Hello Thursday.
This morning, sweet Ashby goes into the hospital for yet another procedure. My prayer right now really is for her emotional strength. She is such a trooper about all of this…but I know at any point, it could start to wear on her. Back to the hospital, back to IVs, back to being put asleep, back to waking up in pain, back to wearing a bandage and sling, back to physical restrictions…and then back again the next month. We did see progress last month, so we are staying the course…but…this stinks and I would be lying if I said any different. My prayer today is that this isn’t for nothing. I pray this is truly doing something that will forever make her little life so much better…and then my prayer is for her emotionally. She’s one tough cookie…but even tough cookies eventually reach their breaking point. Prayers for my Ashby please.
Okay, here’s a little life lately for you…
This one has figured out that if she crawls up in my lap, she will almost always find a drink nearby. She’s also figured out the straw too :).
Smith and Madeley were playing with the flashlight in his closet. I’m so glad she has a big brother like him!
She also had his shoes on…which just cracked me up!
My big kids’ school had pajama day on Friday, so here I am about to drop them off. It was pouring rain outside, which in my opinion, is the best kind of weather for pj day!
Love theses two.
Dinosaur, check. Car, check. Super cute and cuddly kiddo, check, check.
I told Ashby that we could have pj day at home too. We stayed inside all day long in our pajamas while it rained outside and baked. Basically, it was the perfect day.
This girl LOVES to help her mama in the kitchen!
Meanwhile, this girl enjoyed her first grilled cheese sandwich…which we made on a pumpkin seed bread. It was so good!
Three girls reading books on pj day!
She came downstairs and was talking to me all normal…with eye shadow on (kind of like I wouldn’t notice). Sigh. One of Kensington’s birthday gifts from a friend had a little makeup in it…and Ashby had found it. I must give her points for proper placement. #wellsortof
The kids had Monday off from school, so Andrew took Smith for some fun and I took the girls. Aren’t they all so special?!?! All so different, all so unique, all so wonderfully made.
The weather was gorgeous, so we took Madeley to the park for the very first time. She LOVED it!
Sweet girl.
This week, Madeley had her first bike ride with the family. We LOVE riding our bikes together! The two littles sit in the buggy and the the rest of us ride…
…we rode to Starbucks and had cake pops and hot chocolate that night.
Madeley was a big fan.
I took this picture on Tuesday morning…our one month anniversary with Madeley :).
And then later that morning, Madeley and I had an appointment and well…she wanted all three snacks at one time :).
That’s life lately around here. Have the best day!
xo
Leslie Z. says
Keeping sweet Ashby in my prayers today. She seems like such a strong kiddo! I’m loving your leopard carpet on the stairs! Is it just on the stairs, or in other parts of the house as well? Those smiling faces must be what being a mother is all about. 🙂
http://www.withlovefromgablog.blogspot.com
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you. It’s on just those stairs :).
Erika slaughter says
So different. So unique. All wonderfully made. Love that!! And I’ve been praying for Ashby this morning. XOXO
Cristina Villalba says
God bless them all, especially my joyful Ashby!! She is such a shining star! Praying for her today!
Elizabeth says
Prayers for sweet Ashby today! Love Madelyn’s sweet smile, she looks so happy!
XO
http://stripesandsolitaires.com
Sheaffer says
Stopping and praying for Ashby right now. Praying for y’all and the doctors as well. Hoping today goes as smoothly as possible with positive results!
Megan says
Madeley and her snacks! I love it! Lifting up little Ashby in prayer.
Amber says
Praying for sweet Ashby!!!
Beth says
Praying for that sweet Ashby! What a cutie and a super strong girl! May God guide her and her doctors!
Ruth says
Praying now xxx
Regine Karpel says
Praying for sweet Ashby.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Narci Dreffs says
Can your babies be any cuter?? So sweet! Praying for our precious girl today! We love you so much, Ashby!!
Lesley McFarland says
Seeing miss MJ is just the sweetest thing EVER!! She is always (or it seems) soooo happy and her and Ashby’s smiles just light up the room. And the 2 bigs…???????????? they are just amazing. They seem to have taken to their roles like rock stars!!
Sarah says
Prayers for sweet Ashby!!! She sure is a strong little lady; and you’re a strong mama! Prayers for her and your family 🙂
Love that you guys ride bikes together and get treats at Starbucks, haha! That’s totally something we love to do, too! Though, since I’m 9 months pregnant we take the car, hahahaha!
-Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com
Erin says
Oh my sweet Hadley LOVES Starbucks cake pops and when we went recently they had the same cake pop Madeley is munching on! Hadley called it the “surprise cake pop with purple eyes” and now asks for one every time we go. Beautiful, beautiful family.
Dana Powell says
Praying for you and sweet Ashby. Sometimes I think it’s harder on the mamas than the kiddos!
Kelly says
Praying for you and Ashby. I know how hard things like this are on a momma’s heart. Praying for it all to go smoothly with the best possible outcome.
Tara says
Prayers!!!!
KimW says
First – prayers for sweet Ashby today! Second – I cannot believe it has ben a month that Madeley has been in her forever home AND I cannot believe how well it seems that she is adjusting! The smiles are precious. <3
Tammy says
Praying for sweet Ashby ! Love all the cute photos of you all 🙂 Made my gloomy morning NOT so gloomy anymore seeing all the smiles !
Christin says
Praying for sweet little Ashby
Amanda says
Praying for precious Ashby!!
Brittany Rae says
Adorable family. Prayers for Ashby. I love that your family takes time to have “dates” with the kiddos-great memories in the making.
Lizzie @ This Happy Life says
I hope everything goes well with Ashby today! Madeley looks like she is just having a blast in your family!
Mary C says
Prayers for Ashby this morning!! When I was a little I had numerous procedures at the hospital due to a chronic health condition I have. To be honest, I remember spending time at the hospital, but not really all the bad stuff. If anything, I strengthens me to know I can get through anything if I got through that 🙂
Karen Ward says
Praying for that sweet Ashby today! Love that last picture of Madeley and Ashby!
Laura says
Has Madeley left the bows/headbands alone from day one? Or how did you get her to leave them on when she wasn’t used to them?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yeah! I used to wonder how Andrea kept Griffin’s on her head, but they’re so light that she doesn’t even notice them. She’s never seemed to mind them one bit. They’re from Ruby Blue Originals off of Etsy.
Keisha Dawson says
Prayers for sweet Ashby and mama too!
Laura says
Sweet Ashby is in my prayers. And you. Miss Madeley has captured your readers’ hearts for sure. She is PRECIOUS.
Heather says
Prayers for sweet Ashby and all of her caretakers too!
Rene' Pingel says
Praying for sweet Ashby from Missouri this morning.
Melissa Frye says
It brings tears of joy to my eyes to see Madeley so smiley and happy. So thankful God put her into your lives!
Pam says
Love the Matilda Jane that your girls wear! My daughter sells it and I think they are just the most comfy clothes ever!
Tonya says
Ashby’s eye color made me lol! Prayers for that sweet girl!!
Stacey says
Praying your sweet Ashby today and your whole family:).
Laci Murray says
Stopped and prayed for sweet Ashby!
Angela Ellingson says
All four of them are so adorable and joyful! Praying for Ashby and your whole family right now.
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says
Praying for Ashby and your whole family today xo! Love all the happy pictures of everyone this week 🙂
http://www.cupcakendreams.com
Kim says
The transformation in Madeley in just a month is amazing. She is glowing now– she looks SO happy and content.
Lisa Richardson says
Prayers for Ashby and your mama heart. I loved how she just thought she’d slide on by with her new grown up look. Aren’t little girls funny? Miss Madeley sure seems to be adjusting to her new life like a champ and is a total pro at pictures now. LOVE THAT!!!! You are truly a blessed mama, Shay❤️
Rebecca Jo says
That eye shadow!!!!! About how I put it on too 😉
Praying for that sweet baby today & that her little tough attitude keeps her strong. Praying for you as you are being tough for her as well!
Kathy says
Prayers for sweet Ashby! And that picture of Madeley with Ashby outside is priceless.
Ariadna says
Praying for sweet Ashby and your whole family. I think she gets her strength from her mama!! 🙂 Your posts always make me smile, thank you for sharing your family with us. I pray that everything goes well. Hugs!
Wilma says
Many prayers for sweet Ashby???? I know personally how that tugs on a Momma’s heart. My daughter has gone through two heart surgeries 14 hour and 16 hour surgeries. What would we do without Jesus? He always holds us close and gives us the strength to go on. His Grace and mercy is always there. His healing hands are are holding Ashby.
Jackie says
Hi Shay – Great post, prayers for Ashby today for a good procedure and even better recovery with great results! Great pics, Madeley’s smile is shining through!
Alice says
Praying for sweet Ashby today! Love the happiness from all your kids in the pictures. They are making great everyday memories with one another.:)
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom says
Prayers for your sweet Ashby, I hope that all of your prayers for her will be answered, too!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
alyssa says
Praying for sweet Ashby today. I know how hard it is on the kids and momma to have to go through multiple procedures/surgeries. My son has had 7 different procedures done during 5 surgeries, hoping to remedy chronic ear infections due to Eustachian tube dysfunction, with little results. It begins to wear on everyone at some point. Staying positive for them helps a lot! Praying that these procedures help her tremendously!
Maria D. says
I will be praying for Ashby and the rest of you as her procedure takes place today – great pictures of all of the kids – they all look very happy!
chelsea jacobs says
prayers for sweet ashby!
Lindsay @ Lindsay's Sweet World says
I’m praying for your sweet girl today! I hope that everything goes quickly and smoothly and that she stays strong. And you, too, Momma!
Megan Butler says
Prayers for miss Ashby!! And mama too. I love seeing pics of Madeley soooo happy!!
Angie Tilberg says
I love reading all about Madeley and the ‘firsts’ that she gets to experience – swings, bike rides, being rocked before bed (her rocking herself made me cry!) With all the crazy in the world, you are my daily read that makes me smile. Thank you! Praying for Ashby today!!!
Lindsay D. says
Prayers for your sweet Ashby!!
Francie says
Definitely will be praying for Ashby! http://www.supersimpleways.com
Kortney says
Just out of curiosity…the little white shoes Madeley has on in the picture of all three girls…what kind of shoes are those? They are so cute and good white shoes are so hard to find!
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re little Stride Rite shoes :).
Dani says
Ashby’s arm is already looking so much better, keep going, I wish you all the best.
Jeanie says
You just never cease to amaze me. I don’t know how you do it all, plus breakfast for your Sunday school class every week?!? Good grief. You always manage to have a fun time with all the kids. Prayers for Ashby. I hope everything went well.
Maria says
I just realized your driveway looks like the Bachelor driveway!
Holly Hopkins says
Praying!!! What a tough lil cookie. Hope all is well.