Remember the Titians!!!

Do you remember, 'Remember the Tiitans'? The awesome true story of Herman Boone played out on the big screen with Denzel as Coach Herman Boone.
The GREAT PLACE, Fort Hood, III Corp EO office in celebration of MLK Day invited the legendary motivator, Coach Herman Boone to speak to its soldiers during a celebration entitled 'A Day On Not A Day Off'. Although his speach was geared towards service members I felt in motivating. Barry and I thought it would be good to allow Brennan to hear him as well. As Brennan sat and listened I hoped he too gleamed motivation to be aware; his, TODAY, is not a day OFF and not just during the celebration of Martin Luther King Day but everyday that he strives to be all that he was created to be.
In order to reach our God given mark we too must view everyday as a day ON!! There should never be a day off this should be applied to all aspects of our lives and the way in which we move toward a better us, a better family, a better community, a better... whatever. And only more true as we embrace President Obama and the work ahead of us. He (President Obama)cannot do this alone.
A Day On Not A Day Off!!!

Coach Boone

 

Brennan looks on as Coach Boone autographs his souvenir mug

 

Barry, Coach Boone & Brennan

 

Is she a Hairdresser?

It looks easy!!

Alana was trying to roller brush curl her hair.
We purchased this roll brush and she was trying to use it and this is what happen. I thought that I was going to have to cut it out, but after some patience and minor chastising (I told her not to do it because this could happen). We manage to get most of the hair from the brush without cutting. I wonder if she will try this again???

 
I thought I knew how to do this.

 
I hope mom can help!!! Or will she find this funny?

 

She may have to cut this thing out!!! But I will try it again someday!!

The Author and HIS critic

The time has come, for Brennan to get busy submitting essays for scholarships. During the Christmas break, I found an offer on fastweb that required him to write an essay, Environmental Sustanability was his topic. He has the potential to be a great writer but dislikes the task but yet enjoys the end result (go figure).
He worked on the essay for 3 or 4 days and was ready to submit his works, but not before the resident critic (that would be Barry) had checked it over.
Who will do this when he is off at UT (University of Texas Austin)?? I may have to send his dad along as the back up plan :)
Since the paper was due on the 5th they did not have time to do alot but we will see what the fruits of his labor bring forth. Hopefully the dollars will start to roll in as there will be many more essay writings to come.

 
 

Look for Great and Awesome works from the Dickerson in 09'

Dear Love Ones,
As our family reflects on the past year, we have a lot to be thankful for and your devoted friendship tops the list, along with good health. Barry did undergo back surgery in November. However, he is recovering well. After nine military assignments living in some wonderful and not so wonderful on-post and off-post housing in the States and Germany, we purchased a home in Harker Heights, Texas where our plan is to settle after his Army career is over.
Barry returned from a 15-month Iraq tour in Dec 06 and has enjoyed 365+ days here with us in his assignment with the 1st Calvary Division as the Equal Opportunity Program Manager. However, he is scheduled to head off for another tour in Iraq later this month. Just as in the past, we welcome your prayers for him, his soldiers and all soldiers that find themselves in harm’s way and away from their love ones fighting and defending our freedom. When he returns, he plans to retire within two years and look forward to God’s next assignment.
Brennan entered his sophomore year at Harker Heights High School. He continues to do well. He remains a solid ‘B’ student and did very well the first half of the year. During the fall semester, he did not play golf (a disappointment to us as he has the potential to be GREAT). But look to hear about his rebound to golf during the spring and summer. He plans to play with the school team and participate in as many Texas Jr. Golf tournaments as possible. He currently plays for the Harker Heights JV basketball squad with little playing time. This may not be his ticket to the next level but he continues to look for playing opportunities whenever possible. He has also embarked upon driver’s education and will soon be a licensed driver. In May 09, my little man will be 16. Can someone tell me where the time has gone? Barry was his instructor and used Texas’ Parent-Taught Drivers Ed Curriculum (saved about $300). Brennan is now our unpaid chauffer and gets numerous “opportunities to excel” (as Barry puts it).
Alana headed off to Union Grove Middle School this year, where she continues to be a solid ‘A’ student. She continues to be the social butterfly and has realized study, time management and organization is the key to accomplishing academic, extracurricular and social goals. Because of Killeen Independent School District rules, she’s not able to play any school-sponsored sports until her second year in middle school. But, she plays basketball for the local parks and recreation center and will run track with an AAU team during the summer. She is learning that her two-year basketball sabbatical set her back just a little. But she is quickly relearning the game as the team’s center and forward (she’s 5’6” tall!). On the track, she’s earned the title, “Fast Alana”, where she runs the 200 and 400 meter sprints. She continues to be very active in Girls Scouts; she earned her Bronze Star and is currently helping other girls in her troop to earn their Bronze Star. She is a member of the G-Union Steppers (the middle school step team). Last year, she was selected to attend a youth leadership conference in DC, which was a great accomplishment and honor as this is usually awarded to middle school-aged children and only a few 5th graders.
As for me, I continue to be very busy as the MiC (Mommy-in-Charge). Those of you that share this illustrious and AWESOME title know what goes with this job: running the family shuttle, managing the diner/restaurant, and volunteering at school. I am also collaborating with two other mothers of young men to put together a Beautillion, the male equivalent to the Debutant Society for girls. Barry and I are still tag-teaming in our church’s youth ministry (Grace Christian Crew), working with High School students. Aside from those activities, I continue to work hard at making my home business, BSnapped by Ace Photography & More!!!, become a prosperous and rewarding endeavor. I recently photographed my first wedding, which was awesome and a lot of work! I look forward to many more rewarding assignments. I finally have an official website; www.bsnapped.com and a blog at http://bsnapped.blogspot.com. Feel free to check them regularly for praise and shout outs!!!
Until next time, continue to be all that you were designed to be and give reverence to Jesus for living and dying so that we may have eternal life.
Love always,
The Dickerson Family

J.A.M.M

J.A.M.M
No not the popular Teddy Riley hook. J.A.M.M is an acronym for Jasmine, Alana, Mahogohney, Monica and their MiC (moms-in-charge). This past summer Alana and I did a week long Bible study, A Young Women After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. I was a great time for the two of us to grow and for me to show her that God has designed her with his purpose. And if we walk the way he has intended all that he has for us will come to pass. so as she prepared to go off to middle school I wanted to equip her the best I could. I not only wanted her to be prepared but I wanted her to be surrounded f with godly friends and could hold her accountable. So it was pressed upon my heart to conduct a bible study with some of her friends and their mothers. The original invitation went out to 6 or 7 families. As God would have it only 2 families, 3 girls not to include Alana showed up. We have had some great time building relationships. It is a blessing to see these girls operate as friends and I pray that as they go off into their separated destinations they will be forever changed by the experiences we share weekly (when time allows).
I prayed and contemplated the path which God had for me. MY plans were well thought out and well put together (6-8 weeks) was my target. But as we continue I see God has other plans for this J.A.M.M Session so we faithfully continue in Jesus’ Name.


The girls working on J.A.M.M bling!!!


MiCs (moms-in-charge)


J.A.M.M (Jasmine, Alana, Mahoghaney, Monica)


J.A.M.M (Jasmine, Alana, Mahoghaney, Monica and the MiCs)

Merry Christmas From Team Dickerson

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Blessed New Year!!!
The holidays have just about come to an end. We'll soon be sending the children back to school and before you know it they'll be on spring break and yes the end of the school year and the huslte and bustle of summer activities will be the mode. So before things get back to the normal bustle of everyday happenings, school basketball, golf and track and field, we stopped for our annual Christmas photo.

Less we Forget

This memorial was erected in memory of 1st Cavalry Soldiers who lost their lives in “Operations of Iraqi Freedom”.


Less we forget; there have been many great men and women (mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles and truly great friends) to serve, fight and defend our freedom. There are many monuments in every city across the nation that memorializes the service of great ones gone on before us. Fort Hood has many such memorials; today as I was driving by I ceased the opportunity to take a picture of a memorial dedicated to soldiers that lost their lives during “Operation Iraqi Freedom”. Believe it or not I did not stop just for the shot but mainly because I don’t want to forget the men and women that fight for our rights. I don’t want the live of my friend, Dwayne Williams, and others like him to be forgotten. Men and women like my husband that prepares daily to reenter the fight. I don’t want to forget that my freedom is due to family and friends lost to the cause. I don’t want what they do to be to be taken lightly. I want to pass this part of history to generations of families to come and what better way than to take a picture (take a picture it last longer).
Thanks may never be enough as we continue to send young men and women to fight and defend this great country we call HOME!!! Continue to keep those in the fight as well as their families in your prayers and DON'T forget the families of those lost.
Happy Patriots Day (September 11).