Ryan's Closet

Meet Ashley.

Ashley and I met one another and became friends when we were eleven years old. We attended elementary, junior high, and high schools together. Now we're both married and have started families. Ashley and her husband Jake were first blessed in 2006 with their son Jonathon.

In early 2008, they were excited to find out that adorable little Jonathan was going to be a big brother. Their family was expecting another little boy.

Heartbreakingly, it was discovered that their second son, Ryan, had Trisomy 18, also known as Edward's Syndrome. The condition is a chromosomal disorder that unfortunately has a high mortality rate. Ryan Christopher was born on August 21 at only 30 weeks gestation and passed away on August 24.

I can't imagine suffering such a great loss. Ashley, her husband Jake, and their families are very strong people.

In January 2010 their family grew once more when a third son, Caleb, was born.

These two sweet little boys have kept Ashley and Jake very busy. When Zac and I revealed the gender of little baby Chapman, Ashley welcomed me to the boy club and told me "It's so fun and quite the ride".

This past November, Ashley and her family made the announcement that they were expecting baby number 4! (How cute are all of her handsome guys in vests?!)

And not too long after, they discovered that baby number four was a girl! Bring on the pink! Have you seen a more adorable pregnant woman? I think not.

On June 2, Ashley and her family were blessed once more when they welcomed Isabella Grace into the world. Congratulations on the newest addition!

This sweet little princess is lucky to have three older older brothers to look after and protect her. Ryan is no doubt smiling upon her.

This August is Ryan's fifth birthday and marks the fifth anniversary of Ryan's Closet. Ashley and her family have turned Ryan's memory into a great cause by creating a non profit organization called Ryan's Closet. To honor Ryan and help out other families with preemies, they collect preemie clothing and blankets throughout the summer and in August, deliver these items to local NICUs. Donations are also sent to a NICU in Uganda, Africa.

Throughout the years their non profit organization has gotten bigger and they have collected more and more donations. There are a lot of families that have been touched by all of those who have donated in honor of Ryan.

If you would like to make a donation, Ryan's Closet will be collecting items to send to the NICUs until the end of August. Please check out their Facebook page (Ryan's Closet Facebook Page) and contact the group to find out where to send donations or to set up a pickup.