Let's brag on our teens!
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Let's brag on our teens!
| Thu, 04-06-2006 - 8:46am |
I know raising teens can often be filled with stress and frustrations and there are times when it's almost hard to see the good things about them.

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Matt, my 15yo sophomore, was recently informed that he is one of the Top Ten students in the sophomore class. He just finished a successful two-weekend run as a "Shark" in "West Side Story" and was awarded "Best Theater Spirit" at the cast party. He's already looking forward to his next play, which may be "Much Ado About Nothing," if the school administration approves it.
He's also been busy as senior patrol leader of his Boy Scout troop. They're getting ready for a huge council-wide camporee based on a Robin Hood/Sherwood Forest theme. He loves that time period and is having a blast getting everyone hyped up for the big event.
Plus, he's made through a week of spring break at home with two annoying little brothers and hasn't killed either of them yet!
Elizabeth
My DD (14) is:
Beautiful-that is not a biased opinion,she is truly a gorgeous girl
# 35 in a freshman class of over 530.
smart-Her GPA is 4.17
athletic- played softball as pitcher for 7 years.
talented-Marching band percussionist-I cry when I watch her because she simply amazes me!
loves her younger brothers and sisters
I love her to death but I will not determine my happiness by what choices she makes in her life. She is a darling girl with lots of friends and lots of ambition and I pray that in 5-6 years she will be smart enough to realize that the teen years were hard but not unbearable.
LARK
DD 15 is a freshman this year.
Has a GREAT group of friends that all manage to keep away from the drama that goes on in other groups.
She is friendly and usually the first to greet any new girls at school and invites them to sit with her at lunch with her friends.
She is a good kid and has never given me any worries or problems.
She is a straight A student and has been ranked 1st in her class of 267 all year so far.
She is a classically trained flutist and has sat 1st chair since 6th grade.
This year (her first year of high school) she auditioned and earned 1st chair in the schools top band..outscoring the 20 other flutist's 9-12.
She just competed in her first Solo & Ensemble Contest this year and earned a Superior rating with a score of 40 and a Best Of Site Award. She was the only student out of 112 band students here to recieve a perfect score.
Well, since you asked...
My children are actually some of the most aesthetically beautiful children to grace this planet. Since the time they were young, people have stopped me and commented on their looks. I have always tried to downplay this - dh and I have no idea where they got it from as neither one of us is a prize, looks-wise. We figure it's an "accidental" mix up of our genes which have resulted in incredibly gorgeous children. It's not like its something they "accomplished", kwim? However, its difficult when people are forever commenting and focusing on it. I've had several requests from agents, for instance, for dd14 to model. She's just not interested, and I'm not pushing it. She has alot more to offer than her looks, although people usually can't look beyond it.
DD14 is actually a talented artist whose work has won awards and been displayed in publications. Like a true "artist" though, she eschews all "rewards" for her art - it's "hers" and she will not let it go. When I entered her work into a contest and she realized she would not get the print back, she almost didn't forgive me. When I was snooping in her room last year, I found beautiful poems and lyrics which she writes, and also refuses to share with anyone!
DD16 is a drummer who has never taken a lesson (!) and has been playing in local bands for a couple of years now. They're currently working on a "project" of all original work and plan to release the CD, if funding comes through, in the fall. He loves to "sing" that new screamo kind of stuff. Of course the girls eat it up - which is why I'd rather he stay the drummer. I was so glad when he got his cellphone because I was his own personal secretary - the girls have been calling since he was 10! Yowsa! Luckily, he is not interested in just any girl - looking for that "special one" and very, very picky. Lucky me! (Fingers crossed)
I'm going to stop now - this is starting to sound like one of those ridiculous newsletter "Christmas cards" people send out....brag fest over.
Out.
Well since you asked, and they haven't made me angry in a few weeks I can brag a little about my kids. The triplets took the SAT reasoning test last weekend, but all feel confident with it. We will know their scores in a few weeks. Now all of them are studying for the AP exams.
Ill start with Reagan(16), who has been doing exceptionally well in school lately. We have been scheduling for next year and she is not trying to go for the easy way out. She has a vegetarian club at school, with 10 people in it. Since soccer is over she has been babysitting neighbors and helping out around the house. Also, she is organizing a garage sale this weekend to raise money for the MS walk coming up.
Shea(16) has been busy with her high school musical,42nd Street. She is a character named Anytime Annie,who she is nothing like in real life might I add, and she has been enjoying herself. Also, she has an upcoming choir concert, which they are preparing for. She is by far the most artistic child.
Bradford(16) has a new girlfriend, who I really like (yeah!). He is not a very social person, so it is nice to see him with someone that he seems to care about. He is starting to get away from the text books and out of his shell to hang out with his friends. He is still managing 4 AP classes, and is studying hard so that he keeps his record of getting a 5 on the exam. Also, he is doing very well in swim.
Carlin(13) has been taking it easy lately when it comes to extra curriculars. Cheer just ended, so she has a few weeks off. Everyday she stays after school to tutor fellow classmates. She is a straight A student taking 2 AP classes her freshman year and doing exceptionally well.
I am really proud of them. We had some issues in the beginning of the year, but they all have good heads on their shoulders now.
Stephanie
Oh gosh ... I'm in one of those emotional phases in life where just thinking about my kids gets me all teary-eyed. What is there not to be proud of? In spite of my best efforts, I haven't managed to screw up either child and they both absolutely amaze me in just about every way.
DD14 has grown into an incredibly lovely young lady. She learned some hard lessons about life, friendship and respect for other people in school last year and she hasn't forgotten them. She has been criticized by her friends at school for being 'too nice' to a few students who don't quite fit in anywhere and depend on DD for friendship. DD told me that she 'couldn't live with herself if she were anything but kind' to them -- even though they were really starting to get on her nerves.
She had a leading role in our church's youth service a few weeks ago. I was totally blown away with the poise, grace and self-assurance she displayed. She spoke, read Scripture and sang in front of a packed church without appearing even minutely nervous or self-conscious. A few weeks after that, she delivered a speech to a local Rotary club at its weekly meeting. The mayor of one of San Diego County's wealthiest communities, several prominent local businessmen and a former Congressmen were in attendance. She said it was 'fun'.
DS12 - not yet a teen, but so close now! (He suddenly is just as tall as DD so he seems like a teenager already.) One of the sweetest, kindest, most gentle and tenderhearted boys on the planet, with a quick wit and wicked sense of humor, DS makes me laugh most every single day. He is so pure in spirit he puts me to shame. He and I volunteer once a week at the cat shelter and he nearly always leaves in tears because there are so many cats that need homes and people to love them and it just breaks his heart that he can't take them all home. (I will personally strangle the first girl that breaks that sweet heart of his.)
DS is very spiritual and can't wait to get to high school with DD, where he will be able to read his Bible at school, (!) talk about God and Jesus and celebrate Christmas and Easter without having to be 'pc'.
The relationship my children have with each other is amazingly beautiful. Oh, they squabble and bicker like every other brother and sister, but ... they are very close, they are each others best friend and they rely and depend on each other in so many ways and seem to truly enjoy the others company.
Better stop now, my glasses are starting to get a bit foggy ...
DD, Kelsie 16 yo, is one of the most amazing young ladies I know. She has her typical teen times and drama, but she is a wonderful, loving, giving young lady. Once one of her teachers told me that she has a way of being able to talk to and relate to anyone. He said she was able to talk to one of the girls in the class who was not doing well in school, getting into some really questionable behaviors, be friendly and supportive of her then turn and talk to someone who was an extreme straight arrow. She was the first to welcome a foreign student and although he could speak very little English she made friends with him. The teacher said that he hasn't seen adults that could handle themselves as well as she does. Kelsie is a very kind girl and a very good friend. Although she doesn't realize how popular she is, she is well liked by almost everyone. She has friends in all different groups at school. She is just an amazing gal and I can't tell you how much I love being around her. I am also lucky enough to have a really great open relationship with her, we talk about everything, she is not afraid to share with me and ask my opinion.
DS, Jaryd 13 yo has been given Student Of The Month 2 yrs in a row for being helpful and caring. He is aways aware of others feelings and needs. As my dh says, Jaryd is the sweetest soul I have ever known. That just sum Jaryd up, he is a very kind, sweet young man. He is always willing to help someone out and would give them the shirt off his back if someone needed it. He loves to do things for others without anyone knowing about it. He and I both feel that it is much better to give without recognition and accolades, and he does this often. He and I are very close, as he is with dh and dd, but Jaryd and I have a special bond. We spend as much time together as we can and really enjoy each other. He often comes to work with me (ceramic painting studio)and helps out more than some of the people who actually work there for a wage. He just loves to help us there and does it for no pay, only the joy of being there and helping us out. He is my sweetheart and I just love being with him.
Guess you can tell I think my kids are great. I love them more than I could ever say.
Kristie
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