Today I want to feature my first born daughter, Courtney Elisabeth.  Yesterday I featured her little sister because it was Claire's birthday.  I tend to feature Claire a lot because she is in the HizKidz Praise shows 3 times a year and I like to show some of the dance pictures.......

But...I don't wanna leave out my teenager.

Here she is at her friend's house. (Deanna).  They became friends in this semester's Computer Graphics class and Deanna also attends the Youth Group at our church, although she technically is a member of a different local church.  They are both into this class and are working on projects for it.  Here, Courtney is "modeling" for Deanna for a project where Deanna is going to feature Courtney in the "movie poster" that they need to create to meet the project requirements.  Normally, Court doesn't wear her eye liner this heavy but for purposes of the digital art work they are doing, she needed to really lay it on!  But...that's not why I am featuring her.

I am featuring her because she is making me very proud.

Last nite, the Symphonic Orchestra from her school, did their Winter Concert.  It was marvelous.  Since she is a junior now, and sitting closer to the front of the violins, I could finally see her play!  For the last 2 years she has been in the back with the other underclassmen.  The orchestra teacher chose some extremely challenging classical music.  (Marriage of Figaro, selections from the Nutcracker Suite (ballet), and a Russian piece I had never heard of but which was probably the most challenging for them to play.  (the other featured groups last night were the White Band (our high school has 3 bands:  Blue, White and Wind Ensemble, along with World Percussion, Flute Choir and Jazz Ensemble); S----Select Choir which are 10 vocalists who are very serious singers and must audition;  Wind Ensemble which band students must audition for.  The Orchestra was exceptionally well received because a much loved teacher (Mr .A) has moved up from the junior high to the high school and this was his first official hs concert to conduct.  They received a standing ovation!!  The other 3 groups were excellent as well.  What I especially like about my daughter, is that she knows she is not the best violinist.  Part of that is because she does not practice!  However, we are proud that she decided to remain in a performance group and take the Honors classes plus serve in 3 after school clubs/organizations.  Not to mention her Youth Group and church duties plus her small group duties.  We are so proud of her!

And she is turning into a great kid.  She is honest, kind, generous and a big help when her little sis needs help in Math!  She is beginning to help more with household chores and grumbles less about doing them.  This is all just part of the maturity process I know!  Believe me when I say it is not really anything Dave nor I are teaching her, other than having the expectation that she WILL help around the home.

so.......Hats off to you , Courtney....you are having a fantastic 3rd year of high school AND maintaining your GPA to stay on the Honor Roll.....we are super proud of you and thank God for you and the blessing you are to our lives/family.

Now...what about you all?

Do you have anything special to say about your child(ren)??  I 'd love to read your comments!!