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