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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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Everyday Life, Life Lately, Shay ·

Life Lately.


Happy Thursday friends!
This afternoon, Ashby is having her second MRI so that we can better understand the complexity of her issue.  This time, they said that she’ll be under for quite a bit longer than the last time, and they’re going to do an ultrasound and run genetic blood testing as well.
Listen, this month, we have been taking Ashby to her hematologist…whose office is in the pediatric cancer center of Children’s Medical Center.  I have no complaints in life.  Sitting there with those precious parents and their children puts life in perspective.  I have done more praying this month than ever before.  God bless all of you who deal with pediatric cancer.  I can’t even begin to imagine.
Lots of love from me to you this Thursday. xo
Sittin’ on the driveway with homemade ice cream is where it’s at for us.
Ashby’s compression garment did not work out.  It was actually causing more harm than good and causing even more blood to pool in her hand verses milking her blood up her arm and back down her body.  Soooooo…we are now wrapping her fingers and hand from the tips up and she sleeps with it.  Eventually, we’ll be able to get it where we can wrap starting with the tips of her fingers all the way up her arm and around her torso.  Right now, we’ve made it to her elbow.  And this (thank goodness!) seems to be working.  Her hematologist suggested this route and it’s been so much better.  Well, the first few days, she wasn’t a fan…so some of us wore one for moral support…
…look at this big brother sporting his pink wrap to make his sister feel better :).  Ashby’s wrap covers her fingers…but you get the point.  Now, she’s wearing it with no problem.  They are very concerned about blood clots…so this is one of the many things we’re doing to keep blood clots at bay.

Hey there!  Look at me…eating my favorite food…Mexican. #moresalsathebetter #ilikeitspicy

They were pretending to be in the Arctic :).

The girls use the bottom of the stairs as their ballet studio.  Kensington was teaching Ashby how to plie in first position.

So proud :).

Ahhhhh!  Isn’t my Bitty Baby so cute???

Such a good little mommy.

Can someone point me to the pool?

Swimming at Lovie & Papa Jay’s house with family and friends!
The kiddos have had tennis camp this week.  This is the third year in a row that Erika have signed them up.  We’re trying to make a Wimbledon champ out of one of them ;).

It’s been a little warm outside…

Those sweet faces.

I spy three silly Shull kids!

We took Ebby Lee and Bowen to get fro yo the other night.  Silliness as usual!
That’s life lately around here!
Today is National Hot Dog Day!  You should make this to celebrate…
…my Maple Mustard Dogs!
Enjoy!
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Life lately.

Comments

  1. Robyn Marrie says

    Awww love the updates- my kids have tennis camp this week and next week! When you're the Tennis coach's kids, it's what you do ;). My husband starts the little ones out 7:30-9, so it's not quite as hot, theoretically. But it's been blazin! Have a great day!

  3. Johannah says

    Praying for your family and your sweet Ashby! Hoping you get some answers today at your appointment. She's as cute as a button!!

  7. Jennifer Cannon says

    God I pray blessings over Ashby and her doctors today . I pray that they are well rested and able to perform to the best of their ability. I pray that they are are able to find answers and solutions to the problems that may surface in the future. Lord I pray that you cover Ashby with your precious peace today, and don't allow her to be overcome by fear. Hold her in your arms and let her feel your grace and love so she knows she is not alone. And Lord as silly as it may sound I pray that you keep hunger at bay until she is able to eat. And lastly God I pray for Andrew and Shay today Lord, as they have to hand their pride and joy over to doctors. I pray you give them comfort Lord in knowing you are holding Ashbys hand through it all until she is back in theirs. And God I pray that because of your guidance Andrew and shay are able to make the best decisions for their daughter. Lord we love you, we know that you are the almighty healer and have already walked this day ahead of us. Thank you for what you're going to do, and thank you for what you haven't done yet. We love you sweet God and ask all of these things in you're precious and holy name, Amen.

    From one sister in Christ to another… love ya girl! Keeping that sweet baby in my heart today.

    Xoxo
    Jen

  11. Robyn Marrie says

    My first comment didn't got deleted I guess because I wasn't signed into google yet- anyway, praying for Ashby! I love how sweet Smith is with that sling for moral support ;). Such a sweet little man!

  14. dresselfamily.blogspot.com says

    there is no doubt in my mind that Ashby was sent from Heaven to be a Shull… forever families make me smile!!
    Smith.. oh what a sweet boy you are raising to wear a pink bandage for his sister… melt my heart.. bless him.
    and Miss K.. what a doll .. you can see the happiness of life right on her face..
    you are such a great mom Shay!!

  15. Kyndra says

    I'm a Pediatric Hematolgy and Oncology Nurse and I spent the first 5 years of my career at Children's. You are in the hands of the best doctors and nurses (I'm sure you already know that!). If my children needed treatment in that department I would move back to Dallas in a heartbeat because I believe they would get the best treatment there.
    I'll be praying for sweet Ashby today- that the MRI goes smoothly and that many answers come from it.
    P.S. The pic of her in the swimsuit and sunglasses- I die! She's so stinkin' cute!

  19. clatk says

    We saw a Hematologist at Children's in April, and I thought the same thing. It is a heartbreaking floor to be on, and I am IN AWE of those amazing parents and kids who are fighting each and every day. Many prayers to Miss Ashby (and y'all!!) today :).

  20. Stephanie McKinnon says

    Prayers for sweet Ashby, for you, and for wisdom for the doctors. That hot dog sounds ah-mazzzzing!!! Can't wait to try it! 🙂 (and I usually don't like hot dogs)

  29. Tiffany Bagalini says

    Praying the MRI and tests go smoothly for beautiful Ashby today. We went through 2 1/2 years of doctors, tests, weekly blood draws and misdiagnosis (so hard without birth/family history) when we brought our princess home from China. It will be 6 years ago in a few short months and we wouldn't change a thing!

  32. Tracy says

    Love these Life Lately posts! Looks like you're really having a great summer with your sweet kiddos. Praying for your girl (and you too!) today.

  33. Kelsey Mann Peacock says

    Those photos of Kensington showing Ashby ballet moves & Smith & Ashby playing the arctic are precious. Oh and the one of Ashby in her swimsuit and sunglasses…can we say showstopper?! Good luck with the MRI today! Hopefully you will get a lot of useful information that will help you in Ashby's treatment going forward. Prayers!
    Kelsey
    http://www.thepeacockroost.com

  35. Sarah Kuykendall says

    Lots of prayers for your sweet family. My son had to wear a baby helmet and do PT as an infant so we were at the hospital weekly. Makes you realize how small your problems are compared to others'. Good luck!

  37. giginpink says

    I could just eat Smith Shull up wearing that pink wrap to support Ashby! Could it get any sweeter?!? (It would have to be dripping with sugar!) You have been on my mind and in my prayers today.

  38. thebusybrunette says

    Sending thoughts and prayers your way for Ashby. I totally understand what you mean when you say things get put in perspective when you enter a children's hospital. We had a scare when my son was young and had to take him to a children's hospital about an hour away from our house. I could not believe what some people deal with on a daily basis… and I remember how blessed we are… and I pray for them.

    Thanks for the updates on Ashby. I love how supportive your family is for her. She is lucky to have all of you and I know how lucky you all feel to have her! 🙂

    The Busy Brunette
    http://thebusybrunette.blogspot.com

  41. Marty says

    I'm a little late to the party…just now reading this on Friday morning. I hope and PRAY that Ashby's MRI went well…that you get some answers, and maybe a plan for her care. She is so precious! I am the mom of a (former) pediatric cancer patient. Our 4th child was diagnosed with cancer around age 2. I realize that, with this disease, the prognosis is different with every patient, and any outcome is possible. Today, our son is a healthy, 19 year old, soon-to-be college Freshman. He continues to go to Arkansas' Children's Hospital hem/onc clinic once a year for a check-up and monitoring. Every year, seeing the patients in various stages of treatment, we are reminded of the road we've traveled, and of the roads many travel every day. You are right…it puts EVERYTHING in perspective. God was so faithful to walk every step with us, and He will do the same for you and your family.

  43. Lora says

    My oldest son was born with an incurable disease. We were given 3 years to love him and he has survived and is now 19!! But we never know when we will lose him and he's in and out of the hosprial for pneumonia and other illnesses on a regular basis. His life is a miracle for sure. But not one without sadness. We watch as he gets weaker all the time. I have followed your blog now for a couple years. Thanks for sharing your lives with us. And I pray that Ashby gets the treatment she needs! With love from Central Oregon. ???