The End of a Chapter - Part Two

If you read Part One of this post, you know that my family said "good-bye" to my grandparents this year. Actually, my grandfather passed away in 2006 and my grandmother followed him in 2009, but his presence was still felt in her home as long as she was there. These people were more than just a mother and father, or grandparents, they were influential in so many lives. They had 4 children and in-laws, 10 grandchildren and grand in-laws, and 10 great-grandchildren. They loved us all so much, in our good times and our bad. But more than that, they taught us all so much. They taught us about hard work and caring for the needy, but most of all, they taught us about faith in God. Not a faith in words, but a faith that was lived out each day and through their works. The served faithfully for MANY years at Stansel Baptist Church, a church they loved almost as much as their family.

I mention Stansel because, it was such a dear part of my life and now my connection to it is gone. I am sure I will still attend there when our travels permit, but somehow it just won't be the same. I am so indebted to so many people from Stansel. I don't want to mention names for fear that I will leave out someone, and there have been so many wonderful people who have influenced my life. My first memories involve people from Stansel. My first friends were also Stanselites, some even still attend there with their children and grandchildren. This church is so much a part of who I am today, as a person, a mom and as a Christ-follower and I am so thankful that God is still using it today and it is thriving even after some tough years.

As I said in my previous post, there are so many parts of our lives that are but chapters, but add so much to who we become and what is said of us at the end of our lives. Stansel Baptist Church is a part of one of those chapters. To those of you who faithfully attended, served and prayed for young ones like me, thank you, God heard those prayers and even though I made quite a few mistakes, He has drawn me near to Him in spite of it all. I am so grateful to have a Godly heritage from my Simpson family and from my Stansel family.

The End of a Chapter - Part One

This Christmas was such a bittersweet one for our family. For my immediate family, it was the first, and hopefully only time, Dad was not with us for Christmas. We are so proud that he is serving his country, but we selfishly wanted him home with us. Because Dad was gone, the kids and I went to Nana's house in Florida for Christmas. We all had a WONDERFUL time with her and so many others in our family, but is was still bittersweet to not be in our home for Christmas. These are just a few of the reasons that this Christmas was a good one for our family, but also filled with sadness.

The biggest reason for our bittersweet Christmas is that this was the first Christmas without my grandmother, Marguerite Simpson. My grandfather, J. T. Simpson passed away in July 2006 and she joined him in July 2009. I have so many fond memories of celebrating holidays in their home. We may not have always been together on Christmas, but we tried to be at Grandmother and Granddaddy's sometime during the Christmas season. My grandmother didn't "put on airs" with fancy decorations, centerpieces or fine china. Our family meals together were served buffet-style on Chinet plates with red solo cups (to be washed and saved - not thrown away) for beverages, sweet tea for most. Once our plates were filled, there was jockeying for who would get to sit at what table (and the past few years, who would sit by Nana, but that is another post). Being at these family gatherings were so special and I don't think I could even count the number of meals eaten at this house. During these times together, we laughed at old stories, re-connected with cousins, aunt, uncles, brother and sisters that we didn't see often. But mostly, these gatherings were about being a Simpson. Once you entered this house, it didn't matter what was going on in your life, what you had done or hadn't done, your troubles were checked at the door. And trust me, there were many troubles checked at the door. And as I look back on those times, and as I grow as a parent, I believe that my grandparents were the happiest when their home was full of their children, in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Okay, so maybe they were the HAPPIEST when we all were gone and they were left with the quiet of the day just to be together and reminisce about the time with their family. Anyone who knew them, knew how much they loved all of us, but most of all, we knew how much they loved each other!

I had a hard time coming up with a name for this post. Originally, as I left Reform this year a few days before Christmas, I thought to myself, "this is the end of an era". And that was my first thought for this post title, but that sounds so final. Yes, my wonderful grandparents are gone, I'll never see this again this side of heaven and there are days that thought can almost paralyze me. In fact, if it weren't for the Navy and 3 little ones in the house, I think it would paralyze me, but as a Simpson, I learned to persevere no matter what was going on and so when the sadness almost overcomes me, I think of my husband and his huge sacrifice for our family or one of my little ones who needs me and I keep on going. It is also sad that there won't be the same connection with cousins, aunts and uncles. These people have all helped shape me into who I am and I am grateful to be a part of such a rich family. Yes, we all have had our share of heartache and some of us have made bad decisions along the way, but we were never forsaken at least not by a Simpson. I like to think of my life as a novel and each chapter adds to what will be read in the final chapter. So, the passing of my grandparents and the end of big family get-togethers is but an end of a chapter in my life, and the lives of so many others. It is a sad chapter, but one that has to be written in all of our lives.

Now We Are Six

Now We Are Six
Author: A.A. Milne

When I was one,
I had just begun.
When I was two,
I was nearly new.
When I was three,
I was hardly me.
When I was four,
I was not much more.
When I was five,
I was just alive.
But now I am six,
I'm as clever as clever.
So I think I'll be six
now and forever.

My oldest turned 6 this week. I thought that this birthday would be a huge milestone as I watch her move from preschooler to elementary school kid, but surprisingly it hasn't been difficult. I remember when she was a toddler thinking that I wouldn't be able to stand her, or any of the children, growing up, but it isn't so bad. Yes, those newborn days are so sweet, cuddling with your little miracle. Then there is the crawling, laughing, exploring stage that you think is just the best ever. Next comes the toddler years, and for me I waffled between thinking it was the most fun time to wondering how long we would have to endure them. After that, the "big kid" stage, at 3 and 4 they are still so cute, but growing up. Now, being with Anna is just as much fun and just as wonderful as all the other stages. I love hearing her share her thoughts with me, watching her accomplish new feats, hearing her read and seeing her grow into a sweet little girl. I wonder if my mom had these same thought as I grew from a little girl, to teenager, and now a mom.

Happy 6th Birthday my sweet Anna! I love you!

Cousins

One of my favorite thing about visiting family is seeing my kids play with their cousins. I grew up with so many cousins around or at least in the same state and I hate that my kids don't have cousins who live close. I want them to have lots of fun memories of being with Jake, Brady, Abby and Tyler. On this trip, we were lucky enough to spend time with all the cousins.

He's 2!!

Daniel had a fantastic 2nd birthday surrounded by lots of family, even though Dad wasn't here. We started the day with our traditional cinnamon roll breakfast (okay, so sometimes its pancakes, but always in the shape of the kids' year),




then it was off to open gym time and McDonalds with big sister Anna, big brother Eric, cousins Jake and Brady, Aunt Amy, Uncle John, Mom and Nana. It was a FUN morning.



(sorry Brady, somehow there wasn't a good picture of you from the gym)

We headed home for a nap and then a family dinner followed by cake and presents. Daniel had a blast getting so much attention.




And yes, Mom was a little sad about her (last) baby turning 2 and this little boy is an OLD 2! He just doesn't know the limits of most 2 year olds. While I was a little sad about his growing up and a lot sad about Dad not being here, it is nice to see our family moving into a new phase as the kiddos grow up and become more independent.


Lets see if I am as nonchalant about a child growing up when Anna turns a big 6 next week...

Homeschooling with Daniel

Okay, those of you who know Daniel know that he can be a bit of a handful. In fact, my Mom has even asked me how I would be able to teach Anna and Eric with Daniel around. I thought you might enjoy some pictures of Daniel in action in the schoolroom.




Here he is with a little direction


See, he can be tamed! And he actually has fun sitting in his chair doing "school" with his big brother and big sister!

Our First "First" of the New Year!

I know this year will be full of "first" which will be exciting but also sad without Dad to witness them. When we first arrived in Pensacola at Nana's we tried to get Anna to try riding her bike without training wheels. She did it for a bit, but then wanted them back on. After her cousins arrived and could all ride their bikes without training wheels, we thought that would motivate her to try again, but it didn't. In true Anna style, she waited until no one was "harassing" her about it and then just decided to get on a bike and ride it, no help, no falls - she just did it. She is such an independent little girl and I love that about her, even when it is frustrating. Oh, and she got to tell Dad about her new skill when he called a short time later.

Here is a photo of the big girl on two wheels!