Happy Birthday, Ashley!

So, I started this post on Ashley's actual birthday (December 9th) and finished it and was uploading my pictures when I found out my internet was not connected and wasn't saving the whole time so I lost everything. It was devastating. I've had internet issues ever since so uploadng pictures takes a VERY long time. Anyway, I'll see if I can quickly review.

Ashley turned 12. And I'm not just saying this because she's my step-daughter, but she is probably the smartest, coolest 12 year old out there. She chooses her friends so wisely. As soon as they get too dramatic for her, she moves on. She doesnt' really take all of this middle school stuff too seriously. For example, she had a slumber party (see pictures below) the Friday before her birthday and, of course, she could not invite all of her friends. So, it got out that she was having a party and they weren't all invited and some of the girls gave her a hard time at school. For a few days she even had to find a new place to sit at lunch. But she didn't let it get her down! I think, in fact, I was more traumatized than she was.

So, not only is she way ahead of the curve on the social front, she's funny, laughs at herself, is kind to others (except her brother sometime:)) and is all about enjoying the right now. It's started happening a little more often but for the most part, Ashley doesn't sit around wishing for this or that. She just makes the best of what's going on. Now, I know I've said before she's getting a little bit of the pre-teen bug where she is pretty sure she's smarter than us but I think Derrek and I nipped that in the bud a little bit, at our house anyway. Now she's figuring out we were both in middle school once and actually know a little bit about what she goes through every day.

She's also had her first boyfriend, in theory anyway. He asked her to be his girlfriend to her face! I was very impressed. That was probably the only reason she agreed...because she didn't know how to turn someone down to their face! But I'm afraid, after that they never spoke again! I think after 2 months or so of having absolutely no conversation or interaction, she ended it.

We were so nervous about middle school. The middle school here in town does not really have the best reputation. We didn't know if it was the staff or if middle schoolers today are just into more than we were. The pregnancy rate at the school is disturbing (one pregnant 7th or 8th grader is terrifying...it's insane that there's actually a "rate"). Drugs definitely have a presence there as well. So, we are thanking God everyday that we've got a girl with a really really really good head on her shoulders. Right now, she's decided she doesn't even like to hang out with kids that say bad words. One person, she told me said the "c" word and I almost cried but I made her spell it. "C. R.A.P." she said. Little did I know, the 25 times a day I say that word, she's not impressed.

She's the perfect mix of a tomboy and a young lady. She likes to look cute but would opt for chapstick over lipgloss any day. It's an act of God to get her to take a shower but she would die if there were any bumps in her ponytail. We're becoming closer friends every day and I think that's a really good sign as she gets further and further into this school of doom. Another great sign is that she and Cooper (her cousin) went to separate elementary schools but have managed to find themselves in the same GOOD group of friends. Now Destiny and I can help keep tabs on everything. Since we don't get to see Ashley everyday, we still get the scoop on what's going on with her at school, so it's been wonderful.

So, for her birthday, we had a little get together to watch the Christmas Parade at the bakery, then a few girls spent the night with us at Derrek's parents house (I don't think we could have handled all those girls and a newborn in our tiny little house!). Then on her birthday, the family got together at Mamacita's. (I was sick with the beginning of strep throat!).

In conclusion, Ashley is 12 and awesome!