Love For Ashley

A few days ago, I overheard Ashley talking to one of the girls in her dance company. With dance auditions coming soon for the next year, the girls are asking each other if they are going to audition and stay in company. Dance Friend: "Ashley, are you going to audition next week" Ashley: "Yes, are you?" Dance Friend: "I don't know. I will probably audition but I don't know if I will stay in company or even dance at all. Ashley: "I'd just die if I didn't dance at all." "I have to dance, it gives me life." Dance Friend: "So you are going to stay in company?" Ashley: "I want too but my mom says that if I don't get at least three company routines, then I probably won't do company." "But I am not going to quit dancing, I have to dance, it's who I am." "It's all I know." Dance Friend: "Wow Ashley, you are serious maybe you should do a solo." Ashley: "I d...

Yesterday, I took Ashley in for labs. We had them drawn at our local Quest Diagnostic Center. The people at Quest are great; it's a one stick kind of place. For those of us who have children that need frequent blood work, to find a place that can stick your child once with the needle is priceless. Since Ashley was a baby she has handled these frequent labs draws with such bravery and yesterday was no different. Here is the conversation we had while she was getting labs. Ashley: "Mommy, I can't feel the needle in my arm." "It doesn't even hurt and usually I feel a pinch." Me: "I think you are just getting use to it and it doesn't scare you anymore." Ashley: "No mommy, I am just numb to it or maybe the nerves in my arm don't work anymore." Me: "I think it's because you are a brave brave girl." Ashley: "No mommy, I am not brave; I have a numb arm." "I have been stuck with a needle in my arm...