Hope's Dedication

Sunday, November 25, 2012

was Hope Olivia Dixon's Dedication Day

at Stedman Pentecostal Holiness Church in

Stedman, NC

It was such a joy to witness precious Hope's special day.  Greg, Sarah, Blake, Taylor and I packed up and made the trip to Stedman.  Melonie and Kaitlin were there.  Dianne and Danny were there too.  Tiffany and Clint and Danielle's sister, Leslie and her husband, Michael (missionaries in Africa) viewed the service by Internet. 

We love our family so much and our hearts are continually filled with gratitude for being so richly blessed.

(The pics are horribly blurry due to my phone...but it was a beautiful day!)

Sarah is very resourceful when it comes to photos on the computer.  I asked her to update a family collage.

We needed to add Hope's picture and Tristan's ultrasound, then all the updated pics of the family. 

I enjoy having family pictures on my laptop at work and the home computer too.  I believe I'll add this one as my background:)

(See she's pretty awesome!)



It's a BOY!!!

Tiffany and Clint found out that Baby McPherson and a Baby Boy McPherson!  We will be welcoming

Tristan Cage McPherson



in March 2013!

Congratulations Tiffany and Clint!  We are so happy our family is growing.  We have been blessed with so many wonderful treasures in our lives...especially these sweet grandbabies!!!

HaPpY Halloween

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween....

from

Hope the Elephant

Monkey Man Blake

HaPpY Birthday, Daddy

This past weekend, I went to Pilot Mountain for an overnighter to celebrate Daddy's birthday.  Donnie, Dana, Mama, Daddy and I spent an enjoyable evening together.  We went out to eat at Coronet's Seafood in Rural Hall, NC.  Yep, we love some good, fried seafood!  It's not often we get together but when we do, it never fails to be fun.  Good food, good family, good times!

Happy 79th Daddy!  You are simply the BEST dad ever!  (I may be a granny but I will always be a daddy's girl!)



Fall Fun

We try to get the family together as often as possible.  This fall was especially nice when we were able to have a family gathering at our home. 

Ryan was able to come in from Leesville, LA for a four-day weekend to visit Sarah and Blake.

They did lots of fun things.



Gregory, Danielle and Hope came up from Stedman.  Mama and Daddy came down from Pilot Mountain.   

Mama and Daddy got to meet Hope for the very first time. 

We had a big meal and a wonderful visit. 

We really missed Tiffany.  However, we did SKYPE with Clint and her while everyone was here.  Wish they could have been here in person but skyping is the next best thing.

Sweet "17" Dear Taylor

September 18, 2012

Taylor McKay Dixon's 17th Birthday

We started the celebration at Kanki.  Rub Buddha's tummy for luck.



Yay, chopsticks!  The food was YUMMY!




Wonder if this cancels out the luck?!?!  Oh, when these two get together!





Then home for cake.

 

May all your wishes come true<3







Lots of family remembered Tay with gifts, cards and $$$$.

Geez...it's a birthday not Christman (haha).

Happy Birthday, Sweet Taylor McKay!  You are such a blessing to our family.  We are proud of the young woman you've become.  The world is yours.  Plant your feet upon the path you want to take.  We love you so very much.

All is Swell

I'm happy to say the Dixons are well, happy and as usual...BUSY.  Sarah and Blake are settling into a little routine.  Gregory and Danielle continue to adjust to life as parents to Precious Hope Olivia.  Tiffany is experiencing some "evening" sickness with the pregnancy...ugh!  Taylor turned 17 years old on September 18th.  Wow...where does the time go?!?! (pics to be on next post)

Below are just a few pics of the past few weeks:

Blake loves playing with Great Papa

Great Grany snuggles with Blake

 

Blake enjoys playing with Aunt T's legos from when she was a little girl.

I get to take Blake to Miss Dawn's every morning. 
Just look at that precious smile. 



Greg and I get to baby sit Hope on a Friday evening.



                            

                                                                Greg and I passed her back and forth all evening.  Fun, fun, fun!

All is swell with the Dixons:)


Baby McPherson

It's official......

Tiffany and Clint are expecting!!

Baby McPherson will be welcomed in March 2013!

Tiff had an ultrasound this morning.  She and Clint saw and heard the baby's heartbeat, saw little hands and feet. 

Congratulations!  I know you've been working on this little project for a while:)

This will be our third grandbaby.  Three in 13 months!  Gosh, we are so fortunate.  Love goes out to all of our beautifully, growing family.





Hope Olivia

Hope Olivia holds her paci all by herself! What a smart girl!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Monday....ugh!

It's Monday and I am having a HORRIBLE day.  This year I am teaching literacy intervention with K-2 grades and ESL K-3 (some students in grades 4-5 consult only).  This entails many, many responsibilities and I'm just about to crack under the all the pressure of school.

Listed below are things I am responsible for:

*Students in grades 1-2 that are reading below grade level.
*ESL students K-5 that are not English Language Proficient
*15 teachers serving 4 tracks (remember...I'm at a year-round school and I'm on track 5!)
*Scheduling to accommodate services working around all grade level lunches, special classes, recess, LA times, math times, etc...this is a nightmare!
*Paperwork to account for all the time and assessment data and ALL the reports to department heads at central office plus getting everything approved by administration.

(sniffle...tears...It's just been a horrible day!)

I'm so glad this day is almost over.

Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This

Greg and I were just talking about all the events that our family has been through the past several weeks.  We were wondering why were we tired and so emotional.  We listed all the happenings since July 25th.

*Hope Olivia was born.  We've been burning the road up traveling back and forth to Stedman to visit (a three-hour round trip each time).
*The Larsens moved to back home. All the extended families couldn't wait to see them.  Ryan having to go back to LA, etc...
*Taylor's getting ready for her senior year (portraits, decisions about school and college, SAT prep class, work, etc...)
*Tiffany came home and juggled her time among all the families.
*School start up for me and all that entails (stressful, stressful, stressful). 
*Church stuff
*Greg's responsibility with Mama Lottie and taking care of her needs (emotional and physical).

Through all the busy, busy, busy weeks, we are still very grateful for the blessings Heavenly Father gives us on a daily basis.  Even challenging events keep us close to the Lord.  When I think my mind and body can barely go on, I look at my beautiful family and my heart smiles.


"Mama said there'd be days (weeks) like this" but just look at some of the pics and tell me how anyone could keep from smiling...

The Relatives Came

What a great weekend!!!  Sarah, Ryan, Blake and Maggie (the dog) got here Saturday, July 28th.  Oh what a great day!  Love, love, love getting my hands on Blake...well, all of them but seeing Blake after 5 months was so exciting.  He's grown so much.  He smiles and laughs...what a joy!  Just see for yourself:

On Sunday, we the fun continued in Stedman.  We went to Gregory and Danielle's to see them but mostly to see Baby Hope Olivia!  She's precious...just take a look!



Lottie was the first great-grandmother to meet Hope Olivia.  She was elated!

This was a wonderful, memorable weekend.  Life as the Dixons is fabulous!!!!!!

Hope Olivia Dixon

Hope Olivia Dixon

Born Wednesday, July 25, 2012

9:41 p.m. at Cape Fear Valley Hospital

6 lbs 5oz and 20 1/2 inches long

Fayetteville, NC

We got the call from Gregory that Danielle was in labor and going to the hospital at 4:45 Wednesday afternoon.  I had just gotten home from school, Greg was at work in Durham and Taylor was working at the Y.  We all came together and got to Fayetteville (in 5:00 traffic) in record time.  Danielle had a very fast delivery!  About 5 hours of labor and Baby Hope Olivia made her arrival.  She was welcomed by Melonie and Kaitlyn, Dianne and Danny, Greg, Taylor and me!  What a joyous event!!!

Meet Baby Hope Olivia...



(This one was taken just minutes after she was born!  Look how alert she is.)

HaPpY Birthday to ME!

This is the first year I have ever had to work on my birthday.  Since I've been teaching at a year-round school, I have always been tracked out on my birthday and before that I was working at a traditional school and would out for the summer.  And the is the first summer our family hasn't been at Lake Gaston on my birthday (we are awaiting the arrival of Baby Hope Olivia).

I must say that even though I have to work on my special day, I have gotten lots of well wishes on Facebook, by phone and cards.  Greg greeting me this morning in bed with a "Happy Birthday, Darlin' " and Taylor gave me a birthday hug before she went to work. Ryan and Sarah call to sing "Happy Birthday" to me. I heard from all the kids.  Then all the many, many other calls and messages started.

One of my favorite gifts...



Blake's Birthday Message to Granny

 Later...

Taylor brought me lunch (hot dog and fries from Shorty's).  She treated me to a birthday balloon too.  My goodness, the day just keeps getting better.

Outback Steak House

Tonight, Greg, Taylor and I went to Outback to eat.  Then, home for cake and I think, a few presents!  WOW, what a nice birthday.  Heavenly Father has blessed me with so many people that care for me.  I am so thankful to have such wonderful family and friends in my life. As I celebrate the 19th anniversay of my 30th birthday, I know more that ever that  Life as the Dixons continues to sparkle and shine.

Birthday cake...thanks Taylor!

Greg got my pjs...the Dixons in plaid.

Taylor and Greg have put a smile on my face and in my heart today:)