Being Real

A month after we moved into this house Donny lost his job. Thankfully, he was hired with another company soon after and a month later started a new job. Although, with this job he had to take a big pay cut. That put us in a situation where we were just barley getting by. Until about five months ago when the quads fell out of medicaid, and we lost all the supplemental income we were getting for the kids. That was keeping us afloat. Raising five kids is not cheap. We had recently gone through Dave Ramsey's Money Makeover which we learned so much from. Anything that was an extra expense was eliminated and we were down to the bare bones of what we needed to live. God made it really clear to Donny and I that we needed to sale our house. If not having money to buy groceries to feed our kids was not already enough. In June we put our house on the market. We have had almost a dozen 2nd showings, but no offers yet. Every month that goes by that we don't sale the house the worse off we become. When we do sale the house, we don't know where we are going to live. That's another part of trusting God to provide for us and show us the way, when he is ready. There's been many of times I have wished that I could see in the future--it sure would help at times; however we don't know what tomorrow holds--but I DO know WHO holds tomorrow...and I know He will hold our hands throughout the good and the bad.

Storms are hardly fun, the rain can most defiantly get overbearing, the heartache will continue…but the journey WILL come to an end…somehow, someway—with God we will get through this. Every day is a new one, not all will be good…but not all will be bad! God saw something special inside us and he trusts us with this journey, so no matter how hard the days may get I trust that he will guide me through the storm and help me to dance in the rain! Have you ever realized that it takes some people a hardship to really rely on God the way that we should always rely on Him? I'll be the first to admit I am guilty. I was raised in a Christian home, I've believed in Him very early in life...however I never let him guide me the way I am now. I never fully understood what it meant to give 'all' your worries to God, maybe because I didn't have many...however-I trust in Him more so then ever before, I believe in him more so then ever before and I have faith and know that "With God ALL things ARE possible."

I do believe in miracles, I hear of them happening daily…so I do believe that if it’s God’s time something could happen before then, and that is what I am praying for. I am praying for a miracle from God. I say it all the time, but he has a special plan for us. I truly believe that, he will not put us through anything we can’t handle. So whats next....we will keep on praying and keep on going down this journey knowing that with God we will be ok :) "I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13" God doesn’t give us more than we can handle…at times I wish he didn’t trust me so much. I do trust him and I am trying my very hardest to lean on him throughout all of this. God has a plan; a special plan—a plan that only he knows…I have Faith; that’s all I can have…he is in charge of the rest.

GO BIG ORANGE!!

I realized one of the most important day's of Brown Bear Week was forgotten. How could I forget to post pics from Orange day?! After all, this family roots for the TN VOLS! GO BIG ORANGE!! Here are the quads right before school. Don't they all look so cute? If you can't tell recently, Sam has become quite fond of having her picture taken. She is always ready with her smile and putting her arms around others posing. So cute! I love it!! It's funny too, because when Logan is not around, it's like Sam is the ring leader. All of a sudden she becomes the one in charge and tells the others what to do, or the way it is going to be.

That evening I caught a moment with Donny holding Sam and I had to take a picture. The lighting was really bad, and there was a bad glare, but I still love the picture of them two.

Of course Daddy got some tickles out of Sam. That's a daily Daddy thing. No matter the day, good or bad, each child gets some tickle time with Daddy. I love watching it! I love hearing it! Especially when Maddy is the one getting the tickles. That girl can laugh like no other. I can be having the worst day, but to hear Madison and her famous giggle, you cannot help but smile. It's pretty awesome when I think about things like this, and the little ins and outs of our children's personalities right now, a part of me can see into the future, a picture of them and what they will be like as they get older. The way they will act, interact and react. The kind of friend they will be to others. The kind of student they will be. The kind of teenager they will be. These are the fun and wonderful things we can and get to think about. We don't need to worry about what we are going to do when all the kids need braces, or figuring out how to manage the schedules and costs when all five children are interested in different sports or hobbies. We get to make the most the way things are now, the amazingly different and special children that we have, and all the many ways that they bless our lives each day.

And here's Sam for a close up...

I downloaded a new program the other day, so I was playing around with it and here is the result.

Back In The Hospital

Yes, you heard that right. I'm back in the hospital. Thursday afternoon I went back to the doctors office to get my blood checked once again, thinking things were going to be looking up. Turns out the blood clot is so large and has effected so much of my veins that there is complete occlusion of the veins in my leg. The doctor sent me to the emergency room, and i was admitted into the hospital that night.

"An occlusion is a blockage of a vessel. There are two types of occlusions: partial or complete.

An occlusion of an artery in the heart or in another area of the body may be caused by the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque, by plaque that has broken off from one area of a vessel and traveled to another part of the body, or by a blood clot. Partial occlusions limit, but do not completely block, blood flow. On the other hand, complete occlusions completely restrict blood flow.

Occlusions prevent organs and tissues from obtaining the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive. This, in turn, causes tissue death and serious conditions, such as a heart attack or stroke."

In turn this causes an extreme amount of pain, pressure to my entire leg. I am currently on bed rest, although, I can barely stand on my leg anyway. I have never really been a typical patient and usually am far from a textbook case so things don't always appear from the outside as they are on the inside, or vice-versa. It's just one complicated thing after another really. The good part though is, I now have an excellent team of doctors on my case that are all working together, communicating and trying to make the best, wisest and most safe decisions when it comes to my treatment. Apparently, things were not handled well originally when i was in the hospital, and I should not have been discharged as I was. But now, we have moved on and are dealing with the present situation the smartest way possible. As of last night they started me on an iv heparin drip, to help aid in the thinning out of my blood, and speed up the process of breaking up the clot. They have stopped Lovonox and I'm continuing on Coumidin as well. 

Last night a group of my girlfriends came up to the hospital to see me. We hung out in my room, chatted away, and enjoyed each others company. And even had some incredibly scrumptious cupcakes that Melissa brought. Mine was red velvet cake. Heavenly! Thank goodness I was aloud to eat food by then. Hehe! How wonderful it is to have friends who are so loving and caring and took time from their Friday nights to share some laughs with me. I am blessed!!

Logan has come up a couple times to see me, which was awesome. I love that boy so much! And Donny has brought all the kids up, and I got to take turns cuddling with each one in the bed. I'm thankful I got the time I did with them through this week, and got to see their excitement about their new school and all the new things they are experiencing for the first time this year.

Blood Clot Update

I have been experiencing a great deal more pain in my leg since I have been home from the hospital. Especially, in the last couple days. To the point where sitting is painful and walking is just plain baaddd. Hard to walk anyway, but the more I'm upright, the more intense the pain is. If I'm laying with my leg propped it helps, but any other position is not fun. I had another ultrasound yesterday, and they found that the clot has gotten worse, and is also up into my abdomen, so only makes sense that the pain has increased and not gotten better.

Thankfully, at this point this change does not mean much, just continue on my blood thinning medicines and shots as I have been. My INR was still way low yesterday, so need that to go up asap, so no other clots form. With my history you just never know. Nothing ever seems to go the way any doctor says should be expected. So pray that the clot begins to dissolve, and the pain lessons, so I can get back to being super mommy. Daddy Donny has been filling in the gaps for me, and am so grateful for how he always steps up and takes charge and takes care of our family so well.

The kids had another great day at school! Logan even got to ride home on his scooter with Daddy. Good times!!

Quality Time!

Several months ago I made a choice to spend more quality time with our children. Sure, I'm a stay at home mom so I'm almost always with them, but so many days it's just routine and I want it to be special. I tend to get wrapped up with all the housework and things I want to do and accomplish and I forget some of the best times are unplanned times. I want my kids to know that they are loved and cared for by their mommy and daddy!! So, Donny and decided to start having special time with the kids individually or one take the girls and one take the boys. These times have been wonderful! 

We have five incredible kids!! They are so silly and make me giggle. There are only few years I can enjoy this time of their lives and I want to make the best of it. My health is still not the greatest, I've had a couple surgeries since I last blogged and several hospital stays, and there's no way for me to know how I will feel from one day to the next. But I do know I want to spend time with my kids and share things and moments they will always remember while I have a chance to do so.

I know I'm way behind on updates and so much has happened...Stay tuned to hear some updates on what the Dixon's are up to now.

Goodbye Flu Bug!

We're still here...just been fighting off illnesses that have been passed around the house. The kids all seem to be doing so much better now. Just a few upset tummy's every once and a while. Whatever this illness was it got to me earlier this week and I'm getting over it now. Whew! Glad that's over!! D is off on his first business trip since the new job. We are hanging out, enjoying the nice weather while he is away.

New Look, New Job, for a New Year!

President Obama is not the only one who started a new job today. So did Donny D. Today is Donny's first day at his new job. I'm so proud of you Donny! We are so thankful for all the prayers, encouragement, support and gifts that we have received during this time. We are so blessed! Thank you all!

Check out our new blog design! All the thanks goes to my sweet friend Hollie for putting this together. You rock Hollie! :)

Dear Donny...

When I was a little girl, I played make believe. I pretended to cook and clean and to be a Mommy to my baby dolls. (I did not role play walking around Super Target with screaming kids, because there are some things that you must experience to truly appreciate). But in my naive mind, I imagined a man, a husband. He was brave, strong, tall and very handsome. And he loved me. It was a dream. And some might call this a silly fairy tale or the immature longings of a girl who loved romance. But I call it my life. Because you are the man of my dreams. You are the first to hold me when I am afraid. You are my encourager when I doubt myself. You are the one who made me a Mother of five. You are also the one who still leaves his clothes on the floor. Ok so this is getting a bit better...just moved from the floor to the chair. (Just keeping it real).

I am not a little girl anymore. I am a woman and you are a man. But I can't help but think of the things I didn't dream about....I didn't dream that I would hear my husband praying over me as I laid in a hospital bed in ICU fighting for my life. . I didn't dream that my man would be a Chicken Fried Steak fairy, delivering me my favorite food while I lay in bed rest pregnant with quadruplets. I didn't dream that my husband would be the kind of father that blow dries his girls’ hair at night. I didn't dream that my man would face sudden job loss and show me what true confidence in God to provide looks like.

Today you turn 30 years old. And more than anything, I want you to know that I love you more than I ever dreamed. You are a man among men. You stand out as you lead our family. You are my heart, my life, my best friend, and my soul mate. Happy Birthday, Donny! I am so proud of you. Thank you for making my dreams come true.

I love you, I’m in love with you, and I choose to LOVE you forever!

The Latest and Greatest...

I know it has been a while. First of all, thank you for praying us through this last unexpected surgery. (If you did not hear through the grapevine, I had another ovarian surgery) Thankfully, this time they were able to do it laparoscopically. It could not have been any smoother or easier. And with my experience that is very hard to come by. I'm doing very well in recovery, and should be cleared to drive again tomorrow at my post-op visit. Whohoo!

Before all this unexpected surgery came about I had been seeing a thoracic specialist. The last year I have been going through physical therapy and had multiple tests and injections to treat my thoracic problems. Now the time has come and It looks like I will be having thoracic surgery next week. I'll be seeing the two different surgeons this week who will both be involved in my surgery. All the blood work will be done the next day. And the following day, Thursday the 22nd I will have the surgery. Please be in prayer for a safe and successful surgery. If the surgery is successful it will change my life. (Chronic issues, pains and numbness I deal with daily would go away). The surgery involves dividing a muscle in the neck and removing a portion of the first rib. It is a 5 hr surgery. Pray for D, at this point, he will be at work at his new job that day. :) (Yes that's right D got a new job! Well, actually he has been offered two positions, he accepted one...and if the background check comes back good he is in and starts next week. But we will see cause he has also had several interviews since for other companies and is one of the top candidates for another position with another company and will be meeting with them again Monday. So if he gets a job offer from them, that may change the direction he will go. Only God knows, and we will find out. But D hit the ground running looking for a job and has kept busy at it, and it is paying off. Yeah for Donny!!) As of today my blood levels were right where they need to be and I started on Lovinox shots. This is the last big medical issue I have been dealing with as a result from complications after the quads. So hopefully...after this I will be sitting pretty!

We appreciate your prayers!

In The Midst Of It

Here again, we are faced with another fire. Thankfully it has nothing to do with any health issues. This time it is financial. Donny was let go from his job Friday, due to downsizing throughout the company, and economic hard times facing the company as a whole. Here I thought he was getting out to talk to his buddies from work and enjoy the company Christmas party and having a nice day and then he returns with this news…boy was I wrong. Being a man of much sarcasm and a love of joking around, I did not know he was being serious when he first shared with me this news. After a few minutes of him repeating it, I realized this was far from a joke. Of course I was speechless, and emotional and upset. To go from everything being great for 7 years and then losing the only career he has ever had…all we have known…where do you go? What do you do? Unfortunately, they did not take our five children in consideration when choosing to let my husband go from his job. Don’t they know we have five little mouths to feed.? Our Christmas has taken a sudden twist, and wont be what we had originally planned. But we will still do everything possible to make Christmas day fun for the kids, and make them feel special. We don’t want the kids to feel our worry or problems, so we will do our best to make like everything is ok. Although, we do not know what the weeks and months to come have in store. All we can do now Is be in prayer for God’s direction, and provisions. We are waiting to see where God is going to take us and how is going to provide. We are scared and uncertain and feeling all kinds of emotions but we can only do so much and let God do the rest. Your prayers and job leads are most welcome and appreiciated.

Our Little Vacation!!

Donny and I had a wonderful time on our little trip to Tennessee. Huge thanks to all the grandparents for making it possible and caring for the kiddos while we were away. We had a GREAT time! And we even got to see SNOW! Check out our scrapbook for pictures of our trip.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Vacation?!?

Thanks for all who participated in our Vacation Destination Poll. Yes, it is really true! Even I can't believe it. Donny and I are going on our first vacation since our honeymoon almost 6 yrs ago. We will be flying into Knoxville, TN next weekend. Then we will drive into Pigeon Forge where we will be staying. It will be a short trip, 3 days and 2 nights. But we are getting away, just the two of us. We will have a fun filled trip, mountains, Dollywood, and all. We can't wait! Huge thanks to K, Nana and Pops, for keeping the troops entertained and cared for so we can get away. And we are certainly thankful for all those points and miles Donny has accrued so that we can make this trip possible.

I asked...

Where are Donny and Liz going on vacation?
A Bed and Breakfast across town 6 (20%)
Maui, Hawaii 5 (17%)
Colorado 1 (3%)
Hotel ZaZa in Dallas 3 (10%)
Knoxville, Tennessee 7 (24%)
Las Vegas 3 (10%)
St. Lucia 2 (6%)
The Outlet Mall 0
(0%)
What vacation?! 5 (17%)

Votes so far: 29
Poll closed

Four M&M's and A SuperLogan!!

What a fun and colorful Halloween it was! As you can see from the pictures, Samantha, Candice, Madison, and Hudson were everyones favorite Halloween treat...How can you not love these M&M's?! Who needs real candy when you have these cuties! The night would not have been complete without Super Logan, our own little superhero! His cape was flying last night, as he ran from house to house with the BIG kids! He was right at home.

This was the Quads first year to go trick or treating. Who knows what they were thinking, but Sam and Maddy sure got the hang of it quickly. Sam was keeping up with the big boys. Hud and Candi were not so sure about what to do but were having fun walking around, seeing all the decorations and getting candy. Apparently, Hudson likes skittles like his daddy, cause at one house he stuck around as the others ran off, and kept going back for more skittles. Like father, like son!

Madison our silly little Green M&M!

Sam, our little red bull, energizer M&M. And Candi, our sweet little yellow M&M.

Do they look like sisters, or what?! Gotta love these M&M's!

Hud, our handsome little blue M&M!





And Don't forget Logan, OUR REAL American Hero!!! SUPER LOGAN to the rescue!!!

Da BOYS!!! Keeping It Real In the Neighborhood!

Time to go trick or treating. Check ya later!

Retreat...

According to Webster's dictionary retreat is listed as,

1 a (1): an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable (2): the process of receding from a position or state attained b (1): the usually forced withdrawal of troops from an enemy or from an advanced position (2): a signal for retreating c (1): a signal given by bugle at the beginning of a military flag-lowering ceremony (2): a military flag-lowering ceremony2: a place of privacy or safety : refuge3: a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director

This weekend I am going on a women's retreat with our church. I can't wait! I have never been on a women's retreat. However, I grew up going to children's camps, mom/daughter conferences, father/daughter conferences, and many youth retreats, children's camps, and mission trips. However, I have not had the opportunity to share in the experience of a spiritual retreat with other women. My hearts is filled with great expectation as I prepare for this weekends women's retreat. Although, I don't know the schedule or the agenda or really what to expect (which is driving me crazy inside, cause I like to be prepared and know things in advance) I am letting go and letting God to his thing. I heard that saying a while back..."Let go, and let God." Don't know who said it, but what a great thought, and what a great action. I'm opening my heart to what God wants to say to me this weekend. I look forward hanging out with friends and making new friends. I'm ready to worship God with a bunch of awesome Christian women and hear from God through His word and His people. I look forward to sharing stories of great fun, play, laughs and tears when I return.

I am so thankful for each of the staff and volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy to make this retreat possible. And more than anything, I am thankful for my sweet, loving husband, who has given me this opportunity to get away for a couple days, free from mommy duty. Thank you GM friends! Thank you Donny!!

Our Favorite Time Of Year

Have you seen the Christmas decorations up in the stores? Have you been enjoying the cooler weather? I sure have, and I'm so looking forward to the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Oh, how I LOVE this time of year! We have been living in our new house for a little over a month now. The other day we were out in the garage going through stuff and could not believe how many boxes we have that were marked Christmas. It was crazy! Donny said, somebody must like Christmas. And this could not be further from the truth. Since Donny and I married (getting close to six yrs ago), the season of Christmas and the months leading up to it have always been for us such a special, fun, exciting, and memorable time. Everything else in the world can be bad, everything in our lives can be bad for that matter, but the spirit of Christmas just makes us happy. We are those people who could listen to Christmas music all year round. And are not annoyed at the radio stations that start playing earlier each year. While others are complaining about it, we are celebrating. Donny and I got married a couple weeks before Christmas. So the month of December really could not be any more perfect. :) Each year since the quads were one we have tried to get Christmas cards out, but having quads plus one, and dealing with medical issues with Candice, and photographers that we not honorable, we have not been able to send out cards as we would have liked. I know some of you received an edited version I through together last year, after a bunch of tears and sweat, but it was not what I wanted it to be and only a select few of you got one since the pics I had were limited, (due to our photographer that bailed on us). I'm planning on a better year! In order to share our new address with you and some Christmas cheer, please send me your address. You can email me at mommyofmultiples@yahoo.com.

Down With The Dixon's

We had a nice restful weekend. I even felt well enough to get out of the house for the first time since being home from the hospital, and went to church with the family. It was probably a little much, but I'm glad I went. I had really been missing worship the last couple weeks while I have been in and out of the hospital. We had long list of things to get accomplished after church... but did not get to. I was in major pain and feeling sick after a long morning and had to take the rest of the day to recuperate. I felt much better this morning, (or afternoon, I should say, seeing that I slept in and did not really start my day till early afternoon) and have done pretty well all day. We got a couple things done and I'll have to get to the other things later this week. Big thanks to my hubby for getting the kids up and ready for school and bathed and ready for bed this evening. It's so nice to have him in town this week! I really do appreciate you Hun! More than you know. :) I know he will be ready for me to be back to full time mommy a.s.a.p., and I as well am looking forward to that. It really is hard for me to sit back and watch the kids be taken care of and not be the one involved. It's my God given job after all. Every once in a while I get spurts of energy and then I get really burned down. So as I know from experience it will take a while before I'll be back to full speed. I do however feel so much better health wise, and I'm thankful to have that health bump behind me. Now my concerns are much less trivial. I'm having fashion issues right now. My clothes just don't fit me. Well, at least not comfortably. Due to the surgical site I can't wear anything that buttons or zips or is tight around my waist. That pretty much eliminates most all my wardrobe. Except, for my pajama pants, sweatpants, and dresses. In other words, if you happen to see me about in the next couple weeks, I may just look like I am going to a slumber party, am headed to the gym, or am going to a funeral. Until next time... Goodnight and God Bless!!

Off To The Hospital

Today is the day. Donny is on a plane right now, headed back to Dallas. Nana and Pops are also on a plane headed here. Donny will be back just in time to come see me before I go back for surgery. Nana and Pops should arrive close to 5pm. I'm dressed and getting ready to get picked up to go to the hospital. They have a lot of prepping to do to get ready for surgery. Placing a central line, blood work, starting antibiotics and such. I did get some sleep last night. But had horrible night sweats. Well, I'm still sweating, so I guess it's really not night sweats. I cried allot yesterday. I really just wanna see my hubby and know that everything is going to be ok. Hopefully, next time I write, I will be feeling better. I don't know how long I will be in the hospital, so we will see. Thank you for your prayers! Until, next time...