Ten on the Tenth -- Senior Year Excitement!

In exactly ten days, Bethany will officially begin her senior year!  To say that I am excited about this would be an understatement.  Without further ado, here are the ten things I am most looking forward to this year...

1.  Getting senior pictures made.  Well, actually, I'm not looking forward to this anymore, because we've already done it.  At least we had the pictures that will go in the yearbook taken.  As I arrived at the high school cafeteria, another "senior mom" asked me if I was going to cry.  Um, no.  Why would I cry?  Of course, that's not exactly what I said.  Close, but not exactly.  Anyway, I snapped a picture with my phone while the photographer was setting up.  Loved seeing my girl in her cap and gown!

2.  Bethany's last first day of school.  Taking a picture on the first day of school is a tradition ... I'm sure you'll get to see it!

3.  Her last basketball season.  Last year, the Lady Panthers made it to the elite eight in the state finals.  With four starters returning and an awesome new coach, this could be the year for a state championship!

4.  Her last track season.  Last year, she came in second in high jump at the 2A state track meet.  This year, she's determined to come in first.  Next ... the Olympics!  :)

5.  Senior night.  Brad and I will get to escort her across the basketball court, while an announcer tells about all her extracurricular activities and favorite high school memories.  I remember hiding out in the bathroom during what would have been Hannah's senior night activities.

6.  Powder Puff football.  Our school has a Powder Puff football game each year as a fund raiser for prom.  The junior girls play the senior girls.  Last year, the senior girls one ... this year, I have a feeling they might win again!

7.  Helping her fill out scholarship applications.  Yes, even that will be fun ... I think!

8.  The graduation ceremony itself.  The fact that her dad, as the high school principal, will be the one calling her name and giving her her diploma will make it even more special.

9.  Dorm room shopping!  Of course, all shopping is fun, but dorm room shopping has got to be really fun!

10.  Taking Bethany to college next fall.  This is the one item on the list that I'm not quite so excited about.  For her, I'll be excited.  She's ready ... The girl would skip her senior year and head straight to college next week if she could.  It's beginning to hit me, though, how much I'm going to miss her.  But that's okay ... we'll have texting, and Skype, and weekend visits, and Christmas break ... All of those things will make it much easier!

So why am I really so excited about Bethany's senior year?  Because I am so happy that she is going to have one!  So many parents seem to spend their child's senior year moaning and groaning about how sad they are that their kids are growing up.  They cry gallons of tears over many of the events I just listed above.

Now, I'm not about to say that I'm not going to cry at all during Bethany's senior year.  I probably will.  But they will not be sad tears ... they'll be tears of joy that my girl is growing up.  I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again ... It is not sad when your child grows up.  It is sad when your child does not have the opportunity to grow up.  And that is why, Lord willing, I intend to enjoy every minute of Bethany's senior year!