Friday, December 27, 2013

Is it Christmas Time Yet?

The first of our three Christmas celebrations started at Nannie and Poppy Snyder's where we celebrated with the Moss/Snyder clan.  Jimmy made some great steaks and we all had a great time watching football, chatting and watching the kids play.  It was so great to hear all the kids giggling and squealing opening their presents.

For the last few weeks, Mason has been asking "Is it Christmas time?!" every morning when he wakes up.  We celebrated our Moss family Christmas a few days early since we were going to be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas with the Gillispie's.  After Mason went to bed, Richard and I were setting up everything for Christmas morning.  Richard was assembling the Radio Flyer big wheel when he noticed a part was missing from the box.  So, off to town he went to try to track down the missing part… at MIDNIGHT before our Christmas morning.  He was on a mission to make sure Mason's Christmas morning was perfect!

Mase was so excited to open his presents!  He cleaned house!  Some of his favorites were a Batman bat cave, a big wheel, a black dragon, a big dump truck, paints, a car roller coaster and a shape-splitter from the Umi Zoomi cartoon that Mom made.  
So fun to see that sweet little face light up on Christmas morning!
We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day at the Gillispie's house in Kimberling City.  Papa Jack made a delicious Mexican dinner on Christmas Eve.  On Christmas day, we were joined by The Halsey's and Uncle Josh and Aunt Paula.  Mason loved opening Christmas presents alongside Jackson. The boys spent all afternoon playing with their new toys.  So much fun to hear the boys giggling and running around.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas from the Moss Family

Clearly Mason and Santa have spent some quality time together.  
The Christmas card should read: "Hope Santa picks out something nice for you!"
Richard, Julie and Mason - December 2013
Preschool Christmas Program.
Mason was sad because he would have rather have Dad hold him instead of be up on stage.  



Tuesday, December 17, 2013

'Tis the Season

Mason has been so much fun this year for Christmas!  He gets excited anytime he sees Santa and loves seeing where our elf, Elfis, is hiding each morning.

He has asked Santa for a shape splitter (which doesn't exist, so Mom is going to make one) and a Batman toy.  

Today we had this sweet interesting conversation about Christmas:

Mason: Is it almost Christmas time?
Julie: Yes.  Do you know why we celebrate Christmas?  It's because it's Jesus's birthday.
Mason:  Jesus was born in a stable and three wise men got on their donkey's and ride over there.  Jesus was born in a nest and the animals tried to eat him.

This is one of our Christmas books.  It's probably where the whole "Jesus was born in a nest and the animals tried to eat him" thing came from.  
Even though he added his own little twist, I love that he is beginning to understand the true reason for the season.  

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Fall 2013

Lots of leaves here at the Lake!
We spent lots of time at the park!  
A view of our backyard.  Simply gorgeous! I know people come to the lake during the summer, but I would say it's pretty amazing here in the fall, too.  
Mason's first trip to the movies.  We saw Planes and Mason lasted nearly an hour before we the candy ran out had to leave.  Not too bad.  
Fall trip to Silver Dollar City.  Mason loved the carousel.
Fishing with Dad at Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Trick or Treat!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Guy Time

Mason and Richard have started implementing weekly "Guy Time" where they go out and do guy stuff.  I've got to say, it warms my heart to see them drive off in the Jeep and bond as father and son.  Both of them really look forward to Guy Time.  And let's be honest, I really enjoy the quiet time.

This week's guy time consisted of go-carts, mini-golf, and pizza.  Both Richard and Mase were excited to tell me about the trip.  And, for the record, Mason made 2 hole-in-ones and Richard got none.  

Getting ready to show the track who is boss!

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Summer 2013

Summer of 2013 was a busy one!  Some highlights were a day-cation to the Tulsa Aquarium, trips to the lake, hanging out with cousin Jackson, lots of trips to the park and pool and moving from Marshfield to Four Seasons.  Lot's of great family memories were made!
Wading in the lake with Dad
Throwing rocks in Table Rock Lake
July 2013
1560 Spring Brook Hills
Lot's of memories in this house!  
Cousin Fun!
Mason loves wearing "gobbles"
Mason supervising the yard work
Monkey-ing around on a rainy day
Fishin' at Bass Pro
Donut picnic at the park
First day of preschool at The Academy of Osage Hills
Chilling on the porch

Family picture after a long day of birthday partyin'

Mason's 3rd Birthday

We had a fantastic day to celebrate Mason's 3rd birthday!  Each day we are thankful he is growing up healthy and strong; yet it's bittersweet because time is going by so quickly!  We love him so much it hurts!  Happy 3rd Birthday Mason Moss!

We celebrated Mason's birthday at our new house in Four Season's.  A lot of family drove in quite a ways to help us celebrate, which made Mason feel so special!  It's a great feeling to look at your kid smiling and laughing surrounded by people who love him!  Guests included: Grandma and Papa Gillispie, Nannie and Poppy Snyder, Papa Moose, Aunt Jill, Uncle Jack, Jackson, Aunt Gala, Uncle Brad, Noah, Addie, Lincoln and Hendrix and Travis, Natalie and Reagan Bruce.

Mason requested pizza for his birthday, so we had a big Italian spread of lasagna, baked ziti, Italian salad, and fish shaped pizza for the kids.  For dessert we had cupcakes, 'fishing rods' (chocolate dipped pretzels), and 'fish bobbers' (dipped donut holes).

Fish cupcakes, bobbers (dipped donut holes) and fishing poles (chocolate dipped pretzel rods)

Mason got lots of new toys!  Some of his favorites were cars from Papa Moose, a picnic food pack from the Snyder's, a tool belt set from the Halsey's and a Daniel Tiger doll from Richard.

Thanks all for helping us celebrate!


Friday, July 12, 2013

Where's Our Faith?

It's been quite a few anxious weeks in the Moss house.  A few weeks back, we knew that there would be a Lowe's store manager job opening closer to family.  We prayed hard that God would lead our family where he wants us to be ~ and of course we hoped that would be closer to family.  Unfortunately, the job was offered to someone else.  Richard and I were crushed.  How could that be? Richard has been doing great at Lowe's and we were praying about the move, naturally He is supposed to answer our prayers, right?

Richard was offered a promotion to go to a larger store, but it was further away from family and definitely not in our 'master plan.'  We weren't given long to make a decision and frankly we were in mourning over things not going our way.  I know it was a gut wrenching decision for Richard to make, but he decided to turn the opportunity down, not wanting to move us further away from family and some very dear friends we have in Marshfield.  

Then, after about two days of us both feeling like we had been blindsided and in a fugue state, Richard said something that turned everything around.  We were in the car discussing our disappointment and he said, "Where's our faith?"  We had prayed for God to lead our family where he wanted us, and Richard got an offer that we quickly turned down because it wasn't part of our plan.  If there is one thing Richard and I both believe strongly in is that God's plan is always best.  We both know that unanswered prayers are painful in the short term, but are always right in the long run.  

During this two days, the job was posted, so Richard went ahead and applied for the job that he was offered.  At this point, we aren't sure what to think, but we know that God will show us our way if we just take time to listen.  It's has been an exhausting roller coaster.  However things turn out, the experience of Richard and I turning it over to God and testing our faith has been very powerful.  We have come to realize that very few things really matter.  Our family being together, our health, and our safety matter.  Where exactly we live and what house we live in, doesn't.  

UPDATE:  Richard was again offered the job and, as a family, we decided to accept the promotion.  Soon, Team Moss will be relocating to Osage Beach, Missouri.  It's going to be a busy few months, but we are so excited to see where this next chapter takes us.  1 - 2 - 3 - MOSS!

ANOTHER UPDATE (7/20/13):  We hit a slight snag with the relocation stuff.  Looking back it wasn't a huge deal, but it made for a very stressful week.  After a lot of anxiety, we worked really hard to remember Philippians 4:6 - worry about nothing, pray about everything.  While we still worried, thinking of that verse really helped.  Turned out that our house had an offer on it within days from being listed and we put an offer in on a house in Osage Beach.  Things are really starting to fall into place and we are very excited about this new adventure!

FINAL UPDATE (8/16/13): We have officially moved!  The moving processes went very smooth (thanks to all the grandparents who helped out with Mase during the move).  We love our new house and most importantly Mason loves his new house.  He keeps saying "I love my new house!" which is helps serve as confirmation that we made the right decision. 

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Father's Day - 2013


In honor of Father's Day, here are a few special pictures that will melt your heart.  Mason sure does love his Daddy and Daddy sure does love his sweet boy.  BLESSED beyond belief!  

Mason and Dad sharing a special father-son moment over a cold one (Mason had a Capri Sun)

SUPERMEN!

Thursday, June 13, 2013

4 Years and Going Strong

5 years ago I got swept off my feet (June 18th, 2009)
4 years ago I said "I Do" (June 13th, 2010)
Today I am thanking God for our unique love story.  Our marriage and the little family we have built has beyond exceeded all expectations.  Everyday I am thankful that I am living a fairytale.  BLESSED beyond belief!  
Engagement picture taken Spring 2010

Our wedding!  It was very small and just family.  Brad, Richard's brother, officiated our wedding.  

We're official!
June 13th, 2010

The happy couple

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Stay-cation - June 2013

After a long spring season at Lowe's, Richard was finally able to take some time off of work...  9 days to be exact!  We've really enjoyed our time together spent as a family.  Mason, especially, has enjoyed having his daddy around 24/7!

Since Richard has been working so much, we decided that we would just enjoy some downtime around the area.  Boy, we have been busy!

A few highlights this week include:

  • Mason's first trip to the golf course - he loved driving the cart and putting
  • BBQ with the Gillispie side of the family
  • Dinner and park with Nannie and Poppy Snyder
  • Big boy room makeover
  • Trips to the park
  • Two trips to the zoo - Mase loved the tiger and the hippo
  • Moss family road trip to the Tulsa Aquarium - where Mase got his new friend Crocky
  • Krispy Kreme on National Donut Day
  • Bass Pro 
  • And a sleep over with Jackson at Grandma and Grandpa Gillispie's


Sunday, March 10, 2013

Lowe's National Sales Conference

Richard recently returned from his 3rd National Sales Conference in Las Vegas, NV. While its hard on him to be away for 5 days, it was a great trip!

At the conference, Richard won the following awards: 3rd Best Specialty sales, best increase in Internet sales and his store had #1 selling skills for the region. Richard works very hard and it is great to see others recognize his hard work! Proud of his work ethic!

In his free time, Richard hit a few casino tables and managed to leave Las Vegas with a little more cash in his pocket than he went with. Who does that?! Winning!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Winter Pics 2012-2013

Enjoying an unseasonably warm afternoon at the park.

With winter comes flu season.  No fun!  Here Richard and Mason are catching a few zzz's after what was a long couple days of the entire family suffering from the stomach bug.

Too cold to play outside, so we decided to have a campout inside.  As you can see, you weren't exactly roughing it (note the iPad inside the tent).

Grandma Gillsipie always said snow was God's way of saying it was time to make cookies.  So, we carried on that tradition the first sprinkling of snow we got.

Going for a nice cruise in your Artic Cat.

Enjoying a snow day!

 Brrr!

 "Mommy, it's cold!"

Enjoying time with GG on a cold day with a big bowl of popcorn and watching Barney.

 Getting some loving from GG

I'm not sure who enjoys these types of naps the most.  Momma sure does love these two boys!