January 24, 2012

sixteenth year

Today is my sixteenth birthday, the birthday I've awaited ever since I knew what being sixteen was like.  To me, it was always "the age" to be, and now, it's here.  Sixteen means a lot, I think.  Closer to being a woman than a girl.  (Though I think I'll always call myself a girl.)  It's an age that, by just saying it to someone when they ask you how old you are, makes you feel mature.  (Even if that's not the case.)  Maybe I should just stop talking and say, "Oh my goodness! I'm sixteen!"

I love birthdays in our house.  They are never forgotten or looked over.  They are celebrated with loud singing, ripping of gift wrap, and wishing on candles.  Our traditions are so strong that a birthday wouldn't feel real without them.  For me, it was lunch with my dad, phone calls from both grandparents, and a family party after dinner.  And this year, it's the first seriously celebrated birthday since the adoption.
I'm excited to be another year older, excited to have a life ahead of me, that with God's grace and mercy, will allow me to become the person He has made me to be.  I wrote in my diary last night the things that I want to do this year, and though the list is extensive, my main goal is to grow closer to Him.  Even in this year, I have been blessed with books from friends and a Bible reading plan that are allowing me to do just that.

The other things on my list?  Get my license.  Start my photography business.  Go on a roadtrip - with or without my family.  Meet Kiley.  Get straight A's second semester.  Travel to Ethiopia again.

Maybe that's why I like my January birthday.  It's like New Year's all over again.
My sixteenth year of life - I can't believe it's here.
I think I like birthdays.

p.s. New design?  I'm kind of in love.  :)

36 comments:

  1. Happy, happy birthday Olivia! Sixteen was a hard year for me, but a good one too. Full of adventure and growth, and I hope it's the same for you. (: Sounds like you've been having a marvelous day! You're beautiful, inside and out, and that just radiates through your blog. I'm so glad to "know" you. (:

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  2. Happy birthday, Olivia! :) Hope your day was great!!

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  3. YAAAY! Happy Birthday! Sixteen was an exciting time for me, too. If you think that's cool, wait till you hit 18 ;)

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  4. happy birthday! being 16 is definitely the bomb. :) hope your year is amazing!

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  5. Those resolutions are amazing & I have no doubt you will accomplish them all! Happy birthday!!

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  6. Happy Birthday!!! I hope your day was great!!! I want to meet you in person too!!

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  7. happy birthday! xo -haley

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  8. HAPPY. BIRTHDAY. I hope you are having an amazing sweet sixteen! Oh, and I pretty much have the exact same goals as you. Weird? Nah, I think we just have a lot in common. :)

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  9. Happy 16th Birthday, Olivia! I hope you have an amazing day! :) Oh, and I loveeee your design. ;)

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  10. happy, happy birthday, beautiful one :-) so glad it was filled with happiness, hope, and promise. looking forward to seeing how the list works its way out in your life this year! yay!!! sixteen truly is sweet :-)

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  11. Happy Birthday Olivia! 16 is a wonderful age to be. (:

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  12. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! :) I hope you had an amazing day! :D I can't wait to be 16!

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  13. Happy Birthday!!!
    Definitely meet Kiley. Yeah she's pretty amazing and I really love her!! :)

    xoxo,
    Madeline
    www.FlameintheDarkness.com

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  14. Happy 16th birthday! All the best wishes for you on this special day.

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  15. HAPPY BIRTHDAY I LOVE YOUU!!!<3

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  16. happy birthday, darling dearest! how exciting! i wish you the best sixteenth anyone could ever wish for. you are blessed :))
    -jocee <3

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  17. Happy Birthday Olivia! Your so beautiful and I hope your year is full of joy.

    I know I'm super excited to be 16 in a few months!

    xx, Annie Rose

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  18. Hope you had an amazing birthday! May your 16th year be one of the best yet!

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  19. Happy Happy Birthday Olivia!!

    I'm just finishing my 16th year! For me, it was full of many exciting lessons and adventures.

    I know there are many exciting lessons and adventures ahead for you as well!
    Hope you have a most blessed 16th year of life.
    Photography business? You go girl! ;)

    ~Madison

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  20. HAPPYHAPPYHAPPYHAPPYHAPPY birthday. I'll be thinking of you!

    hugs from england,

    acacia (ahh cass ee' ahh)

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  21. Happy Birthday! Love those pictures :)

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  22. Happy, joyful 16th belated, Olivia! God bless your lists and tribulations.

    Also, how do you feel about doing a guest post Q&A on my blog about adoption and stuff? It's be a Q&A so you don't have to think up a whole post :) If yes, i'll email you with the questions, if not, please comment me!

    Thanks. You inspire me.
    Love and blessings,
    Meghan

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  23. Happy 16, Olivia! I'm getting ready to be fifteen. That's always been my desired age. :)

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  24. Happy Birthday, Olivia!!! I hope you had a splendid day. =]

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  25. Happy Birthday! Being 16 is so much fun! And driving is a blast!!! You are so beautiful both inside and out. :)

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  26. Happy Birthday...

    May God bless you this year and the years to come!

    I am not sixteen, will be very soon. I can relate to the comment you made in the post saying that sixteen seems like , "the age" to be. I agree:)

    Kianna Rose

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  27. Happy Birthday Olivia! :)
    Sweet sixteen <3 I hope it was great!

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  28. sixteen is was a big number for me, too! all in one day i was now allowed to date, wear makeup, get my permit... yeah, three huge steps for a measly teenager such as myself! i can tell it's a huge thing for you, too! so - happy sixteenth! hope this year's everything you've hoped it'd be :]

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  29. I know exactly how you are feeling! I turned 16 on Dec 27. I'd waited my WHOLE life! So far it is turning out to be amazing! I hope you have an awesome 16th year!

    -Anna Rose

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  30. Happy late birthday!!

    I'll be 15 on March 9th, and I'm kind of looking forward to it! My 16th birthday is on a saturday, so i'm looking forward to that even more!

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  31. Happy (late) B-Day Livvie! I've loved getting to know you better and would LOVE to meet you someday! :) Awesome pictures! <#

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  32. Happy birthday!
    And you've been tagged :)
    http://lilycarolinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/01/im-it.html

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  33. Oh goodness! For some reason your blog hasn't been updating its self in my dashboard so I totally missed this.

    HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

    xoxox

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  34. happy belated birthday, girl! man, I missed a lot on my internet break :P
    and I LOVE the new design! the dotted borders around your sidebar headings are really cool. and the yellow makes me happy :)

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