Goodbye House of Children, Hello House of Teenagers

We are officially a house full of teenagers and pre-teens!  Ally is 17, Connor is 16, Nick is 15, Natalie is 13 and Adam is 11.  I feel my role of mother has been completely transformed.  And, I have to admit, this phase is a lot harder.  I miss the easy life of changing diapers, functioning on 3 hours of sleep, and stepping on Legos!  Now life is filled with keeping teenagers organized, focused, and emotionally happy, while at the same time strengthening testimonies and teaching independence.  Everyday is filled with small successes and failures, which I've learned is okay.  Life doesn't have to be perfect.  In other words, it's okay to admit you don't live in the Garden of Eden.  :)