Baby Bliss...first pic

This is Alani Scott's first pic taken in the hospital after he was born!  I thought he was the most beautiful baby ever!  I really saw him as perfect and he was all I ever wanted!

After Alani's first month, life went on pretty good, as good as it can be living in Hawaii.  One would think that everything was just grand living in paradise but it was pretty challenging.  I survived okay and we had food and a place to live.  But, something was missing from my life.  I didn't know what it was but I wasn't finding "it" in Hawaii at that time.  When my baby was 9 months old, I decided there wasn't anything keeping us in paradise and I decided we needed a change of scenery.  So, we packed up and headed to Washington State.  We didn't last there very long. I found work, day care and an apartment, but my boy started to get quite sickly.  He developed croup and had several bouts of it.  I was torn because I wanted to be with him, work wanted me to be at work AND babysitters didn't like tending a baby who appeared to have difficulty breathing.  One day, a friend was over and he noted that Alani looked worse by the minute.  So, we dashed him to the ER.  They gave him breathing treatments and he responded well, but he would need them sooner and sooner each time.  They felt Alani needed to be in the Oregon Health Sciences Hospital and we were transported there by ambulance.  I thought for sure when Alani started dancing in my lap to the sirens they'd end up sending us home!  But, they didn't.  We got there and he was admitted to be monitored.  Later that night he was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit and they intubated my baby because he was pooping out and he just couldn't breathe on his own anymore.  It was probably the saddest and most horrific experience ever!  I felt so alone and scared that I called his bio father.  It was the last time I would call him as he didn't really want to hear about it.

After a few days, they took my baby to the OR to remove his tubes to see if he could breathe on his own.  He couldn't, and so they reinserted them.  He was barely 1.5 years of age and he was tubes in his nose and breathing tents over his head and his hands tied to the bed.  He was so angry!  I felt so bad for him.  I know he wanted me to rescue him and I wanted to, but they had to do what they needed to so he could breathe.  They began prepping me for a possible tracheotomy...ugh!  Fortunately, he was blessed and after 10 days in the hospital, tubes were removed and we got to return home.

My employer was less excited about me staying in Oregon with my baby for those 10 days and I lost my job.  I was okay with that because I just wanted to be with my baby.

Life happened and stuff happened and I wasn't happy in Washington anymore.  Soon thereafter I decided I wanted to return to Alaska and be near family.  So, we left.

Beginning Bliss...the Early Years

Before time blesses me with forgetfulness, I thought I would document the events of my life that have brought me my greatest joys, or bliss.  For the most part, those times are when a child came into my life.  Over the years I've been blessed, humbled and brought to tears from joy, sorrow and probably some of the most comical events one could imagine.

When I was a little girl I saw the movie, Cheaper by the Dozen with David Niven.  I LOVED that movie and all I can remember now are the scenes from around the dinner table with 12 kids and all that chaos.  I wanted it!  Of course over the years I've learned that reality is much different than it is on the big screen or flat screen...I think it's better!  But, it can be filled with some of that same chaos!

It was 1980 when I learned I would become a new mom for the first time.  Being a mother was something that I had dreamed about for years and I couldn't wait to have a baby of my own.  I was so excited but I would soon learn that the daddy wasn't as excited as I was.  I would become a mom all on my own.  I was determined and not afraid, that I can remember, and was eager as ever to be a mommy.

When I found out I was expecting, my doctor, Dr. Spangler, told me that my baby would come in February 1981.  I asked, "Well...when in February?" To which he relied, "when he or she is ready".  That didn't set too well with me so I prodded for something more definitive.  "Okay, sometime in the middle of February," he said.  Fine!

Around Thanksgiving 1980 I went into labor...pre-mature obviously, given that I wasn't due until sometime in February.  I was admitted to the hospital and put on meds to try to stop the contractions.  Fortunately, I responded to the meds rather quickly, but there was this other girl in a bed nearby who was screaming out of control.  The nurse told me that she wasn't as lucky as I was with stopping the labor...sad.  I was sent home on complete bed rest to take meds for the remainder of time that I was pregnant.  I also got these two injections that would rapidly progress the maturation of my son's lungs.  No, I didn't know at the time he was going to be a boy...but, I kind of felt like it was a boy.

Life on bed rest and being single and without a car was rather unfun to say the least.  But, when one lives in Hawaii, it can only be so bad!  I sat outside when I left like I needed some sunlight, but longed for the beach.  I had also been sleeping on the floor on a pile of blankets and to my surprise a mattress was donated by some sweet souls who felt bad for me.  It was like heaven to have that extra padding!!  I hope they've been blessed by their goodness!

I made it to January 2, 1981 when I awoke thinking I had wet myself.  Being my first time to have a baby I initially didn't think anything other than I dreamed I was in the bathroom and just went!  By that time I was getting up multiple times a night so it didn't surprise me that I could have an accident.  Anyway, after I got up and relieved myself, I realized liquid was still coming out even when I wasn't trying.  Ah hah!  My water broke!  I called the Dr. and he said to head to the hospital to which I asked, "you mean I'm going to have a baby??"

I called my good friend, Nancy, for a ride to Kapiolani Children's Hospital.  The labor set in pretty fast on the way there and I wasn't prepared for such pain!  I already knew that I would most likely have a C-section, because my boy was breach and, because he was so early they didn't want to risk his head getting stuck.  My poor friend was so patient and tried so hard to comfort me while I was prepped for surgery...it took forever!  At one point she tried to tell me to take deep breaths and I looked at her and screamed, "It's too late!  It's too far gone!!"  I have no idea what I meant, but it was hurting and I just wanted the pain to stop!  I can still remember it all very well!

Eventually, that baby was born and he was beautiful!  He weighted 4 lbs 13oz...not much of him.  Back then it was standard procedure for all C-section babies to be incubated for 24 hours...so, I slept and waited for him.  The next morning after I delivered I was awakened by two nurses aids who came in to give me a sponge bath.  They spoke no English and I spoke no Filipino so I laid there while they tossed me back and forth sponging me.  It was probably the strangest thing I'd ever experienced!  It was like I wasn't there, or at least I wasn't a human being laying there and it would've been no different had they just changed the bed linens...which they also did while I lay there!  Amazing!

Finally, after 24 long hours my baby was brought to me!  He was perfect...in every way!  I knew I wanted to nurse him so when the nurse handed him to me I asked what to do.  She looked at me like I had asked something in a foreign language.  Then, she said, "you just hook him up!".  Oh!  Yah...that's right...just hook him up!  We eventually figured it out.

When we were released to return home my boy had gone down to 4.7 lbs...so, he was scrawny!  As a matter of fact he was so tiny, he couldn't be circumcised.  So, that procedure was delayed until the doctors had something to work with.

My mom flew from Alaska to be with me and help me out and it was so nice to have her with me!  Everything was pretty new but she helped me out a lot!  I learned later on, when I went through nursing school, that some of those helpful hints weren't really suggested in the medical world.  I also learned in nursing school that it was completely normal for a baby to nurse every 2-3 hours in the beginning.  My mom was convinced I was starving my baby and he wasn't getting enough to eat.  She was sure I just needed to drink a few beers to relax me so my milk would come in.  Also, she recommended cereal because he was obviously not getting enough milk.  I'm so grateful that my son survived!  When she left, I quit feeding him cereal and drinking.  It was only for two weeks so I'm sure it didn't effect him...right?

When my boy was a month old, he had doubled his weight!  I'm sure it was from that two weeks of cereal and wheat and barley milk!  I think he developed a lot of gas because he cried a lot!  He cried so much!  One day I discovered an extra lump of something near one of his testicles.  It turned out he had a hernia.  Until they could get him in for surgery I had to push it back up where it belonged every time it popped out.  Gross!!  He still cried a lot.  I was told that if it ever got to the point that I couldn't push it in, I'd have to take him in immediately and they would do an emergency surgery.  Eventually that happened.  Handing over your 8 lb little baby to a nurse isn't easy!

My boy survived and he was probably the luckiest boy alive because while he was under, they also performed that circumcision that they couldn't do right after birth.  So, he had no pain with that!  He recovered well and that crying stopped.  My poor baby was finally feeling better!  I was told how to care for the surgical sites and his circ.  I was told that the gauze on his little weenie would eventually come off and there wasn't anything else for me to do.  But, after awhile I started to think I let that gauze stay on that weenie too long.  So, I bathed him and gently pulled it off.  Only to my surprise I saw what appeared to be little pieces of gauze stuff around the top of that weenie.  I gently pulled on them but the wouldn't come off.  It made my baby cry!  I thought, "Oh my heck!  I left that gauze on so long that it grew into his weenie!"  So, I immediately took him into the doctor only to give the doctor the laugh of the day, or perhaps his career!  It turns out that what I was trying to pull out were his little sutures!  Thank heavens I wasn't successful at removing them!

My boy survived his first month of life with his new mother.

Bliss in opportunities...

Many years ago, in Hawaii after I gave birth to my first child, I attempted to realize a high school dream of becoming a Registered Nurse.  It failed because of finances and life went on.  A few years later, after the birth of my second child in Alaska, I tried again.  At that time I was living in low income housing (the nicest apt I had ever had!!) and receiving State aid because of pregnancy issues and being on bed rest and having to quit my job.  I was extremely grateful that I got the assistance at that time!!  When my daughter was a few months old I started looking into school and everything was falling into place.  However, the issue of money came up again and I wasn't going to put schooling on hold again!  So, I applied for financial aid through the University and a loan to get me going.  I called the State offices to see what I would still qualify for with getting any aid or loans from the University...I was mainly concerned about food and medical.  To my surprise they told me I wouldn't qualify for anything at all if I went to school and received ANY aid.  NOTHING!  I was totally blown away and I remember saying to the lady on the phone, "you mean if I do nothing to better myself and just sit home and do nothing you will continue to help us?"  To which she replied, "I know it doesn't seem right but that's how it is."  So, I dropped from the system, because I wanted more.

As grateful as I was to receive State aid at that time I remember feeling awful every time I went to their offices.  I met and spoke with people there who were also getting aid but many had no intentions of doing anything else.  People actually told me they had the system worked out and knew they'd only qualify until their kid reached a certain age.  Their solution...to have another baby at just the right time so they could live indefinitely on Welfare. Kid after kid to just get the government aid.

I think the idea of helping people in need, as I was for those few months, is great.  But, I think that the system is broken, as is, and people unfortunately aren't honest and abuse the system.  I was fortunate. After dropping from the system, I survived on very minimal, as I went to college for the first time in my life, as a single parent with two young children.  In some countries your early choices determine just how much success or opportunity you'll have in your adult life.  My choices were as they were and I realized that it was up to me to turn things around if I didn't want to be idle for the rest of my life.  Thank heavens I  live in a country where I can still progress and change the direction I was headed so early on!!

The government was there to help me when I needed it, and I'm thankful.  But, when I wanted more to better myself, I felt at that time, the government bailed on me.  But, I didn't give up.  I realized my dreams eventually, and I worked hard to get where I am.  I know I'm blessed and I know a lot of what I have is because of a loving Father in heaven who has watched over me and allowed me more opportunity to improve myself.  I'm not anti-government.  I just think the way some "aid" programs are set up don't allow people who want to progress, to do so.

I'm grateful I live in America where each of us can still realize our childhood dreams for opportunity and growth.  It really is smarter to teach a man to fish rather than to just give him fish.  I find my bliss in opportunity to grow and prosper.

Such Good Bliss

I have been so bad at keeping up with all the exciting new things that have been happening!!
IAN IS HOME!!  That was very exciting!  This pic is of al those who came out to greet Ian home after being gone for two long years!  He's adjusting to life back in the Banks and waiting on work to start saving up for college in the Fall!  BYU Idaho here he comes!

Fresh from Dominican Republic and on our way to the temple!  That was one of the first things Ian wanted to do once he got home.

Miss Abigail graduated from Chinook Montessori Charter School after attending there for 9 years!!

My Mallory has graduated from West Valley High School.  She graduated with Honors and Magna Cum Laude.  I couldn't be more proud!  She too will be off to BYU Idaho with Ian!  Oh, Mallory also graduated from early morning Seminary.  That is four years of getting up extra early every morning to make it to Seminary at 6:30AM before high school classes!  WOW!

This blissful life

Wow...I read in our Sunday paper's Parade this weekend about a family who really really suffered.  They've endured though and they keep going.  So, I've thinking that one just never knows what the future holds.  We get very comfortable in our lives and are blessed with family, good health and more than we could ever want for.  And, while we may be thankful, I want to be even more thankful and not take what I have for granted at all.  It gets all too easy to just enjoy everything we have and the thought of losing much of what we have just doesn't even cross our minds.  I don't think we need to  live in fear that we could possibly lose everything at any minute.  But, I want to truly be grateful each and every day and express my gratitude more often.  The excuse of living on auto pilot, which is really easy to do, isn't a good enough excuse.  I drive a lot, back and forth, taking kids here and there.  I shop for food, I make the lunches and dinners...I clean the house and do the laundry...and sometimes I find myself growing tired.  Well...I need to snap out of it because heaven forbid is something ever happened...I would find myself wishing I could just drive a kid somewhere, or make their lunch and dinner.  I don't always enjoy what I'm doing at the moment, but I love doing what I'm doing.  I love being a mom.  I love knowing that I'm a daughter of God.  I love that God has been forgiving and patient and I can do the same.  I really do love my family and they do bring me my greatest bliss.

My missionary son!

Here's the latest of my boy!
In less than a month we'll be able to hug him!  Cannot wait!!

Changes coming...

This is a big year with lots of changes.  For one...my missionary boy, who's no longer a boy, will be coming home a man in just 43 days.  I am so grateful that he humbled himself and decided to give of himself for two years.  I've seen his growth and the blessings have come to not only those he's serving in Dominican Republic, but to all of us here at home.  Can't wait to squeeze him!!

Mallory turned 18...wow!  She registered to vote right away and got to take part in the Republican Presidential Preference Poll.  Very exciting!  After much prayerful consideration she decided to go to BYU-Idaho.  It was hard because BYU Provo accepted her application to begin in the Fall.  Idaho didn't accept her to start until January.  She decided the smaller campus, and being close to two brothers was more important.  She still plans on leaving in the Fall with Ian, and will take evening classes until her track begins in Jan.

Abigail turned 14!  Big changes with this birthday!  She took her written drivers test and passed on the first try.  She's been out driving several times and so far, she's doing pretty good.  I'll feel better, as a teacher, when the roads are clear of snow and ice.  Also, she gets to go to church dances!  Her first one is this Saturday and she's pretty excited!!

92 Days!

I cannot believe we're in the homestretch with Ian serving his mission!  He finally broke the 100 day mark and tomorrow we'll be able to say "three more months and Ian will be home!!"

Ian is doing awesome!  He just registered for school so we'll be waiting to hear about when he'll start.  Mallory has actually heard that she was accepted into the Winter/Spring tract at BYU-Idaho so she is very excited!  Mallory turns 18 next month and will re-certify for Lifeguard 1.  Once she's a level 1 she can be on deck alone, make more money and hopefully get a lot more hours.  Until you're 18 and a lifeguard 1 you're not supposed to be on deck alone...but, Mallory has been as she's proved her capabilities.  At one pool she's always worked alone but the borough pools are a bit more strict.  I believe she's now saved three people!!  Abigail is swimming...Annie is swimming.  As a matter of fact this coming summer Abigail will start training for the high school swim team!  So weird to think of her going into high school!!

Jezzie is about finished with her allergy de-sensitization.  I believe I have to give her two more injections and then hopefully she'll be done and healed!!  We shall see!  But, I think she's doing better!  She doesn't seem to be gnawing on her feet as much!

We've had some really cold days up here in Fairbanks!  -45 for days!  Yep!  That's a negative 45...below zero!  We've skipped school a couple days and seminary has been cancelled several days as they cancel when it gets to -30.  We've had a couple warmer days but it's supposed to get down to the -40's again this week.  This is life in Fairbanks!  It's not that bad.  We stock up on the essentials so I don't have to run to the store for anything and we just hibernate.  I actually enjoy the days off from running!

That's the excitement for now!  We've got to start getting ready for Ian's return and prepare a room for him.  With the renovations we've been doing in the girls bedrooms all their stuff is everywhere!  The piano room is full, the upstairs rec/guest area is full and the guest bathroom is full!  It's time for the de-crapification process to begin!!!

Spring is coming!!  Maybe just two more cold spells and then it will come!!

'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!

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!!

Happy Times...

Life is good in Alaska! Ian is doing awesome on the mission and our weekly letters from him are so good! He loves it in Dominican Republic and is really happy! He recently relocated to another city...Dajabón...right on the border of Haiti. He loves the people, the food and doing what he's doing! So, as his mother, I couldn't be happier!

The rest of us Dixon's are doing great also! We survived a recent winter freezing rain storm. Just before Thanksgiving...the Monday before...the temps dropped and it started raining and once that rain hit the frozen ground, it turned to ice and pretty much made going out a bit treacherous. So, the girls and I hung out at home for a couple days waiting for it to get cold again! The four day weekend for Thanksgiving began early and we ended up with 7 days off...yep, the schools even closed!! That's a rarity!

We're all excited for Christmas and the tree is up and the shopping has begun! Eggnog is in the fridge and the Christmas music is playing nonstop! It really is a happy time!

I'll try to get more pics posted of Ian. AND, I need to get our camera out and get more of us here!! Merry Christmas everyone!!