Still Awake?

I'm not sure if any of you are still awake, but we are. Ashley is such a fighter even when I think she should just lay back and relax. She is fighting us all tonight on everything. She refuses to allow the nasal cannula on her face. She has torn it off about 6 times tonight. We have now placed an oxygen mask on her face and have secured it around her head. I don't think it will last long because I can see her little wheels turning. Just by the look in her eyes she is telling me that she is devising a plan to remove this silly thing from her face. She is so exhausted, but her stubborn streak will not allow her nurse to win. She has torn the skin off her cheeks by pulling off the tegaderm that is used to adhere the cannula. She really has red, rosy cheeks now. I have been sitting in the chair, in the dark asking God to please make her go to sleep. My mind starts to wander in the middle of my prayers for Ashley and I try to imagine the future. Who will this strong-willed, little one become? I truly believe that Ashley will become a leader and not a follower. No one can make Ash do something she does not want to do. I have watched her baffel many, many experienced nurses as they try every trick they know to get her to cooperate. Not Ashley, God has not given her a spirit of fear. She is strong, and perseveres. She does not bend or break. She does not give up without a fight. Can you even imagine how incredible she will be? I try not to imagine the parenting battles that we are surely to face with her spirit! God has truly designed an incredibly tough little girl. Ashley is living because He made her this tough. She wants to be here and she wants people to know that she is here for a reason and a purpose. As tired as I am tonight, it is really kind of enjoyable to let my mind wander and picture her as she grows into an amazing young lady, not to be deterred from the path that He will set her on. I am truly grateful for my hard headed little one, and blessed beyond measure that He gave me 2 of these little girls. Have any of you met my Allison? Their Daddy has a job ahead of him!