End of an Era

Y'all. I don't even know how to begin this post because I honestly cannot believe that the school year is coming to a close tomorrow. Don't get me wrong - I'm pleased as punch about it because, well, Mama needs a BREAK. (Why didn't anyone tell me being the parent of a teen is EXHAUSTING?) But, still, it sort of feels like I just sent my girl off to begin the 8th grade (with a tiny bit of leftover summer sunburn) and here she is about to cross over a threshold of which there is no return - HIGH SCHOOL.

And I've got to admit, as much as I loathed 7th grade (it really almost did me in, friends), this year was one that was (mostly) fun and fascinating. I've caught myself more than a few times looking at Taylor and wondering when in the heck she became almost grown. And how in the world (with all the major mistakes I made as a parent) she became such a thoughtful, bright, compassionate and - this was surprises me most because I remember myself at 14 - LOGICAL human being.

She and her friends (both girl and boy) bring us such JOY and the way she has adjusted to a baby being thrown into the mix on a moment's notice has made me more proud that I can possibly express. She is not like her Type A, everything must have a place mother. Not even a little bit. She rolls with the punches, could care less if her laundry ever gets put up, and lives to have fun and just soak up life. With as little drama as possible. In fact, the girl really doesn't tolerate drama. She just removes those folks from her life.

Oh, to have had that type of perspective at her age, y'all. It would have saved me a million tears and a whole lot of heartache.

This girl is my beautiful baby. And always will be. She amazes and challenges me. Daily. And have we discussed how funny she is? Because she's HILARIOUS.

There are a lot of stories about her that I keep off the interwebz these days because they are hers to tell. And I try, for the most part, to respect that growing up process. While it makes me sad on one hand to see her join the ranks of the high schoolers because it means her time at home is way too quickly coming to an end, I also love who she is and cannot wait to see what's in store for my bright eyed beauty.

Right after we have a summer full of camps, swimming pools, theme parks, beaches and FUN. :-)