Hey there, 2022!
I have so missed all of YOU!!!!!!!
It is always such a blessing to take a few weeks off and focus on my family, enjoy the holidays and travel, but I am always SO EXCITED to come back to this community at the beginning of each year. I am sincerely SO HAPPY to be back with you today!! It’s a special bonus, because just about every year, I come back on January 4th which is ASHBY’S GOTCHA DAY!
Seven years ago today, we became a forever family with Ashby London Shull.
Seven years of giggles, snuggles, laughter and love.
Seven years of sweetness.
Seven years of joy.
It has been the most amazing seven years, and I literally shudder at the thought of us not being a forever family with this precious girl. She is the most perfect piece of our family’s puzzle.
Where do I even begin with Miss Ashby?
She is just so amazing.
Over the last year, Ashby has grown and matured in so many ways. Going from 8.5 to 9.5 has been a huge transition! This once shy, uncertain, cautious girl has blossomed into an outgoing, fearless, very articulate young lady.
There have been so many changes and transitions this last year too. Ashby is thriving in school. Academically, she’s doing better than ever and absolutely LOVES her classroom, teachers and friends. Andrew attended her holiday party (while I was in charge of the first grade parties), and he said it was like attending a party with a rockstar. He said there was a line of friends who wanted her attention (both boys and girls). She is just a magnet for people. She’s my kiddo that after school, when I ask her what she did at recess, she could easily say “play house with the girls” or “played football with the boys”. She’s just everyone’s friend.
This last year, Ashby’s doctors have focused on medicine to treat her Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome instead of surgeries. After her last surgery in September 2020, she had a very rough 11 week recovery and medicine was a welcome reprieve for us all. That being said, between daily doses of injectable medicines and pills, we’ve also learned this year that living with a chronic condition, surgeries or no surgeries, life is hard both physically and emotionally. We are scheduled for surgery #23 later this winter, and the anticipation is already taking a toll on her precious spirit. Prayers are always so appreciated for our brave girl! Peace. We all need peace.
Ashby is creative (almost always coloring, painting, making a craft, creating jewelry), she loves to play outside (on her scooter, hitting tennis balls, going for walks, riding her bike…this girl loves to ski!), she loves to read books (Captain Underpants is her favorite right now!) and is obsessed with any sort of word find, crossword puzzle or Sudoku. Ashby is never bored and ALWAYS up to do something. When Ashby grows up, she wants to work for the New York Yankees’ front office and do some sort of job “with math”. I absolutely can see her there!
Seven years ago, we rode an elevator up high in a skyscraper in Xi’an, China all nervous, excited and giddy to meet the two year old we had only seen pictures of. We were certain that we were going to meet our daughter, we just had no idea that we were about to meet our hero.
Ashby Shull, you are a miracle to us. We are so thankful that a big God looked down on a big world and saw that we were a forever family. We are so excited to see what this next year has in store for you. We absolutely could not love you more!
Happy Gotcha Day! xx
To see all of my posts on our adoptions, please scroll and click below…
Madeley’s Post Adoption: 5 Years
Madeley’s Post Adoption: 4 Years
Madeley’s Post Adoption: 3 Years
Madeley’s Post Adoption: 2.5 Years
Madeley’s Gotcha Day {2nd Anniversary}
Madeley’s Post Adoption: Month 21
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 18
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 15
Madeley’s Gotcha Day {1st Anniversary}
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 11
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 10
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 9
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 8
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 7
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 6
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 5
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 4
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 3
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 2
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 1
Meeting Madeley for the first time: HERE
All of our China travel posts: HERE
To see more about our journey to adopt Ashby, see below:
Ashby’s Gotcha Day {6 Year Anniversary}
Ashby’s Gotcha Day {5 Year Anniversary}
Ashby’s Post Adoption: 4.5 Years
Ashby’s Gotcha Day {4 Year Anniversary}
Ashby’s Post Adoption: 3.5 Years
Ashby Gotcha Day {Third Anniversary}
Ashby Post Adoption: 2.5 Years
Ashby’s Gotcha Day {Second Anniversary}
Ashby’s Gotcha Day {First Anniversary}
Meeting Ashby for the first time: HERE
All of our China travel posts: HERE
DANIELLE K RIGG says
God Bless you Ashby! You are the definition of a superhero. You are teaching many how to love life no matter what challenges are thrown at you. Keep smiling because I know you will move mountains.
Alison says
Happy Gotcha day sweet Ashby! Reading about her bravery and your family always makes me tear up. So many prayers for all of you!
Elspeth says
Happy Gotcha Day! Thank you for taking us along for the journey! Welcome back!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Erika Slaughter says
Happy Gotcha Day, Shull Family! Big hugs to Ashby today! I’m gonna sneak in a hug at some point today. I can feel it! Praying for all of your hearts this morning.
Jessica says
Reading through tears! She is such an amazing girl. God is so big and so cool! I’ve loved following this journey and can’t believe it’s been 7 years! Continued prayers for peace for her sweet heart. Happy Gotcha Day to Ashby!
Ps—sooo glad you’re back! We’ve missed you! Happy new year!
Melissa Terry says
“…so thankful that a big God looked down on a big world and saw that we were a forever family” was the line that got me this year. So thankful He did that for your family and for our family too. Love to you and your precious Ashby xo
Amy Heinl says
Happy Gotcha Day sweet Ashby…she is such a bright light in the world. To think our amazing God knew and planned for you to become her forever family. She has blossomed so much with all of you and all of our worlds are certainly better having Miss Ashby in it
Ruth says
Wow, those seven years went by fast! Happy Gotcha Day!! Ashby, you inspire me xx
Rachel Shafer says
Happy Gotcha Day!!
Mary says
I always love ❤️ to read about your kiddos’ updates and the “gotcha day” posts. I think my devotional today fits with the thoughts about Ashby’s upcoming surgery. From “Jesus Calling” : “Try saying, ‘I trust You, Jesus’ in response to whatever happens to you.” which I know you already do. Praying that all goes well with the surgery. Ashby emotes positivity and her sunshiny smile makes me smile 🙂
Lizzie says
so beautiful Shay! has me tearing up this morning! happy gotcha day to ashby!!
Laci Murray says
Happy Gotcha Day Ashby!
Dana P says
It’s always so sweet to have you back! My routine just feels like something’s missing when you’re gone.
Precious Ashby…I think she’s got a lot of fans she’s never met! Praying for her next surgery, I can’t imagine the dread she must feel with those. ? (And a sidenote, did you mean to say she’s thriving in school? It said striving and I had to read it over a few times and wasn’t sure if it was supposed to say that.)
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh geez, thank you. I need a fulltime editor at my desk too 🙂 .
Vicki T says
Happy Gotcha Day Ashby!
Susan Angvall says
Happy Gotcha Day, Ashby! And welcome Back! You have been missed!
Tracy W Doubts says
Happy Gotcha Day Ashby!
Tracy Robinson says
Prayers for peace for you all and your precious girl. Look forward to these updates all year 🙂
Paula says
Oh love this post! She Ashby’s growth into the young lady God has created her to be is beautiful! Also you can see the depth of why God chose her for your family as each year passes by. Just beautiful! Celebrate big today!
Pam English says
This makes my heart so happy that God found the right family for this sweet girl! As an adoptee who had the perfect family find me at 6 weeks old, I can say what a gift and difference it made in my life! Will be forever grateful and I’m sure she will continue to be as well. Ashby you are a true hero and you show people everyday how to live with adversity with God by your side! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!
Heather Burkholder says
I have always been curious….do you send updates to her agency in China? I would think they would love to see how well she is doing and how LOVED she is. ( I have wondered this about so so many international adoptions) I am also an adoptive mama and our birthmom and I are facebook friends, so she has been able to watch him grow, the funny things he says that I post, for the past 12 years. Now I know that is not the same as her raising him and seeing him daily, but I like to hope it brings her some happiness to see how well he is doing and that he too is LOVED beyond measure.
Happy gotcha day sweet Ashby! praying for your next surgery xoxo!
Mix and Match Mama says
For the first five years, we do send updates regularly to her agency in China! We hope to one day take her back for a visit too.
Lauren Palmer says
Well now I’m crying! Love you Ashby and always praying for you!
Paula McKaughan says
Happy Gotcha Day Sweet Ashby!!! It’s been such an honor and a blessing to watch you with your forever family!!!! You are such an inspiration!!! God is so BIG!!! ??
Debbie K says
How is it possible to love someone you’ve never met? This sweet girl sure does have a place in my heart. God knew we all needed Ashby Shull in our lives. What a blessing she is to so many others near and far. Thank you for sharing her with us. Missed you!
Danna F says
Happy Gotcha Day! What a precious & brave girl! Hugs to sweet Ashby!
Debbie says
Praying daily for her and your family! What an inspiration!
Patty says
We love you so much, Ashby! You’re an inspiration and a treasure, and I’m so glad to know you and love you even though we’ve never met. You’re a rock star!
Nerine says
So sweet! Many blessings to Ashby ?
Lindsay D. says
Happy Gotcha Day!! Ashby is a beautiful light in this world!!
Beth Valenta says
What a doll! She is precious!
Jenny N says
Happy New Year! So glad you are back.
Happy Gotcha Day to your beautiful Ashby!
Deena says
Happy Gotcha Day to Ashby! She’s had a place in my heart and prayers since you brought her home. She’s grown so much since that brief time I met you and 3 yr old Ashby at Nordstrom. You were so sweet to say hi and introduce me to little Ashby.
Linda Smith says
God is good!
Mary Dollar says
Mades you are an absolute delight!!! Shay she always makes me smile!
Sandy M says
I would love to know what Ashby thinks when she sees the video of the first time you held her. She sure is special!
Mix and Match Mama says
We watched it at least 10 times yesterday. She loves it. I wish I had videos of when I met Smith and Kensington too!
Anna says
Today is also our gotcha day with our foster soon-to-be-adopted daughter! Four years for us 🙂 LOVE how God put your family and mine together. Hugs from Seattle!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh Anna!!!!! Hugs back to YOU!!!!!!! God bless you and your sweet family!!
Christina says
Thank for you sharing these posts. I look forward to them – seeing how your children are thriving and how much has changed in the years that have gone by! It really hits me that God is a big God, that cares about us so much. I love that he knew you had 2 girls in China, meant to be your family <3
Praying for peace for Ashby and your family!
Bailey Hill says
Happy Gotcha Day to Ashby. She’s been on my prayer list for years, but I will specifically pray for PEACE for her (& all of you Shulls) this year!
Mix and Match Mama says
There is no better thing to hear from a blog reader than that they’re praying for my family. God bless YOU!
Shannon says
Love this update! I feel like I know Ashby, her inner beauty and charisma shine so brightly in all your posts and pictures of her (and of course her physical beauty as well). I am a director of a domestic foster and adoption agency and have loved following your family’s adoption journey! I feel like I know all of you!
Carolyn Geis says
Please watch Found on Netflix. It’s about 3 girls who were adopted from China. They are graduating from high school. I think you would enjoy this show. We know Lily Bolka who is on of the girls.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes!!!! I watched it!!!! It’s so amazing!
Claire says
Shay, I just want to tell you that YOU are the reason I was inspired to adopt. Truly, I wouldn’t have ever adopted if it wasn’t for you and your heart for it. ❤️ I am sure many others have adopted because of you, too, and how you show everyone that they can handle it with God helping them. ?? Ashby is one warrior and we pray for her daily. How could you not love that girl. When I watch that video of you all meeting Ashby for the first time my heart is just filled and I can’t hold back the biggest smile… there is so many in need and I love seeing how loving families, like yours, make them a part of their family and take on all the challenges that come with it! ? There is really no way I can thank you enough for inspiring me to adopt and bringing a little more sunshine into my life by doing so. I wish so badly I could give you a big ol’ hug right now!! You are such an amazing and inspiring woman and mom and I will always think of you as a Jesus, Family and Adoption loving girl and all the hearts you have touched through blogging and the Internet world. ❤️❤️
Mix and Match Mama says
Agh! Claire! I’m in tears! God bless YOU for being bold, brave and following the Lord’s plan for your forever family. Seriously, this absolutely made my DAY!!!!
Sheaffer Sims says
Ashby is a hero to us all. She’s certainly a role model. LOVE THIS GIRL and am so blessed to know her and pray for her.
Kirsten J says
Happy gotcha day Ashby! We’ll be ready with prayers to send you strength when you have your next procedure ?
Stephanie Maren Snyder says
She is such a blessing to so many, myself included. Reading her story and seeing the transition from that precious toddler to a hero to so many is just incredible. Adoption is incredible. Finding that piece of your heart that happened to be born in another country is just so incredible. God is incredible. Ashby is incredible. I found myself in tears just thinking about how her smile and heart are so big and brave and bold. Happy 7 years of this sweet girl, and prayers are being sent for her upcoming challenges and changes. I pray for your whole family to find peace during the struggles, and hope in quick recovery from her surgery and treatment.
If she ends up working for the Yankees, though, will you convert, or remain loyal to the best team in baseball – the Red Sox?!
Mix and Match Mama says
I will love the Yankees for giving my daughter a career…but hope they lose every single game 😉 .
Liz Thorson says
Beautiful tribute to a precious daughter, Shay! Thank you for sharing who Ashby has become! My positive thoughts will always be there for her as she navigates her life, complicated by the discomfort and limitations her syndrome. Here’s to another happy year for her!
Valerie says
I always enjoy reading your updates! Praying for peace for your sweet girl and your family. We, too, have adopted a little boy and we have been reading and learning about not using the term “Gotcha” day because there is trauma involved and it can be a triggering word. We do celebrate our adoption anniversary, but wondered if you had heard or read anything similar? Theres always so much to learn to do the best we can for all our kiddos!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’ve heard that before too, but for our family, for now, that word and celebration brings joy and happiness, so we continue to use it. We also are clear that it’s a mutual Gotcha Day…we all got each other. It’s not one sided.