Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Wanting to be on her own!

In just a few days, she will be sixteen. 
I found this photo of Emily and her friends at her fifth grade graduation. I cropped it down to the image you see here. Like this...it has huge meaning for me. 
A blurry image...because it is so hard to remember this little girl, all of 12...wanting to be so big. 
Kissing the elementary years good-bye! Heading off to middle school. 
Blink!
And now....again...kissing the little girl in her good-bye!
She dreams of being sixteen...and grown....and free. 
Last week, she announced " This is last Thursday that you will have to take me to work!" and "Next time I go to the orthodontist, I can drive myself!" and so on. I remember the freedom and the feeling of independence. 
I am so proud of who she is....and what her being grown up will really look like one day. 
Sixteen is a milestone! One of many more to come!
She is growing up ....but she is not grown up yet! 
Thank goodness!
I'm linking up here with 52 Weeks of Happiness and here with Sweet Shot Tuesday! Join the fun!

12 comments:

  1. She is so beautiful.

    Happy sweet 16 to Emily!

    It's so bittersweet, isn't it?!

    :)

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  2. Adorable photo!!!

    Drew dreams of that indepence too! Bittersweet!

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  3. Happy Birthday to your sweet girl! I have three of those and my last just turned 16...sigh...

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  4. Oh how sweet! It's a wonderfully scary time :) Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter!

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  5. What a sweet picture! Why do they wish to be so grown up? Ugh.
    I hope 16 is everything she is dreaming it to be! Happy Birthday Emily!

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  6. Funnily enough Eldest turned 16 last summer, but wasn't in a hurry to get behind the wheel. I guess a '96 suburban really isn't very motivating. And of course winter driving is a pain to learn in. We are almost there, but again she isn't too thrilled about motoring around in the sub. I have my ways of keeping them close bwa ha ha : )
    Dana

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  7. Bittersweet for sure. Sweet photo.

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  8. They do grow up fast, don't they? And a happy birthday to her!

    =)

    PS. You don't look old enough to have a daughter turning 16!

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  9. Awww, Happy Sweet 16 to your Emily! I so remember being that age, wanting to rush things and grow up already. And it's funny how now, I wish that time would slow down because this grown-up thing is overrated! ;)

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  10. Jen , that photo is so precious. Oh my , yes... I remember that feeling of being so big at 16... and when my sons were that age they also thought they were almost men.
    Now that they are men - , how I miss those days of them not being so independent.
    It's an emotional time for us Mommas!
    Have a pretty day!
    Kristin

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  11. So sweet...and terrifying! My boys are 2 and 7 so teenager-ness scares me a bit. I guess that we have to enjoy every moment, even the scary teenage years. Happy birthday to your lovely young lady!

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  12. OK...now I'm really scared b/c I just took my big ballerina's 5th grade grad pix last spring. And she turns 12 today. I don't recognize her anymore. Every day she seems so much older. I don't want it to all be a blur!!!

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