Growing up quickly

Several years back, nearly 16 to be exact, my little bundle of joy blessed my life. Such an honor to be entrusted with one of God's princesses! I used to think it was kind of silly when my daddy and mom spoke about this song called Turn Aroundhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XJqCeyNUVQ and how it was hard for them to fathom how quickly their little ones were growing up. Now, don't get me wrong, I would sit for hours listening to the oldies with my daddy, and each time we played this song (yes on the 45s) I would cry. I mean really cry. Why? Because I never, ever wanted to leave my daddy. But, God's plan for this life is for little boys and little girls, sons & daughters, to grow up one day and become young men and women of God. I look back on my life growing up and yes there are a lot of things I would love to do differently, but the past is the past; can't change it, and in some parts don't want to. I made mistakes, huge mistakes, but out of my mistakes came the blessing of Amanda. My little lady. Now I think of the above song in much more different terms. It's not just the song daddy and I listened to, cried to; now it means I am embarking on the journey my parents once traveled, and now I am the one wondering where time has gone. If someone would have asked me nearly 16 years ago if I would be feeling the way I feel now, I would have probably laughed. I was young and had all the time in the world before my girl grew up.

Life for me has gone from frilly dresses, pigtails, and saddle shoes (she called them her tap shoes) to gorgeous gowns, hair done up and a bit of makeup to highlight her natural beauty. My girl is growing up. Trying just like I did once to become her own young woman. Thankfully, raising Amanda with the guidance of God's loving touch and gentle whispers of encouragement (including that of my daddy) has been an amazing journey thus far. My high school freshman to sophomore to junior, time ticks and the next huge milestone for her inches ever so close. Sweet 16! my baby, my little lady...16 years old in just a matter of weeks and yet nearly 5500 days ago, it seemed like an eternity. And then we will hit the driver's license milestone. Crazy! But before the driver's license, it is junior prom. Oh my goodness! Prom signals the school year is almost finished; another one for the books. I am excited for my girl to go to prom; excited for the gorgeous dress she will get to wear, how she will do her hair; it really is an amazing transition to watch her go from everyday casual to glamorous. The picture above is from a previous dance; the young man, Tyler, (no he was not her date) is next to her. Why did I add this picture? He asked her to junior prom!

So many more milestones yet to come, but for now, I will enjoy the junior prom milestone first :)

I love you my sweet Amanda, Daughter of the one TRUE KING!

~Mom