Of course I LOVE talking about Edie Grace ANY chance I get but this time it is just to share how unbelievably fast her life is flying by.  I have told many of you how, near her birthday in May, I got sort of sad one evening.  DeWayne asked me what was wrong.  I told him that I had just realized that 1/3 of her life in our home was going to be completed on her sixth birthday.  She will turn 18 right before she graduates from high school.  Although she will most likely stay under our care while she is in college she will be an adult…able to make most of her own decisions.  (Like dying her hair pink…but that is another blog for another day!) 

Tonight she pulled out a monopoly game I bought when she was really little and saved for her.  I have so any great memories playing Monopoly marathons with my Mom at her house in the mornings before the bus came and more memories of Monopoly games with my two step-brothers at my Dad’s house.  (One game mom and I played lasted nearly a month in ten minute increments!) 

During the game tonight, I was laying on the floor and realized that I was laying in the exact spot that we would put her exercise mat when she was an infant. I told DeWayne that it seemed like only a few months ago that she would lay there and bat at the “hangey-down” toys now she is counting out $$$ and buying properties!!!  I just can’t believe what a blur these last years have been.  All of you who were parents first tried to warn me.  I definitely was aware because I have watched your children grow up right in front of my lens!  I am even photographing the child of one of my clients that I started photographing when she was only six—Edie Grace’s age now!

Take a second and share on here (via the blog comments) a way, as a parent, you have found to make time slow down a little for you.  It can be something silly or something profound.  I have ALWAYS received my best advice on parenting from all of you—who, like me, are in the trenches everyday trying our best to make a difference in our children’s lives!  Thank you for always inspiring me!