The Book of Moon 2011

Here is this year's chapter in "The Book of Moon."

CHAPTER 23

The Moon Family rejoices and is blessed.

BEHOLD, in the twenty-third year of the Tom and Terri Moon Family, there was much rejoicing.

2 And it came to pass, Cameron, having served honorably in the wilderness of Florida for the space of two years, did return home. Yea, the Moon Family was filled with much joy and rejoiced at his return. And, he did tarry for a short time, before traveling to the land of BYU in Rexburg.

3 And it came to pass, Courtney continued in her rebelliousness, and became eighteen. Yea, she accomplished high school, and worked mightily over the hot months that she might travel to the land of BYU with her brother. Yea, she did heed not the warnings of her mother and her father, and found favor in the eyes of a young man.

4 And it came to pass, Maddy continued in her love of her horn and Phantom and of bacon. Yea, she marched upon the wilderness and blew her horn. And she took possession of her sister’s bedroom on the first morning of her leaving. Yea, she rejoices much in her new room. Now, Maddy, being fifteen continues to gain knowledge as a sophomore in high school.

5 And it came to pass, Mckenna being eleven; increased in knowledge, insomuch that she became a sixth grader. Yea, she did prosper in middle school. And she did continue playing music, yea; she began to learn the bass clarinet. And she also rejoiced at having her own room.

6 And it came to pass, Tom, having labored diligently and with much love, for the space of nearly 6 ½ years, was released from his calling of Bishop. Yea, he did hearken to the words of his wife, and began to finish the basement. For, lo, Cameron and Courtney have no place to dwell in the home.

7And it came to pass; Terri did continue to find joy in her family. For, family is the most precious and desirable above all things.

8 For behold, the Moon family’s burdens have been made light, Insomuch that the windows of heaven have opened and poured blessings upon them.

9 And, verily, the Moon family makes an end of writing concerning these things for a time.

Merry Christmas!

Family time

Yesterday, our little crew decided to take a spontaneous trip. A little adventure to a place not far from here. The girls had new shoes to break in for the pioneer trek in August, and Tom wanted to have some much needed family time. So we packed a lunch and drove off in our newly cooled Suburban. (Thanks, honey!)

Palouse Falls, is about 90 minutes from here. The drive there was desolate. I think we only passed a handful of cars. When we arrived, I was surprised at the crowds milling around the parking lot and viewing area. I am not sure where they came from.

After Tom talked to the park person, he was confident our little group would have no problem hiking to the falls. We started out, confident we were up to the task. Within seconds, Maddy started expressing her discomfort. "I'm cold." "I'm hot." "This is hard." And my favorite. "Are you trying to kill me?" I was tired of hearing her whine, I felt like we must have been on the trail for an hour or more when I turned around and saw the car not too far from where we were.

I was trying to help her down a particularly rocky part of the trail when she said.

"If I die, I'm going to sue."

"Who are you going to sue? Heavenly Father for putting the rocks here?" I asked.

"Yes, and he will have to give me Eternal Life. I deserve it." She answered.

I took a few steps away from her and looked at the clear blue sky and wondered when the lightening was going to strike.

"Maddy, I think I am glad I won't be your Ma for the trek."

"I know," she said, "My company is going to hate me."

I thought for a minute and asked, "What if (crush boy) is in your group?"

Without hesitating, she said, "Then, I will stand there and look cute."

Honestly, her comments and observations had us laughing for most of the hike. We had ourselves convinced that we were going to be on an upcoming episode of I Shouldn't be Alive.Especially when Tom tried to talk us into a very narrow, complete drop off on one side part of the trail. We backtracked the way we came and made it safely back to our car and enjoyed a wonderful picnic. All in all, it was a day we needed. Being together, laughing, sweating, a little whining and eating. What more could I want?