In the Blink of an Eye...

Tomorrow, on June 24th, Ashley will turn 20 years old!! No more teenager. It's so hard to believe she is all grown up. It’s weird, even though there are a lot of things throughout 20 years you might forget, I don't think you ever forget anything about the day they were born.

Even though 20 years has past I still remember in great detail the day she decided to arrive. It started at 4:00 a.m. I won't go into all the details, but she was very stubborn, she finally arrived into the world a very long 18 and a half hours later. About 30 minutes longer and they were going to take her. It's funny how at least in my children, their delivery seems to parallel their life. She is still quite stubborn in everything she does! :)

Ashley has grown into a wonderful woman who is not only beautiful on the outside, but more importantly beautiful on the inside. I am so amazed at how God works in my children, even through all of the mistakes I make. She learned at a young age, 7th grade, that you sometimes have to stand up for faith. Even if someone who is an adult is telling you that you are wrong because of how you worship and that you and your parents are going to hell. She learned a lot and learned what it meant to study scripture and begin to own your own faith.

I was so proud of the way she handled that situation at an early age and she has continued to make me proud. Even when the mom in me wanted to sometimes throttle some people, (through school, sports, etc.) she continued to so God's love and taught me a lot in the process. She still does. She has a heart for always seeing the good in people. And continues to teach me a lot in that area as well as others.

She is a junior at ACU now, a long way from those 1st cries 20 years ago, and she still amazes me. And her amazing smile still melts my heart. So Happy Birthday Ashley! I can't wait to see what the Lord is going to use you for and accomplish through you as you become a young adult. Always keep your eyes focused on God and remember whose you are. I love you!