This is the story of a girl...

Let's see how should this story begin?

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away...

No that's not right!

Once upon a time in a magical kingdom...

Hmmm.......nope.


One cold dark night....

in a unfamiliar room I hear the beeps of machinery, the chatter of people outside. I am uncomfortable. I can't seem to find a position where the pain subsides. I am scared and excited and tired and unsure. I have been here for more than a day and I just want to go home. I realize that there is no turning back now, I must make a decision. I look to familiar faces for help, for comfort. I am told that the decision has to be mine but that time is running out. It is nearly 9:00pm. I tell them my choice and am whisked away. Bright lights, funny smells, whispers of , " Think Pink". It all happened so quickly.

At 9:01pm on October 22, 1987 

this changed my life forever.

  

Ashleigh Rene' Dudley - 7lbs 7oz  - 19 inches

This tiny perfect pink bundle is mine. It is the best thing I have ever done. Hmmm, I wonder what happened to the instruction manual?

I watch her grow and learn and develop. There are lots of firsts. 

First smile, first laugh, first foods, first teeth, first words, first steps.

  She grows so quickly and before know it a year has passed, then two, then five.

 Now, she's wrapped around my finger

She's the center of my whole world

And my heart belongs to that sweet,

little, beautiful, wonderful, perfect

All American girl

Time goes so quickly now. I need to pause, to rewind. I wish I had a remote control.

What happened to my little girl? School days, homework, sleepovers, girly giggles.

 Growing up so fast...
                           Middle School...
                                              BOYS...
                                                        trip to England...

High School...
                      Driving...
                                      Proms...
                                                    College Applications...
                                                                                      Graduation...

Leaving home for the first time

Butterfly fly away, 

butterfly fly away,

Flap your wings 

now you can't stay,

Take those dreams and make them all come true.

 College days...

                        fun..

                                friends...

                       independence

Personal Growth

Meeting an eternal friend,

who shares the same birthday. 

I could not be more proud of the young woman she has become.

 This is the story of MY girl,

And I absolutely love her when she smiles. 

Happy 23rd Birthday Ashleigh...and Gabby too!