2019 - A Year In Review

My Word for 2019 was "Word". Specifically I wanted to focus on The Word, Jesus! I wanted Him to be in, through, and around all that went on in 2019! And looking back, He was! I might not have focused as much on His word as much I wanted, but I grew, I depended, I looked to Him even more! But even more than that, as I think about "words" that would describe 2019 the first one unfortunately would be hard. Hard because 2019 pushed us farther in our trust, in our health, in our finances, in our time management, BUT I am also learning that hard is not the same as bad! So lets look back... Jan- Apr was like most other years except we didn't have a bathroom downstairs. We started what we thought was a simple bathroom fix, but when we ripped the floors up, found water damage down to the subfloor!! We ripped out what we could and hired a friend to replace the subfloor. Our thought was to fix it and get new floors as we could afford them and put it in ourselves. We continued on in our homeschool and life as normal. But it seems, looking back, that as soon as April hit, it was full force ahead! I finished our CC year at the beginning of April and closed out my time as director for F/E. What a sweet time the last 4 years have been as I have worked with the other homeschool families, but the Lord was calling me to move onward and upward. I was looking ahead to Direct Challenge!! The day after our closing program, we jumped in the car and traveled to Indiana! Kyle was to speak at a mens conference and I got to know some friends better. After a few days we left there and headed to the big city of Chicago! The rest of April, May, and June were a blur as P finished Challenge 1, S played baseball again and fell in love with another sport (his team was undefeated and S made All-stars!) E finished her sophomore year, Kyle traveled both to Banner again and Synod was in PA as they met with the RPs. In July I found myself back in Appalachia on the mission trip. I haven't been on this trip since Iz was little, but this trip has always had such a huge impact on my life, and it was great to experience this with Iz and Pete! After camp we traveled to VA so Kyle could do special services at Old Providence. (see a theme of traveling and speaking, which even though was great was taxing and not always relaxing/restful). BUT what came out of this trip was a stronger bond with who I now call dear friends! We both realized that yes, we are cut from the same cloth, but we also found a support and place of refuge that Kyle would later in the year rest on! August came in like a whirlwind as we took a quick trip to the beach to spend a few days with Iz before she returned to Due West, moved her in, but also at the same time found out that Kyle had a ulcer sore on his foot caused by diabetes. He decided to drastically change some things eating wise, but was still run down and stressed. So most of September was spent almost in a turmoil as he processed or tried to change things while still running 90 miles a minute. All the while, my 2 younger kids changed the location of their CC campus, S started challenge, and I hung on every week as I soaked in what I could for CH2 so I could hopefully be the lead learner and direct the conversations (this was time consuming and a lot of work, but so worth it!). Then came Sept 23rd. Kyle and I were so stressed. We had Finally ordered our new floors a week before (Yes, back from last Jan when first started the project and the thought was that we could slowly put them in over Oct, Nov, and Dec as time allowed. Ha!), but in the stress of that, tight finances, no time, his health, trying to get everything done with school, we were constantly bickering and fussing, even that morning. He left in a huff to go to a doctors appointment, which he found out that part of his toe had to be removed. So much to process...Now he was going to laid up for at least 2 weeks, when were we going to get the floors done, more bills now, that his brain frizzed! He had what they call a mini-stroke. I found out as I got a call from his mom to tell him to get in the ambulance (what??). The next few days was filled with tests, doctors, hospitals, starting to figure out whats important! The church was SO good to Kyle and really all 6 of us! The gave him a medical sabbatical to rest and process, AND to help us by hiring someone to come in and get our floors done and our toilet working downstairs so that stress would be off us (I am crying while I write this because that was SUCH a huge blessing!) Those next 8 weeks were hard still though as Kyle and I had to come to grips with how we process stress, how to cope, what is important, how we relate to each other during the ups and downs, where our strength and help comes from! God was so good and blessed us with many friends that came along beside us (1 of the things I learned was to look for the helpers and make sure that I can be a help to others too later as they struggle!). Meanwhile with all this, we tried to keep other things normal for the family. P continued with cross country, S played football (he made the All-star team for football too where they called him Slim Shady. He was so good and loved it!), M continued with piano and picked up cycling where she rode in her first race in Oct, and E did great in school, made ODK, and made the deans list! I am so proud of my kiddos! Kyle went back to the church in Nov and has done SO well both in handling/processing things, in eating healthier (he has lost 55 lbs so far), and in our relationship. I can honestly say that yes, 2019 was hard and busy and stressful, but we came thru it stronger, closer, more dependent, and thankful!! As I sit here and think about 2020, I am looking forward to it! My word for next year is going to be Still/Rest! yes, 2019 influenced that decision/leading, but it is more than removing things to do! It is looking to Him in the stillness. To be still in my soul knowing He is the author and perfecter of my faith. What better pace to be! I am going to take things as they come knowing that He is in control! I am going to "rest", be refreshed, and trust in Him so together I can do what He has placed before me! "I can do all things thru Him who gives me the strength!" just Be STILL and know that He is God!

So it's now 2017... 😳

I despise technology!! I like it but we have a love/hate relationship! i just spent about 30 minutes writing a new post and then poof, gone. I was commenting on how I see there's a link to this blog on fb and how I clicked on it out of curiousity. The last post was 2010!! Wow! another thing started and then forgotten because of time. But I also loved looking back on sweet memories!! So, with this in mind, I'm going to try to catch up and post some more. If for no one else but me!! So- here we go again to try to document a snippet of the Sims! 🤗

The Sims eat at Michie Tavern

They clanged a toast to our trip!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

I love my wife! Kyle

My "Catch Up" Post

I love this time of year! My things to do from the school year is winding down...our school year with CC is over, we are finishing up with our school at home (finishing with our big trip to VA and PA), girl scouts is over, but also I am looking ahead to what the summer has in store...Synod and Bonclarken, birthdays, beach, pool, seeing the CO crew, catching up on craft projects I don't have time for the other times of the year!

Here is a basic "run-down" and "things to come" list from the Sims...
>S is now potty-training! yay! For so long, he just didn't care! But thanks to the help of the Easley crew, he is getting it!! (see previous post...ha!)

>Izz loves homeschooling and CC! She recieved the Memory Master Award from school last month, which means that she memorized all her facts this year and could recite any of it back to the 3 people that quizzed her! This, in my opinion, is quite an accomplishment! She has an incredible memory! Some of the things she had to memorize was 160 timeline happenings (starting with creation all the way to modern wars and space race), all the presidents, 24 weeks of science and history facts, latin noun declension endings, 24 geography places in Africa, Americas,and the Middle East, and Math terms and facts. WOW!

>P is learning to read, but that is slow coming too. He would rather solve math facts and problems, put together puzzles, or play with army stuff or legos!

>MyMy- "Ms Independent"! She has a sweet heart and a love for her brothers and sister, but has an opinion and is NOT scared to tell it! ha!

>K is finishing school!!! I want to scream from the rooftops! He started this 7 years and 3 kids ago!! So now, after Saturday's graduation from Erskine, he will be the Rev. Dr. Sims! Not that this will be a pay increase, or some great title, but he learned alot from his classes that he uses in his ministry. And the fact that he stuck with it and finished! I am so proud of him!

>my whiole family (Mom and Dad, Aunt Louise and Claudia, all 6 of us, lauren, and Bryan) was able to get together and spend a great Sunday! Bryan was on this side of the country for a wedding, so everybody came to see us here for church and then just sat around, laughed, talked, and ate! We also got to go see my sister's new house! Oh, (even though this won't make sence to anybody else, but my siblings) we got to experience the rescue squad and show alittle happy!!! HA!

>CC is over, but we signed up again for next year (they asked me to be a tutor again)! So I am already looking ahead to next year and what we will be presenting. I love teaching!

Hope everyone has a great start to their summer! Stay cool!

More "overheard" funnies...

(disclaimer: sorry in advance for the "potty" humor, but this is just too funny not to get down in the archives)

This is what was overheard today as I walked in the bathroom and see MJ and S standing arm in arm looking down at the potty
S:mymy, see all my poopie? I did all that!
MJ (to the best of my translation said something to the effect of): that is really good!

I was rolling! He is so proud!

The Sick Ward

Let me start this post by saying..I hate/detest/STRONGLY dislike being sick to my stomach!!! I would rather have most other things than throw up!
*Also I am sorry for the topic of this post, but it has been what we are dealing with for the past 4 days!

Walking around my house yesterday, the main image that came to mind was one of a sick ward! Cots, blankets, and sheets spread out and covering every bit of furniture like a medical tent thrown hurriedly up. The smell of Lysol floating in the air. Cups of sprite and 7up beside each person, and Saltine crackers and Chicken noodle soup waiting on the counters for our stomachs to stop churning. Which, as an aside, is probably why I dislike chicken soup and Sprite to this day, when I taste them I am immediately transported to a memory of being sick!

This nasty bug hit us quickly, wiping out 5 out of the 6 of us in 48 hours! Thankfully, it left just as quick as it came. Even though I was exhausted while I was trying to take care of MJ with only 3 hours of sleep and throwing up for the 5 hours before that, I am now glad that it did hit quick. I hate that dreaded feeling of waiting and wondering...will it hit?, who will it hit next? Am I in for it? It is like sitting there watching to see if their heads will start spinning! :/

But now my best friends (and I use the term "friend" loosely) have been my washing machine, Lysol, and CaviWipes! But the motivation has been good! Life goes on, sickness happens, but I would rather avoid it at all costs!

Things Overheard...

"Mom, you are so cool!" (from P all because I got a hair clip out that was stuck in the hand vac he was using). yes, it takes so little to impress them at this age! :)

"This house so fun!" (S says as he leaves his bubble bath)

"I no sick anymore, I have bubble bath" (again by S. And as you can see he LOVES his bubble bath and evidently thinks it now has magical, healing powers too) ha!

Kyle came down and asked the 3 older kids, "Have you all eaten anything for lunch? Do you feel like eating?" while MJ and I were sleeping off our sickness. I started to stir because I was interested in how they were doing. To which they excitedly responded, "oh, yes! We found the pudding in the frig!" oh yuck, I thought rolling over!
Both of the last 2 comments came from our past weekend-see post above.

P.isms

My eldest son has such a huge heart!! Now don't get me wrong, he can also be a huge booger, but I truly believe that comes wrapped up with his emotional side...he is empathic and caring, but he also has a temper...all part of the package. I have started calling them P.isms...

"Mom, I need my hug and kiss...I always sleep so much better with those!"
"Are you ok? Do you want to talk about it?"

Yes, he knows how to work me!!

Thoughts and Musings

I love noticing the difference between boys and girls! Everything with my boys seems to turn into a gun or ball! It was never like that with Iz. Everything was a phone or a baby that needed her "tending to". It is funny that I already see that in My...that need to mother something! But at the same time, it is funny to watch her grow up with 2 older brothers. Twice in the past month, I have turned around to see her "shoot". The first time, I really couldn't have been sure of what I saw because she was holding a banana (it looked like it, but it also looked like she could have been talking into it). But today, there was no doubt! She came down the hall after the boys holding/pointing their cowboy gun!! I was laughing so hard and wishing for a camera! Gives new meaning to her nickname pistol! ha! Watch out world...here she comes! :)

More Shots From Christmas...

I love this...Iz has the Best facial expressions (with S following closely behind)
P is really going to hate me later in life for these pictures...but I just had to! When I pulled out his Christmas PJs, they said 4T. I really should have gone by the size and not just what the tag said. BUT, after he had them on, he wouldn't take them off...trying to convince me they would be fine! It was hilarious! Looked like I left him in the dryer too long! :) More importantly though, he is showing off his new WWI gun!
MJ loving on her new baby...so sweet!

Christmas Traditions

"Its the most wonderful time of the year"...
Even though Christmas can be one of the busiest/craziest times of the year, it is also the most special. Not only because I love to be with family, seeing the excitement in & thru my kids, picking out that special thing for those I love, but also because of the memories, traditions, and the reason for Christmas! I am one of those people that starts my shopping/making of gifts in the summer and the one who looks forward to Christmas music 24/7!
Some of the things that we did this year: Fire Department Christmas Party, Christmas caroling to some of our church members, Christmas baking (we made goodies for the guys at the fire department, cookie exchange, and the Sunday school teachers...so we made over 16 dozen cookies and chocolate covered treats...yum!), Christmas cards, parties at the church, shopping, decorating, wrapping, dinner parties with friends at the house. The garland is a new addition in our decorating this year (it was K and Iz's idea after visiting the White House last year). But I have to say that it is one of my favorites in the house! These are some of the kids from our church. After we went caroling, we came back to decorate the church's tree and have pizza.

For the past 2 years, K's mom has come up to bake and decorate with the kids! They made gingerbread cookies and peanut brittle.

I Love this one with flour on his nose! She was so patient with them, and they had so much fun (esp S with the sprinkles and sugar)!!
Instead of buying each of the kids an ornament this year, Mamama made these glitter balls with them to hang on our small tree in the kitchen! They were so cute! I need to get a picture of these on the tree before we take them down!

New Year...New Goals

I LOVE the start of the new year-the opportunity to start over, try again, try something new, or just improve. At the end of every year, I take a look at not only what happened (the memories), but also what I want to change (the goals). I don't necessarily call them resolutions, but more goals. K and I are big believers that if aim at nothing in particular, you will hit it! So as I think about my goals, I wanted to write them here. So, in no particular order, here are a few things that I want to work toward in 2010...
-be more organized(everything needs a place, & I would like to be able to put my hands on things at a moments notice. Im getting better, but always room to improve!)
-read more books - I am coming up with a list. Any good suggestions?
-continue to sew more
-read the thru the Bible
-memorize more scripture
-go on a date once a month with K
-keep up with the house better (goes along with the first one too)

I am also thinking about how to keep up with these...being held accountable. Maybe I will write about my progress here. We'll see. Bring on 2010!

So how was your year and what are some of your goals?

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Today my little S turned 3! Wow! Sometimes I wonder how I got everything in, or even felt like it...thinking back 3 years ago...it was Christmas time (granted I only had 2 kids) but I wrapped, decorated, and had Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners at my house all while being 38 weeks pregnant! I also remember telling myself, "just make it thru Christmas", I didn't want this baby born till a few days later. He needed his own special day, so I was happy it worked out that way! Plus, everyone kept saying, "oh poor thing thing, with a birthday so close to Christmas. He will never get to celebrate."
So I have always been conscience of keeping them separate. I know there are somethings he has to give up or accept (presents all at 1 time of the year,etc) having a birthday 3 days after Christmas, but I hope he also realizes how special he is, what he has gained, and how both sides of his family has really tried to keep them separate for him!
A big gain that I saw this year is that since it is the holidays and we were with family, he had most there with him to celebrate...two times!







Now as I think about your next year of life, wondering what it will hold, there is one thing I am hoping for...no more diapers! :)

Merry Christmas 2009

So now I come to my Christmas Letter/post for the year end...
In an effort to combine what I already have in place (our blog) and promote/encourage me to write more consistently, I decided to put our Christmas letter here.
I always like to write our "year in review" letter, not only to let you know briefly what has been happening, but also it helps me remember and enjoy my life that seems to fly before my eyes!

Needless to say, life with 4 kids is never boring! There is always something going on (sometimes bordering on chaotic), but I love it! And now I am also teaching again, so it keeps getting better. My main problem is that there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done I need to, not to mention what I would like to do!
Kyle is staying busy at the church and getting to the fire department when he can. He is also almost finished with his D Min degree from Erskine (he will be finishing up with the project this Jan and then has to write his dissertation). He has enjoyed the learning and applying it to his sermons, both we will both be glad when it is finished! He has also started a blog of his own...the hungry preacher. He enjoys writing for fun, so it is about food and his experiences with it.
Iz is 10 now! She is having a great year in school and has made some good friends! She is learning alot (someone asked her recently if she wished she could go back to public school to which she answered...no, I really like home and CC better and am learning more!...that made me happy!) She is also enjoying basketball and is pretty good, which is great because she is already 5'3 at 10! Last year her team won the championship in their division!
P is 5 and very outgoing! He is in kindergarten and loves going on outings with our school group! He is starting to learn to read and does pretty good with his school work,but would rather be outside. He just learned to ride his bike and that's what he wakes up asking to do right now!
S will be 3 a week from today! He is definitely my shy child. He will talk when he has something to say, but is my thinker. He loves to be outside too, but his favorite place to be is Kyle's mom's farm!! He loves to ride the ranger and help feed the animals! The main thing he has been asking for for Christmas is a pair of boots to wear on the farm at Mamama's house!
MJ is 16 months today! She is getting to be such a cute age...learning to talk, imitate what you say or do, give kisses, and play games, like peek-a-boo. She is going to be another "people person"!

Well, that is the Sims' 2009 in a nutshell. I can't wait to see what 2010 has in store! We hope your year end comes to a nice close and you all have a very merry Christmas! We hope to hear from you soon (either by phone, email, or facebook)! Love to each of you!
Kel

Looking Back and thus Looking Ahead

I spent most of November writing and listing things that I am thankful for. We are blessed with SO much and I was glad for the time that I spent thinking about these! It is so easy to get caught up in the business of life (stress, deadlines, irritations, etc) that you can miss the joys!! Some of which were...laughter of my children, different personalities that make them who they are, wonderful smells, colors that are around us, answers to prayers, sweet phone calls that were made when I needed them...and I could go on and on!

But now we are moving into the last time of the year, and definitely one of my favorite holidays...Christmas!! I love Christmas music, spending time with the kids, buying gifts for the ones we love, the decorations, cards, etc., but I am finding myself falling into that stressed, not-enjoying this kind of feeling. So as I have been pulling things out this week, I want to keep this feeling of thankfulness. Remembering the real reason for this season!

Fall Brings Yet Another Change...

Both our girls celebrated pretty big birthdays during this time. MJ turned 1 and Iz hit double digits! Wow...they grow and change SO fast!

We made another big family decision last spring, and then watched it come into being this fall...We are now homeschooling! I have always thought about it and have done lots of research concerning it, but it just all fell into place this time- just seemed right! We also found an awesome group to work and learn with- Classical Conversations. We meet together 1 day a week for classes and then the other 4 days at home. They even offered me a job, so I am tutoring the 3rd and 4th graders. We are all loving it!! I love the classical approach to learning, and we have made some great friends (and a great support system for me)!

Moving on Into the Summer

The summer started with its usual craziness for us...K takes his annual Banner of Truth trip with fellow ministers; Synod; Vacation Bible School; K, his mom, and Iz went on a multistate quick trip thru PA, MD, and VA; K preaches special services at another ARP church, and P turned 5! OH...and throw in our 13th anniversary in the middle of VBS! :)

So we were excited to see July get here where the only thing we had planned was to go to the beach with all my family (the CO crew was here in SC for 5 weeks...yay) and a beach trip for just the 6 of us! Here is a group shot of all the family at the beach (except Aunt Claudia who took the picture)

Here is the all 7 Counts grandkids.

I was also started something that I have been wanting to do more of...I finally put my new sewing machine to use. I sewed 2 dresses for the 2 younger girl cousins (My and Sweet C) and embellished Iz's shirt. Now even though the dresses weren't perfect, I was proud of myself of attempting it! :)

As I continue to think back on 2009...Family celebrations

Since I have been slack on my blog (but those of you that know me, know how full my plate is), I thought I would spend the next few posts giving brief glimpses (snippets) into our past year...
As I start these new snippets of our family and life, it is very appropriate that I start with celebrations. Immediately some celebrations that come to mind are Christmas, birthdays, special events. and that we are surrounded by those that love and support us, those that have made an impact on our lives!! It is special that our 2009 started with 3 of these family events!

First, Mom and Dad were able to go to CO for Christmas, so we extended the holidays a little (till the 1st of Jan) so we could be together. Then the next week we came together again (along with the Sims) to celebrate the baptism of MJ. Her dress was made by Kyle's Mom, and it is the same dress that Iz wore 9 years before!


Here is both of our families (minus the CO crew)...

Also, Clint Davis (pastor at Chester ARP, but also a good friend) baptized MJ. We asked 4 different minister friends to baptize our babies, so Kyle can be a dad that day.

After the Baptism, we all stayed and celebrated S 2nd birthday! He loved "MoMo", So Aunt Shea made this great cake for him! Thanks to all our family for starting the year with us in these special ways!

September

The month of September seems like a blur...

Not only am I getting used to having 4 kids and trying to catch some much needed sleep when I can (to see an example of my sleep deprived mind see the title of my last post...ha), but izz turned 9, P started 4 year old preschool, and S has started to talk more and more (he went around saying Momma all day today to get my attention...I love hearing him finally talk more, and hearing him say that makes me smile)!
Here are a few pictures that I have managed to get over the past 6 weeks (yes, MJ is 6 weeks old today! Time really does fly!)