Is That Momma's Little Girl I See?

Just when I've started to prepare myself for the menstruation train that's surely chugging its way closer and closer, my daughter does a complete 180. I think its just to keep me on my toes. Or to keep me confused. More than likely its to divert my attention from other nefarious plots she's hatching. (Yes, I'd like to be less cynical about my children and their motives, but I have three of them. They're ganging up on us.)

She's a worldly 12 now. And 2 months away from being crowned Princess of the Teenagedom. We've begun having fashion disagreements. (As in I think she needs to have many more layers on her person before leaving the house and she disagrees.) She wants to wear makeup and I want her to be happy with chap stick. Then a few weeks ago she asked me if I would tuck her in.

Now, it's been quite a few years since I've tucked her in, having outgrown the need for mom to cover her up and wish her sweet dreams. So you can imagine my surprise when she asked, out of the blue, for me to tuck her in. Inwardly, I'm doing cartwheels and jumping for joy. Outwardly, I said, "Sure, honey."

I've been struggling this year, watching the kids getting older, getting closer and closer to leaving the nest. So to have the chance to snuggle my "baby" girl again seems like someone upstairs might have been actually listening to my desperate pleas to slow down this carousel we're on so that I can enjoy them more. (However, I really wish He would have heard the ones about worrying about my kids financial futures and how winning the lottery, hint hint, sure would help a lot with those money woes!)

So I get to look forward to the nightly ritual again and this time I vow not to take it for granted. I've been granted a reprieve in her adolescence, a re-do moment if you will. And I think that it's even more bittersweet because this time, when she outgrows the tucking in phase, its only to be replaced by some eye rolling, exasperated sighing female creature. One that used to bear an awfully good resemblance to my daughter. For now, I have to brush up on my best blanket tucking techniques.

Sweet Dreams Mayhemville!