Dear family and friends,
HAPPY NEW YEAR! We hope you are all well and that you are feeling rejuvenated in body and spirit, ready to enjoy the year ahead. Here is our look back on 2013:
Dave faces the question, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" and he wants to be a teacher. Retirement from the Army is just a year away, so he is set on cruise control at work while trying to make plans for the rest of his life (and ours.) Foot surgery kept him down for the month of October, but he is well recovered now and able to rejoin that Physical Training that he so dearly missed. (Ha.) He keeps busy at church working with the youth at church as the Young Men’s president.
After the baby of the family started Kindergarten this year, Clair spent a few weeks twiddling her thumbs. However, becoming a substitute teacher at the kids' elementary school and being blessed with her dream job of managing a popular mommy blog (The Creative Mama,) put a dramatic end to days of leisure. She also enjoys being secretary for the Primary (church children organization.)
Olivia has taken advantage of new opportunities as a high-schooler. Early morning seminary and after school Drama club make for long days for this 14 year old. With one of her friends, she also admins teenxanime Facebook page and is rarely seen without her sketchbook. As military life would have it, Olivia (and Paul too) had to say goodbye to a close friend who moved this year. While treasuring friends that don't stay long, her outgoing nature helps her form new friendships.
Paul, 12, is a great young man who has traded polo shirts for a white shirt and tie on Sundays. He took the Math Club by storm this year when he threw hesitation out the window and "went for it," winning 1st place overall in a recent middle school match. Chess Club and Overachievers Club (where he says they ironically don't do much) fill his afterschool calendar. Paul is quickly gaining in height on his big sister, much to her dismay.
Our 9 year old teaches us the principle of giving with a selfless heart. Faith happily spent her own money this year at her school's Santa shop to buy gifts for her family. She loves to play with her friends and be active. A broken arm resulting from a roller-blading fall kept her from swimming till the end of the summer. But she jumped right back into physical fun as soon as (or maybe a little before) she got the green light.
5 year old Seth has grown so tall and changed so much in just a year. After an unfortunate experiment with hair and scissors, a buzz cut replaced his longer locks. Seth has adjusted well to full-day Kindergarten and gets glowing reports on learning his letter sounds and sight words. Though he did put on an individual show of hold-nothing-back-get-crazy-on-the-floor dance moves for the assistant principal, he seems to be finding a balance between work and play at school.
That does it!
Thank you for being one of our treasured blessings by being our friends and support. May you each have many blessings to count in the coming year!
With love,
The Dicksons
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