Indulge Me
Today is the first day that I am the mother of three adults.
My. Babies. Are. Eighteen. EIGHTEEN!
Not possible.
They were just. . .
and
But there you have it. What mothers and fathers and grandmothers and grandfathers and aunts and uncles will tell you is true. It goes by in the blink of an eye.
And they grow into beautiful, strong, smart, creative young women who challenge you and surprise you and make you laugh and make you want to scream. But mostly they make you so very, very proud that they are yours and ready to take on the world.
And as much fun as it is to look back at just how young we all once were. . .
. . . it is just as much fun to dream about the future and where they will go next.
Congratulations & Happy Birthday to your daughters! My daughter turned 18 last July and it is very surreal to look back at when she was born, through her young years and see her now just starting out.
Posted by: Rocky | January 12, 2012 at 09:48 AM
You have so much fun with your children and it's fun to be a small part of it. Happy Birthday to the two grrls and Congratulations to you for thriving right along side your three fabulous kids.
Posted by: margene | January 12, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Happy Birthing and birthday to you all. (Your post made me cry as I cuddle my 8, 6 & 3 yr olds)
Posted by: Heather | January 12, 2012 at 10:10 AM
Congratulations to you for the milestone and Happy Birthday to your daughters.
I don't have kids, but I have many nieces and nephews, as well as a god daughter. Watching them grow up has been an amazing experience.
And given how awesome your girls already are just imagine the fantastic things there just going to do from here.
Posted by: Stacy | January 12, 2012 at 10:22 AM
So well said! That's exactly what parenting is, isn't it - enjoying what's been, feeling proud and looking forward to the future.
Happy birthday to your girls!
Posted by: Cybèle de Jong | January 12, 2012 at 10:26 AM
Best wishes to all of you!!!
Posted by: Jess | January 12, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Aww...indulge away...brought tears to my eyes! You are such a stunning family!
Posted by: gudrun | January 12, 2012 at 11:06 AM
Happy Birthday to your daughter. I read your post today and I cried. It's amazing to see how small they once were and how strong and beautiful they have grown up to become. I have a 4 yo and 13 month old and I'm learning to savor the simple moments that we have together, because they to will grow up and be adults one day.
Posted by: Maria | January 12, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Congrats to the birthday girls! Love the family picture at the end there. You have a beautiful family Kirsten. :)
Posted by: Kar | January 12, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Yep, in a blink.
Happy Birthday!!
Posted by: Vicki | January 12, 2012 at 11:34 AM
You said this so beautifully, Kirsten, and summed up exactly how I feel about my Hannah becoming an adult. Love to you and your family and happiest of birthdays to the girls!
Posted by: Carole | January 12, 2012 at 01:03 PM
Congratulations to All of you! Adulthood.
Our elder child will be 17 this weekend, and I feel sincerely bewildered by the fact.
Posted by: Annri | January 12, 2012 at 01:20 PM
awwww! Happy birthday all around! I know how you feel. (and omg love the adorable family photo).
xo
Posted by: gale (she shoots sheep shots) | January 12, 2012 at 02:46 PM
Awwww, I'm not even a mom but I just totally cried at your post while sitting here at work. I had to close my door while I composed myself. :) Congrats on raising such wonderful kids!
Posted by: Allison | January 12, 2012 at 02:59 PM
What a beautiful post. It seems just yesterday WE were that small and now not only are we grown up but your children are! Where are the years going?
Lots of love and birthday wishes to my adult nieces from Auntie Lisa.
Posted by: Lisa | January 12, 2012 at 04:04 PM
You have beautifull girls! Wishing I lived near you so that I could hook my youngest who will be 18 next month up with one of them.
Posted by: Robin Calvert | January 12, 2012 at 04:13 PM
:-) A really beautiful collection on pictures and family -- It made me weepy reading the post!! Congrats and many more happy memories with all of them.
Posted by: thea | January 12, 2012 at 05:10 PM
Best post ever. Happy Birthday to the girls!
Posted by: Mandy | January 12, 2012 at 05:10 PM
Congratulations with your two new beautiful adults! Such lovely girls. No wonder you are proud!
Posted by: BodilE | January 12, 2012 at 05:14 PM
Happy, happy birthday to your girls. Congratulations to you on raising three fine adults.
Posted by: Suzanne | January 12, 2012 at 07:34 PM
you must be the most awesome mom to have such loving siblings and wonderful awesome kids! I'm turning 30 this year and my mom is the one freaking out :)
Posted by: Preita | January 12, 2012 at 09:19 PM
Kirsten, I know exactly how you are feeling! Just a few weeks ago I woke to to find I had no more minor children. It was sort of sad, and yet quite amazing at the same time.
You have a beautiful family that we have all watch grow up through reading your blog. Thank you so much for sharing with us!
By the way, a while ago I told my now 18 year old music loving son about your children's band and he loves them. They follow each other on Twitter now.
Posted by: Lilea | January 12, 2012 at 10:22 PM
wow, how did that happen? time flies! happy belated birthday to the girls! i hope all is well!
Posted by: mai | January 12, 2012 at 10:34 PM
wow. what beautiful children...young adults you have! my oldest just entered double digits today. i sweat we brought her home from the hospital yesterday.....probably just after yours came home;-)
Posted by: dianne | January 13, 2012 at 12:16 AM
I am trying not to tear up while reading this post. Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughters. M's b-day is tomorrow so emotions are running high. I blinked and she is now a little girl. When did that happen?
Posted by: Oiyi | January 13, 2012 at 09:45 AM