Thoughts on little j's 9th birthday

It's hard to believe that little j is 9 today.  There are some days I look at her and see a little girl and other days I look at her and see the woman she will become.  A couple weeks ago I sort of freaked out because we only have 9 more years until she is 18 and getting ready to head off to college.  So we are halfway there.  But, at heart, I'm not the mom that longs for the baby or little girl stage.  I love seeing the young person she is developing into -- a smart, beautiful, stubborn, independent, kind girl who is progressing toward confidence yet still seeking guidance.  And that's just how it should be at age 9.