2015 New Year's Resoultions

   So, how many of us are coming out of our “Christmas Coma” today? The Simcox house definitely is. Daddy is back to work after 13 glorious days off, most of which were spent traveling and visiting with family. The kids and I start homeschool again today. I went to the grocery store last night so we could stop eating cookies and candy canes and calling it breakfast. 

   And that brings me to the resolutions portion of this post. We are fat. Just fat fatties. And dying for the first payday after Christmas. And I probably have a bunch of cavities now.  I started us back on Trim Healthy Mama today. (I’ll post about that later. Just google it.) Well, actually we are doing a modified version since I was out of everything and had sticker shock at Kroger last night. So I did not buy everything on my list. But I did buy three random Christmas items and like 10 bags of chocolate chips because it was all 75% off. WTC?! Which is always stupid because now I will have to go to Walgreens 4 times this week and pay double for what I actually needed. And I have 10 bags of chocolate chips to tempt me.

   I remember my mom would send dad to the grocery store when I was a kid, and he would come back without something...say, bananas. I vividly remember him exclaiming, “They were .43 cents a pound! I paid .33 cents a pound last week at Spring Street. So I didn’t get them.”  So it would have cost, like, less than a dollar more to just buy them??!? So here we were without bananas, and mom would go the next day to Wal-mart and buy $100.00 on other random stuff that we probably didn’t even need and forget the bananas. True. Story. Needless to say, my dear husband went to Wal-mart at 9pm last night to buy me contact lens solution. I have turned into my parents.

So here are my resolutions for 2015. (so far anyway)

Write on my blog, oftenish.

Eat on plan. (Trim Healthy Mama)

Use cash and stick to the budget. (This is rocket science for us.)

Exercise, regularlyish.

Teach my daughter to sew with the sewing machine.

Pray more.

Read the Bible more.

Abandon perfection.

   So far today I have nursed a baby twice, scrambled 7 eggs, cooked 5 slices of toast, washed dishes, changed 2 diapers, cleaned up pee all over the bathroom floor (mom of boys problem), and given 1 child a bath (hence the aiming pee problem). And it is not even 10 am. None of which are a part of my resolutions. Just life. So, I am choosing today to embrace the mundane, love my family, and I am posting this entry despite the fact that it is not as perfect as I would like. 

Here’s some of God’s word to get us all through!

“From the end of the Earth I will cry to you, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2

“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then you knew my path.” Psalm 142:3a

“Commit you way unto the Lord, and He will act.” Psalm 37:5

“Finally, be strong in the LORD and in his mighty power.” Eph 6:2

What are your goals for 2015? Let’s do it!

Alice

Summer Sweetness

I have procrastinated horribly in posting this entry from the 4th of July. Here ya go!

This week we are on vacation. We chose to stay close to home in order to visit my brother-in-law who is in from college. We have been swimming, visiting friends and family, staying up late, riding the golf cart, playing games, eating lots of awesome unhealthy food, and in general having a great time. As I type this, my husband and I are in a crowded pavilion at Lake Tansi with our two kids and tons of other campers watching a late night cartoon. I have seen this one several times, so I am "cheating" in the back row by typing this blog entry. Every few minutes my 6 year old daughter glances back at me and smiles as the entire group bursts into laughter.  My 4 year old son has been eating popcorn non stop; I really don't know where he is putting it all!  The cool night air coming off the lake is simply nostalgic of childhood summertime bliss, innocence, and simpler times. Lightening bugs and fireworks glimmer off the lake in the distance. I keep thinking to myself, "I don't want to forget any of this." My daughter's sweet little bobbed head in front of me (she suddenly HAD to have a big girl hair cut yesterday), my husband playing the guitar and writing songs around the campfire, and my son dropping his drawers to pee in the bushes (which was oddly enough in front of a window) are all treasures from this week. There are moments each day that we choose what attitude we will have. This week a few sharp words have been said, we had some extremely early morning wake-up calls from the kids, experienced a lot of unexpected rain,  and a few times I felt the beach calling my name. However, those thoughts are not thankful and would lead me to a week of discontent and an opportunity for pleasure and rest missed.   It reminds me of the scripture, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." If you treasure something you cling to it, dwell on it, and it becomes your focus. When we choose that bad attitude and allow all of the worries and negatives to remain in the forefront of our minds, we are treasuring them. Look past the hiccups and disappointments. There are sweet times and song filled days in our midst. Receive the blessing of today. The to-do list never ends, but your kids being little will. Enjoy today! It is a holy gift. 
Love, Alice

They were so excited to visit a "neighbor" at the campground's pet bird!

The Extravagant Adventures of Robert and Molly

  So Matt has started a new bedtime tradition - he writes and recites a new original story every night for the kids in the series, The Extravagant Adventures of Robert and Molly. It all started one night about a week ago. Addison would rather die than go to bed when it is time. So she proceeded to beg feverishly with lots of tears for "just one more story." (This is when I quickly evacuate the area.) Matt was stuck. At the time, I think he thought it was easier to quickly make up a story to appease her than grab one from the shelf. 15 minutes later he was still going, and roars of laughter were ensuing from her room. He finally ended for the evening, and the sweet girl eagerly grabbed his arm and said, "Daddy, can we go rent the movie?" Well, that was all he needed, and so the tradition will continue. Every night, both kids beg for the next adventure while hanging on his every word. I am not sure who enjoys this more!

On another note, you probably noticed the empty room with a mattress on the floor. We are having the wood floors refinished starting tomorrow. We are so excited! Unfortunately, the kids and I will have to evacuate. But the timining is perfect for a week long trip to visit family over Thanksgiving. Then, we can finally get moved in for real!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Summer of Swim!

I actually wrote this at the end of summer, but I couldn't figure out how to upload my pictures at the time. Since then, we have started homeschooling, bought a house, traveled out of state without the kids, and a lot of other things I am going to blog about in the near future :) So, whatever - here it is...

    This has definitely been the summer of chlorine, bathing suits, and endless loads of towel washing. The summer of swim! Seriously, I could tell anyone how to get from Green Hills to Prarie Life Gym in Cool Springs with my eyes closed and both hands tied behind my back. We spent 5 weeks burning up the road Monday thru Friday heading to our swim lessons. Our new friend to the famous (no lie - she seriously is THE go to survival swim instructor to all the Nashville celebs and soccer moms alike), Kennette Pyles, taught my children how to jump in the water fully clothed head to toe, swim under water, and flip onto their back to get air and call for help. We are so excited! To prove our zeal - if you came over to visit this summer, my husband enjoyed randomly throwing the kids up way too high in the pool "to see what happens" to make sure he got his money's worth. Very scary, but they "usually" liked it for some weird reason :).

   This was taken right before his swim test. Yes, I am aware he is wearing high waters; we gave the jeans away after this picture was taken. It is amazing how fast they grow in between seasons! We were so nervous. He freaked out earlier that week and did this wild "tornado spiral under water thing" when he ran out of breath vs. rolling to his back and floating. Thankfully, Mrs. Kennette was there to intervene. However, he did UH-mazing on his test day! I actually think the clunky shoes helped him remember to not kick and let his feet rise to the water's surface.

   Here is a picture of Fisher and Mrs. Kennette after his test. Addie acted all goofy and wouldn't take a picture. She did equally awesome!

    We saw her at WalMart a couple of weeks ago and Addison just kept staring at her. It was so funny, because I think it was the only time we saw the rest of her body, from the shoulders down, and not in a wet suit. She was all smiles and of course -  there to buy goggles for a student. Kennette is precious to our family and helped turn an almost tragedy into triumph. I would like to note that I had found another instructor closer to our home, but I specifically wanted Kennette because of her story. She became an instructor in honor of her 3 year old son, Ryan. He passed away several years ago while on a family camping vacation to the lake. Like Fisher, everyone was watching the kids. However he unknowingly wandered away and drowned nearby.  She flew to Florida, received survival swim training for her then 18 month old daughter, and later became certified to teach the lessons. She is the first in the area to receive certification and has saved hundreds of lives by sharing her knowledge. 

    Kennette's amazing passion to honor Ryan and help children learn to survive in the water has deeply impacted the Nashville area. 

   If you are remotely nearby, give her a call! Here is the web address to her website, The Ryan Pyles Aquatic Foundation - www.rpafswim.wordpress.com

Blessings,

Alice

100 Posts Challenge

Ok, so it has been a while my friends! (I know all 8 of you have been sighing as each day passed with no entries, haha.) Seriously, I have realized that if I want to be a writer I must...ahem...write. So, I have issued myself a 100 post challenge! It is not much of a challenge unless there is a deadline, so I give myself one year. That would even out to be 8-9 posts a month, which will be much more intense than my current pace. Don't you just love accountability?! Send me any helpful links on making my blog better. By the way, this counts as #1!  ;)

I leave you with this:

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

I am THE QUEEN of not following through, so ask me about this often!

Much love,
A

Fisher, Our Miracle

This is a hard entry to write this morning. As I recollect the events of the past 3 weeks, I am amazed at how much life our family has experienced. We went to Lake Tansi to visit with Matt's family and then to my parents to swim and visit over Memorial weekend. The kids love their grandparents so much, and we had an awesome time. Addie told me that Saturday, "Momma, today is the best day of my whole life!" Here are a few pics Matt snapped while at the lake.

On Monday, we swam and ate lunch outside at my parents' house. The kids played for hours with Uncle Brandon and Aunt Becca. (For some reason we never remember to take pics at their house, but let me assure you it was great.) My mom, dad, my husband, and my younger brother were all visiting together as well. Both kids jumped off the diving board, Fisher for the first time. He was so proud! I remember thinking, "What a perfect day!"

As the day wore on, we all relaxed, too much really. Everyone was helping watch the kids, so I loved actually being able to sit for a while. As a mom, you constantly play the counting game. At the park, talking to the other moms while watching one child on the slide and pushing the other on a swing - 1,2. Every few seconds, you look around for their faces and count them all to make sure everyone is still accounted for. That day swimming, I did the same from a lawn chair. At one point I counted Addie, but couldn't find Fisher. He had been playing with a watering can "helping" water the flowers, picnic table, and any other object he could find. I wondered where he was, glanced at the pool, and then decided he must still be by the sidewalk playing, as the pool was calm and everyone was out.

This is the part that kills me; it really hurts. I leaned back into my chair. I had full confidence that Fisher must have been just around the corner still watering, safe. This is totally not like me, but for whatever reason that is what I did. But thankfully, I serve an amazing God that graciously intervenes when I fail. God was prompting my heart, but I didn't respond acutely or swiftly. So, the Lord did a modern day miracle. He used my brother, Will, to save the day and my son.

Now if you know Will, his name is enough. If you don't, let me paint a picture. Will is 20 years old. He has a frail frame standing about 5' 6" and can't see very well without his glasses (that he was not wearing that day as we were swimming). Will does exactly what he wants all the time which would include eating honey buns, clapping and vocal ticking or anything else like that if he thinks it will get on your nerves, and he is Autistic. He is quite sharp and can read at a 4th grade level, but he does have multiple disabilities and developmental delays. It was only seconds later after I settled into my chair, that Will walked across the patio and stood looking down at his feet and the water. He calmly replied, "Mom, Fisher is in the pool." Fast forward 2 seconds and 3 adults were in the pool clinging to a sputtering and crying child. We took him to the ER as we were unsure if he ingested water and feared dry drowning, which can happen up to 24 hours after the incident. They did X-rays and fully evaluated and released him. His lungs were completely clear and he was totally fine.

I know a miracle when I see one, and this is it. I should be blogging about my dead 3 year old son right now, but God chose to intervene.

"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield." Psalm 5:11-12

I pray over my children every night for angels to guard over them and for the Lord to build a hedge of protection around our family. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to see His protection in action, as I am sure this type of thing happens constantly without my knowledge.

For the past 3 weeks, Matt and I have gone through a lot in regards to Fisher's near death experience. We have felt extreme guilt for not seeing him fall in and watching him more closely. We took his life jacket off to eat and were getting ready to go back inside, but we had a gap of several minutes where he was not protected. There was no splash or movement in the water, and we were not the ones who found him first. We were both sitting 10 feet away, and he was dying. (Please refrain from commenting by trying to straighten me out. I know it is no one's fault. Everyone thought someone else "had" him. It happens. I know.) Matt and I had nightmares. Fisher had night terrors. We either slept in his bed or put him in ours for a week. When we did sleep, it was only a couple hours here and there. What if God had not intervened? Why did my child live and others don't? We knew God would have walked with us through grief as well, but we kept thinking about what it would be like if he had not made it.

But slowly, mercifully, the Lord is piecing us back together. Exactly 3 Mondays later, Fisher started ISR (Infant Survival Rescue) swimming lessons. They are quite expensive, but worth every penny. They teach small children and babies how to hold their breath, flip over on their back, and float while they breathe and call for help. As the children age, they teach them to flip back over on their tummy and swim to safety. For the "test" at the end of several weeks of one-on-one training, they jump into the pool fully clothed, shoes and all. They flip, float, and swim. 86% of child drownings happen fully clothed. They are usually playing with toys or trying to reach something near the water's edge, as sweet Fisher was with his watering can. I always thought my kids would just learn to swim sort of on their own, like my siblings and I did growing up. Please be more proactive about this that I was, and get them trained at a young age. Don't rely on life jackets (unless you are at the lake). Use water wings if you must, and stay by their side. A friend told me recently, "Kids don't learn to swim unless their mom gets her hair wet." So get in there with them! Teach them to respect water and let them know they will sink if they can't swim yet. Practice floating, and do the ISR lessons if you can find them in your area.

Today, life is good but different. We are a little on edge, especially concerning our kids' safety. We have taught Addie to float on her back, and she can swim under water for several feet. She is in hog heaven about it! We just made a bid on a bank owned property, our first house if we had the highest bid. It is a season marked with joy, but apprehension as well. As people, we all wonder...Can I do it? Do I have what it takes? What do I do next? Can we survive or make it through this? I can not imagine how it would be walking alone without my Savior. If you do not feel God in your life or wonder if He even exists, let me assure you that He does. Start praying, asking God if He is real to show himself to you. Read a Bible. Pray for Him to place people in your life to help you find Him. (He does not leave you if you are a believer. It is the other way around). He is good, real, and loves you like a maniac. But He will not come into your life uninvited. If you are a believer, invite Him into your life. Sound strange? Well, let me explain. Satan is real as well. Scripture tells us,

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Satan has power on Earth and pushes his way into our lives. The Lord is a gentleman, and he waits for us to ask Him into our life. Notice what I am saying, Satan is NOT more powerful by any means, but he has been turned loose on earth. We must be intentional about bathing ourselves and others in prayer for God to be involved in the circumstances we encounter day to day. Ask God for protection, guidance, and wisdom. It is a beautiful picture really. We ask, and then we truly see when God answers our prayers so we can give Him glory instead of chalking it up to luck.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find. knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

Well, this was long but I wanted to praise God for what all He has been doing in our midst!

Blessings,
Alice

Almost Perfect

“Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.”  Psalm 21:6

   For several years, I have battled my natural tendency to see my glass in life as being half full. I have a knack in naturally finding what is not perfect and either whining about it or trying to make it better (which is exhausting). Sometimes I mull it over in my mind constantly. Other times, I vent and drag whatever poor and unsuspecting soul is listening into the pit with me, usually my optimistic husband. The result is a perpetual cloud looming overhead and shadowing otherwise sunny places in my life, coupled with a general lack of contentment. However, last fall I experienced a breakthrough. Ann Voskamp has written a much talked about book, “One Thousand Gifts”, and it has opened my mind and heart to a full and overflowing glass. 

   She speaks of letting moments rest for what they truly are, and praying for God to give you a heart of thankfulness. Then, she went on to make a list of 1,000 things she was thankful for in her life. For example, her entries included “jam on toast’ and “hair blowing in the wind cold wild”. I knew she was onto something, so I did the same thing. (Of course I had to rewrite my list after I started in a little green journal to satisfy my OCD self.) 

   Well, the proof is in the pudding folks! As I am sitting on the couch belting this entry out, I am overcome with my beautiful and “almost perfect” life. (BTW, that was supposed to make you crack a smile or even laugh out loud if you know me well.) The afternoon sunlight is pouring in the glass doors in our Green Hills apartment, the wind chimes are striking a sweet melody with the gentle breeze, Matt and I are house hunting and dreaming big on a daily basis, my kids are taking a nap...at the same time (GRIN), and I just ate a delicious omelette with Trader Joe’s salsa. Old Alice would have been frantically cleaning something or worse yet, sitting on Facebook looking at her friends’ awesome photos and reading about their adventures while thinking, “My ship will come someday, but not today. Today I am sitting on the couch like a loser in a 900 square foot apartment, eating a freakin’ omelette at 3 pm because I didn’t have time for lunch (AND I got lost driving all around Nashville for 2 hours this am, it was the only edible thing in the fridge, and I ate the same thing I ate for breakfast btw). Our dream house was sold out from under us this morning. Oh yeah, and the fire alarm has been going off in the hallway ALL afternoon. Sob, sob, sob!” Now, doesn’t she sound pathetic. Poor girl, she had such blessing all around her and never had a clue! 

   I can not rewrite the past, and I don’t even want to. Whatever unnecessary grief I have thrust on myself as a result of negativity or lack of contentment brought me where I am today. My life isn’t perfect, and it is not supposed to be. That is part of the beauty. It gives a need for grace, and I love that! We can experience complete joy and fullness in life with a heart of thanksgiving in Christ. It sounds simple, but hey - that’s the way He does things!

Blessings,

Alice