Why do we have to grow up so fast?

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated Madison's 1st birthday. I can't believe that the first year is all said and done for. It went by too fast..actually scary fast. I now realize that I only have 17 more years with her until she goes off to college ( yes, we have high hopes for her). When I look at her I see pure innocence that I now long for. You know when life was so much easier..when the biggest problem you had was what you were going to play at recess time. I remember a particular day in 3rd grade when we had to write a journal about what we were going to be doing at the age of 30. I clearly remember that I wrote that I was going to be married and have 2 kids and a beautiful big house. See, there is the innocence I was talking about. It seemed so simple to me then. I am turning 30 this year..yes I am married to a wonderful man and yes I do have one of the two children I thought I would have. That came true for me, so I wasn't that far off..but, the house is a different story. You see when I was in 3rd grade I had no concept of money or what things cost my parents to own their home. I wish sometimes I still didn't know! Life certainly is not as easy as I thought it would be. Funny how when things are looking good then BOOM..a curve ball is thrown to you out of left field. In the 5 years that John and I have been together we have had some of those curve balls thrown our way, and I am happy to say that we have overcome each obstacle so far. As a mother I want to protect my daughter and her innocence, so I get up everyday with a smile on my face and I try not to show her any stress. This week another curve ball was thrown to us just as things were getting good..but, I am putting all my prayers together that something is going to turn up and make things alright. Life is full of surprises and sometimes I wish we didn't have to grow up so fast.