All Grown Up

And we FINALLY get the picture!



Oh how hard is it to be a mom and watch your baby grow up? Just yesterday, Ashley was my little chubby tow-headed angel and today........she is all grown up.
My Ashley's first ball!

Tonight is the Military Ball. For those that don't know, Ashley is a flight commander in the Air Force JROTC program. Tonight is her big night. She is also, just for tonight, her Flight's (sort of like an Army Platoon) Sweetheart. Her Delta Flight Sweetheart sash and her escort in Full Air Force Blues were amazing.
I was speaking to her JROTC leader Chief Chambers today and after a whirlwind day, of Ashley serving pancakes for the Lions Club at 7 Am and then all the prep for the Ball, he gave her THE PERFECT compliment. He told me that she is "Very well respected among her peers". It may seem like a simple compliment. But in this day and age where respect, specially in High School, is such a rare word, it was.......the PERFECT compliment.

The Ball is held on Base, and has all the pomp and circumstance that is the ceremonial Military.

So, we had to do this right. Including the $80.00 "up-do".
Do you have any idea..........how long that took? And the hairdresser was a PSYCHO! After making us wait for an hour, she finally got her seated, then took off to wander the parking lot and chat with friends. When she was working on her hair, it took twice as long because she would not stop talking! I was STEAMED.

But all that aside, isn't she just a vision? (weeping into my iced tea).

I want my baby back!

But this vision, I can live with it. Not bad my angel. 4.0 Grade average, Flight Commander, Sweetheart, Girl of the Year, and still the sweetest kid I know. You are headed to a great future. May all your dreams come true!