Midlife Crisis?

Well, I have wanted to do something for years... And after months of research and some careful consideration fighting the stay at home mom stereotype of wearing mom jeans and driving a mini van, I decided to finally do it ~ I got my nose pierced.  What do you think?

Disclaimer: Mason, someday when you want to get something pierced or tattooed, you cannot use this photo against me.  

Summer 2012

Just a few of my favorite pictures from the summer 2012.  

We spent a lot of time at the pool and on family Jeep rides.  Some of my favorite memories I have from when I was a kid was piling in the brown Jeep Wrangler and going off roading as a family.  I can still remember being ever so excited, anticipating my head bumping up against the roll bar and making a 'ping' sound as it hit the bar crawling over the rocks.  Lucky for you Mason, those roll bars are padded now and you ride in a nice, comfy car seat.  

Richard and I have looked forward to Moss family Jeep rides since before Mason was born.  It was a surreal feeling to be in the Jeep, top down, and look back to see our sweet Mason smiling with the wind blowing his hair.  Bliss!

 Mason enjoying his first popsicle of the summer

 On one of many family Jeep rides

 We spent lots of time at the park; Mason loves to swing

 Richard and Mason preparing for a Jeep ride

 Chilling out at the Halsey's 

 Mason enjoyed several cousin sleep overs at Aunt Jill and Uncle Jack's (Halsey) house

 Looking all patriotic on the 4th of July

 Hanging with mom on a trip to the fish hatchery

 More time spent at the park

Mason and Richard at the zoo.  Pretty sure Mason was going to give the giraffe a cracker, then decided he would eat it himself

And I was RUNNING! (Forest Gump)

It's funny how God presents opportunities in our lives exactly when we need them.  My New Year's resolutions for 2012 were to get in shape: both spiritually and physically.  In January 2012, a friend of mine mentioned she was going to be teaching a Bible study at her church called Run for God.  I had no excuse not to join, this was the PERFECT opportunity.

I was scared to death... you see, I'm a cake school drop out.  Several years ago, I signed up for a cake decorating class a different friend of mine was teaching.  I lasted 2 for two weeks out of the 8 week course.  If I couldn't stick with cake (who doesn't love cake?), how was I going to stick with reading my Bible and running ~ two things that I have failed miserably at before.  

What a wonderful experience this 12 week class was!  It was amazing to feel my body getting stronger, and even more powerful to feel my soul getting more faithful.  The time I spent running, I would spend talking to God and counting my blessings (okay, and admittedly counting down the miles and minutes until my workout was finished).  

My secret bucket list had always included running in some sort of race, but I never told anyone about it because I didn't think I would ever actually do it!  Up through June, I ran in both 5k and 10k races, and even won first place in my 30-34 age group in one of them!  I usually had to run with Mason, who did a great job of cheering me on yelling "Go Mommy Go!" and "Go faster!"

My first 5k - Marshfield's Shamrock Shuffle

March 17, 2012

Time: 30 min 57 seconds

 Finishing my first 10k (6.2 miles)

One Sole Purpose in Springfield, MO

Extremely hilly course

May 4, 2012

Time: 1 hr, 7 min., 7 seconds
As you can see, the run wore Mason out!

Firecracker 10k in Branson, MO

Flat course on the Taneycomo lake front and The Landing

July 4th, 2012

1 hour, 2 minutes

July 14, 2012 my friend Alicia and I completed A Midsummer Night Run 10k in Joplin, MO.  The race started at 8:00pm and was ran mostly in the dark.  Lots of fun!

Time: 1 hr, 2 min. and 52 sec.

2011 Year in Pictures

Christmas 2011

 Our little Christmas tree.  I set it up the night before Christmas, as Mason could not be trusted not to pull the big tree over on himself.

  

 We weren't sure if you would 'get' Christmas, but you were so excited when you woke up and saw the lights and the presents.  

 Looks like someone got their two front teeth for Christmas.  

 Mason was not a fan of Santa

 Early Christmas morning

So many new toys to play with and you just wanted to love on your BlaBla

Happy 1st Birthday Mason!

*This blog post was taken from The Life and Times of Mason Moss

Happy Birthday, Mason!

We celebrated your birthday on Saturday, Sept. 10th by having family over for a BBQ. You loved playing with your cousins and showing off your walking skills. You were walking around like you owned the place!

Family that helped you celebrate your special day included: Nannie and Poppy Snyder; Grandma and Grandpa Gillispie; Uncle Josh (Gillispie); Uncle Brad, Aunt Gala, Noah and Addy; and Uncle Jack, Aunt Jill and Jackson.

For your birthday, Dad picked you out a green four wheeler. It took you a little while to get used to it, but we know that once you get brave enough to ride it, you will love it!

It's been a fantastic year! We are so proud to be your Mom and Dad and love you more than you will ever know!

You weren't a huge fan of having icing on your hands, but you loved the cake!

Hanging out with Dad at your birthday party.

Trying out your new four wheeler.

Don't worry, we already talked to you about drinking and driving.

You and Dad playing at the park.

Camp Grandma

A HUGE thank you to both Grandmas for hosting Camp Grandma so Richard and I could get away for a bit!

Our date started out with Mason joining Grandma Gillispie at the mall so Richard and I could go get a couples massage at Grove Spa. It was so relaxing and a great way to start our day. Then, we headed to Joplin, where Mason spent the night with his Grandma Snyder. Richard gassed up the Jeep, took the top off and off we went to Rogers, Arkansas for some good food and some shopping. The weather was PERFECT! Richard and I fell in love during lots of Jeep rides almost 3 years ago, so it was nice to fall in love all over again. We wouldn't change our life at all, but the one thing we really miss since having Mase is those great Jeep rides with the top down. Thanks Grandmas for making this weekend possible.