Did I Really Say That?

A few people have mentioned how close together Ashley's and Briana's birth days are.  Three years, 7 days, 37 min.  That means birthday celebrations are one week apart.  It has been quite exhausting some years.  Occasionally they had parties together, but many years they were seperate.  The worst were the years I had slumber parties 2 weekends in a row!  : )  They were worth it, though, and gave the girls great memories.  Another hard part was gearing up for the 2nd one.  I always felt like Briana got my mental leftovers!  LOL.  No matter how old they are, I still find myself celebrating Ashley's birthday, then going, "Ack! It's Briana's birthday, and I'm not ready!"  I'm a slow learner. 
   Did I *really* say that having older children was easier than younger ones?!!!  Since July~barely over 3 months~ Briana has had a meltdown over what she wanted to do with her life, changed her major and her plans for this year, moved out of the house on extremely short notice, faced several decisions and challenges with new things, and we're about to start touring new college campuses!    Since July~barely over 3 months~Ashley has gone to Guatemala, had a time of stress and concern about her college (now resolved), changed her major, her sister and best friend moved, has had (and still has) a 32 year old Guatemalan man attempting to court her via email (he's a nice missionary, but she's not interested), and is trying to decide between (or all of) 3 different mission opportunities presented to her for this next year~Israel, Kenya, and California!   Hey! and we had their birthdays a week apart during that time, too!  LOL.  
   Actually, having older children is easier, for the most part, than younger ones...for me at least.  Not easy, though.    Watching them push their wings the rest of the way out~the work and stress it can cause to show such beauty~ and knowing what your exact role is as they step out on their own is not easy.  Learning how to still guide and talk to them, but knowing they are at the point of making their own decisions about their lives....important, possibly life changing decisions... takes hard, discerning prayer.  Knowing when to still be "the mom", and when to let go.  It's also a great time, full of exciting possibilites.  They become my friends more each year. 
  After getting to visit Briana over last weekend for her birthday, we are looking forward to her coming home this weekend for a week long fall break. 

Bri was so very tired from her week of dancing, and had to dance the day of her birthday, we just went out to eat that night.  The next day, we all went bowling. 
At the bowling alley~