Big Annoucment!

Usually when you have a really big announcement you want to tell everyone personally.  But, I think I'm running out of time so I'm just going to throw it out there for everyone....Here goes. 

We're moving!

Chris recently accepted a job as senior pastor at Stanton Christian Church in Stanton, Kentucky.  At the end of March, we'll be packing up and moving our family 12 hours east of here to a small town in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky.  Since Chris is the writer in the family, I'm going to let him say what we're feeling. Below is a copy of what he wrote for our church newsletter.  I would also add - to all of our extended family nearby and the friends we've met from the kids' schools, swim teams, and our neighborhood - we are really going to miss you!   Saying goodbye to the life we've led for the last 7 years and the great friendships we've made is really, really hard - even when we're excited about our new opportunity. 

From Chris: 

The past year has been an interesting one for us in the Moon household. About a year ago, we felt God kind of nudging us to look beyond our comfort zone (which is here in Valley Center, KS) as we thought about our ministry to his church. It was difficult to think about because this has been our home for so long. But there was something exciting, too, about being willing to follow God wherever he may take us. So we gave him an unqualified "yes" to whatever he had in store for us.

 

It turns out, after a lot of twists and turns along the way, that God wants us to minister in Kentucky. Chris will be starting work at the first of the month as pastor of Stanton Christian Church in Stanton, Ky. It's in a small town on the eastern side of the state. We felt such a comfort level there that it just felt right. When we visited the church, our kids met some friends immediately, and we're all excited to be living close to some awesome areas to explore outdoors.

 

But then there's the hard part. Leaving our church family here at Valley Center Christian Church is very difficult. The people here are so loving and, for the past seven years, have been an integral part of our lives. They've helped us raise our kids. They've encouraged us. And they've comforted us. We run through the faces of the people of VCCC in our minds, and we can't help but smile. The are just WONDERFUL people. And so there is excitement -- and tears -- as we move forward in following God's call on our lives. Pastor Chuck said today that it is all about the kingdom of God. That's the priority. And we know that he will take care of us wherever we go, and he will take care of all of our loved ones here at home. And we now look forward to meeting more of our church family in Stanton, Ky.!

Love, Chris & Mary Moon 

To the dry cleaners...

In all honesty, I haven't been to the dry cleaners in a while.  I really don't buy a lot of clothes that need dry cleaned.  Kind-of a policy for me.  Laundry is a bit overwhelming for a family of six, so why complicate it? 

But then Sam came along.  And this fall he fell in love with suits.  Seriously.  He pointed out men in suits on the television.  He saved a picture from the first day of school - not because it was from the first day of school, but because he was standing next to the superintendent of our school who was wearing a suit.  He begged me for one of his own.  He was relentless.  Oh. My. Gosh.  How ridiculous, right?!

Chris and I are very casual people.  But somehow, in God's sense of humor, he gave us a little boy who currently LOVES suits.  He absolutely adores the attention he gets at church from everyone who compliments him.  Such a ham!

So recently, I went to the dry cleaners.  Not for Chris or I, but because my favorite little man's suit was just getting too dirty from wearing it every chance he could get.  Sunday?  Yes you can wear your suit.  Your sister's birthday?  Sure you can wear your suit.  Driving the girls to swim practice?  What the heck, why not? 

 

Such a funny picture, but it really does reflect life at the Moon house right now!  

A little of what we've been up to lately in 2014! 

 

Snow!  And potty breaks!

 

We have had 23 straight days with snow on the ground at our house.  It looks like it will finally finish melting off today.  The kids' entire Christmas break was white.  LOVE it!  I know some are tired of the snow, but I say if it's going to be cold, I want it to be pretty too!  And we've spent a great deal of time outside taking our puppy out to potty. 

Snuggling!

 

 

 

This little puppy sure likes to snuggle!  Especially after 7pm.  He'll curl up with just about anyone on the couch.

Cousin Love!

While the kids weren't able to see all their cousins this Christmas they did get plenty of cousin time! Lucy, Caleb, Nathanial and Micah...why didn't we get a picture together this year?  Bummer. 

Monster Trucks!

 

 

 

We've always wanted to take the kids to Monster Jam and we finally squeezed it in.  They had so much fun!  And yes, popcorn is a luxury so we must really, really enjoy every last bite! 

A new dog and a new year!

A week before Christmas we got a new puppy and we all instantly fell in love with him!  How could you not?  He's so stinkin' cute! 

After our dog, Sadie, died in February, we didn't want to rush right in to a replacement dog for the kids.  While that would have been easier - so much easier -  we allowed the kids to go through the mourning of losing their dog.  Some days I thought the crying would never end.  It was so difficult to watch them cry themselves to sleep -- for months and months.  Little things like people talking about their pets, or watching a dog on a movie would set them off.  It was hard. So hard. But also with all the craziness that was our life in 2013, it just never seemed like the right time.  But finally we convinced Chris we were ready for a new puppy! We surprised the kids after school and they were so happy.  Sophia (my not-so-emotional child) cried tears of joy.  Love it!

It has been 12 years since we'd had a puppy in the house.  Boy do you forget stuff!  Like, how often you have to take them to the bathroom.  Or how all the ornaments suddenly have to be placed higher on the Christmas tree.  Or how they will chew ANYTHING.  Or how much energy they have!  But Max is so worth all of it! 

His addition to the family is a great way to end a not-so-fun year for us.  Losing our dog, selling our house, moving, contemplating life changes, school, and a lot of unmentionables....well, it wasn't really all sunshine and rainbows.  Honestly, there were times when I just couldn't wait for this year to end.  We all have years like that!  But, 2014 is going to be different!  Chris and I are focused on joy.  We're determined not to get caught up in the muck that is life sometimes.  We're going to have fun with our family and make sure they experience the joy we have in Christ.  We're going to focus more on relationships and less on other junk.  I heard a singer on the radio the other day that said something to the affect that we as Christians have this eternal joy in Christ but oftentimes are pretty boring people.  No doubt, right?  We want to be less boring and more fun! 

So even if your 2013 stunk - this year can be different.  We're praying it is! 

The husband of the year award goes to....

Yesterday, after dinner, I suddenly realized that the center diamond of my wedding ring was missing.  I tried really hard not to freak out.  But all 6 of us started searching everywhere around the house for the missing diamond.  Picture the kiddos getting out their flashlights and looking all over.  Very helpful!

Earlier we had decorated the Christmas tree (with a lot of glittery ornaments).  So I had to sweep up the hard wood floors a couple of times.  I figured the very best bet was that my diamond fell in the kitchen trash can with all that sparkly glitter. 

I started looking in the trash bag.  I dug through everything and about 3/4 of the way I simply gave up.  I had come to the previous day's trash and frankly the bag was getting gross.  Like leftover ham and sweet potatoes from the kids' plates gross. I gave up completely.  I got on the phone to call my insurance company to start a claim.  But, Chris kept going through the trash.  And at the very bottom of all that grossness he found my diamond!!!

(This is how we felt)

Can you believe that?  And we can admit that as a broke college kid, he didn't have much money, so he was searching for a pretty small diamond in all that trash! He kept looking at and asking if that was really the diamond because it really did look pretty tiny outside of the setting.  So funny!   

I couldn't believe he actually found it.  I'm pretty sure he earned the husband of the year award - or at the very least a "get out of jail free" card for the next time he's in the dog house around here.  I'm feeling pretty blessed right now! 

Because sometimes I just need a laugh...

There are days when I just need a good laugh.  Ministry is hard work.  Sometimes its emotionally draining work.  And there are days where I just need to laugh at something utterly ridiculous.  Well,  I've found something that every single time I look at it I laugh.  And not a cute giggle.  One of those ridiculous-over-the-top laughs.  So I want to share it with you - in case you're having one of those days too.

It's called the Power Nap Head Pillow.  And it's only $99.95. 

 

Awesome, right?   It says, "This is the head-enveloping pillow that blocks out noise and light to create a private zone for catching a quick power nap...The pillow allows users to tune out their surroundings, creating a dark, quiet micro environment ideal for achieving a deep, restful sleep whether stranded in a crowded airport or recharging between meetings at work." 

 

You can purchase your very own Power Nap Head Pillow here. Or, you can just pull up the picture when you need a good laugh! 

On Passing Notes in Church...

Sam is five now.  I have LOVED this age with all of my kiddos!  This summer he hit the stage that I really, really love - when kids start trying to sound out and spell words.  There is nothing cuter than watching them write words the way they think they sound!  And then it's so much fun to look at what they've written and then figure out what they meant to say. Adorable!   

One Sunday morning this summer he sat by me in church, got into my purse, and pulled out a pen and a small pad of paper.  Then he wrote me a note.  He gave it to me with the biggest, sweetest smile!  Then he said, "I love you Mom!"  It was such an adorable moment.  I really love this kid! 

Then I looked down and this is what I saw.

You and I might read it as "I F U Mom Moon." Precious, right?  In actuality, he was saying "I love you."  And, if I really think hard, and ignore the L in word love, then I can admit that the word love does indeed have a strong "f" sound.  It's a big stretch, but I'm going with it! 

I'm thinking we should start discouraging passing notes in church!  Either way, I'm keeping this note tucked in my Bible because it makes me giggle every time I look at it!    Such a silly kid!