You know those nights....

the ones where you sleep - then get woken up - then can't go back to sleep?

Those ones?

Well - tonight - actually last night - actually right now - yup - it's one of em.....

I hate it when they happen - but yet - the quiet, the peace, the stillness - and knowing that each one of my babies - and a couple of other people's babies - are safe and sound and off in dreamland, under my roof - is a comforting thought. After all - soon my one baby (who is TWENTY today) will officially fly the nest and belong to someone else. 3 more weeks and she won't even share my same last name. She is, of course, totally over the moon - and rightfully so. We are also so excited for her - and at the same time, it is a little bittersweet - because after all - just like my momma said - and you hear so much and think - oh that is soooo cliche... it goes soooo fast. Don't blink - or you might miss it.....

Missed opportunities - I think about those all the time. This song from Mama Mia! goes through my head on occasion......



but at the same time, I realize that I have tried my best to be the best mom I can possibly be to my kids and I hope that they know how much I love them and how wonderful I think they are. Being a mom to them has been my greatest gift, and I am grateful that I had the chance - even if we didn't get in everything I would have liked, and even though it went too fast! I am so proud of each of them and the people they have become :)

So - as I sit here - not sleeping - and thinking about the past, and the future - I wish for the very best for each of you- my sleeping babies - all grown up, and on their way to being grown up. I love you - and I'm grateful that I got to have you for a little while!