So Blessed to Share Her

We did it! We went, we went inside, we watched. It was difficult at first. A panic feeling came all over me as the gym began to fill up with parents and children, but then around the corner came a blessing and it was all ok.

I looked up and in walked a very dear friend of ours who has loved our Ashley and prayed for Ashley from the very beginning. I was so blessed to see her. What a joy it was to have the opportunity to share our sweet Ashley Kate with her. As I began to fill out our paperwork she offered to hold Ash and it was ok to actually say yes. To watch her cuddle our sweet girl and rock her to sleep was incredible. Ash rarely allows anyone to touch her and very few people have ever had the opportunity to hold her. It gave me such a feeling of normalcy to watch my friend love on my baby. Such JOY! What a gift the Father had in store for me this afternoon. How exciting to finally be able to share her with the world a little bit.

Dave came in from the office late tonight and exclaimed, "That baby is cuter than I have ever seen her!" I think he is right. She gets cuter and cuter each and every day as her little personality blossoms. Tonight she is rolling around in her crib and playing with her toes as Blake entertains her. He is jumping around and acting silly and she loves it. He leans into the crib and she grabs his face with those tiny hands to tell him how very much she loves him. She is learning to give the sweetest hugs. She really does give and receive love. God has been so very good to our family. He could have stopped with allowing us to love her, but He didn't. He has allowed her to not only receive our love, but to give it back. To be loved by our sweet Ashley is so incredible. Her little eyes light up when we walk in the room and that smile just spreads and spreads.

I had planned to have all of the packing completed by tonight, but it didn't happen. I have Blake and Ash packed and that's about it. We are all going to end up in Colorado together eventually, but not until Wednesday. Blake will arrive first early Monday morning, then the girls and I will arrive sometime Monday evening, and then Dave will join us Wednesday night. With the guys traveling separately from us they require separate bags and then we have all of Ash's "necessary items" and then Al's and mine. Not to mention all of the ball equipment and uniforms and such. Our house is wall to wall piles and lists.

We will be traveling for a good portion of tomorrow, but once we arrive in Oklahoma I will share with you how Ash is doing. We will be working late tomorrow evening on a few final details for her party and then on Saturday we will be turning the venue into a magical place. I am so excited! Just try to imagine more pink balloons than you could ever count. She is going to be one happy baby.

Well the birthday girl is fussing in her room and I am the only one still awake. I get to go check on her and kiss her goodnight one more time. Thanks for being here. Your presence on her journal still blesses me. I so appreciate those of you who are still praying for our pickle. Take care and good night. Trish