'tis the season

Well...it must be the holiday season because I have officially begun my Christmas shopping!!  Yep...I've purchased one gift at this point and I'm beginning to think about what I want to do from here.  I think I'll begin that list that helps me to organize my thoughts so I don't end up buying too much for one and not as much for another.  Apple has an app for that and I love that I can make my list and cross things off with each step...purchased, wrapped, mailed and etc...it's awesome!  I'm still waiting for individual lists from kids but I'm excited that the holiday season is here!  It's a happy time!  The next thing we need to do is dig out all the holiday decorations to really get in that holiday spirit.  Mallory has already begun playing Christmas music!

Ian wrote today and there weren't any changes in transfers today.  The next transfer is right before Christmas.  Oh my goodness!  That's when we get to talk with Ian!!!  Can't wait!

Holiday happiness to all!!!

Only 6 months to go!!

Well...today marks an important date!  Elder Dixon comes home in exactly six months from today.  Well...give or take a day or two perhaps.  In six months Ian can come home but sometimes due to transfers he may be a bit early or late.  It doesn't matter, it's just exciting that in about 6 months we get to greet Ian at the airport!  I can hardly wait to smother him with hugs!

Ian is currently in Arroyo Hondo which is an area of Santiago I believe.  His companion is a local boy, Elder Valdez.  And, Ian is Zone Leader.  He is loving where he's at and his companion and now says this area is by far his favorite.  He's had quite a few baptisms...enough that I can't remember how many at this point.  He loves the people there and really loves what he 's doing.

That's the latest with our missionary!

Crazy Bliss

So, one year I thought a good gift to give my grandchildren would be books read aloud my me...their Nani.  I did it for a year and sent several books...some of our favorites over the years.  On one occasion I was finding it difficult to find a quiet zone to make the recordings.  So, I made a sign to hang on my bedroom door that read, "Do Not Enter...Recording in Progress...Quiet Please".  Of course, in the middle of my recording there was a knock on my door with the accompanying, "MOM...What does this sign mean?".  I won't name any names...but, whoever it was...I love them to death!!

It's these crazy memories that add to my Bliss and bring a smile to my face whenever I think of them.  I'm afraid one day I might start forgetting, so it's time I start recording them for posterity to enjoy!

Summer is over...it's hit the books time!!

It's the beginning of a new school year!  Lots of firsts and lasts!  It's Mallory's last year in High School!  Yep...she's a senior and will be leaving the nest next Fall.  It's Abigail's last year as a student in her Charter school (grades K-8th).  Next year she'll begin her four years where Mallory, Ian, Delaney and Scott all attended!  Annie is attending her first year in Middle School!  She'll have two years there until she joins Abby at West Valley.  Annie got braces just in time for school but should have them off by the time she starts High School.  Mallory is swimming her final year for West Valley...she's sad.  But, she's really excited about college!!  Abby will join the WV team next August and keep the Dixon name going!  So far so good.

Abby's class started off the new year with a two  night camping trip to Denali National Park and Preserve.  It's such a beautiful park and they have so many educational programs there for kids, of all ages, and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute.  I went along as a chaperone!  We didn't see one bear at all whereas last year as we pulled into the camp a momma bear and her cub roamed through the campground.

Ian got transferred to an area of Santiago and was also called as the Zone Leader.  He's loving things still and even though he's got less than 8 months left, we're the only ones counting.  He's enjoying the work right up until the end!!

Family is Bliss

Ralph and I just returned from visiting Scott and family.  A couple weeks ago we got word from Scott that he was being called into his ward Bishopric and he wanted his dad to ordain him to the office of a High Priest.  So, we traveled down for a quick 5 day trip so we could visit and be there to sustain our son.  It's really quite incredible to visit our grown son, with his own little family, and to remember that not so long ago we were walking hand in hand with him, when he was the age of his own sons.  We couldn't be more blessed to have the family we have!  Scott will be a great 2nd counselor in the ward Bishopric and it's so awesome to know he honors the priesthood that he holds.  Kluane and kids are doing great too and they're an awesome family.  Kids are growing so fast!  It was really nice to have a few days with them.  We went hiking up R Mountain and saw all kinds of bugs and critters.  We went bowling.  And, we got to go with the family to a Kids Fair type thing where they got to do all kinds of activities and enjoy some shave ice!  It was a great visit!

We just heard from Ian today also and he's doing awesome on his mission.  Transfers came this week and he was thinking he'd stay in Puerto Plata serving as not only missionary, but District Leader.  BUT, he got called to be the Zone Leader and was transferred into an area of Santiago.  He's down to 8 months left but he's not in a hurry to start talking about coming home.  Eight months is still a bit to go and there's so much more he can do.  We're very proud that he too is honoring his priesthood and serving so diligently.

School starts tomorrow and we've got three girls attending three different schools!  It's Mallory's last year in High School...Abigail's last year in Middle School and Annie's first year in Middle School.  It should be an exciting year!

Mallory has begun the High School swim season and will be competing soon after school starts.  Annie is on the Stingray Swim Team and will be swimming with Abigail each evening after school.

Life just doesn't get any better and I love our little world of bliss!

$10,000 smile!

Look at that smile!  First it was braces for about 1.5 years and now it's removal of wisdom teeth!  Yay!  Amazing that so many Dixon kids require all this dental work!!  I might add that while I didn't ever have to wear braces I did have my wisdom teeth out!  Ralph never wore braces either so where in the heck did all this come from!!

Summer update!

This summer has really been a great summer! Mallory and I started off by leaving for Utah a day after school let out for an EFY. Mallory had a blast for a week at BYU while I spent time with Scott, Kluane and fam...I had a blast as well!! We spent our last week in Utah staying with Uncle Boyd and got to visit all the family over memorial weekend. I really wish we could visit more than once a year!! We always have so much fun with Uncle Boyd!

Once we returned to AK...Delaney, Daegon and I went to Anchorage for a quick visit and had fun visiting with family there...and shopping! Again, I wish I was closer so we could visit more often than just a few times a year...usually during the summer. When I returned home the rest of the family declared they wanted to go to Anchorage also but we thought we'd wait until closer to school starting. BUT, everyone is working and we discovered after looking at the calendar that there would be no time just before school! Abby started a new job yesterday working at a community garden. Mallory continues to lifeguard at pools all over Fairbanks. And, both girls are mowing the yard of someone who needed it done all summer. So, they drive out Chena Hot Springs Road about once a week for that job! Mallory begins high school swimming the second week of August and then school begins on the 18th. Yikes! We have a month of summer vacation left!! Anyway, on that note we decided to take a last minute shopping trip to Anchorage and fortunately the timing couldn't have been better! We got there just in time for the Nordstrom sale of the year! For the first time ever we enjoying "touring" all the booths set up for the pre-sale goodies. The girls and I found all kinds of school clothes and other stuff and are quite happy with our successful, although quick, shopping trip. Another highlight is to get to visit family also...and although we didn't get to see everyone...we'll see them next time as...we'll be back!!

Ian is doing AWESOME! He was recently transferred to Puerto Plata and was called as District Leader. Above you can see he's looking good, but his shoes are another story! I sent money to get them resoled so I hope they're looking better and will get him through his remaining 9 months!! I'm very proud of him and he's really enjoying his time of service.

Annie finally made it through all her swim lessons and tried out for the swim team. AND, she made it!! Her first meet is coming up soon and she's very excited!!

All is well in the Dixon home and life couldn't be more blissful! We really are blessed and are grateful for all that we enjoy!!

What is this Bliss?

I can remember as a little girl dreaming of the day when I would be a mother. I didn't come from a particularly large family but knew that I would have a "bunch" of kids. One of my earliest memories was watching a movie entitled, "Cheaper by the Dozen" with David Niven. I remember that entire family of 12 kids and their parents all around the dinner table and it was crazy! But, with all that chaos around that big table, I knew that's what I wanted. And, sure enough I got it...a gob of kids (although not the 12 I originally wanted) and that chaos that sometimes comes with it. It hasn't always been easy and there have sure been some challenges and tears, but I can't think of a single moment that I would ever want to return or take back. We've become a very disposable society and when things aren't exactly as we thought, or hoped they would be, we're done and we walk away. The moment I became a mother I committed to being the best mother I could be...through thick and thin. It takes work...lots of it. The rough times strengthen us and prepare us for the next rough turn. Challenges are inevitable. My kids know with every fiber in their body that I will be there for them until...forever. My kids, and just the thought of them, bring me my Bliss. I am grateful that God has blessed me with the sacred calling as mother and entrusted me with these beautiful children. I promise to do my best to help them to reach their greatest potential. I am so happy that we are a forever family!

Latest from Elder Dixon

Ian has transferred to Santiago. Today he told me a bit about the city. It's the largest in the mission but second largest in the country. He's been fortunate that every apt/house he's lived in has had running water and plumbing. I think I may have mentioned though that the people in DR don't take hot or even warm showers...it's all cold!! Ian tells them they don't know what they're missing with a nice hot shower. This pic is a reunion of Ian and his first companion...his trainer Elder Tams. He really liked Elder Tams and was glad he got to see him as Elder Tams is heading home after this final transfer. Ian is almost to his year mark...on the 21st it'll be officially one year! He's doing well and has had several baptisms and loves the work. He's reading Jesus the Christ and is encouraging me to read it too. Ian looks good doesn't he!! I'm quite proud of him!