Happy Birthday to my "baby" girl ~ Ashley Marie

Today - my baby girl turned 27!  So I am thinking it is appropriate to write 27 things about my daughter, as a celebration to her life!  Happy Birthday Ashley!

1. When I was expecting Ashley - back then we did not have ultrasounds as a normal part of our pregnancy - SO I did not know the sex of the little one I was carrying.  HOWEVER, we had been praying for a little girl, and we ONLY had a girls name picked out.   She (since I was so sure) would be called either ASHLEY MARIE or ASHLEY NICOLE.  And well - you see which second name won out.
2. Ashley was born only half hour after I got to St. B AND her dad almost missed it while he was parking the car AND my doctor DID miss her birth!   
3. The first night Ashley was home she slept right through the night.  That was likely the only time - because right up until she was a teenager - she always seemed to wake up about 3
4. Ashley did alot of sleepwalking.  One time she turned and tumbled all the way down the steps.  By the time Alvin got to her, she was already on her way back up - no injury (thank God for that because it was about 14 steps down) and she didn't miss a beat!
5. Ashley had a lactose intolerance - but we didn't catch on very quickly.  She could out burp the best of them!  
6. Ashley always said she was going to be a trucker so that she could eat donuts.  (So glad she changed ideas!)
7. From the time she could talk - Ashley also sang.  
8. Ashley joined the Winnipeg Mennonite Children's Choir when she was just 9 and sang joyfully under Mrs. Litz as conductor until Ashley was 18.
9. Ashley took her first trip when she was 10.  She went with the choir to Israel.
10. Ashley has also sang and travelled to Israel, South Africa, Germany, England, Ottawa, BC, among many other places.
11. Ashley was "Belle" in a musical that her elementary school did. 
12. Ashley took piano lessons for a while.  Later she also played the auto harp and taught herself how to play the guitar.
13. Ashley loved to sing and play.  Her brother used to tell her to stop singing and stop playing to which she would reply "the 2 things I love to do and Josh wants me to quit!"
14. Ashley noticed her jaw was changing when she was about 13 and decided to have jaw surgery once she was out of School of Discipleship.  The surgery was major!  She was so brave and taught me alot about courage.
15. Ashley loves to crochet granny squares into blankets! 
16. She is an amazing baker!  She has her own blog.
17. Growing up - some of Ashley's best friends were all guys.  While I sometimes worried about this, she once told me that when you had guys as close friends, there was way less drama!  
18. Ashley's favorite teacher still calls her by her nickname when he sees her!  
19. We called Ashley by a couple pet names - although her dad always seemed to add a few more!  We called her Ash, Ashes, Pumpkin, Pumpy, Pookie (just to name a few)
20. Ashley loves her brother and sister in law - Josh and Leah.  She once told me that she always knew that Josh loved her, but knows that he really LIKES her too - which is so important being family.  
21. Ashley has amazing BLUE EYES after my dad! (and well - blue does run in our family_
22. Ashley has a silhouette of a blue jay in  tree, on her right shoulder blade.  It is a tribute to her sweet nephew Jay Benjamin, who is in Heaven.
23. Ashley went to the School of Discipleship after high school, and then continued on at CMU in Music Therapy.   HOWEVER, she chose not to pursue this career and instead is graduating this April with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in music.  
24. Ashley LOVES roller coasters
25. Ashley has served on worship teams in both vocal and/or pianist.  She has written some songs. She uses her musical talent and gifts to soothe souls including her own at times (and mine)
26. Ashley has 3 blogs!! THREE.
27. Ashley met Michael, and quickly they realized there was something more.  The first one she told about Michael - was her Grandpa Klassen (who was dying).  She loves to laugh with Michael!  They make a great team.  This year will be their 4th anniversary in Sept.

Ashley - I love you.  You are my daughter - the one that I prayed for.  God truly gave us the desire of our hearts with your birth.  There is so much more to say about you - but we have to keep some things to ourselves!  You always told me that "I love you 5" because you thought 5 was such a big number!!  SO baby - I love you 5!!  I love you to the moon and back!

Happy birthday sweetheart!  May this be a very special year - full of happy times, laughter, family times, music, friends, good recipes, blogging and journalling.  May it be a year that you will always remember as it unfolds!  May this be the best year of your life so far!  I hope God totally surprises you this year!  

LOVE, (more than 5555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555!)

Mom