never grow up

{via}

Today my niece Whit turns the big 13!

It has been amazing watching her grow into 

a beautiful young lady.

But she really needs to slow down

the whole growing up thing!

I still find it weird at times that I can hold an actual conversation

with her that has nothing to do with cartoons or toys.

I am not too comfortable with the conversations about boys but that is part of growing up and being a teenager!

I love how her personality is really starting to show.

However, I really hope she does not go through that 

rebellious teenager phase.

She most likely will to some extent 

but I am not looking forward to that.

Hopefully, because I am the "cool aunt" 

I will not be classified as embarrassing! 

I just wish I could keep her & her siblings little forever.

I know how cruel the world can be and I want 

them to keep their innocence for as long as possible.

My sister is seriously a fantastic mom and 

has instilled a strong set of values into both of her girls.

And she will continue to teach them as they grow.

So I know that they are well equipped to handle life's opportunities & struggles.

I just want to protect them and shelter them.

I think the hardest thing is letting them make their own mistakes.

And if I feel this way, I cannot imagine how my sister feels!

I imagine it is tempting to just lock them up in their rooms 

until they are grown;)

I do not know if you have heard Taylor Swift's song 

Never Grow Up 

but it pretty much sums up what I want to say to Whit.

Especially this part: 

To you, everything's funny

You got nothing to regret

I'd give all I have honey

If you could stay like that

Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up

Just stay this little

Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up

It could stay this simple

I won't let nobody hurt you

Won't let no one break your heart

No one will desert you

Just try to never grow up

You're in the car on the way to the movies

And you're mortified your mama's dropping you off

At 14, there's just so much you can't do 

And you can't wait to move out

Someday and call your own shots

But don't make her drop you off around the block 

Remember she's getting older too

And don't lose the that you dance around in your PJs getting ready for school