Back on the Blog / Ethan's Birthday

No more pencils, no more books...

I'm really ready for a little bit of a break from school. I took 9 hours in the fall and 9 hours in the spring so I'm feeling a little bit of a burn out. The good news is that I only need 1 class this summer, 2 in the fall, and 2 next spring and then I'll be done with this M.A. in Theology. Once I finish this degree, it will be a long time before I even consider going back to school. More than likely, my formal education will be concluded.

So I have about 6 weeks or so with no school responsibilities. There is much rejoicing!

With a little bit of extra time, I should be able to return to the blog a bit more regularly.

...

Saturday was Ethan's Birthday. He turned 5! Ethan is our kid with the easiest smile. He probably has the easiest tears too, but in happy times he is so fun to be around. He gets so excited about little things that he can hardly contain himself. Sometimes a popsicle from the ice cream truck is the greatest thing in the world!

So, needless to say, when big things like birthdays or Christmas come along, Ethan is just beside himself. The dimples make frequent appearances.

Dixie planned a Mario & Luigi party for Ethan and his friends. It came off great. Here's a picture of the cake that Dixie made:


Here are the party goers, complete with Mario & Luigi hats and mustaches:
And here is just a taste of Ethan's excitement over one of his presents. Imagine you also hear this sound: "Ohhhhhhhhh. That's awesome!"

A great time was had by all!

Eric is amazed by the shallowing effect of Facebook.

I often think of things I need to blog about, but then my mind immediately waters them down to a status update on Facebook.


I could share with you how much I enjoyed the MS Chorus performance this evening. I could talk about the MS Chorus, the Delta State Chorus, or the orchestra's wonderful effort and preparation.

I could write about Mozart's amazing gifts in composing powerful sacred pieces like the Coronation Mass in C Major.

Or, I could describe what really highlighted the evening for me: the beauty and architecture of the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Madison. It is a sanctuary set in the round. The pews are only about 8 or 10 deep in an octagonal setting, so that the priests administer the service in the middle of the nave, and the congregation encircles them. Aside: why did the participatory style of worship in Churches of Christ not invite this type of architecture? In fact, I'm surprised we didn't demand it as a way to practice the (direct and/or inferred) command "sing to one another...".

I could even just talk about how great it was to have dinner and a night out with Dixie. It's amazing what a whole conversation feels like. I love our kids but I have no idea where they got their talking gene. (Actually I do know where they got it, and let's just say it wasn't from me). Since my personality is such that I generally wait for an opening in the conversation before I speak, I sometimes feel like I just don't speak much.

Anyway, the dinner and night out with Dixie was great fun and good refreshment.

So, I have much to say about tonight. But I think I'll just update my FB status to "Eric N Livingston enjoyed the MS Chorus tonight." It's much easier that way.

2008 In Review

Well we're at the end of another year. I want to share our 2008 Christmas eLetter (the text is below) which Dixie wrote. Also, be sure to check out the PHOTO PAGE that has our 2008 Year In Review Family Video.

Dear Loved Ones,

I know, I know. I’m late. This is the first year EVER that I have failed to get the update letter completed by Christmas. I’m sure your holiday seemed hollow and empty without it:) I suppose I should call this a New Year’s update instead.

As you can imagine, it’s been a busy year. I’ll try to fill you in on all our goings-on as best I can.

Probably the most significant thing that has added a new dimension of busyness to our lives is that Eric has gone back to school. He is working on his masters degree in Theology at Lipscomb University in Nashville. This requires him to study and write a lot and also to make trips to Nashville for the classes. (This is either 1-3 weekends a semester or 1 full week a semester, depending on the class.) Since he already works a lot at church, this is an added load. So far, so good. I’m very proud of his A’s and if he would tolerate gold stars, I’d stick them on his papers:) Besides school, Eric continues to love his job of service at our church. We are honored to be blessed with such a loving church family to serve.

Isaac is now in 2nd grade and turned 8 last week. He had his first ever spend-the-night party. He invited 3 friends and we took them bowling. We all had a great time. I was glad he had so much fun, but wow – those boys were noisy! Isaac has had many firsts this year. He played his first season of baseball this spring and loved it. He did great. Isaac lost his first tooth in March. (this was followed by 2 more in the same week—very exciting) He learned how to mow the grass, much to my delight! Isaac has also started his first season in basketball this fall. He thrives at school and really enjoys his PATHWAYS class the most. He hates to miss those days. He now knows about 35 or so Greek roots that he has started using in regular sentences. It’s a little unnerving that he will be smarter than I am in a very short time. He is already almost as tall as I am. He passed my shoulders earlier this year.

Ethan is 4½ and started preschool this fall. He goes 3 days a week with Eric to our church’s preschool. It is just in the mornings for about 3 hours and he has a blast. He has never been a bit sad or unsure about going to school like Isaac sometimes was. Ethan loves his teacher and his friends. He is very matter-of-fact about the things he’s doing in his class. He gets all serious when he talks about the activities he has done. Ethan is such a fun little boy to be around. He is almost always happy and if he isn’t it’s usually because he’s ‘worn out’, which is what he says all the time. He continues to bother Jaylie on a regular basis but a lot of times, it’s just payback for something she has done earlier. Ethan loves to spend time with my folks and it is great to have them so near. Ethan learned to swim without floats this year. It is so fun to watch him in the water.

Jaylie is now a 3 year old. That’s right! There are no longer any 2 year olds living here!!!!! This is quite a happy thing for me, however, Jaylie seems to be a rather sassy 3 year old:) She is terribly sweet and really cute. Her hair is still wildly curly. As a matter of fact, she got 3 Shirley Temple movies for Christmas! Whenever she sees other people with curls she says, ”Look, he/she has curlies like me!”. Jaylie is very clever and swipes things very frequently. Not to be mischievous, but just because she sees a little something that interests her and she pockets it. This is sort of cute until it is car keys or shoes or the top to a brand new lipstick…you get the idea. Jaylie learned how to swim without floats as well this summer and now swims like a fish. She loves the pool. Jaylie still enjoys dressing up in her princess clothes. Her favorite color is pink or purple. She loves babies. She also loves to shop…go figure:)

I have had my hands full as usual. I am now on the PTO board at school which takes up a bit more time and requires me to deal with several more people, but I enjoy it. I am also helping with the Hospital House ministry at Meadowbrook. Every year since we have been here, I, and another friend of mine, have taught the same group of kids in Sunday school. We just keep moving up with them. This year they are in 4th grade and it is so exciting to see them grow and mature in their faith in God. They are a wonderful blessing to me.

This past March, my mother and I took the kids to TX for the week of Spring Break. We spent 2 nights with my Pawpaw and then 5 days with my grandparents in Beeville. Many of you know that my Granddaddy past away the day before Thanksgiving so that week we spent with them is really a precious memory to me. There are some pictures in the slide show that are at their place in Beeville. I love that place. I miss him a lot. My Grandmother is here in MS right now, staying with my mom and dad for a few weeks. It is good to get to see her all the time. She is doing well but still needs prayer cover.

We went to Gulf Shores to the beach for a week in July with Eric’s sister and her family. We had a great time playing in the water and sand there.

Eric and I had a STAYCATION this past September when my parents took the kids to Galveston for a week. They had to come home a day early because of hurricane Ike (a name Isaac did not appreciate) but they had a blast.

In September we rescued a Bassett Hound from the Humane Society. Her name is Gretchen and we (that means me and the kids---Eric is tolerant) love her. She’s about a year old and very good natured. She’s small for a basset, which is good. The kids have a lot of fun with her.

In October we went to Nashville for a week, tagging along with Eric since he had school. We hung out at Dawn’s house and enjoyed a relaxing time…poor Eric was busy the whole time. We had a great time trick-or-treating with cousins.

This Christmas has been very special as Eric’s parents came to be with us for several days. So we had them over here and my Grandmother at my parents’ house along with my brother, Jason, who was here for a week from Florida. It has been a rich time of blessing being with so many of my wonderful family.

I think this is pretty much the gist of our 2008. I hope it has been a year of peace and blessing to you. I am looking forward to the upcoming year and praying that the world settles down a bit. If you’re like me, you may have felt an uneasiness with the global economy falling apart and all. I hope that as the calendar turns, things even out. But if 2009 is a year of turmoil, my prayer is that God’s people handle themselves well. I hope that you allow yourself to be attentive to the voice of the One who made you. You are precious to Him and a gift to me.


Much love to you all
Eric, Dixie, Isaac, Ethan and Jaylie

Eric’s blog: www.ericnlivingston.com
Dixie’s blog: www.lookaway-dixieland.blogspot.com
Email: ericdixie (at) yahoo (dot) com

Transformational Preaching

For those of you who were at Meadowbrook last Sunday, you heard Jerry preach a little bit about the glory of a dog. Jerry's sermon was so moving that we went out and got one.

...well, actually we got the dog the day before the sermon...but it was still a good sermon.

Dixie had been wanting a dog for several months, and of course the kids eagerly jumped on that bandwagon. I had been filibustering for these many months because I would rather have cable TV than buy dog food. Plus, I always have a veto vote in my back pocket. But, somewhere during this debate Dixie pointed out that part of our responsibility to steward the earth requires care for animals. That just made me mad.

She's right.

So my veto vote changed to an 'abstain', which meant the motion passed 4-0.

We did agree that the dog we would get would need to be calm, quiet, short-haired, and well tempered (my other criteria of no-food-required and no-vet-bills didn't make the list). So Dixie, being the researcher that she is, scoured the internet for nearby shelters and rescue facilities until she found the right one. On Saturday, months of preparation for a dog culminated in bringing home Gretchen, a basset who had been rescued at Humane Society.


I admit that she seems like a sweet dog. She is easy going and doesn't bark at me when I come home from work. If you knew our first dog, Jasper, you understand why that's important.

So, we are now the typical American family. Two parents, three kids, one dog, and one fish.

(...and one scooter)

Jaylie Grace

Jaylie turned 3 today! She is such a precious blessing - one for which I am very grateful. Jaylie brings many things to our family: singing, pink stuff, baby dolls, curls, smiles, sweetness, tenderness, squeals of happiness, and so much more. She is truly a treasure!

Here's where I first met her and she stole my heart:


Baby Jaylie getting into Mommy's bathroom cabinet:


Jaylie on her birthday last year (age 2):


Here's my beautiful girl from a few weeks ago when we were on the beach:


Happy Birthday Jaylie! I love you!

First Day for Ethan!

Today is Ethan's first day of preschool! He'll be in school three days a week (3 hours a day). We're not really looking for any academic help, but it will be good for him to better learn how to share and exist socially with his little peers, and to be able to take instructions from the teacher.

He was excited! I was in the shower this morning and I saw a pair of Spiderman undies sprint into the bathroom and ask me if it was time to go yet.
Me: "You can't go in your undies!"
Ethan: ***smile***

He ran out and got dressed. During breakfast it was more of the same.
Ethan: "Can we go yet?"
Me: "In a few minutes."
Ethan: ***smile***

Finally it was time to go so Dixie snapped a couple of pictures to document our big boy on his first day of preschool. I'm sure Dixie will get those pictures posted on her blog today.

We got in the car (preschool is at the church building where I work) and it was about 90 seconds before I heard:
Ethan: "Are we almost there?"
Me: "Not yet."
Ethan: ***smile***
We had that same conversation about 3 more times during that long 8 minute ride to the church building.

We pulled into the parking lot at the same time as our friend, Bella Rose.
Ethan: "Hurry Dad, get out. I want to see Bella."
Me: "Ok, Ethan."
Ethan: "Hurry!"
Bella and Ethan walked hand in hand to their classrooms. Bella went to her class next door, but Ethan and I were the only ones in his room.

Me: "Let's wait a minute for your teacher, Ethan."
Ethan: (already in the classroom) "C'mon Dad, you can play with me." ***smile***

Then we had a near disaster.
Ethan: "Achooooo!" ***snotcicles***
I grabbed a paper towel and triaged the situation, but then we headed to the bathroom to get completely cleaned up.

We headed back to class where, by this time, Ms. Sara was waiting for us.
Me: "Ok Ethan, be good for Ms. Sara and be sure to share with all of your friends."
Ethan: "Ok" ***smile***

And then as he headed into class,
Me: "Ok Ethan I'll see you after while."
Ethan: ...
Me: "Ethan?"
Ethan: ... (already playing with kids)

It's amazing how kids can be so different. Isaac was so nervous and apprehensive about the first day of school. Ethan was totally excited and ready to go. Except for the snotcicles, the first day of school was a totally different experience for these two boys. Kids are funny.

Remember When?

On the heels of our 13th anniversary, here's a picture of us going to Dixie's senior prom in the spring of 1994. Thanks, Brian, for the picture!

13 Years

Today Dixie and I celebrate 13 years of being married! Dixie already knows this, but I have a horrible long term memory. I definitely remember some of the highlights from Aug 5th, 1995, but I don't remember that day as vividly as Dixie does.

I remember my cue to walk out with my best man and Sam's dad (who married us) was Robert Shaw's choral performance of "What Wondrous Love is This?". I remember when those back doors to the auditorium at Northside opened and I saw my bride in her dress for the first time. I literally, had my breath taken away. Literally. It was like I my lungs tried to breathe air two or three times but I got none. I remember how Dixie's beautiful dress shone like like light in contrast to the bright orange carpet.

I remember at the end of the wedding, after PawPaw offered a prayer of blessing and ended it with a "So be it." that Dixie and I turned to face our family and friends and I was giddy.

The reception is even more of a blur in my mind. Cake, punch, visiting. I didn't much care for the reception. I was ready to go. We only stayed a couple of hours (good church of Christ wedding receptions are pretty short with no dancing or bar), and then we set out on our own. We hit the Sonic on the south side of town and headed for a few days at South Padre Island.

We had a blast! Even though we were only kids, it felt like we had longed to be our own entity for a long time. Finally we were.

We still have fun together. We still treasure times together. We still love being married to one another.

Love you sweetie. Looking forward to the next 13!

Addition to Your Blog Roll

I know many of you won't be able to resist scrolling down and looking at the pictures of my beautiful children some more, but I thought I'd let you know that my beautiful bride, Dixie, has started her own blog too. Be sure to visit and bookmark her blog as well.


http://lookaway-dixieland.blogspot.com/

The Beach!

We had a great time on our vacation last week! Lots of relaxing, sleeping, swimming, sun time, and game playing. The kids all had a great time. Here are some shots.

Ethan running through the sand:


Isaac digging a pool in the sand. This was an ongoing project all week:


Ike had fun in the waves too. The last couple of days featured jellyfishless waters, so Isaac had a blast swimming out with me to the swells:


Jaylie absolutely loved hunting for seashells. She would bring the smallest shard to us to show it off. We've got a few thousand sea shell pieces to sort through:


Look at Jaylie's beautiful curls blowing in the beach breeze:


Jaylie has recently started swimming like a fish. It's really funny to watch her underwater; she swims around under there with her eyes open and a great big smile on her face. While we're glad for her to be brave in the water, we've learned we have to watch her closely since she has no fear. Here's a video:

The Girls

The girls had their portraits made the other day. Here are a few:


This one is my favorite:

Baseball

Isaac is in his first season of baseball this spring. When we started the season he was a bit behind the curve because he hadn't really picked up a glove or a bat. Yes, I'm a horrible father (although he is already a pretty good basketball player).

Anyway, he has really impressed me with his ability to learn and develop his skills quickly. I can see marked improvement with each game.

On Monday his team suffered its first loss (I think they're 9-1 or so) but here's a video of Isaac getting one of his hits. I think he went 4 for 4 on Monday.

Play Ball!

Today!

The family returns from their Texas trip today. I've missed them greatly and can't wait to see them. Isaac lost his first two teeth during the trip, so it will be neat to see his missing teeth. It always amazes me how quickly the kids change. If I go for a few days without seeing them, they always seem taller and more mature in their speech when I finally get to see them.

Then, I'll leave Sunday after church to head to Nashville to be on campus at Lipscomb for a week. I'm taking Critical Interpretation of the New Testament this semester. I still have some reading and some paper writing yet to do before I show up for class Monday morning at 8. Better get busy...

The Flu

I didn't escape it this year. I've been in bed since Monday. Actually I worked on Tuesday but I shouldn't have. I didn't discover until Thursday that it was actually the flu. It's been miserable. Anyway, I'm slowly getting better.

Not that there's ever a good time to have the flu, but Easter is next Sunday and then I leave to go to Lipscomb for a week of class. This week is going to be busy.

Dixie and the kids headed to TX today to visit her grandparents. They'll get back on Friday and then I'll leave on Sunday. They all got some Tamiflu as well so that they can nip it in the bud if they get it.

Anyway it's going to be a crazy few weeks for us. Appreciate the prayers!