Ashley's Story

She will leave fingerprints all over your heart

1/16/2008

She was UGLY

Not my baby, but her attitude. Our sweet Ashley Kate went from this:




To this:





In a matter of minutes. I can't describe to you just how ugly it got once her physical therapy began this afternoon. She kicked and flailed and screamed and cried until she was exhausted. She had her daddy in tears. Its a good thing her therapist and her mommy are tough because she was almost believable. What a fight this little girl put up! She DOES NOT WANT to learn to stand up. She DOES NOT WANT to do ANYTHING except for what SHE wants to do.

At one point her therapist(who is a dear friend of ours and loves our Ashley very much) stated that if the rest of her patients acted the way our Ash did that she would have to quit. Now let me tell you that it does not make a mommy's heart proud to know that my daughter is the WORST behaved patient the therapist has EVER had. What does make my heart proud is to see how determined, stubborn and persistent our Ashley Kate is. She fought till the very end just like she has her entire life.

Guess what were going to do? That's right. Were going to have therapy 3 times a week. Its so good for Ash. I know she doesn't realize that what we are helping her learn is for her own good, but some day when our little one is scoring goals during her soccer game or tumbling across the gym floor she will be glad. I love her enough to keep going.

And guess what tomorrow is? Yep, its another therapy session, but this time it will be with her speech therapist. All I can say is were going to be praying for that sweet therapist.

Good night guys. Trish

30 Comments:

At 10:21 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, those pictures made me laugh so hard, what a pickle she is. If she is so determined to fight her therapy, just think the fight she will have to learn to stand and walk, girl just needs a little time and she will come around. And good for you for having therapy 3 times a week. What a great child you have. Tell daddy to buck up, she has him wrapped around her little finger like she should. God bless.

 
At 11:11 PM , Blogger Lee said...

The pictures made my laugh. She was definitly showing that strong will that's brought her so so far!
I had to laugh at Dave tearing up b/c my brother in law has the same problem. My sis's baby is having tx for toricollis along with several other health issues at this time. My sister will do the stretches on her baby's neck but her husband refuse to do anything that's going to make her cry. Must be something about how these little girl's have thier Daddy's wrapped right around their little finger!!!Praying for great strides in her tx.
--Lee

 
At 11:48 PM , Blogger Robyn said...

oh dear, that made me laugh! I'm very sorry for the ordeal she put you guys through but how cute is that second photo?! Good luck tomorrow!

 
At 12:35 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

LOL Sooo FUNNY!!! Ya'll really have your hands full! So very blessed! LOL Terrible two's comes to mind. She is so cute Trish!! Thank you very much for sharing!!! What a little doll! Praying for sweet little Ashley to cooperate!! **still giggling**
May God Keep you in His Arms & Bless you always~~
~Okla

 
At 1:07 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with Candy. I couldn't help but laugh. That picture said it all! I once heard Cynthia Tobias,who is a highly strong willed child, say in a Focus on the Family interview that being strong-willed is NOT! a negative trait. Ha!:) I know you're laughing as you read that. Right? It sure has brought her soo far. Blessings to you Trish. And we'll be praying for her therapist tomorrow. Keep up the hard work Ashley. You'll be thanking your Mommy and therapist someday. Just you wait and see. Judy

 
At 7:05 AM , Blogger KimberlyDi said...

Painful lessons now will pay off bigtime in the future. Good Luck!

 
At 7:46 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

LOL Have you noticed every child seems to have the instincts of a guerrilla fighter to get their own way? Some are just better at it than others. Thank God Ashley feels good enough to be a problem.

Dave, a lot of that yelling and screaming is hoping you will stop those "mean" women from "hurting" her. She has gotcha'. Hang in there, Dave.

 
At 8:06 AM , Blogger Valarie said...

What an angel and what an amazing testimony to the power of prayer! Not only did He bring you home, but look at the joy He's blessing you with every day!

We'll pray for the therapists' too! ;-)

Val
NC

 
At 8:06 AM , Blogger Laurie in Ca. said...

Oh that face, totally ticked off but never ugly. I couldn't help but laugh. Just keep telling yourself that she is a #1 Fighter! Praying for the therapists, all of them, as they get her on a routine that she will eventually enjoy and look forward to. This little princess warrior has been through so much it is only normal for her to closely interview each person to see if they are worthy of her cooperation:) I think it is Dave who needs prayer here:)

Love and Prayers,
Laurie in Ca.

 
At 8:25 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Praying for the speech therapist as well :) Those pictures were hilarious! We love you all so very much. Know that you remain ever in our thoughts and prayers!

 
At 8:35 AM , Blogger Keri said...

Those "Before" and "After" pictures are hilarious!! I'm glad you're a tough mommy who can stand up to that pouting...and the crying...and the flailing... You're right, she WILL thank you some day, and that will be a sweet, sweet moment! (In the meantime, thank God for patient therapists!)

 
At 9:16 AM , Blogger Sarah said...

I have to admit that I laughed when I saw her little lip pushed out! It's great that her therapist is willing to put up with a little toddler attitude to help Ashley gain mobility!

I'm praying for her--and her therapist!--that she'll get a little bit more used to it as time goes on. Such a funny pickle you have!

 
At 10:06 AM , Blogger Domestic Goddess said...

And once she learns to stand and walk? She'll never stop. You are soooooo in for it! HA!
She's still cute, even when she's cranky!

 
At 10:12 AM , Blogger Davis' said...

She is so sweet. I am so happy to know she has a fighting attitude. She is strong and she wants everyone to know it. I'm praying speaking will go easier than walking.

 
At 10:36 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

that's one strong sassy pickle!!!!

 
At 10:42 AM , Blogger HennHouse said...

Good for you--upping the therapy. It took my Esther-Faith about six months to grow accustomed to her therapists. (www.hennhouse.blogspot.com/2007/08/with-becky.html)

 
At 10:42 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

As I read your post I was reminded how God loves us so much that He does the same thing with us. We go through times in our lives where He makes us do things we don't want to do. As adults we kick and scream and rebel, and I know God is saying "this is for your good, to better you and make you stronger". We aren't able to see it until time passes and we look back on the situation. You are right, one day Ashley will look back and be so thankful that you were persistant with her no matter how much she kicked and cried. I am so thankful that God is persistant with me no matter how much I resist. He doesn't give in and allow me to have MY way, but instead He is persistant in HIS way to develop and grow me.

Continuing to pray,

Julie in Omaha

 
At 10:51 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness!!! She is so darling!!!! I think I would have been more like her daddy on this issue. I sure am glad she has a strong mommy. It would be very difficult not to let her have her way with those big brown eyes and chubby cheeks. She is the cutest little girl I have ever seen!!! We continue to pray for you guys and stay strong! Michelle

 
At 12:06 PM , Blogger Gretchen said...

What a cutie--even if she is being naughty. She's a fighter, and she'll need that fighting spirit to get through therapy and life in general. Better gear up with the armor of God, Trish! You're gonna need it--that and lots of Diet Coke. :)

 
At 1:11 PM , Blogger Mayhem And Miracles said...

Makes me think of how we are with God. We kick and scream unaware of how He does things for our good. He makes us push through the pain. And like you love Ashley, He loves us still. I've been concentrating on that lately. I'll be praying for good progress. Give Ashley a sanitary kiss for us! -- Nikki

 
At 1:29 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Therapy can be hard work...even more so for those trying to help sometimes! It's great to see Ashley's spirit and determination shining through :)

 
At 2:17 PM , Blogger Amy T said...

What a stinky pickle! That strong will comes in handy many a time, but I know it's not always easy to handle when it comes at the wrong time. Even mad, she is so cute!

 
At 2:27 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just precious! I don't know who is more blessed, you or Ashley. Thanks so much for sharing her story. You keep pushing her and we will keep praying for you all!

Stacey in Cave Spring, GA

 
At 5:47 PM , Blogger Elizabeth S said...

That is so funny! She looks beautiful; being home definitely agrees with her.

 
At 7:06 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Those pictures are SO precious!! I wouldn't say she was UGLY, but I would definitely say your "Sweet Baby Gherkin" had turned into a "Dill Pickle" in the second picture. I am just so completely THRILLED that Ashley is doing so well. What a real fighter you have. I have no doubts that she will be mobile soon. Better get the house child-proofed!! Thank you for sharing your journey with us!! Teresa

 
At 7:42 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness - I'm still laughing - what a face! I'm just so so thankful that Ash is feeling good enough to give Sue all that trouble, but I will be praying for Sue and Ash and their therapy sessions as the days go by. You and Dave will be included in those prayers, too, as always. I love you all very much - see you soon. Love and Hugs to all, Grandma

 
At 8:03 PM , Blogger Shari said...

I am giggling. She is so CUTE regardless of how ornery and stubborn she is. She even made her Daddy cry? Oh my! Guess she has Daddy on that little finger! Thank you for sharing! She is so adorable! Praying as always.

Shari

 
At 9:52 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for posting those pics. I love them. She is so precious when she is so cute and smiling. I just love that little lump of a grump! She still has the twinkle! I am sure she didn't later...
She is one smart cookie. Good thing her mom is smarter! Sorry Dave but she has rendered you hopeless!

 
At 10:37 PM , Blogger Holly said...

Ha HaHa Ha! She is really so adorable...tough and difficult and all! What a cutie! What a fighter!

Praying for you all!
Love,
Holly

 
At 1:45 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

That's the Spirit Ashley! Loved the pictures! I second Julie in Omaha's comment. So true.

 

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