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Just 11

Ashley turned 11 years old a couple days ago on July 30. It is hard to believe how far she has come from the weak very sick yellow baby to this beautiful pre-teen. I remember when Ashley's surgeon came to us, told us that Ashley would only live to see her first birthday if she received a liver transplant in time; she was six weeks old at the time. Can you imagine? It seems so long ago but the memory is so fresh that it feels like it was yesterday. We were told to take her home, enjoy her for as long as we have her. But today she is eleven years and two days old...she made it well past her first birthday. Doctors don't know everything.

We celebrated Ashley's birthday surrounded by family in Alabama. Ashley adores being around her cousins especially the eldest girls, Marisa and Heather. These girls may be 5 and 6 years older than Ashley butI think they love being around her as much as Ashley loves being around them. Family is everything and I do not know where we would be today without their love and support during these last 11 years.

To Ashley:

Hey Baby Girl,

You know what? You are completely and utterly amazing. I love your smile and the way you say "I know, right" after everything I say. I love the way you keep trying to make mommy and daddy happy when you have already made us the happiest parents ever. You have brought so much to our lives with your strength, your will to live, your beauty and your love for all four-legged creatures. I love the way you call your brother, "Bradley" when everyone else calls him "Brad". I love that you are happy with who you are. I know it hasn't been easy, I know you want to be like everyone else; without liver disease but remember, you have liver disease it doesn't have you. I love that you want to keep dancing until you get it right, I love that you dance so hard and so often that it is hard for you to stand still for two seconds. I love that you worked for a year to convince your daddy that you "needed a kitty for your birthday. I love that when your daddy finally said yes that you couldn't stop smiling. I love the way you bundle Lily in a blanket and carry her around like a baby. Too cute. Ashley if you haven't guessed it, I really love you!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl.
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