
You guys…it’s been nine months :).
Honestly, it doesn’t feel like nine months. It really and truly feels like we’ve had her forever. It actually breaks my heart when I stop and think about it…because she is so sweet, so loving and so lovable that now that I know her so well, I can’t imagine her living in an orphanage with hundreds of other kids for two and a half years. I just can’t picture it. She needs a family. She was meant to have a family. It breaks my heart to think about how much we’ve packed into nine months…and she lived thirty months without us. And then I get sad for the other kids that are still there. The more I love Ashby, the more it saddens me to think about the kids in orphanages all over the world who will never have families.
To see our other posts on adoption:
Post Adoption: Month 8
Don’t forget to check out my foodie blog for this week’s Meal Planning Monday…
…five simple suppers, one dessert and a treat. It will make your week easy!
xoxo
Kimberly says
Happy 9 months to Ashby and your family! I have really enjoyed following along as Ashby has become a part of your family. She looks like such a happy, smart, sweet and adorable little girl!
Kimberly
Very European
Lauren Donoghue says
Hi Shay – I have to have my nose done every few years, sometimes twice a year. Eventually it works but doesn't last forever. The winter makes it worse. Try ointment for the winter and a humidifier. When I was a kid I would also sleep with a towel on my pillow to avoid a mess but as an adult I now feel it coming and it wakes me up. Hope all this helps!
Jill Christopher says
She is adorable!!! I love the huge smiles with a wrinkled nose. You can tell she is truly happy to be with your family. She couldn't smile any bigger. Enjoy all of the upcoming holiday firsts with her. ?
Erika Slaughter says
Happy 9 Months to that Sweet Girl!! The Slaughters can't imagine our life without Miss Ashby in it. Thankful for friends who answer God's call!!
Narci says
We love Ashby so much!! She is precious, and we are so thankful for her and the rest of the Shulls!!
kelsey @ so much life to live says
Thansk for sharing all of this, Shay. Adoption is one of the most beautiful earthly examples of how God chose to love us, and I love that you are giving Ashby some serious lovin' as an example of how Christ loves his children!
Mama Of Boys says
I can't bear it, literally every time I see her little face I well up at the brilliance of it all…and the sadness of all the others. Am praying my husband comes to the same place I am in with regards adoption, he is still quite reluctant so far, I shall continue my efforts…!
Meagan Ruse says
Happy 9 Months!!! She is absolutely precious! We love us some Ashby!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
SWEET ASHBY! Now I definitely need an Ashby fix. I might just have to swing by or something!
Johannah says
Happy 9 Months to both Ashby and your sweet family!! I love these post adoption updates =) Thank you for sharing!!
Unknown says
Shay! I love your Ashby updates so so much. My husband and I just sent our dossier to country last week and our wait begins. I love reading your before, during and now after posts over and over. They bring me such joy to read and how God worked in your family to bring you to adoption. It's an absolutely beautiful thing 🙂 Thanks for encouraging me with your blog!
-Lauren
Teresa Flahaut says
What a happy girl!
How could she not be with you guys loving on her!
God had this planned all along~I know you know that!
Laura says
Congratulations on 9 months as a family of five! I love reading your blog, but I especially look forward to these post adoption updates. We should be traveling around Thanksgiving to bring home our little girl from China! This is our third adoption- our first two are cute little Russians 🙂 Adoption is the miracle that allowed my husband and I to have the family we always wanted. God bless you and your beautiful family!
Teresa Flahaut says
What a happy girl! How could she not be with you guys loving on her! God had this planned all along ~ I know you know that ♡
Erica @ Whimsical September says
I think your blog is going to do so much good in the world of adoption! I would love to know how many people are going to end up adopting down the road because of the interest you've piqued in them. 🙂 Ashby is precious!! I really look forward to these monthly updates!
Kim in RI says
I just love reading these updates! Happy 9 months to Ashby and your family 🙂 She is just precious. Any update on her medical condition?
Mix and Match Mama says
I'll (hopefully) have more to say on that with her 10 month update!! Thanks for asking :).
blessedmama says
God is good!!!!
Megan says
I love reading your updates on miss Ashby!! She has come a long way from when I met her that first Sunday at church!!
The Nelson Happenings says
She is adorable and I can't believe it's already been 9 months !!! Thanks for sharing !
RusandCo says
Love that you guys have given her such an amazing life. We have 3 boys and talk about adopting a daughter from China too 🙂
The 2 Seasons says
My friend just told me about your blog and I can't go wait to read your adoption journey. We are adopting from Thailand and we're just matched with our daughter. Seeing pictures and getting updates is so exciting but I can't wait to have her in my arms. Hopefully less than a year. I am glad to read your daughter has adjusted and so have you. Congratulations on 9 months!!
Laci Murray says
Love getting Ashby updates!! That little girl just stole my heart through reading your adoption story and that smile that is so big!!
Courtney says
How is her right hand?
Leigh Clark says
What a sweet girl!! I love these updates – she is one blessed girl!
Kate Cam says
We are currently a waiting family and your blog has given me so much hope and excitement for what's to come
Lindsay at Lindsay'sSweetWorld says
Happy 9 months to all of you! It sounds like she is absolutely flourishing in your care. You guys are all so very blessed!
Kayla Bruce says
I love all of your posts, and I read them daily, but I think that your adoption posts have been my very favorite. I hope, one day, to be an adoptive mother who can experience that joy and blessing from God that you have with Ashby!
Mix and Match Mama says
I've had this happen a few times. People are curious and typically just don't know how to ask the right questions. I try to just smile and tell them how blessed we are that God made us a family.
Amber Sanders says
I always LOVE the updates and seeing her smiling face. She is such an adorable, happy little girl. It is amazing to watch her transformation from the scared little girl to such a happy little girl. Your family is amazing and thanks for sharing with her. It makes my heart so happy to read these updates.
Stephanie McKinnon says
My how she's growing. Thank you for sharing so much about your adoption! I have a tiny flame inside me that wishes to adopt.. And seeing her transform just brings those dreams inside my heart to life. Happy 9 months Ashby!
K.Martin says
Shay,
You may want to ask your doctor whether he/she is using an American growth/weight chart. If so, you should print off a growth/weight chart for Chinese children and give it to your doctor. If you can get one for Ashby's particular region of China it is even better because there are differences among the regions in China. Comparing her on an American growth chart does not mean much and she will always be on the small side. Comparing her on a Chinese growth chart will allow you to know whether she is growing properly. Let me know if you cannot find a Chinese growth chart online and I can send you one. Good luck!
Ashley Ashby says
She is precious. I love reading about Ashby. That's my last name too 🙂 also, lavender over the bridge of the nose will help the bleeding when an episode occurs. Good luck mama.
Brittney Hjelseth says
What a sweet, sweet story of adoption this is! The joy you see on her face is just priceless. How loved she must feel!
Heather says
She is such a cutie pie! What a treasure that she gets to have a family now. So precious.
Jeanie says
I just want to give her a big hug! She always looks so happy with her big smile and little scrunched up, wrinkled nose. You are so lucky to have each other.
marianiel avila says
Hi Shay! Just wondering…how is Andrew dealing with Ashby? Is she attached to him like you do with her? Anyways, happy seeing Ashby always have that smile on her face:) She's precious!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh my goodness! She is such a daddy's girl :). It took Ashby longer to bond with Andrew than with me…but he was so patient and determined and now, they're two peas in a pod. I love to see them interact :).
marianiel avila says
Awww.. your family is AWESOME! God Bless! 🙂
Jaren says
I love reading the monthly updates! What a joy and blessing she is for all, even readers like me!
Angie says
This post made me do nothing but smile 🙂
Unknown says
I love your posts about Ashby! I just looked back at the day you got her and she doesn't even look like the same kid. The light in her eyes that you have given her is amazing! God is so good and so are you guys!
Sonja Hanson says
Your blog is helpful and uplifting. We have been waiting to be matched for months, praying this month will be God's time. Thank you for the updates. Sonja Hanson
Tara Smith says
So happy you are sharing your life with us in this way!!
Erin says
My daughter always have had nosebleed issues and finally her dr told us to put Vaseline on a q tip and rub it in her nose. Wow has it helped so much. She used to get them several times and week and now she gets them like twice a month. It's been a lifesaver.
CMB says
I just read all your adoption posts and caught up on everything! Ashby is so lucky to have you all and I know you are all lucky to have her 🙂 I also wanted to let you know when I click on the "month 8" update it goes to this post (for month 9) so the link is wrong. Just wanted you to know 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you!! I just corrected it!
Ashley St. John says
It makes me so sad to think there are so many children in this world without families. Makes me count my blessings, and hug my own children a little tighter. Glad God was able to bless your family with Sweet Ashby. She is adorable.
Mix and Match Mama says
They're Matilda Jane :).
mariana says
Your Ashby seems to fit right in – right where she belongs, and completes your bunch! When I look at older pictures you post of the sweet four of you, I say "Where's Ashby?!" to myself. Has the pediatrician checked coagulation studies? I'm concerned for your sweet girl, hope she's alright. 🙂
Beautifully Seaside // Formerly Chic Coastal Living says
So sweet! She must feel like it's heaven on earth with your family! All of you are so blessed to have each other. She's so sweet!
ashpat13 says
Shay, My little boy has nighttime nosebleeds and has since he was very young. We put Vaseline in his nose with a q-tip every night. This is very effective for us (we have been doing it for about 6 years now). It has prevented us from having to do any cautery so far.
Jaye Moncier says
Thanks for sharing, Shay! I love reading about Ashby and it warms my heart to see how she has grown. She's just so beautiful, precious and absolutely adorable. I look forward to reading about her condition, I pray for her and your whole family! God is good! Happy 9 months 🙂