Madison's 4th Birthday

Happy Birthday to my sweet Madison. She has waited so long to turn 4. We created a count-down chain to help the time go faster. She decorated all her cupcakes by herself too. She is my best helper. We had a bowling party with family and cake and ice cream. It was such a fun day to celebrate. It's hard to believe how fast time goes. We love our little princess.

Strong marriages

In a world full of people that seem to be so concerned about themselves, and what they will get out of life, it makes me take a step back and keep myself in check. It saddens me that so many marriages are falling apart. Not because the relationship can't be fixed, but because one or both parties simply chooses not to make it work. One thing I pride in, is a strong marriage. It is not easy and Matt and I work very hard. Our relationship is not perfect, we will always have things to work on and talk about, but we realize that it does take work and constant communicating. I am very blessed to have the husband I do and hope that I can be the kind of wife that he deserves. I am also very grateful for the father is he. He loves our girls so much and works hard to provide for them, but also so that I can stay home with them. There are many things we can't buy, places we don't go, things we have to save for, because we don't have 2 incomes, but we get to choose and our girls have benefited by me staying home with them. There have been a few times I have thought about going to work, but I always get the feeling that is not what I should do. So far, we are still able to pay our bills and have food on the table. My husband is a hardworking, amazing man. He loves me and I love him. We are happy and work hard to stay married. I am forever grateful for my husband. I love him with all my heart.

Happy Birthday Madison

3 years ago today I became a first time mom. Madison has been such a wonderful gift. Since she joined our family there has not been one day that I haven't smiled or laughed. She has such a great personality. She is always teasing someone and making sure we find her amusing (she must get that from me). I hope today will be a fun, happy day all about her. I look forward to many more years of smiles and laughter. I love you my little Madison!! Happy Birthday from mommy & daddy

The month of Thanks

It's very natural for each of us to think about the things we are greatful for this time of year. I am one of those. However, for the past several months I have been full of gratitude and have been reminded of how incredibly blessed I am. The most obvious blessing are my wonderful husband, beautiful daughters, family (both my immediate family and in-laws). I have a beautiful home. My family is healthy. We are happy. However, today I thought of an additional blessing that we all have, we just don't know it, or pay attention. Personal revelation. Some may call it instinct or vision, however you refer to it, to me it's all the same. What I receive personal revelation about is usually personal and some people won't understand so it's not worth sharing, but I am very greatful that I have that gift. My family is usually the focus of those. They are what I care most about. Many people focus on education, jobs, friends, personal life. None of that is bad. Sometimes I wish I had more friends, but then my sweet Madison randomly yells "Mom, I love you" from across the room and I remember that she's one of my friends. I sometimes think I wish I had a job and then after I am done nursing Mallory and she falls asleep in my arms, or gives me the biggest, sweetest smile while I'm changing her diaper reminds me that I LOVE my job, as a mom. I'm not rich, but when it comes to staying at home with my girls there's nothing I'd rather do.
I try to keep this on my mind, but until my 'Things to complain about' list is longer than my 'Things to be thankful for' list, I have to be thankful and not complain!

Happy Anniversary

On October 14th, Matt and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. I still have so many clear memories from the day we got married. One of the best decisions I ever made. We have been together for 10 years and had plenty of ups and downs, but everything has been worth it to be to where we are today. He is my best friend. I love having him by my side. He is such an amazing person, husband, and father. I am so blessed to have him in my life. I am so excited to grow old together!!

Happy Halloween

This Halloween was so much fun. Madison dressed up as a bumblebee and Mallory a Ladybug. Cutest bugs in town! Madison loved her costume. She never complained putting it on. In fact she got very excited. She was even adorable at 'stinging people.' She would grab her stinger and say "buzzzz" as she backed up toward the person. Hilarious!! This was her 3rd halloween, but the first where she actually understood how the whole trick-or-treating things goes. Once she caught on though...there was no stopping her. :) We ended up with way too much candy. Most will make for great church treats though!!

Mallory Jade Dixon

In November of 2010, Matt and I were getting ready to have company stay at our house for Thanksgiving. I told Matt, "I think I'm pregnant". It was quite a shock since I was on birth control and we weren't planning on another baby at the time, obviously. So we snuck off to Walmart without family and bought a test. Positive!! That same weekend my sister, Kristin, had her first baby boy, Felix. It kind of made me excited, but also really hard to keep my mouth shut. I had only taken a home pregnancy test. For Christmas we told the family. We used onesies from when Madison was a baby and wrote "Coming soon 8/1/2011". They were of course excited. Well, 9 months later we had a beautiful baby girl. We named her Mallory Jade. She weighed 7lbs. and 18 1/2 inches long. She was a BIG surprise in more than one way. We didn't find out her gender, but Matt and I were just sure we were having a boy. In fact we barely thought of girl names (more 'justincase'). So after she was delivered I asked what it was....it was a Girl. I practically jumped up. What???? I was shocked. Now 3 months later of full bliss I am so happy we have 2 girls. They are just so sweet and precious. They sure have a done a number on their daddy. His heart gets bigger everyday for them. Madison is such a good big sister. She just loves "Peanut" (that's the nickname she gave her) :)