My little girl, all grown up!

This is bitter sweet for me.

More bitter than sweet.

Our children come in to our lives so sweet an innocent. So dependant on us for everything. They're adorable babies and we just can't wait for them to start talking, or walking. Then it happens and they start running...away from you and they fight because they don't want to be carried, they want to walk, and always when you're in a hurry.

You can't wait to see how they mature and how they're able to use their manners and be polite. When they say "thank you" or "please" on their own, you're so proud!

They spend the night at a friends house and you're just petrified that they'll miss you, and they don't, because you've raised an independant little person.

The first day of school comes and again, you think, "How will she last all day without her Mother?" and she does.

You attend each performance that they're ever in if it's sports, or marching band competitions, or emsemble competitions, or parades (if they let you) or concerts because you want to be there to support everything they do.

You become an overprotective Mother as soon as they have their first date or want to spend time with a "friend" because you know what YOU were like at that age, and you also know what it's like to have your heart broken.

You cringe at the thought of them getting behind the wheel because accidents can happen and they might get hurt. You try to be patient while they learn the "rules of the road" as they scare the crap out of you because they "didn't see that stop sign".

Now, here it is...Jaime has a job!

I already cry at the thought of her going off to college but I know that there is so much more that will happen between now and then.
I love you, Jaime and I am so proud of you!
Mom