Sunday, August 06, 2006

Happy Birthday Ashley!


Baby Ashley
Originally uploaded by Beth.
It’s hard to believe it was eleven years ago when two friends and I drove from Denver to Tulsa. David's younger brother, Sam, drove the moving truck with all of our earthly belongings. I was eight months pregnant, David was in Albania, and this was our first child.

We were so naive. I actually went into labor one day after David returned. The hospital sent us home and said to give it another 24 hours. That 24 hours turned into 2 1/2 weeks—she came 4 days late!

Both of our families were in different states, all of our Teen Mania friends were in Miami for summer debriefing, and we were alone in Tulsa. It just so happened that David’s sister’s husband’s dad was a neonatal doctor at the hospital where we delivered—he was our only visitor. He was such a blessing to us as he came bearing gifts and welcoming our new little girl into the world.

Oddly enough, we were the only couple having a baby in that hospital at the time. A local news station was wanting to do a positive story on families and asked if we would mind being their subject. Just as I was opening my mouth to say, “no,” David said, “Sure!” I was soooo tired and didn’t want to do the story, but they were desperate and David had already given them a “yes”.

The story turned out great and today it is such an added blessing to have the video clip they aired on the news as a memento of the occasion.

Somehow that event sums up our eleven years at Teen Mania. The fast-paced, action-packed culture of Teen Mania doesn’t always make life-changing events convenient. But we have found in the midst of it all, God has always been faithful.

Happy Birthday Ashley! We love you!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aww, I love her too! She was so cute in that elevator...I really did think she was the most beautiful baby in the world...too bad you forgot about me after that and didn't remember me until Panama FOUR years later! HAHAHA!

Unknown said...

Happy, Happy Birthday dear Ashley. I never knew so much of what you told went on. THere was so much going on in our lives right then too...I just remember getting the phone call and almost immediately Amy, and her 3 girls and I jumped in the car and headed to Tulsa to see you. What a cutie she was and IS.

Lisa H said...

Happy Birthday Ashley! We are so glad to live near you all now, and we are happy that we can get to know sweet Ashley better. And we can't wait to meet the new little one too! I was thinking it would be fun if you had this baby on Ashley's birthday! But it's probably better not to share that day! :)

Anonymous said...

I had to grab the kleenex box for this one. Reminds me how fast our kiddos grow-up (I can't believe Ashley is 11). I then had a vision of running around the Pontiac Silverdome at Day One while 8 mos. PG with Skyler....convulsions ensued. :-)
Sometimes the most incovenient of times bring the greatest blessing.
Happy Birthday Ashley!
Michelle F

Anonymous said...

Bundles of blessings sent to Ashley on this HER SPECIAL DAY! Watch out Dave and Beth, at the blink of your eyes she will be 21. I promise you! May the Lord pour out His goodness upon her and may she live a long life to speak of that goodness to all the people and a generation who have not yet heard!

Anonymous said...

Jonathan is definitely welcome to join us!! Bring the whole fam - they're all cute!! :)

Shanygne said...

That is such great story!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ASHLEY!

It's amazing to look at these kids and watch them growing into the men/women of God that He called them to be...to be even a small part of that is soooo cool!

Michelle said...

Happy Birthday Ashley! You are a beautiful young lady and such a blessing to your family and so many others. I pray this next year is the best year yet and all your hearts desires are fulfilled!