It’s been 11 months since we became a family with this precious girl.
Honestly, when Andrew and I talk about it…it seems so much longer than that. It really feels like she’s been ours for the last 3½ years.
In fact, it makes me really sad to think she’s only been ours for 11 months and that she lived in an orphanage for 30 months. This girl was made for a family. She has so much love to give, so much personality to share, shes’ so funny, so silly, so perfect for a family that I can’t dwell on the fact that she was without one for so long…it makes me sad.
11 months.
Ashby has been such a blessing. Everyone is always telling me how we’ve blessed her…but on no! SHE HAS BLESSED US! We are the grateful ones. We feel like we won the lottery with her. Ashby is the perfect piece to our family puzzle.
So, here are a few little things about our girl from this month…
This one here is really into purses, makeup, lint rollers, hair brushes, perfume, antibacterial…anything girlie, anything kind of fancy, anything that smells good, anything glittery…she’s into it all. She loves to play with my makeup brushes, put on my chapstick, lint roll herself off and try on my shoes…she’s one big girlie mess…and I love it!
Right now, Ashby is learning the ends and outs of Christmas. We hit the traditions hard around the Shull house, so it didn’t take her long to figure out that this season is FUN! She loves Christmas trees, Christmas songs (she has Jingle Bells down!), but doesn’t get why the big kids are into that elf ;). Honestly, that makes two of us!
We’ve been to the doctor twice over the last month for follow up visits for her surgeries. Right now, things are looking great and the doctors are really pleased. At this point, they’re thinking she’ll have one other procedure done early next year, but other than that, she’s healing remarkably well. Ashby’s Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome is a life long disorder that we’ll always be managing. And right now, we seem to have it under control. She is growing, thriving, and physically developing like other three year olds. We feel very blessed.
Well…one more month until we get to celebrate her Gotcha Day anniversary!
Adoption is amazing.
To see our other posts on adoption:
Post Adoption: Month 10
Post Adoption: Month 9
Post Adoption: Month 8
And have no fear busy ladies of December, my Meal Planning Monday is here to make your life simple!
Click here to see my five simple suppers for the week.
And…
…don’t forget that you can click here to see my 25 Days of Christmas Treats.
And I know you’ve been waiting for it.
Are you ready?
Are you nervous?
Okay.
The winner of Day FIVE of our Five Days of Fabulous…the one who will get a $1000 Nordstrom Gift Card for herself and then two more to gift this holiday season is…
KAREN LANE!
Eeeeeks!! Congratulations Karen!!!! I emailed you this morning. You have 48 hours to respond to my email before another winner is selected. Congrats!!
To the rest of you…so sorry! Thank you so much for being a part of our Five Days of Fabulous!
Erika Slaughter says
The lint roller part-cracks me up!! It's been AMAZING to watch not only Ashby but your entire family during these 11 months. That sweet thing has "Shull" written all over her. Happy 11 Months!!!
Beautifully Seaside // Formerly Chic Coastal Living says
So sweet! Love hearing all the good things that are happening in Ashby's life! It's so cute how the girls are so close already, including her brother. That's mainly because you and your family make sure to provide a nurturing home for everyone and God blesses that big time! All my love to you! XOXOXO
Elizabeth says
I love love how she has blossomed! I can't wait to see how much she loves the cruise next month!;)
Narci says
Our sweet Ashby!! She is doing so amazing!! We love her so much!! 🙂
kimm atwood says
I love that she uses a lint roller! Love reading your updates!
Andrea K says
It's been an amazing 11 months reading all your blog updates on sweet Ashby & your family. God blessed you all in many ways!
Linsley Schneider says
I cannot believe it's been almost a year already! I love the kids' matching Christmas jammies! They are too cute!
Tara Smith says
I really don't think you are mentioning how much your skills as a mother have helped to shape all of your kiddos! You are so present, engaging, fun and nurturing and a wonderful momma!! I already thought you were a woman who does so much so well in business and life and seeing how you have really made life even better by bringing ashby home is just so awesome! She's a remarkable little love bug and she's obviously in the very right place for the rest of her life!
Not A Mom says
It's so crazy to think it's been a year but I'm with you now..I can't picture you guys without little Ashby! happy 11 months and thank you for sharing a journey that is truly inspiring me in what I want to do with motherhood. Adoption has become a real topic of conversation in my household and I couldn't be happier!
Linds @ Not A Mom
Leigh (Balancing By Faith) says
It's really sad how lacking in personality Ashby has!! NOT!! What a sweet girl – love her photos!!
Briana Runde says
Happy 11-month adoptaversary! What a blessing she is!!
Three Gals and a Guy says
Shay- I just love reading your monthly updates about Ashby! She sure is quite the blessing! I love how the girls sleep together- too sweet! Thanks for sharing!!
Meagan Lloyd says
It's amazing to me that just 11 months ago this little girl was in an orphanage in China and now she's in Texas playing baker, barista and MOMMY…all things she has learned from happy experiences you have given to her. And the love your kids all have for each other is he best! Your family is a perfect example of what happens when you follow God's call. Thanks so much for sharing your journey with all of us!
Tracy says
Love, love, love your Ashby updates! She's so precious!
Grace Goodnight says
Reading about your sweet family makes my heart happy! I know she's blessed y'all buy your readers as well! Thanks, Shay, for your transparency in your world!
Megan says
Love these updates!!!!!
Little Bits of Joy Blog says
I love reading her monthly updates… that sweet girl has BLOOMED under your family's love!!! It's been beautiful to witness!!! I can't believe it's been almost a year!
Erica @ Whimsical September says
These updates warm my heart every single month!
Foxy's Domestic Side says
Wow, I can't believe it's almost been a year! I remember last year when you had to postpone your trip and I was so sad. Now she's been here a year! And the fact that she plays mommy and feeds and stops to kiss her babies is a true testament to you and what a wonderful mother you are. Children learn by example, good work Mama!
Mary Dollar says
I love everything about this post. The fun, the way Miss Ashby is a perfect piece of the family puzzle. The way they play Starbucks!!! But maybe most of all…how you share Ashbys progress from surgeries and Dr. visits. Because long term it will make a difference physically and emotionally. You are such a hard worker at making the best of each day. If I had my child to raise again…I would pattern after you. I look forward to your blog every.single.day. and use some of your fantastic (even simple) ideas for turning an ordinary day into an extraordinary day. Thank you sweet girl for the joy you bring to each of us!!!
Elizabeth says
You know what is precious about her imitating a "mommy" is that she is imitating you and the care you have given to her! So blessed indeed!
Happylife38 says
Elizabeth, yes, you hit the nail on the head, I was thinking the same thing!!
~Kristen says
Love love love!!! Could you please tell me where you buy the girls hair bows from? Thanks!
Diana says
I just love reading Ashby updates! And the photo in her pjs with her siblings….I love her hair down; she looks like such a big girl. She's adorable for sure.
Jeanie says
Ashby is adorable. I love to hear how she's thriving.
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Ashby brings such joy to all who know her!!! ???
Nicole says
I love that this beatiful little girl is doing so well! Such an amazing story and even more special that you've allowed all of us to go on this journey with you and your family
Sarah Kuykendall says
She loves and imitates her mommy!!
Jaren says
Wow! I cannot believe it's almost a year already! I was glued to my laptop last year waiting for an update and just so amazed by the whole process! I am still in awe by everything and how wonderful it all is! Thanks for allowing us to follow along too! And the Barista role cracks me up!
Happy Green Home says
I love reading Ashby's monthly updates! She is one special girl!
Shayna @ The Fancy Yancey says
I love each & every Ashby update! She is such a little beauty – inside and out you can tell! I love how much girly stuff she's into! Too funny!
Callie Nicole says
Oh my goodness, the pajama picture with all three of them! So cute!
Stephanie says
What a sweet post and family!! As an adult Korean adoptee, I just want to thank you for your perspective, and your comment on gratitude. As adoptees, we are told from such a young age that we should feel lucky and thankful, that it becomes engrained in us- sometimes to an unhealthy point. I love that you're flipping the script and Ashby will grow up knowing that your whole family was lucky together.