Twenty-two!

We just got back from celebrating Ashley's birthday with her in Logan.  I was 22 when she was born, and now she is 22. So this post is for her.  Someone recently asked her what her name meant-I believe it is from the ash tree or something profound like that.  Ok so we didn't choose her name for it's meaning, but if I can be allowed a mother's sappy moment, she could bring meaning to any name.

Ashley came to our home full of life right from the start.  She is and always has been spunky and even sassy.  She has always entertained with her antics, and although maturity has somewhat mellowed her spunkiness you just never know quite what to expect especially when she is with her siblings. She has a joy and enthusiasm for life that is contagious.

Ashley is an ideal oldest sister, even though she has struggled with the fact that no one thinks she is the oldest.  She has always been responsible and concerned about her siblings, and has mothered them even when they didn't always want to be mothered.  She started babysitting for us at a very young age, because she usually ended up taking care of the kids because the babysitter couldn't. They all know that they can tell Ashley anything and that she will listen.  She takes her youngest brother to get snow cones, learns High School Musical dances with Breanna, will talk to Jared for as long as he wants to talk, and has become Alexis' best friend.  She is a great example and they all look up to her, (figuratively not literally of course.)

One of things I love about Ashley is her obsessions.  She gets interested in something and it becomes a passion.  She started reading Harry Potter when she was 9, for example, and has never stopped.  Sometimes I think she might think he is real.  She loves the movies, the trivia and all things Harry Potter.  Lets not forget her obsessions about Boy Meets World, Michael Jackson, and iPhones.  And of course her parents couldn't be prouder that she became passionate about BYU football, even if it took until 2006 to get her there.  There is nothing like having a child cry with you in an intensefootball game with a spectacular come from behind finish.

Ashley is a loyal and loving friend.  She will often put her own desires aside if it makes someone else happy.  She is quick to forgive, and is always looking for the good in others.  Someone told her once that she was too nice,  pretty sure if you have to have a fault that is a pretty good one to have.

No post about Ashley would be complete without mentioning her love of music.  She was born with it in her, and even before she could walk she could bounce to the beat.  She could sing on pitch right from the start, and was constantly singing and picking out songs on the piano.  She hated practicing just like the normal kid, but with some prompting was able to start accompanying for school choirs in 7th grade.  She loved accompanying and set a goal to be the Madrigal accompanist her junior year in high school.  (Never have been sure if it was the piano stuff she liked or all the cute boys in Madrigals).  She loved singing too, and loved the opportunity to do that her senior year.  This love has followed her to college and created a love/hate relationship.  Majoring in music has been a challenge, and frustrated her many times over.  She can't give it up though and has loved singing and accompanying for the institute choir at Utah State.  Lest you think this piano major only likes classical music, her music tastes are varied.  She loves Beyonce, the Biebs, Billy Joel, the Beatles, Beethoven and everything else in between.

 Ashley of course is not perfect, no one is, but I love that she works through challenges, attacks her weaknesses and earnestly strives to accept the Lord's will for her even when it isn't exactly what she wants.  I love her fiery and fun disposition, and I love that red hair! Happy Birthday Ashley!!