Thursday, January 14, 2010

Leaving

It's time to say goodbye again.  Kristie is leaving on Saturday.  Jelissa has put her application in at Lincoln and it looks like she will be leaving in August.  Lakeisha is getting all her stuff ready for Ozark and she will be leaving for Ozark in August.  Wow from 5 to 3 in one year.  Life is changing very fast for us.  I love my girls so very much.  They have grown up to be beautiful young women that I am very proud of.  God has been so faithful and so "there" for the past 18 years.  

Help us grow closer to you Lord...Daily

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

God is Good...All the Time God Is Good

I'm not feeling very well tonight so this is going to be short.

As I was getting ready to blog my husband is walking out of our bedroom with my empty bowl of soup.  We came home from church and he ran me a bath and fixed me some soup.  I just keep thinking to myself  "self"  you are so blessed.  You have such a great husband.  He is so good to you.  So tonight all I have to say is thank you David for being such a good husband.  You are truly a blessing to me.  I love you more than you will ever know.  Thanks for being my Knight in Shining Armor.  I can't even imagine my life without you.

God you are so good, all the time you are good.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

SURPRISE

Yes, I did it.  I finally pulled something over on my husband.  It's my birthday today and my husbands is on the 21st.  When could I throw him a surprise party without him ever figure what I was up to?  Yep...throw the party on my birthday, have him think that it's a surprise birthday party for me thrown by a friend, and act like you are clueless.  I did my part to a tee.

My husband takes me out for dinner and then has me close my eyes for while he drives me around town to, what he thinks is an unknown place to me.  Then he helps me out of the car and helps me up to the door, remember my eyes are closed.  Then the front door opens up and all the people shout "Surprise David!!!"

$38 dollar cake, $50 on food, $20 on a babysitter....the look on my husband's face PRICELESS
Happy birthday Baby, I love you with all my heart.  Hope you have a great birthday.  

Monday, January 11, 2010

New meaning to tired

The phrase "a mothers job is never done" is truer today than yesterday.  I had a wonderful Sunday with friends and family yesterday.  I went to bed feeling very fulfilled and ready to take on the Monday.  As I dosed off to sleep it dawned on my that 2 very important things were missing from my home....Jelissa and Kristie.  Know most of you know that these are my oldest two children who no longer officially live at home.  As a small side note they are both currently staying at home until 1) Kristie goes back to school 2) Jelissa gets a car so she has a ride to work.  As I laid in the bed wondering when my little girls might get home my mind begin to play tricks on me.  What is they had broke down, what if someone had stolen them, what if the next knock on the door is a sheriffs knock.  

Yes I know that all the scriptures that many of you are now quoting in you mind to tell me...and yes I started saying them all.  That really did help until 1:30am.  I then proceeded to jump out of the bed and start calling my girls.  After maybe 10 call and no answer I went back to bed and prayed.  

I honestly tried to lay this at the feet of my savior and rely on the comfort only He can give but my thoughts were not helping.  "Lord please just let them call".   I finally woke up Keisha and had her call the friends cell they were with.  

Yes the girls were fine, yes they were just hanging out have a good time, yes they were being the good girls I raised and not getting into trouble but I was scared.  I got on the phone proceeded to let them know that I was trying to sleep but would not be able to do that until they were home safe and then told them I loved them and hung up. 

The girls came wondering in about 2:18 am, yes I do know the exact time since I was starring at the clock half the night.  They get all their stuff ready for bed and go to sleep...no watch tv.  I decided not to go into the living room and tell them that I could hear the tv in my room because I was just glad they were home.  That would be another battle for another day.

As I lay my head on the pillow the dog starts making some weird noise that finally upset me so that David got up and took her outside.  Problem solve...now back to the sleeping thing.  Oh is that Darius I hear calling my name.  By the time he goes back to sleep it is after 3 am.  Dog is now outside barking so David gets back up and brings her back into the room.  

My mind finally begins to relax I feel myself starting to drift into a nice relaxing breathing pattern when I look over at the clock and it says 4:02am.  Yes its going to be a wonderful day.

And maybe I failed to mention this part..I'm turning 38 on Tuesday.  I'm old and I need my sleep.  : )


Sunday, January 10, 2010

Sunday

I don't know why I still get amazed when God works my life and issues all out.  I know that He is my provider and that He will always take care of me, but I am still amazed when I see Him at work.  As many of you know David and I have been down to 1 car between the two of us and Jelissa.  This has cause a lot of shuffling  in our schedule...mostly David's.  Well, we are currently still looking for 2 vehicles but God has provided.  Someone at church is letting us use a car for a little while.  With Kristie going back to school we are hoping that Jelissa will get a car in the next couple of weeks and then when we get out taxes we can get a second car for us.

I have to admit it has been a very hard year financially with everything breaking at one time and different changes happening in our house.  The one thing I can say is I serve a very faithful God.  He is always there and has always providing.

I want to end by saying I have a great husband who is always there and is always looking at the bright side of every situation.  I have 3 beautiful teen daughters who are living for the Lord and surrendering all they have to Him.  I have a handsome little boy who keeps me on my toes and never fails to make me laugh.  And finally I have a precious little girl who with one look can melt my heart.  I love my life and I love my family, but most of all I love my Heavenly Father who gives me strength to carry on when sometimes the load seems way to heavy.

Thanks you Lord for choosing me and loving me like I've never been loved before.  

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Bring it on

Kristie and I went to a self defense class today and had a great time.  We learned how to break a person's nose along with many other ways of stopping a person from touching you.  Interesting enough 2 guys walked in  on me at the church last Wednesday and acted very strange as they followed me around the church some.  Although everything turned out ok it taught me a couple of lessons and made me aware of things I have not thought about recently.  
Kristie and I were very excited when we came home.  We were wanting to show David all we had learned.  I would recommend everyone to take a similar class if they can.  I definitely recommend moms sending their little girls off to college to have them take a class like the one we took today. 
One thing that I know for sure if 2 guys walk in on me again they will see a very different women they say on Wednesday.  I know how to break a nose now...  

Friday, January 8, 2010

Sleepy Time

I feel like I have just been going and going today.  Darius had one of his days were listening to mom was just not on his agenda.  I finally had enough and off to be he went, before 8pm.  I went into his room several times to put him back to bed and on 3 different occasions I found him butt naked.  There is nothing worse than walking into a bedroom and finding your son and taken off his PJ's and Diaper.  Now I could have been a calm, loving, understanding mom, but I was not.  He got a spanking and was sent to bed.  Obvious it was not that big of a deal because he did it 2 more time with spankings coming on all accounts.

Now if you know me at all you know that spanking is just not my thing.  I don't like doing it and it makes me feel bad when I do.  Well, I need to assure you that I'm feeling fine.  And the precious little 2year old has finally fallen to sleep.

I'm about to fall asleep so I guess I will end with this....Boy are from Mars and Girls are from Venus, of this I'm pretty sure of now, and God has a great since of humor.

Goodnight

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Christmas 2009


Where are all the pictures of our 2009 Christmas?  Well I have an answer for you....on my computer finally.  So I realize that Christmas might be gone and most of you that would read this blog have already posted all your pictures and memories but here are a few moments in the Livingston family.
                                                                                                         Cynthia Got Her First Baby-she loves it  




Darius had been asking Santa for a "Train Present"  He was so excited we could not get him to open any other gifts.


Krisite asked for a phone and was very surprised when her parents go her a really nice phone verses the cheap one she thought we might get her.

This is the only picture that we ended up getting of Keisha, and although she does not look like she was enjoying her self she got the presents that she wanted...a new lap top and a tripod.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Secret Presents



So have you ever tried to purchase a gift for you husband and keep it a secret for over 21 days? We that is were I'm at right now. David's Birthday is on the 21st of January and I am having the hardest time keeping his present a secret. Not only am I having a hard time so are those who know what it is.

Last night Jelissa comes up to me and shows me her facebook page, where my mom has wish my husband happy birthday and tells him that she hopes that he likes the present I got him. Which is really nice except that his birthday is several weeks away and she tells him what I got him. With a lot of deleting from facebook and from his email I finally got all the evidence erased but not before I had to tell him what I was doing.

I know that he will like his gift but I don't want him to see it for another 16 days. I have a hard time keeping secrets so i hope that I can wait to give it to him.

By the way if your reading this David no looking around in the children's building on Sunday's (just kidding).

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Raising Arrows

I guess it seems that I been blogging a lot about my kids.  Guess what today is no different.  I was reading a blog tonight that was taking about raising kids and how difficult it can be.  Believe me after 8 hours in my office with both my little kids with me I know about difficult.  I want to love bring my kids to work.  I want to think good thoughts about working at a church where they allow me to be a working mom and a take your kids to work mom.  I love my kids.  I love spending time with them, but some days, like today, I come home very tired and worn out.   


Then it dawns on me.  I'm not just raising kids, I'm raising arrows.  Right now these arrows can not go far.  I want to raise my son to be a light for Christ.  I want him to lead his family the way the Lord instructs him.  I want Cynthia to be a modest, totally in love with her savior, beautiful women.  I'm raising arrows that will one day shot off into the world to shine their light for Christ.  That is my job!  That is my God given, God ordained role to my children.  


Yes it is hard.  Yes is making me gray headed.  Yes I wonder sometimes if I'm doing the right think, and then I realize that yes this is my season, this is my life, this is where I want to be.


May the kids that leave the Livingston home be lights to this world and look to God for His direction in their lives as they leave our home.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Bible Thumping Momma

Well, I went to bible study tonight and enjoyed myself very much. I enjoy studying God's word. It never fails me what God shows me every time I open his word. I also get to take my baby girl, Keisha with me. I never want my kids to look back on their upbringing and wonder whether their mom was a women who studied her bible. I have decided that I want to be the mom that when I die my kids put on my tomb stone "Here lies our Bible Thumping Momma".

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Ta-Da

Well, the time has finally come....Potty Training. So lets be honest what do I know about training a boy? Nothing. If you don't open the leg right guess what happens? Yep pee come straight out all over the innocent person in front of him. Did you realize that you can train a boy two ways, stand up or sitting down. Did you know that a person can buy items that can be place in the bottom of the toilet as targets for little boys to practice their aim. When ever he hits his sister he does not seem to have a problem with aim, but with toilet training he has no accuracy.
So we have all the items we need: pull-ups, big boy under wear, 2 potties one for home one for work, a toilet seat that sits inside a adult seat, kando wipes, and disinfecting wipes and a potty training book that offers me no good information. I'm ready to go. Darius has been going potty ever hour for 4 days now.

He has had several ups and downs but the funniest story happened right at the beginning. We got ready to take Darius to the potty and as we are going down the hall I'm explaining what he needs to do when we get into the bathroom. he seems to understand completely. Darius sits down on the Elmo potty push out 3 drops of pee looks up at me with a huge grin on his face, with hands raised up and says "Ta-Da". Watching as this boy's brain develops I am beginning to understand a lot about the opposite sex.

Any Given Day

At the Livingston's house you can find us doing just about anything.  I try and have my camera available to take picture all the time because you never know what I might snap a shot of.  Here are a few pictures I have taken lately.  

Cynthia is so silly.  She loves Dora and loves to wear D's trick or treat bag on her head.


Dress up has come to be the kids favorite things to do.  


Iron-man with a Pickle.  



Saturday, January 2, 2010

Are those Santa Cookies

So with Christmas gone I have sat back and thought about some of the memories that have just made my laugh from the inside out. One of my favorite stories happened with Darius after Christmas day. Not a day goes by that I don't sit back and laugh at something that boy says or does.
Christmas Eve Darius made cookies to leave out for Santa. He was very excited to sit with his Nene (AKA Kristie) and put the cookies on the pan. He made sure to make chocolate chip cookies, because he heard from a source close to Santa that they are his favorite. With done and on the plate Darius left the cookies for the white bearded man. The next morning, at the the surprise of Darius, the cookies were gone. In fact, Santa even left him a little note and drew him a picture. That little boy could not be happier.
Several days letter Kristie decided to made some cookies late at night for a little snack. Darius got up the next morning and walk into the kitchen, where Kristie left the cookies out on the pan, and with a big smile and great excitement he said "are those Santa cookies". Sadly we had to say no.

Friday, January 1, 2010

2009

Wow I can hardly believe that it is now 2010. I love that we get to enter a new year with great anticipation of what our great God is going to do. I look back on 2009 and can not believe how much our family has changed and how much God has blessed the Livingstons. Here is just a few of the things that happened this year

Jelissa: In July the oldest of the Livingston clan moved out and into her own apartment. She decided to not go to college this year but rather take a year off. She worked at Safeway and learned that she can spend just as much as she earns :) Jelissa learned may lessons this year but has learned that staying close to the Lord is one decision that she will never regret. Jelissa always challenges me and pushes buttons with me that I never even knew I had but my life would never be complete without her. She is a great girl with great life ahead of her.

Kristie: Well, in August I had to do one of the things I never thought I could do..I let my little girl go off to college. I cried almost all the way home wondering about how I had just had a piece of my heart torn out of my body and left in another state. Kristie missed home just as much as she was missed. I received a phone call everyday and enjoyed many hours of conversation with her while she was gone. I found that the relationship that was developing with my little girl was one that was going to be deeper more real than anything I could imagine with one of my girls.

Lakeisha: has been my right hand girl since the twins moved out. I look at Keisha daily and wonder if she could possibly get any more beautiful. She has a personality that that is so strong. She is a girl who knows what she wants and goes for it. She has acted in several plays this year and went away to become a California girl last summer. She came back more grown than when she left. She can definitely handle what ever comes her way. She is now getting ready for college and is so ready to made the transition. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. I could not be more proud of the way she handles herself and how she always looks to make those around her better and does not look to tear down She is a blessing to out family that is worth its weight in gold

Darius: My hands would get tired typing about this precious little boy. He brings more joy to our family than we could have ever anticipated. I look at that boy everyday and wonder why God loves me so much that He allows me to be his mother. He has so much energy and so much excitement for the world that we can hardly keep up. He has learned to that being polite gets him almost everything he wants. He tells all his sisters and mom and dad daily that he loves them more than the moon. He is a snugly boy who loves trains, and was excited that Santa brought him one.

Cynthia: This little girl is so sweet and so loving that it hard to believe that she is my little girl. Cynthia has learned so much from her brother that on some days I want to slow her growth down. She has grown up so much this year. She learned to walk and is now beginning to talk. She has taken stake on her daddy's heart and yells at Lakeisha when she sits on his lap. She does not like her daddy to come into a room without picking her up. Our family would not be complete without her.

David: David is truly is the best husband ever. He is the best dad I know and is very active in our family lives. In addition to working full time in the computer world David is right by my side as I work in children's ministry. David is a blessing from the Lord. I can't imagine my life without him. I feel so blessed with all that the Lord has done for me and my family. I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do in 2010.

My God Dream in 2010 is that me and my children will continue to grow closer to the Lord and will live our lives so that others will question us....and then we can tell them about our great God.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Is that dinosaur Green or Blue???

I love going to church with my family. I love meeting with my church family. My son loves going to church and asks daily if we are going to see Betty(Barry) or Aaron. He loves snacks and Jesus, which he tells me after leaving church almost every Sunday. Well, this little boy has a mind that works very differently than my 4 girls.
As we were coming home from church today we passed a Sinclair gas station with a big green dinosaur out front. Being a good mom, not wanting my precious son to miss the green dinosaur I say to him "D" there is a green dinosaur over there. He looks very excited outside his window and than turns to me and says, its not green. For the next 2 minutes I basically argue with my 2 year about the color of the dinosaur.
I finally started acting like the adult and just quit talking. After about 30 seconds D says "its not blue mommy right".
I can not ever get enough of that boy. He is always making me laugh and think. He is smarter than I think any 2 year old should be. I can't believe how much I love that boy. He is truly a blessing from God to David and I.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Thanksgiving Week
















Wow Thanksgiving rocked. Kristie was home from college and the family was "one" again. Kristie brought home 4 kids plus Dillion from Ozark for Thanksgiving. Lonzo came into town and fit into our family routen like he lived with us all his life. The boys Skyler and Nolen were so fun to hang out with. These boys love the Lord and live for Him in actions, and words. It was fun to just hang out and eat, talk, play rock band, and worship the Lord together. Thanksgiving Day Lonzo did a devo and Nolen lead worship and for over an hour we just talked and song thanksgiving to out Lord and Savior. It was one of the best Thanksgiving I can remember. God has been so good to my family and I could not stop thanking about how "Great is our God".

Friday, November 27, 2009

Rock Band











Lonzo has won the hearts of my children. Cynthia thinks he is the best thing since bananas, and she loves bananas. He was trying to jam with the kids. They had a full band...Cynthia our singer, Darius our drummer, and the fearless leader Lonzo. The kids had a great time. They loved hanging out and playing. I finally pulled Cynthia and Darius away so that I could read to them, put pjs on and put them to bed at a reasonable time. Life is good

Monday, November 23, 2009

Am I willing to give it all up?

Have you ever sat back and wondered if God is telling you something that you're not sure you really want to hear or that you can do...
I have been listening to God whisper in my ear "Monica are you willing to give it all up"? I keep telling Him I am, but am I .
I have been listening for two weeks at church to families that are adopting children from Africa. I don't feel God is calling David and I to adopt kids from Africa but I do feel that God is calling.
I see ....babies, toddlers, older kids
I see ....those who give up their lives, their comfortable American lives, to do whatever it takes to help these kids
"Monica are you willing to give it all up"?
Am I?

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Harvest Fest

Yes I know this is past due but better late than never :)

Darius was so excited to be a cowboy. He looked so cute running around with his cowboy outfit on. Cynthia was the cutiest cow ever. She won the hearts of all who saw her.


Kristie was home and enjoyed hanging out with friends and her sisters.





Joe was a graduate. She was lovin on the cow whenever she got a chance. She loves her sister.