Blog

Navigating the College Journey: A Guide for Rising Seniors and Incoming College Freshmen by Marsha Twilley As the school year progresses, rising high school seniors and soon-to-be college freshmen are facing a season of transition. Whether your student is preparing to apply to colleges or gearing up for their first semester away from home, now is the time to get organized and set them up for success. At Olive Orchard, we’re here to help students and parents navigate this exciting but...

By: Allison Harrell What comes to mind when you hear the word "pivot"? Living in South Georgia, my thoughts immediately go to irrigation pivots—those large sprinklers spraying the fields, a familiar sight as I drive past miles of farmland. Some days they stand still, waiting for the right moment to work. Other days, they move steadily, delivering life-giving water to the crops below. Recently, I started reading The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest, a daily devotional offering...

By Marsha Twilley Motherhood is an extraordinary journey, filled with countless moments of joy, challenges, and profound growth. As mothers of high school students, we often find ourselves standing at the intersection of nostalgia for their childhood and anticipation for their future. The high school years are a unique period that demands a delicate balance between parenting and listening, providing support, and encouraging independence. As we navigate this journey, it’s crucial to...

By: Lori Cooley Yep, that’s what I heard in my mind a few months ago on a trip home from visiting my family in Colorado. While ticking off the time between flights and getting in some much needed steps, I sensed in my gut the words or some compilation of the words; “Coaching clients is much like a flight layover.” Here’s some thoughts that followed. Seeing clients land in my office can remind me of transitions on long layovers between flights. The client is not where they...

By: Marsha Twilley Visiting college campuses is a critical part of the college admissions/decision process. Whether scheduling an official visit or simply stopping in for an impromptu drive through a campus, all exposure to various colleges is a learning process for rising college students. While there are endless questions that can be asked, there are three critical tasks you need to accomplish while on the campus. Talk to several random students. Students who are not working...

By Marsha Twilley It may be December, and while preparation for mid-term exams is in full swing for high school students, it’s time to start thinking about plans for the summer. Part of developing a strong high school resume is spending summers doing activities that count both personally and academically. Colleges are looking for well rounded students who show evidence of exploration and growth throughout their high school years. (The last thing you want to do is waste your summer...

By Jennie G. Douglas Embrace the impending holiday hustle with grace and purpose, as we navigate the countdown to Christmas in less than 21 days. Amidst the whirlwind that was Halloween and Thanksgiving, upcoming school functions, work obligations, and a plethora of social events, the stress can become palpable. It's during this time that many mothers find themselves pulled in numerous directions, grappling with work deadlines, endless to-do lists, and external expectations that seem...

by Marsha Twilley I’ll never forget the moment I held my first baby girl in my arms. Once I was coherent enough to inhale her beauty and wonder, I marveled at every last detail of her skin: the way her nose was perfectly shaped; the red of her lips; the pure bliss of her sleep-filled face; her tiny fingers and toes and oh-so-perfectly- shaped EARS! I sat for hours staring at her while she slept. This beauty….this WONDER….had grown inside of ME for nine long months. And now, here she was!!...

What is the difference between COACHING and CONSULTING? by Marcy Sizemore Here at Olive Orchard, we have a multidisciplinary team of coaches and consultants that work to meet our client’s needs. We often hear questions like, “What is the difference between coaching and consulting?” “Which one do I need?” Coaching and consulting are two different services that can help individuals and organizations achieve their goals. Coaching is typically focused on individual...

At some point in our adult lives we begin to believe that if we buy the book, the action of “buying” will alone actually do the hard work of parenting. Okay, I’ll admit it. I LOVE books. As I was studying children’s literature in my 20s working towards a degree in Early Childhood and Special Education, I fell in love with the story and its power to reach children. Soon after, I began a journey into my own self-awareness, finding that the non-fiction arena is wildly full of...

We must commit to making radically different choices for our family; moving on to the pastures that have less in them so that we can have more together. In the decade of private tutors for everything from Latin to baseball and lessons and groups attended by all ages between one week old through the adult child of 25 is it possible to pare back and still actually parent? Or is parenting now synonymous with business; the beautiful moments found only in the minutes between the events,...

Here goes… My first blog post! It’s fun to do new things and my adventurous spirit has ramped up over the last couple of years. Trust me…. I still fight the “over-cautious” bug that developed over the years of raising 4 children. But, hey….. I’m making steps forward and I am enjoying the path I’m currently walking. Recently, I have started a Life Coaching career, become a grandmother, and have gotten a little more comfortable wearing yoga pants in public. Watch out...