Wish Me Luck

(this was before I got my hair cut short about 6 weeks ago)

So, my oldest Thing turns 9 tomorrow (the 31st). Weird how that has happened while I still feel like a college student in my mind.... I have never really liked New Year's Day because I don't really like change much and it just sort of depresses me for some reason, always has. But then we were surprised with a New Year's Eve baby 1 year into our marriage and it changed things for me-gave me a reason to celebrate and have great fun with her and our family. Only the stinky part of her having a birthday to continually celebrate is that with each birthday, she is getting older. And I am having a hard time with that. Every year the tears come sooner as I see her life rocketing ahead, not waiting for my heart to catch up with having a big girl, a "tween". I am always floundering with how to parent this creature-with her funky edge, hilarious sense of humor, absolutely maddening ability to make a disaster zone out of anywhere she is in a matter of minutes, sensitive heart, complete lack of self-control, absolutely brilliant mind, sweet way of loving, ugly way of not loving--I rarely feel like I know what I am doing with her, but I know one thing without a doubt. I love that girl like mad and I am so thankful she ushered me into motherhood so many years ago. But I AM going to cry about it, a lot-so wish me luck tomorrow. And please pass the tissues.....