This Being My Very First Post...

I've decided to tell you a bit about myself. And right about now is when a few people that know me say "Oh great, here goes!"...

Don't worry, I will do my best to keep it concise!

I suppose I will follow a logical sequence and start with my childhood. I grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. Honestly, I don't remember much about it. The few fond memories I have include extremely hot weather, yet being somehow unaffected by it in my young age, jump roping with my sister, Jessie, long road trips up to a 40 acre parcel of land my grandmother owned as a safe haven in the event of disaster (typical of my grandmother, those of you who know her will chuckle), and throwing a huge pile of leaves on an unexpecting Uncle Larry.

When I was nine my family moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana...in February. Bad plan. As much as I can recall, every single person in the family hated it there from the very start. The humidity does not do wonders for me or my dad, my mom, sister, and brother, Andrew, were nearly constantly sick with strep (until we figured out you couldn't drink the water there), and, well....we had to give up my cat, Maggie before we moved. Enough said. Needless to say, we only lasted 10 months in that heartless, cold, dreary place, and in November of 2000 my family packed up the morning after Election Day (also known as my sister's birthday), and headed back to Colorado.

This time, however, we moved to Longmont. Longmont?? Who has ever heard of Longmont?? Admittedly, I didn't enjoy it at first. It was better than Indiana, but I would have much rather been in Grand Junction. But ever so slowly this town grew on me....and ever so slowly I began to be attached. It was busier than I was used to, compared to Grand Junction, people weren't as nice, but as I got older, I realized that this was where my roots are. And that'd be why I'm still here today.

From the ages of 12 to 17 I experienced some of the hardest things any teenaged girl could experience. But you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. That's what got me to where I am. God led me down that path for a reason, and I'm fully convinced I was not alone during those times. My path was being lit by the Big Man Upstairs, and I am proud to call Him my Father.


And, as of this very moment, I am a typical 18 year old girl who thinks she is superwoman. ;-) I am currently in EMT school, and that's something I've wanted to do since I was twelve. I work part-time as a Nanny for two wonderful little boys, Ian (2 1/2) and Logan (1), who I love with all of my heart. It will be hard to leave them when I finally graduate EMT training (2 months and counting...), but there is a time for all things. Let it just be said that I'm not planning to leave them in the hands of just anybody. For all those of you wondering whether I truly am a typical 18 year old after the previous information, yes, I do have a boyfriend. :-) His name is Ben, you will hear me speak of him often. He is my crutch on which I lean for emotional support, bless his heart. I could not be more blessed by God than to have a man like him by my side.

A few random facts about me you might find interesting...
1. I am severely addicted to coffee, yet it recently has started making me sick. This habit started when I would work 14+ hour days in the Summer of 2008.
2. I am what some people would call a "black cloud." (I have recently been convinced that there is no such thing, however, the principal still stands. Thanks Richard.) Everywhere I go, it seems there is an accident, a child choking on something, or a 40+ year old man has a heart attack in the makeup aisle in which I am standing...it really happened.
3. I am naturally obsessed with pregnancy/babies. I can be entertained for hours simply by looking at ultrasound images, or reading pregnancy books. I hope as an EMT I can deliver at least a few babies in my career...
4. I have an odd personality...enough said.
5. I am extremely dramatic about things that are not dramatic in nature. However, when a true dramatic event arrises, such as an emergency, my drama swith turns off, as do my emotions. Supposedly this is a good characteristic for EMS work, I am hoping this is true.

That's about enough for today. Whew! I look forward to getting settled in here...more stories to come!

~Ash

P.S.- That wasn't as concise as I thought, but it will do for now. ;-)