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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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Mix & Match Mama

Ashby ·

Ashby is EIGHT!


Friends!  Today our Ashby London turns EIGHT YEARS OLD!!!

How did this happen?!

Where did that little girl go?????

I mean, EIGHT is big, right?!

Eight just sounds so much older to me than seven.

Ashby is just our little rock star.  I wish I could let you borrow her for a day just to see how spunky she is.  She’s funny, she’s silly, she’s SWEET, she’s always happy, she’s just filled with so much JOY!  I am not lying when I say this…she is just always so SUNNY!!!

There were a lot of difficulties with homeschooling this past semester, but one thing that ended up being a BLESSING is how much better I understand Ashby’s disabilities and struggles at school.  I’ve always “known” about them, but now that I’ve actually walked through them by her side, my eyes are opened, and I think we’re going to make some major changes going into next year.  For one, Ashby needs to be using technology ALL THE TIME.  Working from home was complicated, but it was the first time that Ashby did school work on a computer and friends, that helped her so much!  Writing is such a challenge for Ashby because she has to use her non-dominant hand.  Not only does this make her handwriting poor, but it is so physically taxing to constantly use the left hand that she often stops writing, quits early, cuts her stories short just because her hand is tired.  Going into second grade, she will be using a computer or voice software to help her write so that she can focus on the thoughts instead of how laborious it is to write (as she continues to work through OT to increase her hand strength).  It just really helped working with her over these last few months.  Since she never complains, these are things I wouldn’t have known.

Ashby loves to be outside.  She loves the dogs.  She loves to swim.  She loves her friends.  She loves to play.  Ashby is always eager to go, do and be.

We are so thankful for our sweet Ashby.  I don’t know what the future holds for our girl, but I do know this, she is so loved and our home would be empty without her.

Happy birthday Ashby London.  My prayer right now is that wherever your birth mama is today, she gets an overwhelming since of peace that you are happy, healthy and oh so loved.  I am so thankful to get to celebrate this day with you. xo

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Comments

  1. Ahna @ Hammers N Hugs says

    Happy birthday, Ashby! We are so grateful for you and the way He is and will continue to use your beautiful story for His glory! Party hard 😉 XO

  2. Erika Slaughter says

    To one of my FAVORITE people in the world-Happy, Happy Birthday Ashby London!! Ashby is so determined, such a tough little cookie, and full of the best giggles! We love this girl so very much! Can’t wait to celebrate! XO

  3. Savana A says

    happy birthday Miss Ashby! I have loved following along on her progress all these years! Definitely confirms that feeling that I want to adopt someday, too!! ?

  7. Julie C says

    Happy Happy Birthday sweet Ashby!!!!!! I hope your day is as fabulous as you are!!!!

  8. DANIELLE K RIGG says

    Happy Birthday! I remember reading your blog and you telling all of us about bringing her home. What a joy it has been watching her grow, she is truly an inspiration to all. I have a feeling she is going to be doing big things when she grows up!

  9. Nancy says

    Happy birthday sweet Ashby London! I hope your day is blessed with joy, peace, love and so much fun! Thanks for blessing the world with your courageousness, smile, kind heart and strength! The world needs heroes like you! Happy birthday!

  10. Britt W. says

    Did you have Ashby a birthday sign made this year? If so, what was the theme?
    Happy Birthday Ashby!!

  11. Amy Heinl says

    Happy Birthday Sweet Ashby…I hope your day is as special as you are. May you be surrounded by all the things that make you happy today

  13. Kerrie Hofstad says

    Happy Birthday, Ashby!!!! This girl blesses me and I don’t even know her in real life! What a beautiful, special little lady. I hope she has the best day… and I know it will be filled with ALL THE LOVE from her family. xoxo

  14. Carly says

    Happy Birthday Ashby! You are in my prayers everyday. I pray for a healthy year ahead. I hope you have fun birthday plans for her!

  15. Jaime says

    Happy birthday Ashby! With ashby and madeleys adoptions do you still have paperwork to complete. Do social workers still visit your home?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      For China, they have to come five years post placement which means that yes, they still come for Madeley but not Ashby (she’s been home 5.5 years).

  18. Sheaffer Sims says

    This girl is sunshine with skin on! The life of the party and an inspiration to all! WE LOVE YOU, ASHBY!!!! xoxo

  19. Ariadna says

    Happy Birthday Ashby!! I hope that she enjoys her day!! Please tell her that she continues to be an inspiration for many of perseverance, resilience and love. Thank you for sharing your family with us ❤

  20. Carrie says

    Happy Birthday Ashby!!

    I am a special ed teacher and in my state we have something called a SETT process to determine the right technology for kiddos like Ashby. It might be beneficial to her to see if your district has this type of process. Basically it looks at a variety of options and you want to go from low tech to high tech. They collect data and see what works best. A device can also be purchased just for her if that is a need. But I would also highly encourage an OT working with her in school on typing skills.

  22. Jaime says

    Happy birthday! Has ashby finished her procedures? How many more does she have? I hate the has to go through it all!

  23. Amy says

    Happy Birthday Ashby!!! I hope she has the best day!!!

    As a teacher I loved reading about your homeschool experience with Ashby and how you learned how to better understand her challenges and help her. She will do great things and inspire people with her determination and story!

  24. jamie says

    RANDOM FACT— my maiden name is london. my 8yo granddaughter’s name is kinleigh londyn. my daughter wanted to spell it differently, so she used the “y”. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ashby. and i’m SO THANKFUL that schooling from home gave you such an important bit of information moving forward into the next school year— that truly is a beautiful gift from God.

  27. Gracie says

    Happy birthday Ashby!! It made me teary reading this, knowing how great God is to have placed her in your family. What an incredible blessing. Thank you for sharing it with us!! Have a wonderful day celebrating her!

  28. Amy Owens says

    Happy birthday to your sweet Ashby. She is just precious! Her smile is so bright!

  29. Erin Hill says

    Happy birthday Ashby! Thank you for sharing your family with us – it’s such a blessing to watch them grow. Ashby seems destined to do great things!

  31. Carol says

    Happy 8th Birthday! Ashby. Seems like just yesterday we were reading about when you were first adopted and then your first birthday. Oh my, how fast time flies by. My God continue to Bless and Watch over you. Enjoy your day !

  33. Gail says

    Such a precious little girl…it is amazing how God has worked to build a family across continents! He is an awesome God!!

  35. Serena W. says

    Happy birthday, Ashby! You make me smile and I hope you have the best day ever!

  40. Daniele says

    Happy Birthday to Ashby! I love your descriptions of her…her personality is vibrant! Enjoy your celebrations!

  42. Kelly Buffington says

    Happy Birthday to Ashby! It’s been such a blessing to watch her grow and flourish in your home. She’s a special little girl;).

  44. Tracy says

    Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! What a lucky family you are to have her in your lives…everyone needs an Ashby!

  47. Libby says

    Wow! So glad y’all have found a way to help your sweet girl. Mine don’t speak up much either, and it breaks my heart to learn that they’ve been struggling. Thankfully, we have the means to help them. We always stress that sometimes they need to stop us and tell us. Wishing Ashby a great bday!

  48. Kristin Smith says

    Happy Birthday sweet Ashby! I hope your day is WONDERFUL!

    I love that you discovered something when homeschooling that will SO benefit her in the coming years. Way to go mama! You are being a fantastic advocate for her in this way! Allowing her to grow by having the supports of technology but yet still stretching her with OT so she continues to make progress with her hand. I am cheering you both on! Sometimes we keep doing the same thing because we don’t realize there are better options. You have now discovered a better support for her and I bet you will see things flourish for her in the coming years! So awesome!

  49. Maria says

    Happy birthday beautiful girl!

    Shay, request an “assisted technology” evaluation for her. A laptop with all the accessories (headphones, etc…) will be assigned to her from 2nd grad thru high school. This assisted technology evaluation needs to be on her IEP for the teachers to know exactly what her needs are. I was late to the game, didn’t get it for my son until 7th grade because his teachers always offered him a computer until one day they said no, it needs to be on his IEP. Now, it’s all outlined. What a blessing you discovered it now. See, a positive can come out of such a negative time. Enjoy her day!

  54. Kim says

    Happy Birthday Ashby!!! ? Shay when you were in China bringing Ashby home I was moving to a new place and very emotional about the change. I was following your journey closely and telling my friends “If this sweet baby girl is brave enough to move with a new family to a new country then I can do this!!” Ashby’s life was inspiring people near and far from the beginning. Her light and love for life is infectious! Have the best day celebrating your sweet girl!! ??

  55. Patrice says

    Happy Birthday Ashby!!
    Your mom’s blog community has been praying for you since “Shull party of five” was announced! We love to watch you grow and see your joy!!
    God Bless!

  59. Cyndie says

    Happy Birthday sweet Ashby. Please sign me up on the “borrow for a day” list. Any day works for me!

  60. Tami says

    Happy Birthday Ashby! Your sweet smile is a ray of sunshine. Wishing you a day as special as you are to so many!

  63. Joy says

    Happy birthday Ashby! You seem so joyful and outgoing! I know you will have a great day celebrating!

  66. Liz Thorson says

    Happy Birthday to dear, sweet Ashby! Here’s to a day of celebration filled with much love, joy, laughter and surprises for this very precious girl!

  68. Deena says

    Happy Birthday to sweet Ashby! I can’t believe she’s 8! I’ve always had a soft spot for her. That’s good that you were able to figure out something to help her at school in the future.

  69. Desiree Leone says

    Happy Birthday sweet Ashby! Showers of Blessings from Jesus over you always! XOXOXO

  70. Andrea Conrad says

    Happy Birthday Ashby! You and your family are world changers. I was so inspired by your adoption story that my family and I decided to adopt a little boy from China two years ago. We hope to travel to China again later this year to bring his new little brother home! Many birthday blessings to you, beautiful girl!

  72. Monica says

    Happiest of Birthdays to the little girl who lights up so many peoples lives—without even trying or realizing she’s doing it.

  80. Robin OSBORNE says

    What a big heart you have to acknowledge Ashby’s birth mom. I enjoy your blog because you are so real. Not to denigrate other bloggers I have seen, but there seem to be so many that are Instagram and Pinterest “perfect and cute”.

  81. Kathi Mackintosh says

    Borrowing Ashby for the day sounds like so much FUN! Can we schedule that? 😉 Happy Birthday Ashby!!

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