When I think of her

So many words come to mind when I think of her.  She is beautiful, thoughtful, intelligent, creative, determined as well as stubborn, a true and devoted friend, moody, and “a know-it-all” – she’s a teenager after all – what do we, her parents know?! We are proud of her and love her so very much. 

I remember when she was placed in my arms and how I felt when I looked at her precious face.  She was beautiful then and even more so today.  She still makes me catch my breath!  Sixteen years have flown by and I know we’ll be dropping her off at college in no time.

Turning sixteen was a big deal for her. A year of opportunities! She wanted to get her drivers’ permit on her birthday and her father took her in for the test. She passed it - aced it actually - and was so very excited.  She also applied for her first job and had an interview the week of her birthday. She created a resume, wrote a cover letter, and called individuals to see if they would be a reference for her.  She nailed the interview.  I was amazed and proud at how calm and confident she looked.  That was almost ten months ago and she has been driving a lot and she enjoys her job.  I am proud of her work ethic and the way she is managing her time. She is dedicated to working hard and she has received comments about her performance since the first day on the job. She tells me what people say and talks about the events she works at.  I am blessed that she has this wonderful opportunity to work at the university, work with professionals and college students and experience earning her own money.  She was thrilled with her first real paycheck and celebrated by shopping. She had a list of things she wanted to buy. She also bought Christmas gifts for her family.  She has planned to give herself a small allowance from each paycheck and save the rest for college.  She is a girl with a mission as she plans for college. 

School has kept her busy as she is taking four AP classes, is the editor of the yearbook, is a member of three clubs, plays flute and is in the band and she was on the track and field team this year!  She is a strong supporter of her close friends - she attended many home games to cheer them on earlier this school year.

She is finishing her junior year with regents exams this week and a presentation in French.  She went to prom just a few weeks ago with Pawel. He is an exchange student from Poland and he leaves soon. We’ll be dealing with a heart-broken daughter. Pawel is a nice young man and they have enjoyed getting to know each other. Perhaps a trip to Poland will be in our future.

A quick review of her year in pictures:

Spirit Week took place in September, here she is with her friend dressed for a 50's-themed day:

 

On November 10, she was inducted into the National Honor Society:

 

On January 21, she went to the Snowball dance - always a reason to shop for dresses!

And to finish the year she attended Prom on May 20:

At the Scholarship and Athletic Awards last week, Olivia was the recipient of two scholarships. One was for $120,000.00 over four years and the other one was for a total of $28,000.00. Unfortunately, they are for colleges that she won't attend because they do not offer the academic programs she is interested in. 

After a busy school year, she has a busy summer ahead of her. She will continue to work. She is taking a drivers’ education course offered at the high school from early July to August. She passed her road test in early May and has been taking the car to various places.  I have been praying a lot. She has rules to follow and has done well following them. She plans to take a summer course so she can take a business course next year.  Ambitious is what she is. Somehow this summer, we need to plan a trip to Rhode Island to visit the Johnson and Wales University as well as another trip to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY.

And once summer ends, my baby will start her senior year in September as she turns 17 years old.

Where has the time gone?