I miss this girl!

Its been nearly 2 weeks since Paige and I returned from New Hampshire. Dakotah stayed behind with my sister. Tonight, we are going to meet them halfway to pick her up.

Typical of a teenager, this child can drive me crazy! Most especially with her having mono over the last three months - we have spent every day together. She is a 'velcro' kid, and likes to be near me when she is home. If I leave the house, she wants to go - if I go from one room to another, she follows.

She and I are close, and there is very little about her every day life that she doesn't share with me, right down to the last minute detail. I know every detail of who likes who, which friend of hers got new shoes, you name it.

There are times when she says my name that I have to close my eyes, take a deep breath, and then say, "what, Dakotah?"

Sometimes when I say my prayers at night, I simply say, "Lord, give me strength to get through the next few years." I long for peace and quiet for just 20 minutes, when I'm not be demanded upon. I crave those days when I'm older and my house is quiet again for a while.

So, I knew this little break would do us good.

Because, my goodness...I miss her. I miss her a lot. She spent a few days on Prince Edward Island, where phone contact was limited.

I nearly went crazy. I want her back. I want my little girl/big girl back home. I can't wait to hear every detail of the last two weeks, and to plan out the rest of our summer together.

She starts high school in a couple of weeks. She is planning a trip to France in her Junior year and a trip to Italy in her Senior year.

And in four short years, I will be sending her away to University. And most likely, that will be far away, in New York City or Boston.

I want her to take me with her - to watch every detail of her beautiful life unfold. I want to see her grow, and learn, and be there to pick her up when she falls.

I want the world for my lovely daughter.