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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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Ashby ·

Happy Birthday, Ashby!

61 Comments

And just like that…

…our sweet Ashby is FOURTEEN!

Fourteen?!  How can it be?!

Oh my goodness, our family wouldn’t be complete without our precious girl.

There is just way too much to say about Ashby…

…she has the most infectious laugh.  Once she starts, you can’t help but laugh too.

Ashby is so laidback and easy going.  It is so so rare to see something upset/negatively affect her.  She just easily rolls with things and always has a great attitude and energetic spirit.

She has this remarkable ability to memorize sports schedules, games, scores and stats.  If you want to know what time someone is playing/who won last night/when the next game begins, just ask Ashby.  She knows.

We laugh though because she can never remember what’s for dinner.  She asks me every morning…and then again about three more times throughout the day.  Ha!

Ashby loves to read.  She probably reads at least two to three books every week.

She loves coffee, dogs, riding her bike, running cross country, movies with popcorn, being at the beach, skiing, The Office, sushi, and milkshakes.

She does not love a taco. Bahahaha!

Ashby has the biggest, most tender and compassionate heart.  She always checks on friends and family who aren’t feeling well.  She is concerned and prayerful over those who are hurting.

Ashby has an ongoing texting relationship with my 89 year old grandmother…and my grandmother LOVES it.

She wants to live in London when she grows up 🙂 .

Ask any Shull who has the biggest impact on our family and without a doubt, we would all five say Ashby.

Ashby is our hero.

She is brave and resilient and hopeful and sparkly and silly and just everything we all wish to be.

We are celebrating Ashby BIG today!  She’s getting a party with friends this afternoon and one with family tonight.  All she wanted for a gift was a shopping trip with mom…which made my heart very very happy.  We spent yesterday shopping and having lunch and…she talked a lot of trash about my Red Sox.  Did I let it slide because it was her birthday?  Absolutely not.  The Yankees suck…and I told her so 😉 .

Happy birthday 14th birthday, Ashby London.  The world is a much better place because of YOU. xx

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Comments

  5. Jessica says

    Happy Birthday Ashby!!!!! I hope that you have an absolutely wonderful birthday!!! ( Even though I question your choices in baseball teams. 😅)

    Reply

  6. Lisa Fagin says

    Happy Birthday to Ashby! I’ve followed your blog since you went to China to pick her up and I cannot believe she’s 14! What a blessing to your family :). Hope you have a wonderful time celebrating her

    Reply

  7. Jennibell says

    Awwww, that was the SWEETEST post. I feel like you (and she) have allowed us to grow up with her….what a remarkable person she is!!!

    Reply

  9. Katie Compton says

    I started following your blog right before you traveled to bring sweet Ashby home! I remember coming across a post called “Shull Party of Five” or something along those lines. I remember feeling the love from you for this amazing girl you had never met. Happy birthday, to Ashby!! I hope she has a most amazing day!

    I’ve said it before but y’all are my favorite people I’ve never met! ❤️

    Reply

  15. Sarah Shaneyfelt says

    Happy birthday to Ashby!!! She sounds like an amazing girl and I’m so glad you and Andrew were obedient to the Lord and pursued adoption! I love that she reads so much–tell her to read The Selection Series by Kiera Cass! I recommend them to all of my 7th grade girls and they always love them!

    MeetTheShaneyfelts

    Reply

  17. Teresa C. Summers says

    Happy, Happy Birthday Ashby all the way from Macon, GA! I pray you have the best day with friends and family!!! 🎈🎂🎈

    Reply

  18. SS says

    Awe Happy 14th!!! What a special day!!!
    She shares a bday with, I still call little girl…in her 30s, in my life too.
    Have a wonderful time with family and friends!!

    I don’t like tacos either. 😆.

    Reply

  19. Debbie Hibbert says

    Oh my goodness … it’s so hard to believe she’s already 14!!! I’ve read (and re-read) every single Ashby post you’ve written – she’s such an inspiration. She’s an absolutely beautiful young woman, and it sounds like she is even more beautiful inside. Thank you so much, Shay, for sharing your family with all of us.

    Happy Birthday, Ashby!🎉

    Reply

  20. Lynn T says

    What a great gift for you that she wanted to spend part of her birthday with just mom. You are one lucky mama.
    Happy Birthday Ashby!!

    Reply

  21. Whitney Schultz says

    Happy Birthday to your sweet girl!!! It seems like yesterday I remember reading the first post about Ashby and was like WOW!! What a surprise (to the blog world lol)! What a blessing to your family!!

    Reply

  26. Melissa Donavant says

    Watch it now!! The Yankees suck – LOL! I guess they didn’t suck too bad last night when they beat the Guardians in OT…ba ha ha!

    Reply

  32. Debbra Weber says

    HAPPY 14H BIRTHDAY to Ashby! Doesn’t 14 sound so grown up?!! Enjoy celebrating her. I laughed out loud to your Red Sox/Yankee comment :)) Have the best day!

    Reply

  35. Kacey says

    Happy Happy Birthday Ashby!!! What a sweet post for your special girl! I also can’t believe she’s 14!! I remember reading your blog when she was introduced as the 5th Shull (which she was born to be!!) all those years ago. What an incredible journey! Ashby, you’re such an inspiration through the screen, I can only imagine the incredible impact you have on those around you.

    Reply

  36. Paula Hobbs says

    FOURTEEN, WHAT???? She was just FOUR last week!!! Wishing you the Happiest of birthdays, sweet Ashby!!! You are truly an inspiration to me!! So sweet and so brave! Have the best time with your friends and family.

    Reply

  38. Valerie A says

    Happiest of Birthdays to Ashby! Have the best day being celebrated and celebrating turning 14! 🎂

    Reply

  40. Elizabeth L says

    14?! Oh my gosh how? I’ve been here since before you adopted her (now I feel old!). Happy birthday Ashby!!

    Reply

  41. Heather Green says

    Happy Birthday Ashby! It’s been so fun to witness your inspiring spirit so far. Many blessings over you for this next year too!

    Reply

  42. Emily R says

    FOURTEEN?!!? How is that even possible?! I have followed along on her journey from the beginning and she is one special young lady! I hope you all have the best time celebrating her today. Happiest of birthdays, Ashby!

    Reply

  44. Beth Valenta says

    What a beautiful post! I can’t wait to see her party. What a sweet and brave soul! Happy Birthday Ashby!

    Reply

  45. Alison says

    I don’t know her but I smiled the entire time while reading all the beautiful things about her- I think her infectious energy is virtual, too! Happy 14th Birthday, to Ashby!

    Reply

  47. Heather says

    Happy Birthday to your sweet Ashby! She sounds like a delight!! Hope she has a fun filled day and the best year yet. 🎂💕🎉

    Reply

  48. Steph says

    Oh my goodness 14!!!??? It seems like yesterday you all went to China to bring her home. Happy Birthday Ashby!

    Reply

  51. Cheryl says

    Ashby, I am wishing for you a Happy, Amazing, Beautiful, Fantastic, Terrific, Blessed Birthday. Do something that makes your heart smile. Make some memories that you will always cherish. You deserve it!
    Hugs and blessings.

    Reply

  52. Danielle Strickland says

    Well, I must know what the birthday girl eats during your weekly taco nights! Happy Birthday to your strong girl. Her story is an inspiring one.

    Reply

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      She takes the taco meat and the guacamole and makes nachos, adds it to rice, sometimes, she’ll make a salad. She will also add other toppings like honey mustard. She gets very creative!

      Reply

  54. Laura Crenshaw says

    Happy Birthday Ashby! What a sweet girl. After reading this post about her, I feel like we all need an Ashby in our lives. Girlie, keep doing you! You are crushing it! 🙏🎂🎈👍👏🩷

    Reply

  55. Kristy Moore says

    Wow! How time flew! I have loved watching Ashby grow up. I’ll always remember your first post about making the decision to adopt from China and the big day when your family went to meet her and take her home.
    Ashby has been such an inspiration over the years. She is so resilient and still has a smile on her face after all the adversity she has faced.
    Happy BIG birthday Ashby! I hope you know how loved you are!

    Reply

  56. Tara says

    What a wonderful birthday post to your sweet girl. I too was following you back during the adoption time and when your family went to pick her up. What a beautiful girl inside and out.
    Happy Birthday Ashby! God bless you Always!

    Reply

  59. Dee says

    Happy Birthday to Ashby from Madrid! We’re finishing up a trip and heading back to McKinney soon. I was lucky enough to meet the two of you when Ashby was 3. I can’t believe she’s 14!

    Reply

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