Little girls grow up, where did the time go?

So I'm feeling a little reflective today, my "baby" girl recently started high school. It just does not seem possible that this little girl who liked to toddle around the house in only a diaper and bucket on her head, can actually be old enough to wear make-up and have classes with Senior boys (ugh!).

This is the same little girl who always told me she'd live with me forever :)

Kristil & Alyssa, about 8 years ago...

Not only did my "baby" just start high school, but my "big girl", as I like to call her, will turn 18 in two weeks and leave for college soon. We've been buying dorm stuff and tying up all the loose ends of the college requirements, and now the time has come. In just over a week, we will pack up my trusty little truck, and make the 7+ hour drive to Southern Cal (the swanky little town of La Jolla, actually) to join the ranks of every other recent high school grad who ever dreamed of college, that right of passage... the "move-in". As a crafty mom, I have been making sure all the dorm stuff, bedding, storage bins, towels, lamps, etc, are all color coordinated. I'm sure a last minute run to Target will still be in order, even though it seems we have everything.

How can it be? It seems like just yesterday that I walked her into her classroom on her first day of kindergarten. I remember it so clearly, some of the kids were crying, not wanting mommy or daddy to leave, but my big girl was ready to go, there were no tears for her.

The years, a blur of slumber, Halloween, and Valentine parties, school shopping, haircuts, ear piercings, soccer games, school open houses, flew by. Now, a new chapter in our lives, my baby and I home just the two of us, a chance to bond and have the one on one time we never had together, and my big girl, facing new challenges, responsibilities and grown up decision making.

I face these changes with both fear and excitement. Fear of the unknown and the loss of the safety net I can no longer keep around my oldest, and excitement for a whole new world for her of experiences and adventures. I'm trying mostly, to feel assured, knowing that the dream of a college education for her is finally being realized, we really made it!

I bet there are quite a few of you contemplating these same changes with your own kids, or maybe another impending change?

Wish me luck, I think I'm gonna need it!

Happy Thoughts,
Lisa

An early birthday celebration for my daughter's 18th birthday.

In true crafty fashion, making coordinated desk/room accessories.