Sunday, September 16, 2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!


This post is for a very special young lady in my life. Who is that special young lady you ask? Well none other than Ashley Leonard! She's the one on the top of the pyramid! I don't have a daughter, but if I did, I would hope she would make me smile like Ashley does.

Here's Ashley with little sis Alex in one of our favorite restaurants.



Ashley turns 18 today and we all know what a terrific age that is! Ashley and her folks had my family over Saturday night for one of Ashley's favorite meals: " Steak and Shake's Five Way Chili!" It was delish! I piled the spaghetti on my plate, then spooned several spoonfuls of Kim's chili over the noodles before adding shredded cheddar cheese and diced onions! Of course, most of us then topped our helpings with chili sauce! YUM! Kim served a fresh salad with all the fixin's on the side so we could pick and choose what we wanted from her salad bar. Feta cheese was there for the taking! I love that stuff!! The meal also included sourdough bread! Then for dessert, Ashley made a HUGE and fluffy peanut butter pie with a chocolate graham cracker crust! She knew that peanut butter pie is one of my Josh's favorite sweets. Wasn't that awful sweet of the birthday girl? She made something to please someone else rather than making her favorite. I found that really touching!



Ashley then opened her gifts and cards. I think we will hear of a "shopping trip" soon!



We finished the night off with a crazy game of Phase 10. Agustin and I had never played that game until the Leonards introduced us to it last year. Its a great game for big crowds. Many can play at once.



At about midnight, we headed on home. Once again the Leonards were wonderful hosts and made us feel just like part of their family.



Ashley, I hope this coming year in your life is one of the best ever! I know it has already been a year of many changes and growth. I pray you continue to desire God and His Will. Let HIM be your happiness throughout life. Remember you are a special creation by God, made for a specific purpose only you can fulfill. I have enjoyed watching you grow up from that feisty little girl to the graceful young lady you are today. I love you kiddo. Have a great 18th birthday!

11 comments:

Kimberly said...

Happy Birthday Baby, We love you!
Daddy & Mommy

Susan said...

What a nice tribute to this lovely young girl.
Susan

Ashley said...

Thank you so much aunt Pam! This almost made me cry! I did get a bit teary reading it...LOL Cause, it's a big step to me, getting ready to graduate, go to college, live my life...and with all the crazy changes that have happened over the past few months, to be honest, I've been scared. Scared of what'll happen if life seems to "pull the rug out from under me". But it's ok now, cause I know God is going to take care of me even if things to change drastically and suddenly. Because God knows my future and He's got it in His hands, so I shouldn't be scared. I should be eager! =D Love you so much! Thanks!

Jackie said...

Happy birthday Ashley!

groovyoldlady said...

Happy Birthday to Ashley! (Groovy secretly hopes that everyone who ate at the birthday dinner also had a healthy dose of Beano...)

Sis. Julie said...

Happy birthday Ashley!!!

Abouna said...

A very Happy and Lord filled Birthday to Ashley.

Pam, I am doing fine, just a little too busy lately though. Munchkin had a whole week where she started eating three to four dishes of food and she was acting really playful, then all of a sudden she was back to only eating about 1/4 cup of food a day again and being kind of lethargic. at the moment, she is doing ok. I just take it one day at a time with her and she does things at her own pace. Each day that the Lord gives me with her, I take as a blessing.

Hope all is well with you and the Family. Bless you.

Justabeachkat said...

Happy Birthday to Ashley! She's a beautiful girl and sounds very sweet. The meal sounds so yummy and the dessert even more so.

Hugs!
Kat

Rita Loca said...

Feliz Cumplaenos!!

Baptist Girl said...

Happy Birthday Ashley,
You sound like a lovely young woman.

Cristina

Lori said...

Happy 18th Birthday to a lovely young lady that is special to you.