Our second son, Calvin James Sims, was born (February 3rd).
We went on our fourth biannual-ish Oregon Coast trip with Hillary’s whole family.
We saw Marc’s dad (Jerry) get married.
Jack had his first trip to the ER.
Learned (sort-of?) how to be the parents of a toddler and a baby.
Marc injured his shoulder and had to have surgery to repair a torn labrum.
Marc attended a 9Marks Weekender conference in Washington DC.
The congregation at Quinault Baptist Church in Kennewick, WA officially voted to call Marc as their new preaching pastor/elder.
Jack began a mommy run “preschool” with three of his friends. Jack knows his alphabet, most of their phonetic sounds (and can even sound out a few words in books!), and numbers 1-10. This year he has begun memorizing answers to catechism questions and Bible verses.
Calvin is working on winning the prize for easiest baby in the world. He is rarely unhappy, LOVES mom, cuddling, and (usually) is an easy napper.
We finished seminary! Marc graduated with his Master’s of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
We said many sad goodbyes to our wonderful church in Louisville, Immanuel Baptist Church.
We moved across the country, back to the beautiful Pacific Northwest! Marc preached his first sermon at Quinault as one of their pastors on December 29th.
We decided to build a multi-generational home with Hillary’s parents in Kennewick.
We saw display after display of the Lord’s kindness to us. Every year we feel like we are being stretched and pushed further than the previous one, but each year the Lord meets us where we are at and gives us what we need. His grace really is sufficient.
Hillary’s last picture of her pregnant with CalvinJack’s first snowman, lovingly called “Hair”Calvin James Sims, born February 3rd, 6 lbs 15 oz.
Jack’s first time meeting Calvin
We spent A LOT of time at the Louisville zoo.The only thing Jack loves more than his stuffed animals is a good blanket fort (to share with all the stuffed animals, of course).This year Jack got really into I Spy books. We would check several out from the library, and many mornings Jack would wake up and have some time to just look through them or other library books (often with mommy).At a Louisville Bats baseball game.Jack fell in love with his tee-ball set this year.Jack started potty-training and wearing big boy underwear! This was his reaction to wearing his first pair (which he soiled about 15 minutes after this picture was taken).EasterOne of Jack’s best friends, Maya.Our wonderful small-group, together for a classy Easter picture.Oregon Coast, May
Jack’s first sandcastle
Amma (Jack’s nickname for Hillary’s mom) made Jack a toy phone with a voice recording of her leaving him a message so he would have something to play with and remember her by after we had to leave the Coast. Needless to say, Jack loved it.
Marc’s dad’s wedding, JuneÂ
Jack loved his Amma visits
Jack split his lip open falling onto a metal watering can. It took three stitches, three nurses, a doctor, and mom and dad to hold him down in the ER to get the stitches in. It was pretty awful. Luckily, he recovered pretty quickly.
There was a small park just down the street from our home; we spent most days, weather permitting, taking a trip or two down there to play.Kentucky State Fair, August
Marc’s last “first” day of school ever!Fall Festival at Marc’s School, SeptemberJack’s first cotton candy
Jack’s friends who did preschool with him: Ransom (spiderman), Hudson, and Addi. Jack loved getting to spend time with his friends.Marc’s trip to a conference for school in Washington D.C. The church the conference was hosted at was on Capitol Hill, three blocks from the Supreme Court.Calvin and his little friend, Elli.
Picking apples at a local orchard. Jack thought it was hilarious to pick the apples off the tree and then “accidentally” drop them on dad’s head.Halloween! Jack and Calvin dressed up as Mario and Luigi.A nearby forest reserve (Bernheim) that would host artists to create sculptures along the walking trails. Jack was fairly terrified of this for awhile.Had some early snow this year! Snow in November.
Marc, his dad, and his brother-in-law, who all drove the long four day drive from KY to WA.ChristmasJack’s third birthday (waffles at his request)The foundation of our new home being built!
Marc Sims 