TWELVE!

The days have been being counted down since January. Ashton could not wait to turn twelve. Let me repeat: Counting down the days since January to the end of November when she turned twelve. Twelve is a very big deal. She now gets to attend Young Women. She can now get a temple recommend and attend the temple to do baptisms for the dead. She can begin working toward her Personal Progress award, which will take her 4-6 years to complete. She could hardly wait! She is most excited to attend the temple. I am, too. What a sweet experience it will be for me to join my worthy and precious daughter in the House of the Lord.

In spite of her excitement, she did not want any big party or anything. Her local extended family came over Sunday night for some treats. Ashton has always preferred fruit to any kind of cake or anything. So, for several years, she had fruit salad. Last year, she decided on individual fruit pizzas. It was so delicious, she wanted them again this year.

She got many fun presents, but her favorite appears to be the piano book for Pirates of the Caribbean. I will post a video of her playing it soon. It is great stuff! She is constantly on the piano playing it. I love it!

In honor of her big day, I will list twelve things I love about Ashton (in no particular order):

1. She is responsible.

2. She is supportive. I love and appreciate her.

3. She is kind. To everyone. No matter their ages, races, or situations.

4. She is helpful. Like you can't believe. How do other people survive without an Ashton, anyway?

5. She is beautiful. Inside and out.

6. She is spiritual. She loves the scriptures and the Lord.

7. She is brilliant. Really. No exaggeration.

8. She is talented. And she is not embarrassed to share her talents.

9. She is confident. I wish we all had her confidence. No arrogance. Just confidence.

10. She is genuine.

11. She has a deep desire to be good. If I need to talk to her about an unbecoming behavior that is creeping in (this is rare!), I notice an immediate change, a major effort on her part. She just swallows her pride and sets to work. I so admire that!

12. She is my daughter! She is my first daughter! She made me a mom.

I love you, Ashton! Happy TWELFTH Birthday!