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!)

She Here...and We Are Home!!

Yeah!! She is finally here...litle miss MJ was born Thursday evening alittle before 9 pm! So far she has been a wonderful baby...very much like S in the fact that she is easy going (I hope she stays that way!) We got her home today and are getting settled in to becoming a family of 6. Here are a few pictures we took after coming in...





Thanks for all your well wishes, notes, and encouragement (and beautiful pink blankets)! :) We can't wait for everyone to meet her! Love you all!

Happy Birthday little man!

I wanted to take a few minutes out of my busy weekend to post about my precious boy! He is growing up So fast...it seems like just yesterday he was taking his first steps while we were moving into this house, and now he was talking yesterday about how big he is and that he wants to be a daddy when he grows up (just like his daddy...I hope so Buddy!)

Here is a quick picture of what he found this morning (his birthday surprise as he calls it). Mamama helped him plant seeds for his "mini garden" on our side porch, which he loves and waters every day! So I thought it was neat that the "first fruits" came on his birthday!

Random Thoughts, Happenings, and Musings...

We just got back a week ago from a grand (but long) car trip that took us through 7 states and 1740 miles! And did a mention that this was in 4 days? One of our friends (and the intern at the church) got married in Indiana Sat, May 3rd, so we decided to make a road trip out of it and see a few things on the way. It was also fun because Mamama and Aunt Martha got to come too! So the 7 of us piled in the 15 passenger van early Thurs morning, and off we went. We spent 2 days in the Amish country of Ohio...going shopping, to a cheese factory, and eating Amish food (but we're not talking about that)...and just having a good time spending time together!! Then off again Sat to Indianapolis, the wedding, and finally to Kent.- all in one day!! (That was alittle crazy!!) But you know it was a good trip when P woke up Mon morning asking where we could go today. The kids traveled beautifully and really enjoyed seeing the sights (and the tunnels)! :)

Now we only have 2 weeks left to go in school (that has flown by as usual!). And then hopefully have a little more laid back of a summer, esp because after bible school we have nothing planned! But I am sure it will still be busy.

Mainly because...we only have alittle over 12 weeks before the new one gets here!! Now that sounds crazy!! These months have flown by!!! She (yes, it is a girl. Sorry I haven't offically said that here) is doing great and moving just like she should! In fact, last night Izz & P felt and saw her move for the first time, which was neat for them!! P kept pushing on my stomach (like it was a balloon) saying, come on my baby girl, move for me! :) And yes, no official name yet, but we are working on it...hopefully closer every week. :)

Hope all is well with everyone! We would love to hear from you!!

Here are just a few pictures from the road trip...

Easter Pictures

Every year Easter takes on a different look...some have been spent with extented family and one year good friends came from Hickory Grove to visit. And following suit- this year was no different. Unfortunately we didn't get to see family or friends, but this day was good too! We didn't do ANYTHING (which sounds boring, but it was quite the opposite)! We went to lunch with just the 5 of us, came home and spent the day together! We have been SO busy, things pulling us in different directions, that it was nice to spend a lazy day together- playing outside, reading books together, and just hanging out!

This is S and his buddy at church, the day before, at the easter egg hunt. They set a special egg hunt for these 2 in the nursery. They picked up a few eggs, but had a better time trying to pull them apart and then throw them! :)
I have pictures that I will try to post later of the other 2 at the hunt and doing different things this past weekend, but I wanted to get the family pics up now.

Happy Spring!!

Easter

Hello out there...(and yes, I am still alive)! I have had 2 people ask me lately if I am going to post again..sorry. With a limited amount of time that I have to be on the computer, I have gotten sucked into the world of facebook (something new for me to explore and I have gotten reconnected with some friends from college!)

We are doing great here. Finally over cold and stomach bug season (hopefully). And the wierd thing was that it was S who started this round...who knows where he picked it up- probably the store! The pregnancy is moving along fine (it seems to go faster with every one), and it hard to believe that it is halfway over! Our ultrasound is scheduled for next Friday..I can't wait! The funny thing is that my tastes change or something wierd happens to me every time (i.e after S, I now like spicer foods)! Well, last night I order and drank coffee- and enjoyed it! Most of you are probably thinking, so what; but my family understands! I am the ONLY one who didn't like it, in a huge coffee loving/drinking family- in fact when we moved here my mom bought us a coffee pot so that we would have one when they came to visit! They always told me, as I was growing up and would turn my nose up to it, that I would start liking it when I went go to college...but it never happened, until now. We were sitting in Dunkin Doughnuts when I smelled K's and thought I would take a sip. It really tasted good and I am thinking that I would like another one right now! Who knew? :)

We are heading out tomorrow (which I really should say today now...Aggh) to get spring/Easter pictures taken of the kiddos... hopefully I can get those up soon. Hope all is well with each of you. And hope you enjoy Easter and the start of Spring- I love to see everything changing and in bloom!

Update

Hey Everyone!! Just wanted to give a quick hello to everyone 1-to let you know that I did survive Christmas, 1st Birthday, and the new year, and 2-to tell you that I am working on a limited Computer time and resources.
Right before Christmas my computer at the house decided that it just didn't "feel" like turning on (I guess I didn't inform it that it just wasn't an appropriate time to do that...not only was I planning on posting all these cute pictures from Christmas and S's birthday, but I didn't realize how dependant on a computer I had become until I didn't have one). So (until the guy comes to look at it-which should be next week) I have been either going to the church or K has been bringing his laptop home.

Things are going great! We FINALLY had a little snow. It was so pretty falling, but I wish it stayed alittle longer so the kids could have gotten to play in it. Izz is in a play/musical at school. She is very excited (she is the queen in a version of Cinderella). She has a few lines and a solo- I think I am more nervous than she is. (BTW- the play is the night of K's b-day for those of you who can make it). S is SO close to walking! He stood up in the middle of the floor without holding on today! He has tried to take a step, but leans forward too far so it is really rather comical!

Finally- our BIG news (for those of you who haven't heard) is that our family is about to grow again! YEAH! We are expecting baby #4 in August! I have been quite seasick, but HOPEFULLY I am about to come out of it! It is hard to believe that in just a few weeks we will (hopefully) be able to find out whether we will have a tie or izz will still be our only princess. We'll keep you informed!

Hope all is well with you and your family! And as soon as I get back online full-time, I will post a few pictures!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone! I had great intentions of putting lots of pictures from this season here, but my computer had other plans...I am just hoping that I can get the rest of my pictures off of it!

I hope everyone has a great Christmas, and I can't wait to hear from each of you!

Christmas time...

I LOVE christmas. It is probably my favorite time of the year! Here are a few shots of what we have been doing these last few weeks...


Picking out our Christmas tree... (I will try to put one of it decorated later)

The kids getting their ornaments this year.


Well, not every part of December has been that great. S got a cold that he couldn't shake, which turned into bronchiolitis and an ear infection. Here he is taking the breathing treatments...hopefully we are on the downside of all of this!

I got tagged!

I was tagged by Shea at http://tapsalteerie.blog-city.com/ so here is the deal...
*link to the person who tagged you
*post the rules
*name 8 things others don't know about you
*link to 8 other blogga-mamas

1-I REALLY don't like these- tell something about yourself or pass along chain letters, BUT because I love you Shea-I am doing it for you! :) I think I don't like the tell about yourself because I don't like writing about myself, but let's see how this goes...
2-I love mayo! I will sometimes eat in right out of the jar (P also got this love from me)
3-I have always wanted to be a wife, mother, and teacher! When I was little, I used to line my stuffed animals up to "teach" them.
4-Even though I miss teaching right now, I LOVE being at home with my kids (even when I have days like I wrote about last). In fact (crazy as it sounds), I am thinking about baby #4!
5-I really like Disney movies- most, but NOT Dumbo. We watched it in 8th grade, and I cried like a baby...haven't liked it since!
6-I love to laugh!! That's why comedies are one of my favorite kind of movies. Also, for those of you who know my husband, that is one of the many things that attracted me to him!
7-I love to make lists! I make them almost daily-not that I always follow them or even keep them, but I think it makes me feel in control and somewhat organized.
8-I am a big supporter of our local library! Not only do we go there to get books, but I am constantly giving them my money from fines...OUCH! There is one lady there that always jokes with me about it. I keep trying to convince her that I am vying for the new wing of the library to be named for me! :) Maybe I should follow #7 better! :)

Now I don't know 8 other people that blog (well I read other blogs, but I don't know then well enough to "tag" them..don't want to seem like the stalker type) but here are 2... Erin at http://tindalsataglance.blogspot.com/ and Erika at http://erikacounts.blogspot.com/.

**Maybe #9 needs to be that I still have ALOT to learn about computers!! I tried to set a link to the 3 others blogs, BUT it would not show up, so I had to do it manually. (sorry there are no links to these 3, but the links are over on the right side of my blog)