The Dixon Diary

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

December Newsletter

We hope and pray that you are enjoying a blessed Christmas season with friends and family. To see our latest newsletter click here or past this URL into your address bar: http://tinyurl.com/dixonwinter2010

Saturday, November 13, 2010

This One is for the Grandmas

Grandma Dixon and Grandma 'Doot-doot' bought cute sibling shirts for the kids and we finally had our photo shoot. Let's just say that I know my calling is not to photograph children. . .

From Sib Shirts

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Click!

A little confirmation goes a long way! This week I had a chance to see confirmation first hand. Let me back up a bit. In September we opened the doors of our photography studio. The darkroom was all set, our staff member Dustin was ready to teach, cameras were ready to be used. We just lacked youth from La Capri coming to learn. A month later the darkroom was still ready, Dustin was even more prepared, and the cameras were gathering dust. We (mainly Dustin) continued to advertise and to find ways to make connections with youth to invite them to come. Then one day Dustin arrived at the studio and kids showed up wanting to learn.

So after a week of teaching the basics of how to operate a SLR camera, and about things like focus, aperture, and film speed the day finally arrived to take pictures. So on Tuesday I was privileged to spend the afternoon with Dustin and the kids he had been teaching, walking around La Capri taking pictures. It was amazing to see Dustin interact with these kids, who are on average 11 or 12 years old, teaching them how to take pictures. In a short time this little band of kids and Dustin have developed an obvious mutual admiration for each other and genuinely enjoyed being and learning together.

Each week Dustin will teach different techniques and they will have a different subject matter that they will shoot and discuss. The topic for this week "Trash in our community." The idea is to take pictures that tell a story and communicate something to the viewer. The idea is to not only teach these kids how to take and develop pictures, but also to teach them to think critically and to use their creativity, and ultimately to introduce them to their creator God. So on Tuesday I saw first hand a little confirmation that God is on the move in La Capri.

Here are a few pictures of Dustin and the kids taking the first pictures:

P.S.
If you happen to have a SLR camera in your closet collecting dust and taking up space that you would like to donate let us know as we could use a couple more cameras.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

One Month!!

I can't believe how quickly a month has come and gone! While Jeff has been busy with all things SI, I have been resting and doing all things kid and baby-related. It's been fun to have a newborn again. I'm amazed at how much easier it feels this time around. I can't decide if it's because we finally know what we're doing, because Lynnea is a mellow baby (Thank you, Lord!), or because Olivia and Sawyer are older and more independent--and at school on weekdays. It's probably a combination of all those things. We decided a big factor is how well Lynnea sleeps; she's not sleeping through the night or anything, but she often sleeps in 3-6 hour stretches, which makes a HUGE difference for my life perspective each day! Anyway, she is a sweetheart and a blessing. I think we'll keep her. ;) Here are some current photos:

Silly Girl :)

From Lynnea 10/10

I love this one!

From Lynnea 10/10

Tummy Time

From Lynnea 10/10

Big Sister Olivia is a BIG helper!

From Lynnea 10/10

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Lynnea Hope

Lynnea Hope Dixon arrived this afternoon at 1:17pm. She weighed in at 9ilbs 2 oz and was 21 inches long. Believe it or not this makes her the runt of the family. Both Tracey and Lynnea are doing great!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Cute Little Bunny

Mother's Day is August 15 in Costa Rica and Sawyer's school put on a special luncheon, complete with a bunny dance, for all the mamas. It was very special, but mostly I wanted to post these adorable pictures of my Big Boy. :)

From Bunny Boy

10 years!

To celebrate our 10 year anniversary, Jeff and I went to a coffee finca (plantation) not far from San José, call Doka. We stayed at a cute little B&B and did a coffee tour the next day. It was a fun (and much needed!) little getaway. And it was so. . . GREEN and beautiful!

We had dinner at a restaurant overlooking the city