These 3 videos are my kids' latest youtube obsession
Not sure why it's so addictive but they think it is hilarious and the tune is kinda catchy...
have fun
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Pictures would be nice
Thought I'd start adding some pictures. If you have read my previous 2 posts, you'll know what you're looking at. See what I mean about context? (the first picture of the rainbow is just for fun...it was so neat)
Enjoy
Enjoy
May
Well my last post told about Lent and Easter which I think brought us to the first weekend in April. The rest of April was pretty routine. Routine as in busy with school and church and Eric frantically trying to complete research papers and reading assignments; you know, that kind of routine. Well May was a complete blur...particularly the first 2 weeks of May. Let me sum up:
* At long last, Eric graduated with his Masters of Arts degree in Theology on May 8. We all (the 5 of us and my parents) went to Nashville to watch him walk. Mom and Dad stayed with Eric's folks and we stayed at Dawn and Brad's so the kids could play. My oldest niece, Audra, had just had her 10th birthday the day before we got there and Ethan's 6th birthday was on Sunday the 9th AND Mother's Day was also that Sunday. It was quite the weekend of celebrations. We got to leave all 5 kids with a babysitter that Sat. of graduation to have a wonderful meal at a nice restaurant and some sweet friends from here (who now live in the Nashville area) were able to join us. I left that weekend feeling very blessed and thankful.
* The very next weekend was Ethan's birthday party here at our house and also Jaylie's first ever ballet recital. Jerry and Joyce came down here for that weekend of more celebrations. We had a lot of fun. Ethan enjoyed his friends and his party. Jaylie's recital was beautiful. It was just another wonderful weekend.
* The rest of the month consisted of state testing at Isaac's school, end of the year Fun Days, Field Days and parties. The day school let out, my parents took the kids on to Galveston. We followed them on Sunday after church. So Eric and I had a couple of days of eating out and seeing a movie and just doing whatever we wanted, which is always nice. Unfortunately, mom and dad wound up having to handle the first-ever Livingston kid stitches. Ethan busted his head on my Pawpaw's dresser and gashed it open. 3 stitches, some tears and a couple of hours later, they finished their trip and got to Galveston with no more incidents.
So look, we're up to June! Now I'm just a couple of weeks off. I do have more to say than just a rehashing of our daily activities. I do think deep thoughts, but thought that I needed to get this thing up to speed, for context purposes.
Hope everyone is well and happy and managing to stay cool. Currently I'm sweating; I hate sweating. Off to the pool!
Much love
D
* At long last, Eric graduated with his Masters of Arts degree in Theology on May 8. We all (the 5 of us and my parents) went to Nashville to watch him walk. Mom and Dad stayed with Eric's folks and we stayed at Dawn and Brad's so the kids could play. My oldest niece, Audra, had just had her 10th birthday the day before we got there and Ethan's 6th birthday was on Sunday the 9th AND Mother's Day was also that Sunday. It was quite the weekend of celebrations. We got to leave all 5 kids with a babysitter that Sat. of graduation to have a wonderful meal at a nice restaurant and some sweet friends from here (who now live in the Nashville area) were able to join us. I left that weekend feeling very blessed and thankful.
* The very next weekend was Ethan's birthday party here at our house and also Jaylie's first ever ballet recital. Jerry and Joyce came down here for that weekend of more celebrations. We had a lot of fun. Ethan enjoyed his friends and his party. Jaylie's recital was beautiful. It was just another wonderful weekend.
* The rest of the month consisted of state testing at Isaac's school, end of the year Fun Days, Field Days and parties. The day school let out, my parents took the kids on to Galveston. We followed them on Sunday after church. So Eric and I had a couple of days of eating out and seeing a movie and just doing whatever we wanted, which is always nice. Unfortunately, mom and dad wound up having to handle the first-ever Livingston kid stitches. Ethan busted his head on my Pawpaw's dresser and gashed it open. 3 stitches, some tears and a couple of hours later, they finished their trip and got to Galveston with no more incidents.
So look, we're up to June! Now I'm just a couple of weeks off. I do have more to say than just a rehashing of our daily activities. I do think deep thoughts, but thought that I needed to get this thing up to speed, for context purposes.
Hope everyone is well and happy and managing to stay cool. Currently I'm sweating; I hate sweating. Off to the pool!
Much love
D
Friday, June 18, 2010
Been a while
So I guess I should quit feeling bad about my bogging irregularity and just accept that I may only blog once a quarter. Lots has happened since my last post, of course, and I think that it would take waaaay too long to do a thorough update so, here's my plan: I'm just going to take the next few posts to try to hit the highest points.
This year, I participated in Lent for the first time ever. I have never observed Lent, ever. I decided that I would give up coffee. Now, this may be small potatoes to some people but coffee (and flavored creamer) are a special treat to me; a special daily indulgence. I don't HAVE to have it, as in I don't have to have my daily dose of caffeine, but I really enjoy having coffee. As I was thinking about doing this, I didn't really think I'd have the nerve, so I didn't tell anyone. But I got up on Ash Wednesday and didn't make any coffee. Same thing on Thursday. Anyway, it went on and I got a bit more comfortable with the idea that I was giving it up. I felt really good about it because I don't think I've ever given anything up ever. That seems pretty selfish even just to write. Basically, what this says about me is that I do what I want all the time because I want to. How narcissistic is that? Every time I really wanted to have some coffee, I just thought about what Jesus gave up in the desert while being tempted; what he gave up in the day to day walk on this planet compared with the glories of heaven; what he endured during his trial and crucifixion...coffee seemed kinda trite.
Anyway, for 40 days, despite some stressful definite coffee drinking moments, I didn't have a sip. All this thinking about Jesus and his sacrifice all the time really got me into the most excited mood for Easter that I have ever had. I really think this is the point of Lent, after all. But the night before Easter I set my coffee maker to start at 6 the next morning. I woke up Easter Sunday with this thought,"The tomb is empty. He has risen!" I thought about that while I showered. After I was done, I wrapped up my hair, put on my robe and went to make sure Eric was awake. "He is risen!" I said to him. "He has risen indeed.", Eric said back. I was so excited. I told him,"Wouldn't it be incredible if we were the only people on Earth who knew that? Like the ladies at the tomb that morning?" I was just giddy. I went out and made my first cup of coffee, I grabbed my bible, and went to enjoy my first cup in 40 days while I read all of the Empty Tomb accounts in each gospel. Worship was wonderful that morning. The rest of the day was restful and peaceful...it was the best Easter I've ever had.
That's pretty much all I have to say about that but what I've been processing since then is, "Why could I give up some very special thing to me for 40 days for Lent, but not give up other things in my life." These things would be: Eating things that aren't good for me, choosing to not exercise, choosing to not spend regular time in prayer and scripture reading...you know the drill. Having never been successful giving things up makes me wonder why I was this time. Then I think,"Because it was for Him. And those other things are just for me." Well, maybe they are and maybe they're not. I'm still processing...yes, I know I'm slow.
Hope all is well for each of you. Enjoy summer
D
This year, I participated in Lent for the first time ever. I have never observed Lent, ever. I decided that I would give up coffee. Now, this may be small potatoes to some people but coffee (and flavored creamer) are a special treat to me; a special daily indulgence. I don't HAVE to have it, as in I don't have to have my daily dose of caffeine, but I really enjoy having coffee. As I was thinking about doing this, I didn't really think I'd have the nerve, so I didn't tell anyone. But I got up on Ash Wednesday and didn't make any coffee. Same thing on Thursday. Anyway, it went on and I got a bit more comfortable with the idea that I was giving it up. I felt really good about it because I don't think I've ever given anything up ever. That seems pretty selfish even just to write. Basically, what this says about me is that I do what I want all the time because I want to. How narcissistic is that? Every time I really wanted to have some coffee, I just thought about what Jesus gave up in the desert while being tempted; what he gave up in the day to day walk on this planet compared with the glories of heaven; what he endured during his trial and crucifixion...coffee seemed kinda trite.
Anyway, for 40 days, despite some stressful definite coffee drinking moments, I didn't have a sip. All this thinking about Jesus and his sacrifice all the time really got me into the most excited mood for Easter that I have ever had. I really think this is the point of Lent, after all. But the night before Easter I set my coffee maker to start at 6 the next morning. I woke up Easter Sunday with this thought,"The tomb is empty. He has risen!" I thought about that while I showered. After I was done, I wrapped up my hair, put on my robe and went to make sure Eric was awake. "He is risen!" I said to him. "He has risen indeed.", Eric said back. I was so excited. I told him,"Wouldn't it be incredible if we were the only people on Earth who knew that? Like the ladies at the tomb that morning?" I was just giddy. I went out and made my first cup of coffee, I grabbed my bible, and went to enjoy my first cup in 40 days while I read all of the Empty Tomb accounts in each gospel. Worship was wonderful that morning. The rest of the day was restful and peaceful...it was the best Easter I've ever had.
That's pretty much all I have to say about that but what I've been processing since then is, "Why could I give up some very special thing to me for 40 days for Lent, but not give up other things in my life." These things would be: Eating things that aren't good for me, choosing to not exercise, choosing to not spend regular time in prayer and scripture reading...you know the drill. Having never been successful giving things up makes me wonder why I was this time. Then I think,"Because it was for Him. And those other things are just for me." Well, maybe they are and maybe they're not. I'm still processing...yes, I know I'm slow.
Hope all is well for each of you. Enjoy summer
D
Monday, March 15, 2010
I might as well
I have a bit of time (shocker!) and so I might as well update my silly excuse for a blog. I have had so many things that I ought to write about, but I just haven't. Not sure quite why but nevertheless, the cyber-masses (all 3 of you who read my blog) will just have to do without knowing some of the minutia of my life.
So this is what's up: Spring Break is here! It really is. The Bradford Pear trees are in full bloom and look like fluffy clouds have been caught on them. They are really pretty. Things are starting to poke up in my garden; the rose bushes all have new leaves. In short, the earth is waking up around here and I am thrilled to see it. Of course, the yellow pollen is starting to shake loose and I'm not all that thrilled about that but after the winter we've had, I'll take Spring anyday, yellow dust and all!
The kids and I are headed to Nashville tomorrow to hang out with Dawn and the girls while Brad is writing. My nieces are the only cousins my kids have and so when they get to missing each other pretty fiercely, we try to get them together.
Just about all my friends are taking their kids and going somewhere. I've decided that Spring Break is the time when moms and kids go off on a little trip while the dads stay here and work. It doesn't sound all that great for the dads EXCEPT that they'll have peace and quiet here in which to enjoy lots and lots of basketball. Not a bad deal for them.
We have had some home improvement projects going on. A couple of weeks ago Eric and my Dad tore out our old kitchen countertops to make ready for our new granite ones. They are soooo pretty and cleaning these smooth counters is so sooo soooo much easier than my ceramic tile ones with grout grooves and all that. As with most home improvement projects, once you start updating one thing, lots of other things begin to appear dated. So, with the new counters we 'had' to replace the sink (after all, who wants an old white ceramic sink when you could have a new stainless undermount one?) which meant we had to also get a new faucet for the sink. Then, all of the brass and white ceramic door/drawer handles suddenly didn't match so those had to be replaced with new stainless ones, and then the light fixture (which is also brass and ceramic) seems to stick out so we bought a new one of those to match all the stainless touches. It's not installed yet but it will be at some point when Eric has time. We also replaced our old dishwasher, because it didn't work anymore, not because it didn't match anything. It was a legitimate replacement.
In addition to all of that, Eric has been building us a new--custom--shower for our master bathroom. Why a builder goes to all the trouble and expense to build a beautiful master bathroom complete with a huge jacuzzi tub and then puts a tiny 2.5 by 3 foot stand up shower stall in there is just beyond me. Of course, when you're only 5'3" you don't really notice things like how short the whole thing is or that you can look out over the shower door but that was the case for Eric. So, a while ago, he and Dad tore out the fiberglass shower and gutted the space down to the studs. Eric has done the rest pretty much on his own. There is a LOT of prep that has to be done in ensuring that the space will be waterproof and all that before any tile could be laid. I have been able to help some with the tiling but since it is still a relatively small space, it's not like we can both be in there spreading thinset and laying tile. I'm mostly the assistant. But he's given us a LOT more space. The tile goes up 9 feet so we won't have to worry about the water pinging off of his head and damaging the drywall. He's built me a little ledge to put my foot on whilst shaving my legs and also built 2 cubbies into the wall for shampoo and things like that. All that's left now is to grout, seal the grout, install the faucet and install the door. Then there'll be some touch up painting and things like that bus as soon as that door is on, it'll be fully functional!
Eric graduates in May and it couldn't come soon enough. He's been super stressed with all these house things in addition to midterm tests and research paper writing and sermon planning (he preached last week) and planning the talent show at church and Easter is coming up...It will be a happy, happy day when he is done with school. We're just hanging on til then.
The kids are all healthy as of 1:54 on Monday. Jaylie and Ethan were both sick last week. We've broken the nebulizer out for Ethan and will keep him on his preventative treatments through pollen season at least. Poor little fella. Isaac had a great time in basketball again this season and has improved quite a bit since last year. Jaylie continues to love ballet. Her first recital is in May. She may dance at the Meadowbrook talent show. Last night at our fellowship supper, Lan (a sweet 15 year old who is super talented) performed a song and so Jaylie decided to accompany him with her interpretive dance. Of course, it was sweet and he was gracious about it. She just loves to dance.
I think that just about catches you up to now. I will try (without promising) to blog again before too long. Hope you all enjoy spring in all its glory. Whatever allergy meds you have to be on to get out there and play---take them! It's worth it.
Much love
D
So this is what's up: Spring Break is here! It really is. The Bradford Pear trees are in full bloom and look like fluffy clouds have been caught on them. They are really pretty. Things are starting to poke up in my garden; the rose bushes all have new leaves. In short, the earth is waking up around here and I am thrilled to see it. Of course, the yellow pollen is starting to shake loose and I'm not all that thrilled about that but after the winter we've had, I'll take Spring anyday, yellow dust and all!
The kids and I are headed to Nashville tomorrow to hang out with Dawn and the girls while Brad is writing. My nieces are the only cousins my kids have and so when they get to missing each other pretty fiercely, we try to get them together.
Just about all my friends are taking their kids and going somewhere. I've decided that Spring Break is the time when moms and kids go off on a little trip while the dads stay here and work. It doesn't sound all that great for the dads EXCEPT that they'll have peace and quiet here in which to enjoy lots and lots of basketball. Not a bad deal for them.
We have had some home improvement projects going on. A couple of weeks ago Eric and my Dad tore out our old kitchen countertops to make ready for our new granite ones. They are soooo pretty and cleaning these smooth counters is so sooo soooo much easier than my ceramic tile ones with grout grooves and all that. As with most home improvement projects, once you start updating one thing, lots of other things begin to appear dated. So, with the new counters we 'had' to replace the sink (after all, who wants an old white ceramic sink when you could have a new stainless undermount one?) which meant we had to also get a new faucet for the sink. Then, all of the brass and white ceramic door/drawer handles suddenly didn't match so those had to be replaced with new stainless ones, and then the light fixture (which is also brass and ceramic) seems to stick out so we bought a new one of those to match all the stainless touches. It's not installed yet but it will be at some point when Eric has time. We also replaced our old dishwasher, because it didn't work anymore, not because it didn't match anything. It was a legitimate replacement.
In addition to all of that, Eric has been building us a new--custom--shower for our master bathroom. Why a builder goes to all the trouble and expense to build a beautiful master bathroom complete with a huge jacuzzi tub and then puts a tiny 2.5 by 3 foot stand up shower stall in there is just beyond me. Of course, when you're only 5'3" you don't really notice things like how short the whole thing is or that you can look out over the shower door but that was the case for Eric. So, a while ago, he and Dad tore out the fiberglass shower and gutted the space down to the studs. Eric has done the rest pretty much on his own. There is a LOT of prep that has to be done in ensuring that the space will be waterproof and all that before any tile could be laid. I have been able to help some with the tiling but since it is still a relatively small space, it's not like we can both be in there spreading thinset and laying tile. I'm mostly the assistant. But he's given us a LOT more space. The tile goes up 9 feet so we won't have to worry about the water pinging off of his head and damaging the drywall. He's built me a little ledge to put my foot on whilst shaving my legs and also built 2 cubbies into the wall for shampoo and things like that. All that's left now is to grout, seal the grout, install the faucet and install the door. Then there'll be some touch up painting and things like that bus as soon as that door is on, it'll be fully functional!
Eric graduates in May and it couldn't come soon enough. He's been super stressed with all these house things in addition to midterm tests and research paper writing and sermon planning (he preached last week) and planning the talent show at church and Easter is coming up...It will be a happy, happy day when he is done with school. We're just hanging on til then.
The kids are all healthy as of 1:54 on Monday. Jaylie and Ethan were both sick last week. We've broken the nebulizer out for Ethan and will keep him on his preventative treatments through pollen season at least. Poor little fella. Isaac had a great time in basketball again this season and has improved quite a bit since last year. Jaylie continues to love ballet. Her first recital is in May. She may dance at the Meadowbrook talent show. Last night at our fellowship supper, Lan (a sweet 15 year old who is super talented) performed a song and so Jaylie decided to accompany him with her interpretive dance. Of course, it was sweet and he was gracious about it. She just loves to dance.
I think that just about catches you up to now. I will try (without promising) to blog again before too long. Hope you all enjoy spring in all its glory. Whatever allergy meds you have to be on to get out there and play---take them! It's worth it.
Much love
D
Friday, January 8, 2010
New Year, New Start
Happy 2010 everyone. Hope you ushered in the New Year with happy hearts.
The break was a whirlwind for our family. My mother left to be with my Grandmother as she began hospice 2 weeks before Christmas all the festivities were different with her absence. Eric had the bright idea to set his laptop webcam up in the living room so that we could let her see the kids open gifts. I had my phone on speaker so we could all hear and talk. She felt a bit more connected that way.
We had planned to leave for Missouri on the 27th (my bday) to visit Eric's grandparents and uncles and aunts. I selfishly hoped that Grandmother wouldn't die on my birthday. I didn't want anything about the day of my birth to be sad to my mother (or to me, for that matter). We left our house at around 2pm and started our trip meter on the car. We got to Eric's grandparents' house at about 11:30. Mother called at 7:30 the next morning to tell me that Grandmother had died in her sleep the night before. Daddy had gotten to San Antonio that day (Sunday) as well to be with Mom. He couldn't settle that night and kept going into Grandmother's room to check on her. At midnight he could hear her breathing, at 1am he couldn't so he woke mother and they checked her more thoroughly and she was gone. One hour after my birthday. We'll see what sadness there is when it rolls around next year. Right now I just feel overwhelming gratitude. I'll talk about that more later. As it was Monday and we had had a short night and arrangements weren't made yet, we took it easy at Granny and Grandpap's house. There was snow on the ground so Eric and the kids played quite a while in it. I had told Mother that we'd like to NOT get back in the car on Tuesday but we'd do whatever we had to to make it to TX for the funeral. In the end, we had Tuesday to visit Eric's other grandmother, Grammy Berry, and also to have dinner with the family.
We left Wed. morning for TX at around 9. Got to friends' house (who were putting up all 5 of us and my folks and my brother who flew in) at about 11pm. Exhausted. The family that had been available had made the trek down to the Valley (Rio Grande Valley, that is) that day for her burial. Grandmother's memorial was to be held Thursday at 11am. It was a beautiful service. I have 8 other cousins who are mostly all married and so 6 of us cousins (or spouses of cousins) led the service. My Uncle and Aunt sang. It was just sweet and full. Friends from our old church in SA came to lend support to Mother. It was just good.
Afterwards, we headed back to Grandmother's house to try to go though and sort everything. This is not an easy thing to do. But here's where the gratitude comes in. Now, I am surrounded by LOTS of her things. I know things aren't important but they become precious because it allows me to talk about her, to handle the things she loved, to remind my kids that,"These are the little cups Grandmother's daddy gave her. Aren't they cute?" Or,"look at these pretty earrings that Grandmother had. Grandaddy gave these to her." These things are a way to keep her, to hold her near, even though she seems very far. I'll talk more about that later too, I'm still on gratitude.
At her service, I was real weepy, of course, but not just with grief. When it was my turn to speak, I told the group that I was having a hard time naming my tears. I thought that I'd be just as teary if Grandmother was sitting with us. But I was (am) so grateful to be part of my family. So proud of the woman she was, of who she inspires us to be. When people gather to acknowledge a job well done, a legacy of good things, it's hard to not be overcome---for me anyway. I'm so grateful for the manner of her death. She realized she was not going to get well. She chose to cease treatment; to endure a short time without it knowing what was coming to her was so great. She kept all her mental capabilities. She was so weak but she was still sharp. She had things well prepared to pass to children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Everything was taken care of. Then she simply went to sleep and woke up in glory.
We decided to stay in San Antonio Friday and help at the house and drive by our old house and eat at a favorite restaurant. We left Sat morning at around 9am. We got home at about 8:15. The trip meter said 2100 miles and 35 hours in the car. That's a lot of driving. The kids did really well...more gratitude there.
Mom and Dad came home this past Monday with a U-Haul full of more things from Grandmother's house. Lots of this was stuff I had picked out as special to me or that I could use. I have a handkerchief that she was given as a graduation gift...I'm thinking Jaylie could have it as the 'something old' when she marries...it's good to have a hanky with your bouquet in case you get overwhelmed...as I did. I have 2 sets of sheets...her sheets were always so soft. I have several afghans, which were actually made by my great grandmothers. I have lots of things from her kitchen that I will use frequently. All of these things remind me of her. And this leads me to the Lord's Supper we take on Sundays at our church. As I share Grandmother's things with my kids and try to pass on how and why they are important to me, I hear Jesus saying,"This is my body. This is my blood..." He didn't have stuff to leave. I can't scramble eggs in Jesus' skillet like I can my grandmother's. But when I sit in church and focus on the Supper, I can hear him say, "These are my things...remember me. Tell your kids why this is special." And now I'm back to gratitude again.
Thanks for reading this long post. Many blessings to you in 2010.
D
The break was a whirlwind for our family. My mother left to be with my Grandmother as she began hospice 2 weeks before Christmas all the festivities were different with her absence. Eric had the bright idea to set his laptop webcam up in the living room so that we could let her see the kids open gifts. I had my phone on speaker so we could all hear and talk. She felt a bit more connected that way.
We had planned to leave for Missouri on the 27th (my bday) to visit Eric's grandparents and uncles and aunts. I selfishly hoped that Grandmother wouldn't die on my birthday. I didn't want anything about the day of my birth to be sad to my mother (or to me, for that matter). We left our house at around 2pm and started our trip meter on the car. We got to Eric's grandparents' house at about 11:30. Mother called at 7:30 the next morning to tell me that Grandmother had died in her sleep the night before. Daddy had gotten to San Antonio that day (Sunday) as well to be with Mom. He couldn't settle that night and kept going into Grandmother's room to check on her. At midnight he could hear her breathing, at 1am he couldn't so he woke mother and they checked her more thoroughly and she was gone. One hour after my birthday. We'll see what sadness there is when it rolls around next year. Right now I just feel overwhelming gratitude. I'll talk about that more later. As it was Monday and we had had a short night and arrangements weren't made yet, we took it easy at Granny and Grandpap's house. There was snow on the ground so Eric and the kids played quite a while in it. I had told Mother that we'd like to NOT get back in the car on Tuesday but we'd do whatever we had to to make it to TX for the funeral. In the end, we had Tuesday to visit Eric's other grandmother, Grammy Berry, and also to have dinner with the family.
We left Wed. morning for TX at around 9. Got to friends' house (who were putting up all 5 of us and my folks and my brother who flew in) at about 11pm. Exhausted. The family that had been available had made the trek down to the Valley (Rio Grande Valley, that is) that day for her burial. Grandmother's memorial was to be held Thursday at 11am. It was a beautiful service. I have 8 other cousins who are mostly all married and so 6 of us cousins (or spouses of cousins) led the service. My Uncle and Aunt sang. It was just sweet and full. Friends from our old church in SA came to lend support to Mother. It was just good.
Afterwards, we headed back to Grandmother's house to try to go though and sort everything. This is not an easy thing to do. But here's where the gratitude comes in. Now, I am surrounded by LOTS of her things. I know things aren't important but they become precious because it allows me to talk about her, to handle the things she loved, to remind my kids that,"These are the little cups Grandmother's daddy gave her. Aren't they cute?" Or,"look at these pretty earrings that Grandmother had. Grandaddy gave these to her." These things are a way to keep her, to hold her near, even though she seems very far. I'll talk more about that later too, I'm still on gratitude.
At her service, I was real weepy, of course, but not just with grief. When it was my turn to speak, I told the group that I was having a hard time naming my tears. I thought that I'd be just as teary if Grandmother was sitting with us. But I was (am) so grateful to be part of my family. So proud of the woman she was, of who she inspires us to be. When people gather to acknowledge a job well done, a legacy of good things, it's hard to not be overcome---for me anyway. I'm so grateful for the manner of her death. She realized she was not going to get well. She chose to cease treatment; to endure a short time without it knowing what was coming to her was so great. She kept all her mental capabilities. She was so weak but she was still sharp. She had things well prepared to pass to children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Everything was taken care of. Then she simply went to sleep and woke up in glory.
We decided to stay in San Antonio Friday and help at the house and drive by our old house and eat at a favorite restaurant. We left Sat morning at around 9am. We got home at about 8:15. The trip meter said 2100 miles and 35 hours in the car. That's a lot of driving. The kids did really well...more gratitude there.
Mom and Dad came home this past Monday with a U-Haul full of more things from Grandmother's house. Lots of this was stuff I had picked out as special to me or that I could use. I have a handkerchief that she was given as a graduation gift...I'm thinking Jaylie could have it as the 'something old' when she marries...it's good to have a hanky with your bouquet in case you get overwhelmed...as I did. I have 2 sets of sheets...her sheets were always so soft. I have several afghans, which were actually made by my great grandmothers. I have lots of things from her kitchen that I will use frequently. All of these things remind me of her. And this leads me to the Lord's Supper we take on Sundays at our church. As I share Grandmother's things with my kids and try to pass on how and why they are important to me, I hear Jesus saying,"This is my body. This is my blood..." He didn't have stuff to leave. I can't scramble eggs in Jesus' skillet like I can my grandmother's. But when I sit in church and focus on the Supper, I can hear him say, "These are my things...remember me. Tell your kids why this is special." And now I'm back to gratitude again.
Thanks for reading this long post. Many blessings to you in 2010.
D
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas 2009
Hello Loved Ones,
Hooray! I am getting my letter written BEFORE Christmas this year! Last year I felt like quite the slacker having to post it after Christmas. I've been a little more on the ball this season, it looks like. Wonders will never cease, it looks like.
Our 2009 has been full, as I imagine yours has been as well. I'll try to sum up quickly so that you can hurry up and get to the slide show, since that's all anyone really is interested in, right? Here's that link in case you don't want to read the whole letter--but you'll need to imagine my disappointed face if you do go straight there:)
Isaac is now in 3rd grade and has just turned 9! He has moved to the upper elementary school (Highland Elementary) and will be there for 3rd-5th grade. This school is not in our neighborhood so I no longer get to walk him to and from school. He's happy to be with the big kids though, and is excelling in school. He has a great teacher for whom we are very thankful. Isaac's basketball season has just started with practices. He is so excited about playing in UPWARD again. He's decided that he will probably be an NBA player...if only such things were attainable by sheer desire. It's good to have a goal though, and he practices in the driveway whenever it isn't raining. Isaac is a pretty avid reader and I'm happy that he’s content to read lots of things.
Ethan is 5 ½ and has had a big milestone this year. He is now in kindergarten! His first day was exciting and not accompanied by the same tears (by me!) as was Isaac’s. I am so familiar with his school and all the teachers and the principal, I just had no doubt that he was going to have a blast. And he has. He really loves school and he loves his friends. His teachers are wonderful and one of them goes to church with us. She was his 2 year old bible class teacher and her grandkids are friends with all my children. The icing on the cake though, is that his best friend from church, Bella Rose (our Youth Minister’s daughter) is also in the same class. So he was well set up for a smooth transition into school. Ethan also has become a great reader. He was reading some before starting kinder but has just really blossomed as a reader. In fact, he has recently started reading silently, which I think is really neat.
This leaves Jaylie (who is now 4) and I home alone together. It is quite different having just one child at home during the day after all these years of having several. She plays so much differently than the boys do. I am thankful for our neighbors across the street who have a little girl just Jaylie’s age. Jaylie and Greta play together quite a bit. Jaylie started ballet this fall. It is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. She LOVES ballet. Of course, I think she’s a natural at it. Since she’ll have one more whole year at home before she starts kinder, I think ballet is a good outlet for her. Jaylie’s hair continues to be super curly, and it is getting longer (much longer) and thicker and altogether quite difficult to comb out. She’s real patient though, which is nice. Jaylie is also the most gregarious of our kids. She seems pretty confident to talk to just about anyone. She recently performed a solo at our children’s Christmas talent show at church! She sang Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and threw in some sass with it! It was cute.
Eric is currently between semesters. It is so nice when he doesn’t have school on his mind constantly. This semester he had 4 trips to make to Nashville! Crazy, but it’s over. He has enrolled for his final semester this spring and we are all looking forward to his graduation from Lipscomb in May. He’ll receive his Master of Arts in Theology! I’ve teased him about being a theologian after he graduates. I know I’ll not be winning any biblical arguments, that’s for sure (as if I have in the past!). Eric is also perpetually busy with things at Meadowbrook. In March we will celebrate 4 years of ministry with the church here. We are grateful for this body of believers who are striving to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
I am keeping up with the kids and house and Eric as best I can. Since Jaylie’s ballet class is on Tuesday mornings, I am not attending Ladies’ Bible class like I have in the past. I miss the fellowship with those ladies but have met some real neat moms at ballet. It’s nice to have my circle getting bigger, sometimes I feel like the only people I know are those I go to church with! I am still on the PTO board at Ethan’s school and really enjoy that. It’s fun being ‘in the know’ on so much of what goes on. It also helps me with that circle I was talking about. Some of you know that I have struggled with a low B12 problem for a few years. Well this continues to be a problem for me; a thorn in my side--literally since I have to give myself weekly shots to help compensate! I wish my levels would stabilize and I’d not have to do these injections but that keeps not happening. I think I’ll be 80 and still jabbing myself with a needle every week! In the grand scheme of things, it’s a rather small problem to have, I suppose.
Right after school was out at the end of May, we went with my parents to Galveston for a week. It is nice that we get out of school before Memorial Day because the beach was deserted. We had a great time. At the end of that week, Mother and I went to San Antonio to help my Grandmother move into her new place there. In July, Eric had a summer class that was a whole week so we went to Nashville and had fun with Dawn and Brad and the girls, as well as Grandma and Grandpa. In September, the Nashville family came to visit us for a few days, which is also always fun. We are planning to leave on my birthday (2 days after Christmas, for those of you who don’t know!) to head to Missouri to visit Eric’s grandparents and aunts and uncles. We’ve not been there for a while and we’re looking forward to catching up with them.
Most of you will remember that my Granddaddy passed away last Thanksgiving. Well my Grandmother entered into hospice care last week. Ever since we moved her to San Antonio, she has had severe health issues, all surrounding her bone marrow. It has quit making platelets and white blood cells. After numerous treatments and regular transfusions, she has decided to cease treatment and go be reunited with Granddaddy in the presence of the Lord. Mother has gone to be with her. Your prayers will be appreciated as our family faces another major holiday with the pall of loss hanging over it. We are joyful for the prize she is gaining, just sad that we will miss her so.
In all things we give thanks to God for the love he has showered on us. It is our prayer for you that you will feel the nearness of Christ always, but especially during this season of Hope, and Peace, and Joy and Love. The season of Christ’s first coming. May He come again quickly!
With our love,
Eric, Dixie, Isaac, Ethan and Jaylie
Eric’s blog: www.ericnlivingston.com
Dixie’s blog: www.lookaway-dixieland.blogspot.com
Email: ericdixie@yahoo.com
And you can find us on facebook too!
Hooray! I am getting my letter written BEFORE Christmas this year! Last year I felt like quite the slacker having to post it after Christmas. I've been a little more on the ball this season, it looks like. Wonders will never cease, it looks like.
Our 2009 has been full, as I imagine yours has been as well. I'll try to sum up quickly so that you can hurry up and get to the slide show, since that's all anyone really is interested in, right? Here's that link in case you don't want to read the whole letter--but you'll need to imagine my disappointed face if you do go straight there:)
Isaac is now in 3rd grade and has just turned 9! He has moved to the upper elementary school (Highland Elementary) and will be there for 3rd-5th grade. This school is not in our neighborhood so I no longer get to walk him to and from school. He's happy to be with the big kids though, and is excelling in school. He has a great teacher for whom we are very thankful. Isaac's basketball season has just started with practices. He is so excited about playing in UPWARD again. He's decided that he will probably be an NBA player...if only such things were attainable by sheer desire. It's good to have a goal though, and he practices in the driveway whenever it isn't raining. Isaac is a pretty avid reader and I'm happy that he’s content to read lots of things.
Ethan is 5 ½ and has had a big milestone this year. He is now in kindergarten! His first day was exciting and not accompanied by the same tears (by me!) as was Isaac’s. I am so familiar with his school and all the teachers and the principal, I just had no doubt that he was going to have a blast. And he has. He really loves school and he loves his friends. His teachers are wonderful and one of them goes to church with us. She was his 2 year old bible class teacher and her grandkids are friends with all my children. The icing on the cake though, is that his best friend from church, Bella Rose (our Youth Minister’s daughter) is also in the same class. So he was well set up for a smooth transition into school. Ethan also has become a great reader. He was reading some before starting kinder but has just really blossomed as a reader. In fact, he has recently started reading silently, which I think is really neat.
This leaves Jaylie (who is now 4) and I home alone together. It is quite different having just one child at home during the day after all these years of having several. She plays so much differently than the boys do. I am thankful for our neighbors across the street who have a little girl just Jaylie’s age. Jaylie and Greta play together quite a bit. Jaylie started ballet this fall. It is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. She LOVES ballet. Of course, I think she’s a natural at it. Since she’ll have one more whole year at home before she starts kinder, I think ballet is a good outlet for her. Jaylie’s hair continues to be super curly, and it is getting longer (much longer) and thicker and altogether quite difficult to comb out. She’s real patient though, which is nice. Jaylie is also the most gregarious of our kids. She seems pretty confident to talk to just about anyone. She recently performed a solo at our children’s Christmas talent show at church! She sang Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and threw in some sass with it! It was cute.
Eric is currently between semesters. It is so nice when he doesn’t have school on his mind constantly. This semester he had 4 trips to make to Nashville! Crazy, but it’s over. He has enrolled for his final semester this spring and we are all looking forward to his graduation from Lipscomb in May. He’ll receive his Master of Arts in Theology! I’ve teased him about being a theologian after he graduates. I know I’ll not be winning any biblical arguments, that’s for sure (as if I have in the past!). Eric is also perpetually busy with things at Meadowbrook. In March we will celebrate 4 years of ministry with the church here. We are grateful for this body of believers who are striving to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
I am keeping up with the kids and house and Eric as best I can. Since Jaylie’s ballet class is on Tuesday mornings, I am not attending Ladies’ Bible class like I have in the past. I miss the fellowship with those ladies but have met some real neat moms at ballet. It’s nice to have my circle getting bigger, sometimes I feel like the only people I know are those I go to church with! I am still on the PTO board at Ethan’s school and really enjoy that. It’s fun being ‘in the know’ on so much of what goes on. It also helps me with that circle I was talking about. Some of you know that I have struggled with a low B12 problem for a few years. Well this continues to be a problem for me; a thorn in my side--literally since I have to give myself weekly shots to help compensate! I wish my levels would stabilize and I’d not have to do these injections but that keeps not happening. I think I’ll be 80 and still jabbing myself with a needle every week! In the grand scheme of things, it’s a rather small problem to have, I suppose.
Right after school was out at the end of May, we went with my parents to Galveston for a week. It is nice that we get out of school before Memorial Day because the beach was deserted. We had a great time. At the end of that week, Mother and I went to San Antonio to help my Grandmother move into her new place there. In July, Eric had a summer class that was a whole week so we went to Nashville and had fun with Dawn and Brad and the girls, as well as Grandma and Grandpa. In September, the Nashville family came to visit us for a few days, which is also always fun. We are planning to leave on my birthday (2 days after Christmas, for those of you who don’t know!) to head to Missouri to visit Eric’s grandparents and aunts and uncles. We’ve not been there for a while and we’re looking forward to catching up with them.
Most of you will remember that my Granddaddy passed away last Thanksgiving. Well my Grandmother entered into hospice care last week. Ever since we moved her to San Antonio, she has had severe health issues, all surrounding her bone marrow. It has quit making platelets and white blood cells. After numerous treatments and regular transfusions, she has decided to cease treatment and go be reunited with Granddaddy in the presence of the Lord. Mother has gone to be with her. Your prayers will be appreciated as our family faces another major holiday with the pall of loss hanging over it. We are joyful for the prize she is gaining, just sad that we will miss her so.
In all things we give thanks to God for the love he has showered on us. It is our prayer for you that you will feel the nearness of Christ always, but especially during this season of Hope, and Peace, and Joy and Love. The season of Christ’s first coming. May He come again quickly!
With our love,
Eric, Dixie, Isaac, Ethan and Jaylie
Eric’s blog: www.ericnlivingston.com
Dixie’s blog: www.lookaway-dixieland.blogspot.com
Email: ericdixie@yahoo.com
And you can find us on facebook too!
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