She came downstairs for the third time. It was about midnight. I was tired and frustrated and annoyed. Not a good place for mommy to be.

“What’s wrong now.”

“Mommy, I’m sorry, I just feel weird. I can’t stop thinking about stuff.”

“What are you thinking about?”

“Just dumb stuff. I’m just worried about if people like me. I’m nervous about my play. My mind just won’t stop and I’m just thinking about all kinds of stuff and I don’t like it.”

In that instant my frustration was swept away.

In that instant I saw myself in her blue eyes.

In that instant I was reminded that she wasn’t a little girl with little girl fears, she was growing into a woman with real emotions and hormones and insecurities and fears.

My little girls play with my makeup and shoes, make believing that they are older, fun loving and free.

If I blink, they will be daughters who I hold in my heart, rather than ones who still let me hold their hand. At 11 years old, mama’s shoes are just a bit too big, but very soon, oh so very soon, those heels will be clicking out the door towards new adventure and life.

With every glimpse I see the picture of the coming years. They age. They mature. It’s so beautiful, yet heart wrenching.

How do we really live full and heart filled lives?

The relationship between mothers and daughters is one of God’s growing plans. From the moment the pink bundle is placed in your arms, your heart grows with dreams.

All you want is to be a ceiling that her one day heeled feet will stand on. All you want is your own mama to help you stand.

We sat around the fire after a sweet time of fellowship and prayer. My favorite people and dearest of friends; each of us with our hopes and dreams and fears. We place our hope in Christ, hopes for our children, ourselves and our marriage.

Somehow the conversation turns toward more intimate details of our marriages and we laugh and encourage each other.

How do you keep your marriage steamy and romantic and wonderful? After 15 plus years of marriage, kids, weariness, what makes marriage better?

A friend gives us a challenge. At first we think she’s joking because, well, her challenge was this: Get intimate with your husband for 30 days.

My son can be difficult. He is definitely an 'alpha male,' strong willed, stubborn and relentless. I am the opposite in many ways. I don't like confrontation and am very sensitive, yet easily angered. We have both become better. That's what growing up does, right...it makes us better. We both have a long way to go.

My children are getting older. When I first started writing I wrote about my motherhood struggles and of the waking hours, the weary and the worries. We have transitioned from those years and have moved into the years of what I call ‘flight training’ years. As my children get older they begin to practice flying from the nest.

I walk into the laundry room. Towels have erupted all over the place. I’m days behind on the monotony of wash, dry, fold, put away. The sink has dishes piled up. Each of my kids are needing something from me at the same time. I feel guilt wash over me…It’s all so messy and busy and weary.