable box added to it too. Santa was really good to the Moon kids.

There were too many gifts to list as this didn't include all the things they got from Brian and I. What a wonderful Christmas it was for them!


Christmas Eve was spent with my family and while Macy and I were feeling sickly we still had a really nice time. It seemed to be very calm considering there were 9 kids involved. We had a good meal and enjoyed each person opening their gifts. Collin was the lucky Moon to get the box of Moon Pies from Aunt Kristi and Uncle Randy.

Christmas night we shared with Brian's parents and brother and his family. We had a great spread of appetizers and dips. There was shrimp cocktail and crab legs too!  The cookies , candies and cakes were yummy too. I wish I had a picture of it all.

 There was a snag in a few presents and I felt bad since I picked them all out but it's nothing we can't get straightened out. We are blessed to be living close to our families that we can spend time with them on the holidays but also be home . We did miss both our Grandmothers this year as they were both at their homes because they were sick.  Here is a picture of Molly and Hudson playing with glasses at Maw and Das's house.

Last night and today I spent cleaning, laundry and putting things away. The kids have been very busy playing and spending time with friends. Christmas seemed to get here really fast this year. I am not even rushing to take down my tree. Probably by Tuesday or Wednesday I will get to it.
I look forward to the coming year and getting back to my work outs again. Life will be really back to normal then.

The pressure is on

Here we are down to the wire and I am tossing and turning hoping I have what I should for everyone little Moon child to be happy on Christmas morning. This is one of the stresses of having the above average family that you just don't think about.

I know I put the stress on myself but no one wants a disappointed kid on Christmas. But each kid is different some of them  are easy to please and others disappoint easily. This week certain kids have been very trying and I wonder why is it I am so concerned over toys for them when they are acting out so much. What happen to you better watch out you better not cry,you better not pout I am telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town?

It's what I consider a boring Christmas of sorts . There are no great surprise presents, like last years puppy. The gifts are pretty much what they asked for from their list and I don't think we over did it . I hope to see some smiles come Christmas morning. I have to admit it warms my heart on Christmas morning that my kids take turns opening presents. They go youngest to oldest and they enjoy seeing what each other received. They can be sweet and kind and loving to each other sometimes.  I love my children so much and kids make Christmas so exciting!

Today after running some errands  I came in and as I walked by a red glittered feather on a present caught my eye. I wondered to myself why that was there (around here things end up in odd places often) but with my hands full I kept on walking to the kitchen. Molly questioned me if I saw the package and showed me the gift they had wrapped. It was the cutest package with little decorations on it that they each made. I love it , it's beautiful and gaudy and made with love.

I doubt I will be blogging again until after the big day. So I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas from our house to yours! I will make sure to post lots of pictures from our holiday once I get all the wrapping paper and bows put away.

Annual Girls Christmas

About 6 year ago we started a tradition of getting together during December to go to eat and see The Nutcracker ballet. This year we decided to do something different . We went to Olive Garden as usual and then went to the beautiful Alabama Theater to see the move Elf. It was fun to change it up a bit , the girls still enjoyed our outing like they normally do. Mimi gave them their ornament as it is part of the tradition too. This was Sadie's first year to join us . She sat by me during the movie and she would let me know when her favorite parts were about to happen , it was cute. I think a fun night was had by all. I know I really enjoy it!

Mom's Birthday

Today we celebrated Mom's birthday here at my house. I took the easiest way out and ordered a variety of pizzas. I figured it was win win for me less mess and everyone (the kids)  enjoyed it . I did make a big salad and cheese sticks to go with it. It was a nice smooth party and Dad brought a really good red velvet cake for dessert.

Sadie my niece spent the night with us  tonight.I had promised they could make gingerbread house earlier in the day. I had bought a new kit that was a little village . Boy was I surprised when I opened it up to realize I had to put it together and make the icing myself.I have been spoiled to the already assembled kind with the icing packet.  That icing was a huge mess it was as thick as toothpaste. With a 4 and 5 year eager to get going I sort of just slapped the pieces together.

I might not have done it correctly but they didn't seem to care or notice. I nicknamed the houses the Gingerbread Projects because of there poor construction and horrible paint job on the icing. But the decorating was done by true artist I tell you! They had a ball and we made a major mess. Of course Collin was mad we only did one house each but I was worn out for having to use a death grip to get any of the icing out. Sadie proclaimed "Gingerbread houses are the mostest fun ever" but was fine with just making one and then watching The Grinch movie.

                            Collin's on the left    Sadie's on the right

The kids were pretty excited they ran around laughing for awhile. Finally I got everything cleaned up and got them settled in the bedroom. They were still alittle wild so I told them to plug up the Christmas tree and turn out the rest of the lights. The calmed right down and started to sing Christmas songs together. It was priceless to hear the singing of their little voices coming down the hallway. After a few songs they were quiet for the night.

Less than a week now

Our week started on a sad note last week as a local High School boy passed away in a car accident. It was a shock to our whole community. Macy is good friends with his little sister and their Mom had helped coach Macy's softball team her last season. So it really hit home with us and our hearts go out to this family. It's so unthinkable a young life ending at 16 years old.

This was the kids last week of school before Christmas break. Macy was out sick one day with what I am pretty sure was food poisoning. No one else got sick at all and she was in so much pain and so sick for about 8 hours. I was thankful it wasn't a virus that would have us all sick leading up till Christmas.  

I was able to get the shopping done for the girls and I to do our holiday baking this week. We will be doing gingerbread houses very soon too. I have all of that ready to go! On Friday night Molly , Erin and I had a great time making sugar cookies. These two girls love doing this and they have gotten so good at it. We baked them and they decorated them. I wish i had taken more up close pictures of them decorated because they were so cute and each cookie had so much personality . Tara came over and decorated a sugar cookie man and he was so adorable! I think he looks like Uncle Sam in his red, white  and blue.

I got busy wrapping presents and boy there are alot of them. There are a few others to wrap but my part is done. I told Brian we might need to add another tree in the coming years because our tree doesn't have  room for more gifts. I guess thats NOT a problem really, we are very blessed!

The highlight of the day today was Hudson hitting his eyebrow on the edge of the table when we were having lunch today. I tell you this little boy is accident prone. He has a small gash on his eyebrow which probably could have used a few stitches but since he's a rough and tumble boy it will just be another battle scar.

Tomorrow the whole family is coming over for Mimi's Birthday!! I am keeping it super easy and ordering pizza and making a salad to go with it. Dad is bringing the cake . I figure everyone likes pizza and there won't be a huge mess like with cooking. I will post some pictures soon.

What's on tap for this week . Logan will have a wrestling tournament all day Monday and Macy is babysitting Monday and Tuesday. And for the rest of us we will just be hanging out at home . Hopefully  there will be no making huge messes and making Mom crazy. Brian says after Monday he will be taking a 1/2 day off work each day it will be nice to have him around too.

Visiting Santa

 

Tonight we did our annual trip to the mall to see Santa at the mall. It was one of the easiest times we had had yet. The kids seemed to be excited and looking forward to the outing. Collin shed a few tears wanting to wear his suit he had last year which he refers to as his tuxedo. I explained to him his dress shoes and suit are both  two sizes too small this year.  He settled for the plaid shirt I had laid out for him.

We did our usual tradition of listening to Christmas music on the drive to the mall. But this was the very first year we have had snow flurries on the way to see Santa. While it melted as soon as it hit the ground it was still kinda neat. 

The mall wasn't busy at all as we arrived an hour before closing. We walked right up to see Santa and the kids did a great job. While Hudson didn't cry he was scared and refused to sit on Santa's lap but he allowed Macy to hold him for the picture. Hudson wouldn't talk to Santa but just said Yes when Santa asked he he wanted him to bring him toys. Collin wasn't afraid and told Santa exactly what he'd like for him to bring.

 We were in and out of the mall within 30 minutes and we headed to dinner. The kids cheered when we said we were going to Macaroni Grille. Dinner was very good but Macy started feeling bad . She didn't eat her dinner at all. I had the waitress box it up and Macy sat there feeling sick to her stomach with a headache too.  What a good evening! I joked with Logan that when he goes off to college we will have to all meet up at the closet mall each year for our picture. I am lucky the older ones are such good sports and humoring me to still go see Santa. The photo with Santa was just my snapshot ,we bought a much better one for our photo book.

 

Brian and I had a couples Christmas dinner to attend on Saturday night here we were in front of the restaurant Christmas tree. Next event the kids are looking forward to is our Gingerbread houses. They are all excited this is the last week of school before Christmas break. Yippee!