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!

Quickie Missionary update!!

Ian wrote yesterday and said that there were transfers and his companion left Dajabón after spending 7.5 months there. Ian's new companion is Dominican and Ian will be speaking only Spanish for the next 6 weeks or more. I guess unless he starts teaching the other Elder English! Seriously though...Ian is very excited!! His new companion was already sharing the apt. where two companionships share. So, he only had to move across the hall. I guess each companionship takes one half of Dajabón. All is well and Ian is super excited with the transfer and super happy to be spending more time in this city! We get to talk with him in 16 days!!!

Life in Dominican Republic

I finally figured out how to get another pic of Ian posted. I LOVE this photo because it's so candid with Ian carrying his bananas! Ian says his apt. has electricity and plumbing but the people in DR do not take hot showers...I don't even think they have hot water that runs through the plumbing! Anyway, he says it's not just cold...it's take your breath away for a few seconds! Despite the cold showers and really living without a lot of the modern conveniences that we enjoy, he LOVES it there!! He already wants to plan to return after his mission!! When you immerse yourself in good...good happens!!