So grateful...

I love this girl...her name is Ashley...I have called her several things over the course of my lifetime (not all nice things...but mostly nice things). This girl and I were not friends in High School and in fact for several years afterward. We didn't really become friends until she made a HUGE life-changing decision one short weekend here in New Mexico over 2 years ago. Shortly after she moved her and helped me finish my pregnancy and wrap things up at Casa Mesita Group Home. She worked long hours, in terrible conditions, with girls who didn't truly appreciate who or what she was and was capable of. She could have gone on and done a million other things with her life but she stayed with me, went to my birthing classes, rubbed my feet religiously everynight, enjoyed clean-sheet night with me, was my companion and best friend when Todd was at work and planted a garden for me which ultimately led me to be crazy about the hobby. She was my saving grace during a time when my work could have gotten the best of me, when my body was physically spent, and I needed a friend.
Now the roles are reversed and she is near the end of a long pregnancy, she is tired, exhausted and her feet hurt (and are swollen to an abnormal size...), she doesn't have a lot of friends and she is far from "home". I wish I could be there for her the way she was for me. I wish I could got to her birthing classes and pinch her in the arm as hard as she did me and tell me to breathe through it. I wish I could film her "birthing story" and I wish that I could lay in bed with her at night (on clean sheet day) and talk until her husband comes home. It really stinks to be so far away...
BUT...the good news is that baby Kaylee is almost here and then I'll get to go and spend some time with both of them after my mom goes home and Josh goes back to work and I'll be more helpful than I would be right now. I remember all too well how devastated I was when everyone left me after Em was born and I can't wait to be there and be the "hero" who makes dinner that week after everyone leaves! :)
I love you Ash, no matter what you weigh, how swollen you are or what size your bra is! :) You are and have always been beautiful to me...something I've struggled with for years to try and measure up to you as my little sister. I'm grateful for you and the things you've taught me. Be strong little sister...this is the last time you will EVER have as yourself...after this you will be a Mother and it will never be the same!