Yes, it’s true.
It’s birthday city around here. Two birthdays in the span of five days is nothing, though. It takes both my hands and a foot to count the number of birthdays we have in our family in the month of March alone. There are lots, peeps.
But today? It’s mine. Fun, huh?
I know, you are thinking it, so go ahead and say it.
So you’re an April Fool’s baby?
Yep. I sure am. My dad begged and pleaded and coaxed my mama to push me out before the clock struck twelve on April 1st, but I had a mind of my own. (Nothing’s changed in that regard, in case you were wondering.)
He also watched the contraction-tracker-paper-thingy closely and faithfully let her know when a big one was on its way. She really appreciated that. Since, you know, she couldn’t tell when the whopper contractions were on their way.
She also didn’t call my dad to let him know she was in labor until she’d been at the hospital for three hours. He was in the Marine Corps at the time and she was afraid of his commanding officer. So she kept holding off, wanting to make sure she was really and truly in labor before calling him. As it turned out, she was.
I tell all of this as if I remember it, of course.
You think I don’t? You’re crazy. I was there, peeps. Of course I remember every bit of it. Just ask the people who have known me for most of these many years I’ve been around. Remembering things I wasn’t exactly a part of is my specialty.
Speaking of things known and unknown… Hey, I have an idea!
In honor of not always knowing the full story, or even part of the story, we’re going to have a test of YOUR knowledge, bloggie peeps.
Just how old do you think I am as of today?
Beware–guessing it might not be as easy as you think. People get it wrong all. the. time. Even my extended family wasn’t sure of my real age when we were all together this past weekend. So, you know, if they couldn’t even get it right…
(And–insert evil laugh here–my comments are still moderated, due to some recent issues with bloggie security… but this also protects us from the, ahem, CHEATING, of the people who know me in real life or of those who would read the comments first to get the answer. I’m not even going to let the comments through right away. Because, peeps, this is serious business, all this age-guessing. I mean, important stuff going on here at the H&H blog. Mmhmm.)
But at least I actually know how old I am–unlike a certain aunt of mine. For several years she thought she was a year older than she actually was. Imagine her surprise when, one birthday in her mid-thirties, everyone figured out that, lo and behold!, she was a whole year younger than she’d thought.
And that, my friends, is a memory I can actually claim as one of my own. I was there on the Birthday of My Aunt’s Discovery and can say I remember it… unlike, you know, most of the first few paragraphs of this post. But what’s memory for but to be improved upon the older we get, right?
Oh, and last, but certainly not least in this ramble, happy birthday to my mama, who gave me life this day. Now that I’ve had my own two bebes, I sometimes wonder if it’s not the MOMS who deserve the celebration, because, whew, that’s a whole lotta work. A lot of work.
So guess away, peeps. It shouldn’t be that hard. I’m just feeling so mature today and am thus holding a completely ridiculous guessing game. Because that’s what you do when you’re old an mature, isn’t it?
I thought so.










Happy Birthday, Ashleigh!
I guess you are 23… how close am I?
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
… to you (and your mama)
For years I have called my mama on my birthday, thanking her. It certainly is her birthday, too.
I hope you have a wonderful day!
Oh, and I’ll guess 24? ;o)
~ Christina
“This is the day which the LORD hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
~ Psalm 118:24
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Hey Ashleigh – I’m a friend of Nicole’s from Wisconsin. I love reading your blog – as you’re just incredibly talented with writing!
Anyway, if I think about it right from what I know from Cole, I believe you’re about the same age as her, 24.
Happy Birthday! (No joke!)
Lindsay from The True Dairy State, Wisconsin
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Happy Birthday Ashleigh! May your day be filled with extra special blessings!
{{{Hugs}}}
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First..HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I believe that you turned 24 today. I hope you have a great day!
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tsk, tsk … of course you’re 22! But I won’t tell if you won’t!
Happy Birthday, Ashleigh!
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um… 24? yes. that must be it. 24.
:)
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This is fun! Although I would NEVER hold a contest and let people guess how old I am! I’m not that tough LOL!
I am going to guess 22.
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Happy Birthday Ashleigh!!!
My guess is 22 because I think that you’re ::gasp:: younger than me! (Either that or you’re 23 so we’re the same age for a little while. I know we’re close. ;) )
Hope your day is extra-special splender-ific! :)
Morgan
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Okay, I am going to say 21 or 22…well…maybe 23. Okay…22..I think..hmmmm…okay I’ll stick to 22. You know maybe 21! Am I right on any of these accounts? LOL
Ginger
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I’m guessing twenty-two!
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I knoweth. ;)
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Happy, Happy Birthday!
And I have no idea how old you are. A bit younger than me probably? :)
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My guess is you are 22 today.
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twenty two.
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I know exactly how old you are. Well I cant really say old cause you still very very young, so young I feel old. You are a big whopin 22 years old today!!! I agree with you we should thank our moms for all the work they put forth on our birthdays!!! Ash I hope you have a great birthday!!! I love you so very much and Im so blessed to have you as my cousin!!
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well, i remember you saying that you were young, and based on the fact that most people are wrong, i’m gonna go very young and say…23?
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I think you’re 22.
And I can’t imagine doing at 22 all that you do.
Impressive.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
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Happy Birthday!! I pray God blesses you in a special way today! I also pray for your husbands safety and comfort for you and your VERY handsome “Little Men”.
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Happy Birthday Ashleigh!!!
I’ve never commented on your blog, but I do enjoy it and have added your little family in my prayers. I also enjoy your posts at YLCF, where I first “met” you. Thank you for sharing your heart, I feel as though we’re friends indeed! And hmmm… I’m guessing that you are 21 today??? Oh, I hope I’m right!
~Joanna
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Happy Birthday, my friend!
I guess that you are turning 22?
:) Have a lovely day!
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Happy birthday Ashleigh! Are you 23?
Hope you have a fun day full of wonderful surprises!
God bless,
Sarah
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I’m guessing 24
~Kristi
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You know what? I’m changing that to 23
~Kristi
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Happy 22nd birthday to you, Ashleigh! I trust your day will be special in every way. :)
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22 years old. :)
Happy birthday!
You’re a great example to this girl who reads your blog daily! Have a good day!
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Ashleigh-
I came over here by way of Heather at Just Laugh months ago! I left(I think ;)!) one comment after your Merritt was born. Anyway, I love your blog! I think from what I can piece together you are turning 23 yrs.??! That would be the oldest I would guess you are! At any rate–HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! Your blog is very uplifting and encouraging! I love to visit! God bless you.
Sarah T
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I’m thinking you’re 22…am I right?
‘jane’
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I’m going to say 21. I’m almost sure we discussed you being right around 10 years younger than me when we came to see you 2 years ago.
Vickie
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I almost forgot. Happy Birthday. That’s more important than the guessing game anyway.
Vickie
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Hi!
I found your blog through HsKubes Haven at Home (congrat’s on the drawing, by the way!).
I’d like to say that you are 22 today, based on your entirely charming courtship story!
Happy Birthday, and you and your family are in my prayers.
~~~Hilary~~~
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My guess is 21 or 22.
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20 or 21. That’d be my guess, anyhow. I just tried commenting, and it didn’t go through since I wasn’t signed in, but it looked like it did. So sorry if there’s two comments from me. I visit your blog pretty frequently and just love it! Thanks for taking the time to write – I know it’s hard for a busy mom. :D
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Happy birthday to Ya! and birthday wishes all around the month to the family members.I hope that you have a great day today.
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I’ve been enjoying your blog for awhile now even though I’ve never left a comment before. But I thought I’d leave a guess…22? I thought you said somewhere that you’d gotten married at 18, so I’m basing my I-don’t-know-you-at-all guess on that. :-)
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Oh! and Happy Birthday! :-)
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I’ve been reading your blog for awhile… and I think you’re the same age as me… so you turned 24 today? I love to read about your relationship with your husband and how you are raising your two boys… or maybe it’s that I’m always getting into some sort of “situation” like you. :)
Amber
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25?
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Okay. So first I came here and it showed that there were “0″ comments. I thought “NO WAY!” That’s not even possible, unless everyone all ready knew. So then I had to rack my brain for your history, which is difficult. Racking my brain, that is, not your history. So I decided on guessing 21. But then in the same breath I said, “oh wait no, it’s 22. Yeah, 22.” For some reason, still unsure of myself, I had to research. Sure enough, it’s all there in black and white, in your courtship post. *wink, wink* SO. Then I go BACK to actually leave the comment as to what I had found, and sure enough, 39 comments. I never understand little weird computer burp things like that, but it sure made me laugh.
My guess is that you are now 22 years old.
Hope your birthday was peaceful and you got lots of sloppy wet boy kisses. Happy Birthday to you, Ashleigh. :)
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I saw there were lots of comments, but I didn’t read one of them… not a one! :) My guess is totally OUT THERE. I thought for sure that you were the same age as me (28/29), but I remembered at the park you said something about when you guys got married… but… that was over a month ago, and my memory is not near as good as yours! I can’t even remember the things I actually did experience! So here goes, if you got married at 18, and for some reason I thought that you had Troy a year later, and he is now 2, that would make you only 21. That can’t be right, but I’m gonna go with it. But it can’t be right! You must have had Troy a little later, but I can’t REMEMBER!!!! Even though I think the answer is really more like 25-26, I’m just gonna go with 21, final answer. Just to be different.
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
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Happy Birthday, Ashleigh!!!!! I soooo enjoy your blog … you have such a talent for writing! :)
I’m guessing 22!:)
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Happy Birthday!! May the Lord richly bless this “new” year for you!
Love, Carrie
PS – I love seeing another young mommy!
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Happy 22nd Birthday, Ashleigh!
(Yep, I know how old you are because you’re the same age as me for one day shy of 4 months)
So.. because you are an April Fools baby.. do you have a lot of jokes played on you? or would you rather play those on other people? *grin*
I didn’t know that your Dad was in the Marine Corps! (I guess I learn something new every day! ;)
It must have been nice for your aunt to be one year younger than she thought she was. Wouldn’t it be great to go back a year for a chance? LOL =P
Love,
Samantha R.
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