Nine years ago today, in a building in Xi’an, China, we met our sweet Ashby London.
There is no other way I’d want to kick off 2024 here in blog world than with a post about Ashby 🙂 .
There are not enough words to describe how special this girl is, how much adoption has changed not just her life but every life that she’s touched. My life has changed because of Ashby. Andrew’s life has changed. Kensington and Smith’s lives are changed. Madeley’s life is changed. Our family, our friends, her teachers, doctors and therapists are all better because they have relationships with this precious girl.
You really cannot understand unless you know her, but this girl is just a gift in more ways than I could ever describe.
Ashby came into our lives nine years ago today. She had been abandoned and found and placed in an orphanage in one of the largest cities in China. She was one of around 850 kids living there. We say this all the time, but this girl had all the odds stacked against her. But God. But God.
God saw this baby and didn’t see the life threatening vascular malformation. He didn’t see the lack of language. He didn’t see the bloody noses. He didn’t see the physical limitations. He saw Ashby. He saw everything beautiful and wonderful inside of her and over the last 9 years, he’s allowed all of us to see it too.
Where Madeley is our sunshine and Smith is our Renaissance Man, Kensington is our independent spunk…Ashby is our most diverse/lovable/curious/inquisitive/sensitive/adventurous/fearless/bravest one of us all.
The list of what makes Ashby truly so original is too long to share, but here are just some of the highlights…
She loves animals of all kinds but especially dogs. She is truly a dog whisperer, and they all love her too.
She never sees any limitations. Next year is middle school where things will get more complicated as the classes/sports/logistics of navigating outside the elementary bubble will be harder for her…except she doesn’t see that. She keeps saying she’s going to do “all these things” in middle school that as a mom, I worry about, but not Ashby. She’s got it covered. She sees no reason for her not to “do” all the things she wants to do.
This girl is mighty sensitive. She worries for others, prays for others, is always asking how people are doing. She might hear me mention that a friend of mine is having surgery and the first question she’ll ask me after school is how my friend is doing. She cares. When my grandparents died (October 2021 and January of last year), she was the most tender-hearted about it. She loves everyone big. In a house where four of us will pretty much steamroll over you with our big personalities and one of us is just plain happy all the time, Ashby is the sensitive glue that holds us all together.
She is my most active kiddo. We are all active at our house, but Ashby is uber, uber active. She rarely sits still and always wants to be doing something. She doesn’t care who it’s with or what they’re doing, but anything is better than doing nothing. Ashby is also…
…the most diverse! Ashby loves to play dolls and school with Mades. She loves putting on makeup, polishing her nails and doing anything “girly”… but she also loves…
…to hang with the “boys”. After school, she often wants to stay to play whatever game the boys are playing (she is often the only girl) like kickball or football. She wants to hunt with Andrew, watch ESPN with Smith…she easily and effortlessly hangs with everyone.
Ashby is also the MOST interested in sports in my house. Period. She doesn’t care what she’s watching. The other day, I saw her watching rugby and when I asked her if she even understood what she was watching (because I had no clue), she told me that she asked Alexa to explain the rules to her. Ashby lives for Sunday afternoons and The Red Zone, the New York Yankees and any old sport she can find to watch in between.
Ashby is so super social! Our doorbell rings all day long because kiddos are there to play with her. She is everyone’s friend.
Ashby Shull has had a big year. We had surgery #23 which was harder than we anticipated, but she handled it like a champ. After 2.5 years, she was THANKFULLY able to transition to medicine in the fall that is in pill form and not injectable. You guys, we have poked this kid both morning and night with needles for 2.5 years, so being able to move her away from injectable meds (if only temporarily) has been HUGE!!!
Ashby thrived on Nantucket where she made a million new friends and is already so excited to go back this summer because she wants to learn to sail and surf.
Nine years ago today, this girl got our hearts. I am forever humbled that God would see such an amazing child on the other side of the world and lead her to us.
We love our sweet Ashby SO MUCH!!
Friends, there are so many kiddos just like Ashby and Madeley who need forever homes. These kids, both domestically and around the world, are just waiting for their forever moms and dads to be brave and go get them. My prayer today is that if adoption has been on your heart, you make this year the year to do it. Make the call, send the email, start the paperwork, do it! Let’s see how many sweet kids like our Ashby can find their forever families in 2024.
We are just getting started over here. I’ll see you back here tomorrow for more! In the meantime, have a wonderful, wonderful Thursday! xx
To see all of my posts on our adoptions, please scroll and click below…
Madeley’s Post Adoption: 7 Years
Madeley’s Post Adoption: 6 Years
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 {8th Anniversary}
Ashby’s Gotcha Day {7th Anniversary}
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
Julie says
What a blessing! Happy Gotcha Day, Ashby!
Susan Jeffries says
I remember this special day! It’s been a blessing watching her grow and thrive!
Elsperh says
Happy gotcha day Ashby!! Welcome back to the blog world Shay! We missed you!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Eliza says
Beautiful.
Beautiful testimony.
Beautiful girl.
Beautiful way to start 2024.
♥️
Marla says
I am not one bit surprised that God chose you to “find” Ashby. It was His plan all along, His perfect plan.
I will never get tired of hearing about Ashby. Never! Everytime you blog about her my heart is full for days. Thank you for sharing her with all of us . You have an amazing family, Shay and you are such an inspiration. Thank you.
P.S. Starting prayers now for a smooth transition into middle school.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you, thank you, thank YOU!! It seems like such a big step. Your prayers are appreciated more than you know. xx
Natalie says
Aw welcome back! That girl amazes me. She’s so beautiful – you can just tell she’s special inside and out. I’m super excited- my husband and I start our fostering classes in a few weeks. Well I’m excited, nervous …. We will see where God takes us. Our girls (7,12) are excited too !
Mix and Match Mama says
AMAZING!!!!! I am so excited for you and just beyond grateful that you’re stepping out on faith to do this. God has BIG (and probably hard/exciting/amazing/heartbreaking) things in store for your family. Please keep me updated on how it goes!
sandi says
Bless you for beginning the fostering process. It is hard it is beautiful and it matters. We had a season of fostering and our lives were changed for the better.
Dana says
Shay,
I realized today that if Ashby was adopted 9 years ago, I’ve been reading your blog daily for over 9 years. Thank you for sharing your life with us and for taking the time to be a part of ours with your commitment to your blog. We care for you like we would a family member. Wishing you a wonderful start to 2024!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Dana, you’re going to make me cry. Goodness, thank you. I am beyond blessed by your words this morning. xx
Toni :0) says
My cousin just adopted a newborn back in September and we are so excited for them plus he will carry on my maiden name. Adoption helped to make them parents when all of the other options ran out for them. We couldn’t be more thrilled for them. It was an expensive journey but worth every penny.
Mix and Match Mama says
I am so excited for your cousin! I can only imagine how special the holiday season was for them this year.
Janet Inlow says
Ashby is truly a miracle girl and she couldn’t have done it without the Shull family! Guddos to all of you – you definitely have a winner and she is a very lucky young lady. I love watching her grow.
Andrea Conrad says
Happy Gotcha Day Ashby! Your family has been a huge encouragement to us as we are now in the process of adopting another little boy! I really don’t think we’d be here without you all, so a million thank you’s to your family from ours! I hope you all enjoy celebrating sweet Ashby a little extra today! ❤️
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh my goodness, my heart is so full!!! I am SO blessed to know that you are in the process of adopting again. Sending you so much love!!
Vickiy Van Beek says
What an absolutely heartfelt and beautiful tribute to your sweet girl and your family priority, Shea. Thank you for sharing . . .with us everyday. You are a blessing in my life. HAPPY GOTCHA DAY, ASHBY💗💗
SS says
Happy Gotcha Day Shull Family!!! But I feel we ” Got Her” too!! It has been a joy to watch her grow up!!! Thanks for sharing your and her journey with us!
Happy 2024!!!
Shanna says
Ashby is everything you said and even more. She completely stole our hearts 8 years ago and we love her dearly. She is beyond special and will always hold a huge piece of my heart. I’m so thankful you’ve always shared your kids with us. ❤️
Shawnna Griffin says
Happy gotcha day!! Ashby is such a sweetheart!! God is good!
kellie says
Happy Gotcha Day Ashby!
We have followed your story before you met your family! — And my young daughter named one of her American Girl dolls after you! You touch so many lives around the world with your bravery, tenderness and sweet personality! (we live near Boston and LOVE Nantucket too!)
Mary Ellen says
A beautiful way to start 2024!
Melissa says
I can’t believe that I have been following your blog over 9+ years now, and feel like I know each of you without ever meeting your precious family! It makes my heart so happy to read how each of your Shull kids thrive, and you describe Ashby so perfect like we all know her just from your description of her. Happy New Year, and happy Ashby Day!
Lisa N says
I am 59 and I want to be like Ashby when I grow up🥺 I love how you write about her and I believe every word. God chose your family for someone so special❤️ Your dad wrote one time that Ashby is his hero. BIG big compliment and says a lot. Happy GOTCHA DAY to the Shulls!!
Paula McKaughan says
Happy 9th Gotcha Day, Sweet Ashby! I still cry like a baby when I watch the video of her entering the hotel room. I feel blessed just to know her story. Much love today and always! xoxo
Amy Androff says
Happy Birthday to Ashby!
Melissa Terry says
I am so thankful for your unapologetically positive posts about adoption! I know it’s an imperfect situation, created by brokenness, but it’s also beautiful and miraculous. Like you, our family has been forever changed by adoption and your posts are always such an encouragement to me. Happy Gotcha Day to your sweet Ashby and to all of you xo
sandi says
But God… sums up the whole post. Forever remembering the mommas making the hard decisions to (hopefully) give their children a better life.
Beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, praise for heaviness, that the Lord may be glorified (heavily paraphrased)… a beautiful life for a beautiful young lady.
Anna says
What a beautiful post, and what a blessed girl to be loved by you!!
She and Bowen still as good of friends?! Miss seeing their cute friendship!
Mix and Match Mama says
They are! She spent the entire day after Christmas with him at his house playing with his new dog. 🙂
Jessica says
My eyes are filled with tears and heart is filled with joy. Only God!
Alison says
All of Ashby’s photos reveal a radiating smile that just speaks pure joy. What a precious gift you’ve all been given through her! 💝
Robin says
Happy Gotcha Day to Ashby!! This post “Got Me” right in the heart 🥹
K.K. says
Oh, Ashby!! So much love to you and prayers for a great new year in middle school!
Amy Heinl says
Happy Gotcha Day sweet Ashby…our world is infinitely better by having you in it. May 2024 be your best year yet
Liz Thorson says
Shay, I am right with Dana on the words she shared. Ashby is such a precious child! Your posts about what she is doing and experiencing, always are among my favorites. With two grown sons, both adopted, I hold Ashby and Madeley in a special place in my heart. I loved learning even more delightful tidbits about Ashby’s interests and personality! What a gift she is to all who know and love her! I love her heart, spirit, perseverance and compassion! I loved reading that she googled the rules for rugby so she could understand what she was watching on TV.
Here’s to Ashby, today, and to you and Andrew for pursuing adoption to grow your very dear and special family.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you, Liz! Your comment is really so special to me. xx
Nancy says
The strongest, bravest and mighty. Everytime there’s a post all about Ashby I can’t help but be inspired by her strength. So thankful for all that He has done! Hope you have an amazing gotcha day! With all of the Starbucks drinks, and Chik-Fil-A nuggets!!
Mix and Match Mama says
The fact that you know our diet so well is frightening, Nancy. Bahahaha! She had a chicken biscuit for breakfast WITH Starbucks to drink! 😉 I love that you knew that!
Bev says
Really enjoy these descriptive posts about your family! Ashby sounds just delightful in every way! What a blessing for her and all of you that God brought you together! Happy Ashby Gotcha Day and Happy 2024, we’ve missed you! 💖
Karah Stracener says
What a blessing she is to all of you. Happy Gotcha Day Ashby!
Jo Biddick says
I started following your blog as you were going through the process of adopting your precious Ashby. I’ll always remember the anticipation of your journey to China and watching with lots of tears as they place Ashby in your arms for the first time (I can’t believe it was 9 years ago! 😳).
She is an inspiration! I’ve prayed many times as she’s faced surgery with bravery and resilience.
I know we shouldn’t have favourites but Ashby captured my heart on day one. She truly is a very special young lady and I believe that God will do exceedingly, abundantly more than you can ask or think in and through her life ❤️
Mix and Match Mama says
You truly have no idea how much it means to me that you pray for our sweet girl. There is really nothing better you could ever tell me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank YOU!
Ramona Puckett says
Happy Gotcha Day, Ashby! You are a blessing to us all and your family! XOXO
Lisa D says
I started reading this blog exactly 9 years ago with your post about meeting Ashby! I didn’t realize that it’s been so long. It is a joy to watch and read about your family. Happy New Year!
Rita says
What a beautiful girl, she is going places, those poses say it all. How blessed you all are. Wishing you a wonderful 2024.
Anne says
Blessings for this precious child. She is so lucky to have you, and you are so lucky to have her.
Kristi G says
WOW! I cannot believe how fast 9 years have passed. I’ve been following for that and beyond. What a beautiful girl Miss Ashby is..inside & out. It has been a privilege to see her grow. She is amazing so very inspiring at such a young age. Cannot wait to see what the future holds for her. Thank you for sharing your journey and your family with all of us. Happy New Year! Wishing you a very blessed 2024.
Remah Franco says
I still remember reading all about your family’s journey going to China to get Ashby crazy to think it has been nine years already, and I am still in awe of her story. When I read this years ago, I remember tearing up and just the Lord planting this seed in my heart. She continues to grow up so beautifully and I am always inspired by her. -All the love from Chicago
Detroit says
I remember following along with your trip moment to moment and rereading your blog post about sweet Ashby over and over again. Her story just stuck with me. I love seeing how much she’s grown up! I’m SO glad to hear that you can move away from injections for a time. That must be so freeing for her!