Happy New Year - 01/02/2005

 

Happy New Year,

 

Well it is time to start a new year and we are experiencing a lot of changes.

 

Dirk - (dirk@dykstra.com) The past year was very difficult for Dirk. He had 6 concussions in a twelve months period and the 5th one had not healed before the 6th happened. When the sixth injury occurred his neck was also injured - making the entire family very nervous. Since the concussions were taking longer and longer to heal each time, the doctors instructed him to cut back on his work hours and stress levels. In order to do that he resigned at Corsicana and took a Technology Director's position at a small school. Instead of 2000 computer and 40+ servers he now has 100 computers and will be able to teach three to four periods each day. (He has missed the teaching quite a bit.) The job also goes from 60+ hours per week to a maximum of 40 hours per week. Unfortunately, this meant a move for the family.

 

The good part of this was that we were able to find a job for Dirk in a location we lived in before. Dirk will be working in Westbrook. Westbrook is where Dirk II started Kindergarten. Dirk, Valerie, Lisa and Dirk II all have friends there. We will also be going to church in Snyder, where we attended for five years. The school has 175 students in grades K-12 and Dirk taught with one of the teachers in Rotan. Dirk and Valerie worked with another in Corsicana.

 

Yesterday was our first day back at St. Elizabeth's and we were welcomed with open arms. Valerie was a favorite of the ladies who run the programs at the church in Snyder and they are already making plans for her to be integrated into many of their activities. Dirk has been asked to help with the High School CCD. Lisa and Dirk II are being signed up as readers.

 

 

Finding a house to purchase or rent was not a problem as the school provides housing for their teachers. We are all moved in already and only have six boxes left to empty. This will be the fastest we have ever unloaded. The move went very smooth and we had a lot of help. Thanks to all who contributed!

 

Valerie - (valerie@dykstra.com) The co-op that Valerie works for has turned out to be a very good thing. She has received more training in the first semester there than in the two years at Corsicana ISD. The Special Education laws are being redone at the Federal level and the No Child Left Behind rules are causing large changes at the State level. Working for the Co-op has allowed Valerie to stay on top of all the changes. She will continue with them till summer.

 

Valerie is also starting her training for her management certification. The Masters Degree means that she will only need half of the classes that others will. Moving to Westbrook will help, Angelo State in San Angelo is not very far away, that is where she received her Masters and they have a good administration certification program.

 

Damon - (damonds15@yahoo.com) Damon graduated in December from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside with a Bachelors Degree in Communication and a  Certificate in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. He has Plans to put his degree into use in the construction field sometime in the next six months. Damon also introduced the family to a wonderful woman that he is involved with. We all enjoyed her company very much and found her to be intelligent, fun and a great match for Damon. We wish the best for the two of them.

 

Megan - (meganmaeblevins@hotmail.com) Megan was married to Adam Blevins on December 18th. We were able to meet Adam during the summer and spend some time with the two of them. He just graduated from Officer Training with the Army and is currently attending Ranger training in Georgia - Wow! After meeting him we are thrilled for the both of them. Megan also graduated in December. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelors Degree in Education. She will receive her teaching certification this month and move to Georgia to be with Adam.

 

Dawn - (dawn@dykstra.com) Dawn announced her engagement to Shawn Langreck. They will be married in June in Hawaii. Dawn and Shawn having been together for a couple of years and we have spent quite a bit of time with them. They both are very good for each other and we are excited for them. Dawn is a senior this year at Marquette University in Milwaukee and looking forward to graduation. Dawn attended school in Westbrook in sixth, seventh and eighth grade.

 

Holly - (holly@dykstra.com) Holly moved to Denver in early summer with her partner, Sergio Reyna and is working as a cashier. She is currently expecting her first child, a boy - Jordan, in late February. Holly loves photography and has entered a number of contests. She is currently a finalist in one of them - with a prize of $10,000 for first place. Holly attended Westbrook during her fifth and sixth grade years.

 

Lisa - (lisa@dykstra.com) Lisa was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in Coriscana's Junior ROTC program in December at the Military Ball. In May she received many awards for her first year in ROTC, including the Freshman Outstanding Cadet of the Year. At the end of her first year in High School she was also ranked number two in her class of 400+ students. Lisa has also been teaching CCD classes with an adult for the first graders. Lisa attended Westbrook during her first and second grade years.

 

Dirk II - dirk2@dykstra.com) Dirk II was one of three students, in a school of almost 800 students, selected for the All Region Band. He is a trombone player and did an excellent job. Dirk II also participated in the UIL One Act Play in spring. Dirk II had one of the leading roles in the play and his group placed first in their UIL District. In December Dirk II received the sacrament of Confirmation. Dirk attended Westbrook during Kindergarten.

 

We have also rebuilt our family web site. Starting in January we will try to add some new items and pictures each month. We encourage you visit. www.dirk.dykstra.com.

 

We hope that you have a great New Year.

 

God Bless,

 

The Dirk D Dykstra Family