Holiday Re-Cap Part 1

December was so busy it is almost a blurr...but a WONDERFUL blurr!  It is time I try to get caught up so we can have record of these wonderful memories.  We had such a wonderful week welcoming home our Elder Ben!  The night he came home, we went to our Stake President's office, Pres. Raines, for Ben to be released as a full time missionary.  It was truly a sacred experience.  Pres. Raines asked Ben to share his Testimony in Chinese... it was so heartfelt and tender.  Though we couldn't understand a word... our Spirit's felt the truth of the Testimony he bore.  One of the last things Pres. Raines said to Ben was that he felt impressed to express that Ben is the glue that holds our family together.  He is the connection between the older brother's and the younger brother's.  His words couldn't have been more true!  Ben has always been the peacemaker in our home, and we have all felt that peace since he has been home.

On Christmas Eve, Tyler and his family arrived!

Seeing Ben for the first time since he came home...

 Papa seeing baby Rhett for the first time...

 Uncle Brad and Rhett!  Uncle Tyler and Asa!

My BOYS and Their BOYS! I love this picture...a dream of mine come true!

 Uncle EJ and Kalvy...back together again!  They love each other so...

 Uncle Noah meeting Baby Rhett..

 The babies ready to go to our traditional Christmas Eve Dinner at Outback Steakhouse!

 Kelly holding her babies... Such a beautiful Mama!

Home for some Christmas Carols...

 New PJ's (sweatpants this year!) and Pillow Cases...

 and Christmas Jammies for the littles...

 
What a wonderful Christmas Eve!!

Sweet 16!

How can my Noah be 16?

16 years ago I was in early labor.  Noah was determined to come 3 weeks early...his lungs weren't fully developed yet.  I had a new Dr. and he suggested a new Pediatrician.  After he was born, they rushed him into the Intensive Care Nursery.  Our new Pediatrician (whom we hadn't met) came to evaluate Noah... Dr. Wynn looked at James and said "I know you from somewhere."  He proceeded to work on Noah...he threaded a small tube through his belly button up into his lungs and helped inflate them.  James asked Dr. Wynn to help him give Noah a blessing.  He was covered in tubes and had a breathing tent over his head...so they each placed two fingers on his head and gave him a blessing.  When things were calmed down... Dr. Wynn told James..."We were in the MTC together!"  Then James remembered they were in the same Zone at the MTC and played basketball together.  James went on to serve in Boliva and Dr. Wynn in Argentina.  To meet again under these circumstances was truly a blessing!  He honestly saved Noah's life...and has been a dear friend ever since.  We invited him to come and help bless Noah a month later... great memories.

Dr. Wynn felt Noah needed to be transported to another hospital by ambulance...

 Here he is in his traveling incubator before they took him away...it was an awful feeling to be in one hospital and my new baby taken to away to another hospital

 I received a phone call about 11pm that night... "Lisa, this is Dr. Wynn...I am holding the most beautiful baby... he has made a miraculous turn around and we feel he is going to be just fine!"

What a relief...I will always remember that phone call!

I demanded I be released the next morning so I could go be with my baby boy!  He only had to stay 4 days ... we were so excited to get him ready to go home!

Home to the big brothers...

 Ben doesn't look too happy... he was the "baby" for five years, ya know!

We love you Noah!  We are so glad you are a part of our family!  You bring a lot of laughter, music, a bit of "Drama" and joy to our home!

Happy Sweet 16!

He is home!

WOW...what a wonderful few days we have had!  Elder Ben returned Tuesday Dec. 18th!

Waiting at the airport...

First one down the escalator...

Ethan couldn't stop crying...

2 long years all came out in tears...  This was one happy Mama!

With his proud and grateful Dad... James was so emotional the whole day.

How did you get so tall???

Grama and Grampa Dixon...

Meeting sweet baby Asa...

Sis. Cori Larsen was at the airport to pick up her daughter (from a semester study abroad in China!) so she came a little early to see Ben! They were so good writing Ben throughout his mission!

Welcome Home!!

We were sure missing Tyler and his family.  They will be here Christmas Eve and everyone will get to meet new baby Rhett!

Putting on his last sticker...

Reminiscing...

 We are so happy to have our Elder Ben home.  These past two years have been a remarkable spiritual growing experience for him and for us all!  It is a beautiful thing to see a young man full of the Spirit of our Heavenly Father.  He kept saying "I can't believe my mission is over...I wish I was back...I loved it with all my heart!"  There isn't anything he would rather be doing... he loves the people he met and taught...he loves his companions...he loves his Mission President and his wife... He so loved being a missionary...he is so grateful for the past two years!  We are to grateful for his example of Christlike love and service! We had a wonderful experience when he was released.  Pres. Raines had Ben bear his Testimony in Chinese.  It was the first time we had really heard him speak in Chinese. 
It was beautiful and so tender! He was prompted to comment that Ben is the glue that holds our family together.  He is right in the middle and is the center of our family. 
His inspired words were absolutely correct.  Ben has always been a peacemaker
 and we are so grateful to have his influence back in our home!

Well done...Elder Dixon... Welcome Home!