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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Ashby, Shay ·

Ashby’s Dedication


This weekend was such a special one!  Not only was it Mother’s Day, but we also dedicated Ashby at our church.  Our church’s dedication just means that our pastor prayed over us and as a family, we introduced our daughter to the church and acknowledged that we plan on raising her to grow and know the Lord.  It’s a special moment that we experienced when our first two were babies.  In fact, exactly five Mother’s Days ago, we dedicated sweet 4 month old Smith :).
, Ashby’s Dedication
Saturday night…we ate Mexican food as a family and I counted my blessings.  These three made me a mama.

, Ashby’s Dedication
Here we are right before our church service.  I’m so honored to be Ashby’s mama.  God managed to take an abandoned child from Xi’an, China and put her in my arms.  I’m humbled and honored by the enormity of this blessing.

, Ashby’s Dedication
Papa Jay and Lovie came to our church on this Sunday for Ashby’s dedication.

, Ashby’s Dedication
On stage during the service.

, Ashby’s Dedication
Love my little family.
, Ashby’s Dedication
During the prayer.  Thank you Erika for taking pictures even when we were praying :).

, Ashby’s Dedication
Our pastor praying over Ashby and our little family.

, Ashby’s Dedication
And then after church, we had brunch to celebrate this girl (and to celebrate Mother’s Day too!).  I am beyond in love with this precious little girl.  
I shared this video on Mother’s Day morning.  This was taken on January 4 in Xi’an, China.  This was the very first moment I met Ashby.  It’s amazing to watch it and think how far we’ve come in the last four months.  I watch it and think about how big God is.  That he’s able to do so many wonderful things out of tragedy and loss.  Adoption has been such a blessing to my family.  
 And for grins…
, Ashby’s Dedication
December 2008 at Kensington’s baby dedication.  She was 12 weeks old here.

, Ashby’s Dedication
And Smith’s baby dedication in May 2010.

Side note about Smith’s dedication…I had my tonsils taken out on Monday of this week and felt like a truck had run me over.  I showered and got dressed for the first time in a week on this day and right after the dedication when I was trying to walk back to my car, I had to walk through the children’s building at our church.  Well, the nice gentleman at the door asked to see my church ID (because we don’t just want anyone walking through our children’s building that shouldn’t be there), and I couldn’t find it in my purse, so I burst into tears.  I’m pretty sure I startled the heck out of him.  I was all dressed up, carrying a baby and crying.  It was a rough day ;).

(And PS: Erika is standing next to me because Nixon was dedicated on the same day!)

I’m on a mission to create simple, seasonal and delicious recipes for your family this summer…

, Ashby’s Dedication

…and today’s Hawaiian Shortcakes do not disappoint!  Click here for the recipe.

xoxo

, Ashby’s Dedication

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Comments

  1. Erika Slaughter says

    I peeked during the prayer and had to take a picture! Haha!!! I remember Nixon's baby dedication being the first time I had showered in a while too! 🙂

  3. Ashleigh says

    What a beautiful Mother's Day!! The picture of your entire family praying is my favorite! Makes me wish I had someone photographing during our babies' dedications! I didn't think of that :/

  8. Nicole K says

    So beautiful!! I know you love to blog but I feel like you should write a book on family&Faith!! I'd buy it 🙂 hope God continues to bless your family.

  9. Rebecca Jo says

    I just love how she's shaking her head no in that video but now, wants to be by your side… oh the things we don't know as kids but grow to learn… love from someone else… someone who wants to raise you & take care of you … what a comparison to how we are with God sometimes… beautiful.

  11. Slightly Askew Designs says

    LOVE this post!!! and I double LOVE Ashby's headband choice for the occasion…. I feel like we were there in spirit even though we weren't there in person 🙂 What an awesome way to celebrate Mother's Day! ANNNNNND the dedication pics with your other babies brought back such fond memories!!!

  12. Andrea Clark says

    I love reading your posts about Ashby…such a reminder of the grace and goodness of God! Superficial side note….can you PLEASE do an exercise post where you detail what exactly you do for those incredible legs! I know you have great genes, but your legs are seriously AMAZING!

  13. Anonymous says

    Sounds like an extra – amazing Mother's day! And about the tonsillectomy, oh man, I feel your pain! I had mine removed when I was 28, and it was the absolute most painful and miserable experience of my life! Even tougher than delivering any of my 3 babies. I don't know about you, but I literally couldn't eat for almost an entire month. On the bright side, when all was said and done in ended losing 16 pounds in three weeks, haha! But seriously, I'm pretty impressed that you were able to attend church at all that day – I would've been a hot mess! ~ Teagan~

  14. Amanda & Jerrod Carpenter says

    That video brought tears to my eyes! It really is amazing that God can do so much, in just 4 short months. Your adoption journey has been a huge blessing for me to learn from. I'm praying for the day to come when we get to experience that. Thanks for sharing!

  15. Diana Holguin says

    The look on Kensington's face in that video just might be the sweetest thing ever. She's going to be a great big sis 🙂

  16. Janet says

    Oh that video…melted my heart and seeped from my eyes. Amazing how she has fit perfectly into your family. The picture of Smith's dedication, he looks the same but with hair. LOL. Thank you for sharing your family with us.

  18. Kara Janzen says

    Thanks for sharing such a personal video. So neat to see how scared she was then and how much she loves you now. God is good! I also love that your kids were dedicated on Mother's Day. Such a special day for such a meaningful event.

  19. Anonymous says

    Love, love, love your posts! Especially ones about your kiddos and faith in God! How do you look so good at 12 weeks after having a baby??? Care to share and do a post on this?

  22. Marie says

    This is just amazing, reading your posts make me feel so grateful for my family and our savior Jesus Christ, thanks so much for sharing your family with us, congratulation to Ashby and Happy Mother's Day!

  25. Kelly @ Familiar Joy says

    Every time I read about Ashby, I get teary. What an amazing blessing she is. And you can see the changes in her expressions….she is so happy and blessed by you, as well!

  26. Anonymous says

    Beautiful pictures, beautiful family! Love how your kids are so smitten with their little sister. Kensington just glows with pride! Curious if you know where your mom got her top….being close to her age, it's just the thing I'm looking for.

  27. Bailey McColl says

    Hi Shay! I follow your blog religiously! I look up to you and your family and all the joy you have for just living!! I came across this post on my newsfeed earlier and it made me think of Ashby. I know connections with others can have huge impacts and maybe this family and little girl can be connections for your family! Just thought I would pass it along and let you know that simply spending a few minutes each morning reading your blog makes my day!

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10204899380714950&set=a.2060005350413.123114.1553045813&type=1

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