Lydia Jayne Livengood

Lydia Jayne Livengood made her appearance Thursday, October 30th, at 5:14 pm. She weighed 9 lbs, 3 oz, and is 19 inches long. We're all home and doing well. She's a good natured baby so far and we're enjoying her a lot. Here are a few pictures:

Turning over some new leaves...

I know it's not yet the new year...but fall has always seemed like a time of new beginnings to me. Maybe it's the result of the anticipation of starting a new grade in the fall, new classes, new activities, new programs for the "school year", etc. Whatever it is...that's how I feel. So, I'm turning over some new leaves...

As some of you may know, our daughter will be born this week. Thursday, the 30th, if not before. That event is going to change our lives...forever! I've had a lot of time to do some thinking over the last 12+ weeks, and reflect on what really matters in life. I hope that when the pace of my life quickens again, that I will remember some things that I learned.

First, what's really important? Is it more important that the house is spotless, the laundry is done, I have a home-cooked meal on the table by 6:00 every night, and that I spend countless hours after my full-time job seeing that these things happen? Or that I take time to enjoy life and have fun and make memories with my husband and daughter? Now, I know that responsibility is not something any of us can escape completely, and all of those things need to be done, but I don't want the pressure to rule my life anymore like it has in the past. I want to do what I can with the time I've got, and be satisfied in that.

Second, I want to be more reflective. During this time I read Dr. John Bowling's (president of Olivet Nazarene University) book, "Making the Climb". It's an account of his spiritual and physical journey climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. His book inspired me to be alone more with God, and spend more time in quiet reflection, instead of daily giving in to all of the things that clamor for my attention every waking hour.

Third, I want to be more greatful and appreciative of the things I have, and less consumed with what I don't have. God has provided for us time and again, and I can trust Philippians 4:19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." I want to live Philippians 4:11-13, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." I don't want to compare myself to everyone else, but to be satisfied in my own skin, in my own situation.

Finally, I want to find happiness and joy in small things. I feel like I used to be better about this, but somehow got bogged down in life, and forgot to enjoy things I enjoy! A hot cup of something to drink on a cold day, beautiful trees in the fall, wearing turtlenecks, you get the idea (that would be the fall version of what I enjoy :-)). Jon is good about enjoying life, and I could learn a lot from him.

And, on a rather shallow note...I want to be better about updating this blog! I want our friends and family to see our baby (name, TBA) grow up, and enjoy her from afar as much as possible. So - I'm not making any promises, but I will try...

So - those are some of my reflections from bedrest. As this rather unpleasant period of my life comes to a close, I hope that I will take from it something that will help me in the future.

Next post...the one we've all been waiting for...BABY GIRL LIVENGOOD!!!

Until then...

A Long 6 Weeks

Hello friends and family! I thought it was time to give another installment of Livengood happenings. A lot has happened in the last 6 weeks or so...

(For those who don't know) The last weekend in July, Jon and I made our way home for two baby showers. Jon's mom threw us a shower in East Peoria, and my mom threw a shower for us in Rock Island. Unfortunately, for the shower in Rock Island, I was in the hospital instead of at the shower. I was experiencing a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions, and so was kept overnight for observation. When they released me to go home, I was to stay on bedrest until I saw my doctor. Little did I know that 6 weeks later, I'd still be on bedrest! What a drag! Not at all how I expected to spend my last trimester, but I'm thankful that the baby is doing okay, and amazed at how the Lord has provided for us during this less than ideal time. So - during the last six weeks, we also moved (thanks to Jon, and a lot of help from friends and family!), celebrated our fourth anniversary, and I did get to go to another shower last Saturday, here in Kansas City.

This week, our office is moving from Kansas City to Lenexa. I've worked my last days at the Paseo, and I didn't even know it! When I go back to work (probably after maternity leave at this point) I'll have completely new surroundings! It will be so strange, to say the least.

Jon started up class again tonight. He was supposed to take a two-week module this summer, but because of our unforseen circumstances, wasn't able to do it. Instead he was home packing up our entire apartment, fixing dinner, getting groceries, doing laundry, cleaning up the place, and, oh yeah, working all day. He's been great during this time, and I don't know what I'd do without him!

That about sums up life as we've been experiencing it. I'm hoping to be off of bed rest at 36 weeks, but we'll see...(that's only 2 more weeks and 4 days!) We can't wait for our little girl to get here. I'll post some pictures of the nursery once we get it together.

Me at the shower in East Peoria

30 weeks (I think)

Jon and I on our 4th Anniversary

Me and my mom at my shower in Kansas City last weekend (33 weeks)

Hello! It's me again...with my randomly updated blog. Maybe I'll be better about it when the baby is born...but probably not :-)

Our summer has been so much fun this year! When it started, I told Jon, "This needs to be the best summer ever!", and I think it has been. There is so much to do in Kansas City in the summertime. We've been to the drive-in twice, the Farmer's Market, "Oklahoma" at Theatre in the Park, "Othello" at Shakespeare in the Park, Royals Game, Mini-golf, Free Friday Night Flicks at Crown Center, Celebration at the Station (Featuring the KC Symphony and Fireworks!), Rock Island/Manville for 4th of July, and we're only halfway done! Unfortunately, the second half of the summer will be a little less impressive. Jon starts work for a module class next week, and we need to start packing to move over Labor Day weekend. But all fun is not done...we'll make sure of it.

Today we celebrated my 27th birthday. Jon took me to the Melting Pot (Fondue Restaurant) for dinner tonight, and we're waiting for our food to digest before we go out and get some dessert. He also got me the 6 hour, A & E, Colin Firth version of Pride and Prejudice! Very exciting! I have heard from a lot of friends and family today and feel very loved. Thank you to all!

Baby Update: We are now 101 days away from our due date of October 25th! Jon and I are making a very fun trip to Illinois next week for a baby shower in East Peoria and a baby shower in Rock Island. I am REALLY looking forward to going home and celebrating with friends and family. The baby is moving and growing like crazy! Consequently, I'm growing like crazy, too! According to my books, I'm in the third trimester at 25 1/2 weeks (or about 6 months). Below is a picture we took at my mom and dad's a week and a half ago. Jon can feel the baby move now, and sometimes we just watch my stomach for entertainment. It's so weird and amazing all at once. Some of my fears about motherhood have already been replaced by immense love and concern for this new little one inside me. Childbirth is still a little disconcerting, however :-) We start classes next Monday night for that. Hopefully knowledge will be power in this situation :-)

Well, I should go for now. Until next time!

Baby Update

Sorry if this news, or these pictures are a repeat to you. Between Facebook, our extended family blog, and our own family blog, I'm not sure who sees what, but I feel the need to cover all the bases.


Jon and I have been busy busy busy the last month and a half. He finished school with flying colors, we then promptly went to Disneyworld with our parents (both sets) and good friends of the family. When we got home, I had a sonogram, and we found out that we're having a girl! We celebrated at work with pink cupcakes! We were convinced it was a boy, and were surprised to find out otherwise, but we didn't really care either way. We even have a girl's name picked out already! Sorry - it's a secret. :-) The baby is right on schedule, appears to be healthy, and is having fun moving around in my belly! It's an odd feeling...


Below is a picture of me, at 20 weeks, or about 5 months. It's taken awhile, but I finally look pregnant!

A Simple Life Lesson from Flip Flops.

Tonight I wore my flip flops in the pouring rain. Sometimes it feels good to be irresponsible. I try not to do it very often, so once in a while is okay, I suppose. As I dashed into the library with my umbrella (because heaven forbid my hair get wet, even though my feet were soaked right along with my jeans halfway up my calves) and dashed back into my car, I laughed. It felt great! I felt young again! I briefly thought to myself, "You are an idiot. The rain is cold, and now your feet are dirty. And what was that article you read about getting parasites through the bottom of your feet? You might as well be barefoot right now, you know." (You think I'm kidding, but I've done a lot of research on parasites, and that thought DID cross my mind!) Then I immediately said to my more sensible side, "Who cares??? Do something you're not supposed to for once, AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. Live a little!"

Even though I'm only 26, responsibility gets me down sometimes. I'm known far too well for my sense of responsibility than for any sense of spontanaiety, and quite frankly, being sensible can be boring. In that moment, I was in high school again, where the only thing I had to worry about was what I was going to wear to school the next day and if my mom and dad would let me go to Prom or not. I've since decided that I should wear my flip flops in the rain more often. If life is getting you down, you should try it, too. Maybe next time I'll try something more daring, like, I don't know, staying up until midnight on a school, er, I mean work night.

Irony...

Isn't it ironic that...

...Wal-greens ran a promotion last week, that they would refill your printer cartridge for free. We went online to read more about it, only to find out that you had to print a coupon in order to get your cartridge filled for free. Thanks guys.

...Walt Disney died on Jon's birthday.

...every other year we have to pay taxes. This is the other year.

...Jon is training his supervisor.

News, news, news...

Well, for those of you that haven't heard, our big news these days is that we're going to have a baby! We found out three weeks ago today. I am seven weeks along, and the due date is October 25th. It seems so surreal! We got to see the heartbeat at my first doctor's appointment last Monday, that was exciting. I'm not really sick, per se, but nothing really seems to sound good to eat. And for someone who gets grossed out easily by food anyway, it's a bit of challenge finding something to eat. We usually try to plan lunch and dinner to eat at home all through the week, and since I never know what I'll want (or be able) to eat, it makes grocery shopping a little interesting. If you have any suggestions for this time of pregnancy...I'd be happy to hear them.

We were planning on going on vacation in September with my Mom and Dad to Disneyworld. Well, since I'll be about 8 months pregnant by then, we decided it's best to move that up a bit. So, in May we'll be going to Disney with my Mom and Dad, and at the same time, Jon's parents and some friends of the family will be there celebrating their (his parents') 30th wedding anniversary. So, we'll just be one big happy family living it up! We're excited about this little "last hurrah" trip.

Jon is well into this semester at school. He's got 10 hours, and this is by far the hardest semester yet. From here on out, he'll be able to just take 2 classes per semester, and hopefully graduate in the spring of 2010. This weekend he was the coach for our youth group's men's basketball team at district try-outs for regionals, which will be held at MNU. (Their equivalent of Celebrate Life, for those of you on the Olivet region.)

February was a busy month at work for me. I worked at the General Board meetings for the Church of the Nazarene. I had a lot of responsibility this time, which was nice, but also made for a stressful month. Everything went well (from where I was sitting!) and things are starting to settle down now.

Well, until next time...

I Know It's February but...

...I'm going to tell you about Christmas anyway. Assuming people still check our blog, you know, since we never post anything. Facebook has taken over...so, if you're reading this, and you're on Facebook, look us up!


Christmas was a wonderful whirlwind! Jon and I left Kansas City on December 22nd and drove to my mom and dad's. We welcomed Andrew, Amie, and Jordan home on Saturday, and Allison, Benoit, and Eden on Sunday! The first time we all were under one roof with the little ones! We celebrated Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve (a first for all of us! I've never opened a single gift on Christmas Eve, and I opened them all!) We also celebrated Eden's first birthday on Christmas Eve (her actual birthday is December 30th, but we wanted to do it while we were all together). It was a busy day.


Christmas morning, Jon and I packed up and headed to East Peoria to spend some time with his family. We had a great time on Christmas day with friends and family. Thursday night of that week, we had Jon's family Christmas party, which is always full of laughs. This year, the hot item was the Barbie that Jon's mom bought for one of his cousins. She didn't realize, but it came with a pooping dog! We got a lot of mileage out of that one. (Sorry, Debbie...it's just too funny not to share :-)) Not only did it poop, but the treats that you fed it doubled as the dog poop. Classy. I can't believe they even make such a thing!


Friday morning we packed our stuff up again, and headed back to Rock Island, only to meet up with mom, dad, Allison, Benoit, and Eden, to drive to Michigan to see my extended family. The vehicle we rented wasn't quite what we'd expected, but we made it. I thought my days of riding while wedged between two people (my brother and sister) were over. This time I got to be wedged between Allison and Jon. It made for some good times. And I had front row seats for 10 hours to my niece, who still has to ride backwards in her car seat.


Monday (New Year's Eve) we headed back to Rock Island. Unfortunately, my mom came down with the flu, so she was quarantined the rest of the week, but the rest of us got to visit and spend time together and it was great. Here are a few pictures:

Mom and I made cookies Saturday before Christmas

Happy 1st Birthday Eden!

Getting a picture of these two together was quite a challenge...This will have to do.

Jon and I at his mom and dad's

"Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters..."