Happy Monday, friends!
On Saturday, Andrew and the big kids flew to Dallas from Nicaragua and the littles and I flew there from Nantucket because we all wanted to be home to celebrate because…you guys, yesterday our girl…
…TURNED 12 YEARS OLD!!!!
I can hardly believe it.
TWELVE!
I am in denial that this girl…
…is almost a teenager!
Oh Ashby Shull, where do I even begin?
Ashby is a the strongest, fiercest, bravest person I’ve ever met. Ask anyone in our family who their hero is, and they’ll all say Ashby. Life tosses her curveballs daily, and she takes each and every one of them in stride.
Daily nosebleeds? Okay.
Injectable medicines? No problem.
All sorts of doctors appointments, therapies, the looming thought of the next surgery, the endless limitations…she does it all without ever complaining. This girl is a freaking rockstar!
This last year has been Ashby’s best! She LOVED 5th grade, she has so many amazing friends, she picked up a new sport that she really enjoys, and she has a dog 🙂 .
Ashby has gone from little girl to almost teen over night. It’s so bittersweet when they get older. We miss the little, but we are loving this new age. She’s funny/witty/sarcastic, she’s obsessed with all things sports (which her dad and brother love!), her new favorite store is Lululemon (which Kensington loves!), she enjoys sitting down with a romcom (yes, please!) and she is SO EXCITED about middle school.
We cannot wait to see what this year brings for Miss Ashby. New school, new sport…all sorts of new possibilities.
Last night, she wanted to celebrate her birthday in a “big kid way” (having two teen siblings rubs off on you like that), so Andrew and I took eight of her friends on a party bus to a “grown up” restaurant for dinner. My favorite part is that she still wanted little sister to come too. It was a loud and crazy time with all of those girls…and we loved every minute of it.
Happy birthday, Ashby London! We love you SO SO SO MUCH!
My prayer always is that your birth mama feels a peace that lets her know her girl is doing fantastic…and today, I pray that peace is extra, extra, extra big. xx
Elspeth says
Happy birthday!! Hope it’s a wonderful year for her!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Laura says
Happy birthday Ashby! I admire your resilience and bravery! Hope this year is your best yet and that you love middle school!
Sheaffer says
Happy Birthday, sweet Ashbv!!! My goodness this girl deserves to be CELEBRATED!!! I hope y’all are spoiling her absolutely rotten all week! 🙂
Jessica Miller says
I was just thinking when you posted that picture of Ashby in the pink shirt, she looks like a teen now!! Happy Birthday, Ashby!
SS says
Happy Birthday Ashby!!! Enjoy year 12 before a teen!!! Thanks for allowing us to be part of your life!!!
Ashby…our kiddo wanted you to know the City Spies series is starting out well… Half way through book 1 there are 5. And she wishes you Happy Birthday too!!!
Brooke says
Happiest of birthdays to Ashby! Love the tasseled rug she’s standing on; would love details on where it’s from!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s from Pottery Barn…but it’s several years old.
Amanda says
Happy day Ashby!! You are inspiring people all over!!! May God rain down blessings on you this year!!
Amy Heinl says
It’s so hard to believe she us 12 and what a beautiful young lady she is blossoming into. Happiest b of birthdays sweet Ashby…enjoy your special day
Talia says
Happy Birthday to beautiful Ashby!
Beverly says
Have a wonderful birthday. I love how you thought of her birth Mom on this special day. You are truly a fabulous, ca ring. family. Enjoy.
Gail Mirgan says
12??!! That happened so fast! I started follow MMM just before you went to China to get your girl….i have loved following along with your family-thanks for sharing them with us.
Happy birthday Ashby! Wishing a year with lots of smiles and laughter.🙌🏻🎂🎈🙃
Lori Whittington says
Happy Birthday Ashby!! Can’t believe she is 12!! What new sport is she loving?
Mix and Match Mama says
TENNIS!!!
Ramona Puckett says
Happy 12th Birthday 🥳😀🎉🥳❤️❤️
sandi says
That was quite an effort on behalf of all the family members to make sure she was celebrated well; Ashby deserves all the celebrations! You say it all the time, babies don’t keep, AND, I remember your family bringing her home.
For some reason I started tearing up at the start of this post. I knew you were going to mention the birth mom and whatever it was in her life that made giving up her daughter the better option. Goodness what a sacrifice, hoping a really tough decision means a better life for your child. We’ve done foster care and it’s the giving back that is hard for me and I’m not even the birth mom, just the bonus mom for a while. I don’t always think going back to the situation the child was removed from is the best option, I can only hope that the time in our home mattered.
SS says
Sandi,
I just want to thank you for loving those kiddos while you have them.
Becky says
Happy Birthday Precious Ashby!!!
Robin says
Happy, happy #12 to that elegant and fierce girl of yours!! Party bus and “elevated” dining……I think I want that to be MY next birthday party! 🤗
Yley Allen says
Happy Birthday Ashby!!
Kate says
Happy birthday Ashby!! It’s been a joy who watch her grow up ❤️
Jenny N says
Happy, happy birthday to your sweet Ashby!!
SC says
Happy, Happy Birthday, Ashby!! 🥳🥳🥳 Can’t believe you are 12.
Patty says
Happy birthday beautiful!
Robyn Beers says
Happy 12 Birthday!
Andrea Conrad says
Ashby, you are such a rock star! Your family’s journey through adoption has completely changed our lives. 6 years ago we adopted a little boy from China & now we are anxiously awaiting getting his little brother home. I don’t think we ever would have considered adoption had it not been for your family’s example. This year on your birthday (and always!) please know how special you are! Happy Birthday!
Bethany says
HBD to Ashby!
K.K. says
Oh how fun it’s been to watch her grow here!!! Happy birthday sweet Ashby!!
Pam Zercher says
I, too, pray for our adopted kids birth mamas. I pray for peace knowing they tried to do the best thing for their babies as they knew how. 🩷
I prayed especially for Ashby today since we’re in Nantucket-thinking of you all
As for restaurants here, put Lemon Press on your list. Their Orange Blossom waffles are AMAZING. Also, avocado toast 😍 supreme
Deena says
Happy Birthday, Ashby! I remember the little Ashby from when I met you and her at Nordstrom’s one time. She’s still a cutie but is looking more and more like a teen now!
Martha Marino says
Happy Birthday Ashby!!!!
Susie says
Happy Birthday Ashby!!
Nancy Le says
Happy birthday Ashby!!!! Your smile is amazing!
Kacy M says
Happy birthday Ashby!
Liz Thorson says
Lovely post for your precious Ashby! I wish for her to have a wonderful, happy, successful year going forward, filled with much joy, love, adventure and fun!
Amy Coose says
Pretty sure Ashby is also a hero to so many others as well. She has inspired so, so many people and I know she will continue to do so with her beautiful soul. Happy birthday to one special girl!
Kacey says
Happy Happy Birthday Ashby!!!
Claire Bow says
Aw so sweet! Just wondering – on Kensington’s Instagram, she wished Ashby saying “you’re a little odd, but happy birthday.” Is that a term of endearment in your family? I was a little surprised by it! (At the same time, I know my teens say weird stuff all the time.)
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh my word, it’s our family’s “thing”. Have you seen the photos and birthday captions my brother and I share about one another? It’s how Lowes show love 😉 .
Leigh says
If a girl is leaving 5th grade happy, with great friends, and excited about middle school, she must have really had some great teachers to add to all the love and support she gets at home! Wow!