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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, Shay ·

Ashby and Shay’s 40th FUN-draiser!


Friends, today is my 40th birthday!

Whhhhhhhhat?!

How in the world did that happen?!

Didn’t a 25 year old girl start this blog????

There were a lot of ways I could have acknowledged today (and I considered them all), but do you know what I really want to do to celebrate my birthday?

I want to raise a ton of money for Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in Ashby’s honor.

Our precious Ashby has been going to Scottish Rite and receiving THE MOST AMAZING CARE since we first brought her home.  Her team there, lead by Dr. Scott Oishi, has absolutely saved her life.  They’ve also allowed her more mobility, more function and an overall higher quality of life.  This picture was after her first surgery in October 2015…

…and this picture was after her 22nd surgery in 2020.  Without the care, the knowledge, the medical interventions, advanced research, testing, and attention to detail, we do not know what Ashby’s health would look like today.  Dr. Oishi formed an amazing team (even bringing in other specialists from the neighboring hospital) to keep our sweet Ashby healthy, safe and provide her the best options for a long and happy life with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome.

Over the years, SO MANY OF YOU have prayed for Ashby.  You’ve prayed for surgeries.  You’ve prayed for tests.  You’ve prayed for her doctors.  We have appreciated your prayers, love, support and encouragement more than you will ever know.  We are so blessed to have this huge, supportive community that most parents do not have.  I do not take it for granted, but realize it’s a special blessing to have all of you, this mighty team of people, in the wings praying over my family on our hardest days.  We do not know what the future holds for Ashby, but we do know that it looks so much brighter thanks to the amazing care she is receiving from a hospital that does not collect a dime from its patients.  Scottish Rite for Children is a world-renowned leader in the treatment of pediatric orthopedic conditions such as scoliosis, clubfoot, hand differences, hip disorders, sports injuries and fractures, as well as certain related arthritic and neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. Patients receive treatment regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

When I reached out to Scottish Rite earlier this month and told them that my birthday wish was to raise money in honor of Ashby on the 25th, they said the timing couldn’t be more than perfect because…

This month, they are celebrating their 100th anniversary!!!

How crazy cool is that timing?!

One hundred years of taking care of kids and helping families without payment.

So today, on my 40th birthday, I would love to raise $40,000 for Scottish Rite for Children in honor of Ashby Shull.

Scottish Rite created a specific landing page and link so that my sweet blog readers and online community can easily donate today.  Whether you’re able to donate $10, $100 or $1000, please know that I’m grateful.  We’re grateful.  We were referred by our pediatrician and other specialists to receive treatments from this hospital because they are the leading experts in Ashby’s condition, and we know that so many other families are there for the exact same reason.  We would love to support the place that has physically, emotionally and lovingly supported us these last six years.

Once again, the direct link and information can be found HERE for your donation.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.  Thank you for your prayers.  Thank you for your love and support these last six years.  And thank you in advance for helping me make this 40th birthday extra special!

xx Shay

 

 

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Comments

  2. Lauren says

    This speaks volumes about who you are– when most people would be thinking about themselves, you are thinking about others. Add this to the list of a million reasons I love to read your blog every day. ?

  3. Dawn Timmons says

    Happy 40th Birthday, Shay! What a great way to celebrate. I hope the amount raised today exceeds all expectations! Enjoy your birthday week.

  4. Randi J Rooks says

    Done! Such a great idea and birthday celebration!! Happy birthday Shay !!!!! May the Lord continue to bless you, draw you ever closer to His heart, and be His ambassador for this Short time we have here.

  7. Jane says

    Happy Birthday to YOU!! This is an INCREDIBLE mission! Thank you for giving us all the opportunity to be a part of it!

  9. Julie says

    Awww, this is so wonderful! Just donated. Wishing you the happiest 40th birthday and year to follow! Thank you for all you do for us every day. By sharing your life and your family and your positive energy, you bring so much joy and inspiration to your readers. I can’t imagine my peaceful early mornings without this little online world!

  10. Debbie Hibbert says

    Happy Birthday, Shay! Thank you for inviting us to participate in such a great cause.❤

  12. Marla says

    What an honor! Thank you for this opportunity and for, once again, leading us in such a Christ like manner. Have the happiest birthday and always know you have my prayers. Marla

  13. Emily Countryman says

    I’m thrilled to donate. I volunteered for SR as a candy stripper every summer in high school! It’s such a magical place. I still take my kids there to play on the playground when we’re in town.

  16. Lisa D says

    Love this, love the way you are celebrating your 40th birthday! ? Happy, happy birthday to Shay!

  19. Dana P says

    Aww…happy birthday, Shay!!! ? Ashby is such a precious little girl and we’re so thankful she’s gotten such good care there. We got to go to Scottish Rite for our daughter with dwarfism and we agree-they are wonderful!! I love that you’re doing this to help support them.

  20. Kerrie Hofstad says

    Happy Birthday, Shay! This is amazing. I’m so thankful God saw fit to make you Ashby’s Mom and she has the opportunity to have this wonderful care. Going to donate now! I love your heart!

  21. Ann T says

    Beautiful tribute to the person you are! Thanks for giving us this opportunity. I had a cousin who greatly benefited from the services of Scottish Rite. Happy birthday!

  22. Rachel Shafer says

    What a wonderful idea! I just donated in honor of Ashby. Happy 40th Shay! Hope you have a fabulous day 🙂

  23. Kristin Nichols says

    Is there a setting on my web browser I need to change in order to see the pictures on your blog post? I started not seeing the pictures for about the past two weeks whether I’m on my phone or my iMac. I’ve even tried pulling it up through Google Chrome instead of Safari and still no luck. Got any ideas?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Oh no! Have you tried looking through a new browser? Or clearing your cache? That’s so frustrating! I’m sorry! I’m looking now on my MacBook and see so I don’t know exactly what the problem is??? i’m sorry!

    • Traci B. says

      I am having this exact same issue with photos not loading using Safari and Google search. Shay, I haven’t been able to read your posts! I changed my default search engine to DuckDuckGo and now your page loads instantly. Go to DuckDuckGo.com and there are 3 simple steps to take to change your default search engine. I understand that DuckDuckGo never tracks you and never collects your personal or usage information. (I have no stake in this company, by the way, but I have been meaning to try it.)

  27. Sheaffer Sims says

    Excited to help you raise tons of money in honor of your sweet girl!!!! WE LOVE Y’ALL!!!!!

  28. Liliane Dunham says

    Happy 40th Shay!
    Donated and happy to help such a wonderful cause.
    Yours is the only blog I follow
    I love getting your blog at 8am sharp
    It starts my day with positivity
    Love from Canada ?

  29. June says

    Happy Birthday Shay, and Congratulations to both of you on an amazing birthday wish. What a wonderful way to celebrate your big day! Contribution has been made, and prayers sent to both of you and all of your family.

  32. Kathy says

    Happy 40th birthday Shay! I can totally get behind celebrating your special day, by giving to the hospital that has made such a positive impact on Ashby! <3

  33. Angie R says

    Donating! I’m a product of Scottish Rite – was treated for scoliosis there in the 90’s; so grateful for their care!

  34. Lisa says

    Happy Birthday! For all the joy and blessings Ashby and your family bring to us, this is the very least we can do.

  35. Chrissy says

    Happy Birthday Shay! Please keep us posted on how close you are to your goal! The donation page doesn’t seem to have a live dollar tracker (in the way that gofundme does), so we can’t see! Hoping you reach your goal and surpass it 🙂

  36. Erin says

    Happy birthday! Donating now in honor of you and your girl. I love following along and seeing your family. What a gift that you share them (and yourself!) with us.

  37. Melanie M says

    Happy Birthday, Shay! Ashby is on my daily prayer list. I have a journal that I use for prayer requests. Ashby has been on the list since I started it over a year ago. I can’t wait to see how the Lord will use her and her testimony.

    • Jaye says

      Happy Birthday Shay! What an amazing thing to do for your birthday. Celebrating with you and donating in Ashby’s honor. Hope you have a great birthday and a successful fundraiser. Please do keep us updated on the progress 🙂

  38. Sarah Lewitt says

    Hi Shay! I just donated – can you show us how much you have raised so we can keep up with it? I feel an active longing to know how the fundraising is going because I also feel invested to it!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Yes! I am going to ask them to keep sharing it throughout the day so that we know!!

  40. MelanieL says

    This is amazing! Shay, I wish you the happiest 40th birthday! You have inspired so many of us over the years to be better versions of ourselves, thank you!! Ashby, I wish you an amazing day, sweet girl! Donated. 🙂

  41. Kelly says

    Happy Birthday, Shay! It is our joy and privilege to donate to such a worthy cause. I pray that God blesses this endeavor immeasurably more than you could have ever dreamed or asked for:).

  42. Jennifer Harris says

    I donated and can’t imagine not donating. Your family has been in my prayer for years. I am certain your will reach and even surpass your fundraising goal.

  43. Kara says

    Happy Birthday! Donation done, here’s to making your goal. Thank you for sharing your inspiring stories and family, what a wonderful way to celebrate, enjoy!

  44. Yvonne says

    Happy Birthday Shay!!! Love this birthday celebration! Wonderful way to celebrate, Thank you for sharing your life with us, very happy to donate! Blessing to you and your family on your special day!

  48. Carly says

    Happy Birthday Shay! Thanks for doing this, your family brings me so much joy so happy to contribute such a small piece of something that can bring you joy! How is Ashby’s health? I know you mentioned you changed plans and hopefully that means less surgery? Prayers that it continues!

  49. Victory says

    Oh my goodness I love this!! I am a nurse at Scottish Rite and it is absolutely the best place to work!!! It is truly amazing to see how treatments and surgeries change kiddos lives. Thank you so much for this fundraiser!

  51. Bev says

    Happy Birthday, Shay! What a thoughtful gesture in honor of Ashby and all those that this special place has helped over the last 100 years! Wow!

  52. Chrissy says

    Happy 40th Birthday, Shay! Thanks for opening your home and family to us all. I’m so glad you did this fun-draiser so we, as your readers, can give back to such a special cause that is near and dear to your heart. All the prayers for continuous healing and strength for Ashby, and big cheers welcoming you to the 40s club!

  53. Diane says

    As a speech language pathologist, I have seen first hand all the good Scottish Rite does for kiddos! They fund Camp Success at Baylor every summer. Happiest of birthdays (I turned 65 last Friday?). Donated to this great cause!

  54. shawnna says

    hey girl- Happy Birthday!! Hope you have a wonderful day!! I am still praying for Ashby- God is good!

  56. Robin says

    Happy Birthday! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate (even if it did make me cry a little?)

  57. Lizzie says

    Happy birthday, Shay! SR is so wonderful! My nephew has been at SR for several years. They are special angels at SR. A friend of mine’s granddaughter has KTS in her left leg. Will continue to keep sweet Ashby in my prayers.

  60. Wannie says

    Hi Shay, happy birthday! I am getting married next month and in lieu of traditional wedding favors, my fiance and I wanted to donate to a charity. I think this is PERFECT for us – we have decided to donate to your fundraiser!

  61. Jennifer says

    Happy 40th birthday, Shay! I donated. Wish I could do more, but happy to do something in honor of your sweet girl & such a wonderful hospital. Thanks for such a great idea.

  62. Gracie says

    Happy birthday Shay!! Thank you for sharing Ashby’s story/life with us! What a testament to God’s love and faithfulness. Hope you feel loved and celebrated today!!

  67. Claire says

    Happy Birthday Shay!! I am so glad God placed you in my life, even though it is through a blog. ? 40 has never looked better! The fundraiser is such a sweet way to celebrate your birthday and I am so glad to donate. Also your pictures on insta stories look amazing, where exactly are you staying again?

  68. Janet says

    Happy Birthday Shay! I hope the online community blows the fundraiser out of the park! I know it can be done.

  69. Jacqueline Billings says

    I’m happy to be able to give, for Ashby and all the many other children the Scottish Rite helps every day. And Happy Birthday Shay!

  71. Ruth says

    Happy Birthday Shay!! I just donated and I am so happy to hear about this wonderful place that has been such a help to your adorable daughter.

  73. Kristy Moore says

    HAPPY 40TH SHAY!!! It’s wonderful over in this decade. 😉 I pray God richly blesses you this year and bless you for your amazing heart towards helping others. Have a wonderful relaxing birthday with Andrew in Vermont. May it be filled with sleep-ins, lots of cake and some great books! I’m here to follow you for another 40 years!

  74. Lizzie says

    Happy Birthday Shay!! I have been following you for years and years and love your precious family! just donated to this amazing hospital!

  76. Elizabeth Thorson says

    Happy Birthday, Shay! I hope your day was very special, filled with much love, joy, laughter, great food and drink and celebration! I just made a donation to Scottish Rite for Children in honor of your birthday AND your precious, courageous Ashby!

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