Time is flying too fast

Right now my little 9 year old girl is with her daddy at the Father Daughter Prom.

Prom.

9.

Making sure my heart is still in its place. The boys are crashed on the floor and I am sitting here in the dark with my thoughts. Tonight as I went through the handful of little pictures I took of my Princess and her Knight tonight I pulled up pictures of them from last year's Father Daughter Dance they attended back home.

Oh my aching heart.

The difference in looks is killing me. My little girl. My ONLY little girl is growing up way too fast!! I put 2 pictures side by side. Last years dance and this years. I was blown away by her beauty, but not just outwardly but by the way her beauty inside sparkles in her eyes. Beauty from the inside out.

I fail this little girl daily and yet she loves me unconditionally. This little girl has changed my life forever and I thank God for her daily. I have no idea what I have done to deserve her but she really is one of the best things I have ever done in my life here on earth.

Time with her in this stage and this moment is going way too fast. 9 years old and 3 grade already. Seriously!? Wasn't it just yesterday we were starting Kindergarten? Or even farther back memories. I need to be more present. I need to be ever more mindful of every second with this growing beauty of mine. The memories stored and the ones to be made... glorious.

Last year... little slippers and jewels...

This year... wedges and more "grown" jewels...

I don't want to miss these times. I know I will miss her being little. I already do. I just want to bottle up these moments. Make more of them and pray with everything that it stays this way forever. I know that isn't possible but I am not sure this momma's heart is ready to keep watching her oldest child... her only daughter... growing up so fast. At the same time the beauty of a woman God is shaping her to be... I can't wait to see. He has huge plans for her. This I have always known. The blessings though of being the one chosen to help shape her and lead her to God so she may hear his plans... Indescribable.

So, while I am trying to bottle up and slow down time I will look upon the glow my daughter brings to my life with much gratefulness. Although she is growing the ride has been more than I could have ever imagined.

I am blessed.