Monday, she DRIVES

Monday is A's driving test. Yikes. My last kid with a drivers license. This is very, very hard for me to bear. Sure, I'm happy for her... but I don't want to see her grow up and drive away like her sister. That's just too much.

I'm starting to understand what that term "empty nest" really means. And I don't like it.

When happiness hits you hard

This marks Week Three of my daughter's senior year of high school. So far, she's holding an A average. This is the kid who couldn't be bothered to even GET to school in the past, let alone to care about getting good grades. What a miraculous transformation it's been.

Both my daughters are just delighting me as they grow up. It HURTS to see them separate and become independent, hurts so bad. But I am just unbelieveably proud of them both.

Daughter B just moved to Florida. Daughter A gets her drivers license in (GASP) THREE DAYS. I simply cannot fathom this.

I hate that they're growing up.

I wish I still had the two of them, small and sweet, B clutching her treasured Ernie doll, and A with her little, four-tooth grin from a high chair. Oh, my girls, my treasures! Seeing you grow up has been hard on me. I want my little ones back -- but at the same time, I am bursting with joy over the beautiful young women you are becoming.

What a confusing time. I am so happy that it hurts. Never saw THAT coming.

finally the tomatoes turn red

Back in May, I planted a bunch of tomatoes. "Matures in 50 - 60 days" said the tags. So it's finally August, and we're starting to see some ripe ones. And they're wonderful.

Funny how long it can take "50 days" to go by -- more like a few months!