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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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Mix & Match Mama

Everyday Life, Shay ·

A Day in the Life of Us


I haven’t done a “day in the life” post since last June…well, I tried back in April but that day kept going so wrong that I quit documenting it ;).  So, I decided on Monday (our first Monday of summer) that I would document our day.  I knew that it was going to be a good day…one that I would like to look back and see again in the years to come, so it was the perfect day to snap pics as we went. 
 I don’t know why…but it took me several years to get smart and realize that the first week of summer should be commitment free.  In years past, I’ve signed my kiddos up for Vacation Bible School, swim lessons or tennis camp their first week of summer…and that’s just dumb.  My kids want to relax the first week of summer and then by July, they’re ready for activities.  This summer, we’re doing less at the beginning of summer and then I signed them up for their favorite activities later in July.  Apparently, I’m a slow learner.
So, this A Day in the Life of Us post is the first to include Miss Ashby, very commitment free and fun-filled…the best kind of day!  (Also, I realized at the end of the day that I never once put on makeup and wore a swimsuit the entire day…I mean, that’s the perfect day, right?!?!)
Good morning!  I wake up early even during the summer.  I try and get as much done as I can before my kiddos wake up…this way, I can spend the day with them and not doing other stuff.

Yup.  

So, I use Andrew’s log in for his Spotify account.  Typically, he listens to Spotify every morning at the gym and I only turn it on when the kids request something in the car or whatnot.  The other day, I realized that if he’s listening to it, I can change his channel from my phone.  Oh…how I love this power :).  Often in the morning, I’ll change his workout music to something else…a little good morning I’m messing with you music :).

For this morning, I thought a little Let It Go would be funny ;).
After I finished up my work, I did my quiet time.  The BEST way to start your day is time with the Lord.
One of my favorite things to do is read the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds with that day (it was June 8, so I read chapter 8).  I have been doing this off and on for years and funny enough, our pastor had just talked about it the day before, so it was a great time to dive in that morning.

 I’m never without company…Poppy is my little sidekick…especially if Andrew isn’t home.
 After I finished my quiet time, I emptied the dishwasher while making breakfast at the same time.
I am the queen of eating the very same breakfast for six months straight and then never making it again because I’m so burned out.  Right now, this is my morning…a gluten free English muffin with jalapeno peach jam (found at my grocery store), two pieces of turkey bacon, spinach and one egg.  I have tomatoes in my garden now, so I slice up a tomato to go on the side.  I can make the entire thing by the time I’m done emptying the dishwasher.

Walking down the hall and I run into this guy who just got home from the gym :).

Big kids were up and it was this time for little sister to join them.

Mornin’ sunshine!

He’s always all smiles 🙂

Shifting laundry to the dryer and adding more to the washer.

 We’re in the process of a little addition to our house…so, it’s kind of a crazy mess right now.  Andrew and I are sleeping in another room and my clothes are in the entryway.  You know…that kind of mess.
Breakfast!  Waffles with peanut butter were on the menu this morning thanks to dad!

 This is like my favorite picture ever.  We were so excited not to be heading to school!  Woohoo for summer!
First stop…the gym.  The kids played while I did my class.  We’ve decided to go to the gym on Mondays and Wednesdays this summer and then I’m going to workout at home (run, yoga and such) the other days.
Post workout…two sweaty towels, one water and one protein drink both gone.

I changed out of my workout clothes and into my swimsuit and cover-up (I’m in love with this cover-up by the way!) and headed to get the kids.

We had an extra 10 minutes to kill on the way to pick up our friend Aiden, so I stopped at Starbucks.  I’m into the Iced Caramel Macchiato with coconut milk these days.

At the pool plus one (hi there Aiden!) and as you can see, my drink has been confiscated by the eldest.

We played all afternoon with friends!  Narci and I were watching the boys jump in.

Sheaffer played with Ashby while I reapplied sunscreen on the big kids.

And then I feasted on lunch.  We bring lunch from home to the pool on days when we don’t go to the gym…but on gym days, we get lunch at the pool because I don’t want my food sitting in the hot car while I’m inside the gym.

A pineapple popsicle for the win.

 Around 2ish, we packed up and headed home.  Ashby went straight down for a nap and then I did some more laundry.  Sheet day.

Smith played with his paper airplane…

…I love being a boy mom :).

I sat back down at my desk with two drinks (one hot and one cold) and worked on a vacation for my favorite clients…

…I called Mr. Shull and told him we need to nail down the final details on our summer vacation.  Working on my own trips is always more fun than working on someone else’s ;).

Kensington asked me to read with her…and so I did.  Love this girl.

Then, we had a pie to make for my foodie blog…
…I have the best assistant around!

At 5:15, I went looking for Smith (who had been M.I.A. for a while).  As I suspected, he had carried his snack off to his room, eaten it and then put himself down for a nap.  This kid.

After getting Smith up, I walked next door and go this one up too.  All smiles.

Headed to my garden for basil for tonight’s supper.

And walked past the construction on my patio.  

 The three best flavors in the world.

You got to photograph it before you can eat it around here.

Dinner.

After our burgers, we headed out back to swim with Andrew.

Today, was like a staycation for us on our first official Monday of summer.  Not every day is errand free, fun at the pool, do nothing…but some summer days sure are.

This one.

 My view from the front as I dried off.
And my view from behind.

While Andrew got the kids all showered and into pajamas…I put away the laundry.

I love when Andrew says things like “it’s not that heavy”…yeah, right.  We have a new TV cabinet in the upstairs family room, so we had to carry the old one downstairs and out to the garage.  His definition of not that heavy and mine are two different things :).

 Two clean girls in pjs about to head to bed.
I showered and washed my hair in another bathroom (because there are box springs and a dresser  in my bathroom right now).

And twisted my hair into a wet bun for tomorrow’s waves.

Watched one episode of House of Cards while wrapping Ashby’s birthday gifts and eating a brownie…

Crawled into bed and watched about 10 minutes of King of Queens…

…before calling it a night at 10:03.
The next morning, we woke up and had a three year old girl living at our house :).
That was our Monday.  
You know what I didn’t have on that Monday that would have been delicious…
…this Margarita Float.
Oh.my.goodness.
To see how I made my float, click here.
Happy Wednesday!
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Comments

  1. Ramona says

    That right there is the definition of the perfect day in my book. Thanks for letting us take a peek.

  2. Anonymous says

    What brand of gluten free English muffin do you buy? Are you completely gluten free now? I am looking for good gluten free options. Thanks!!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      They're Food For Life found in my freezer department. I'm not gluten free but Andrew tries to be most days…and so instead of buying two different types, I just eat his :).

  3. Anonymous says

    Hi Shay! I have been reading your blog for years and it has been so great watching your transition with Ashby seeing such a great change in her. I have also loved seeing such a change in you as well (not that there was ever anything wrong, of course) but you are carrying around such an infectious light and happiness since she has joined your family, it's very inspiring and wonderful to see. If it comes through so strongly on your blog I can't imagine how inspiring it is in real life! Thanks for opening your family up to us!

  4. Sarah Kuykendall says

    I love these posts! And you are so right about starting summer activities a few weeks into break. I need to try that next year! Can't wait to see the fun house project going on. Enjoy summer!

  5. Narci says

    What a fun day!! I'm so glad that we get to spend out summer days with you, friend! Xoxo 🙂

    • Paula says

      Have you tried Fair Trade Skim milk? I use FF, 80 calories, 6 carbs, 13 g protein…with a chocolate scoop…oh my! I also add 1 cup off cold coffee….no lie….HEAVENLY…A healthy chocolate mocha! 🙂

  8. Erika Slaughter says

    What a great day!! A swim suit from practically sun up until sun down is my kind of day!!

  10. Laura P. says

    Always looking for a cute 2 piece swimsuit–where is yours from? Thanks! Love your blogs:)

  13. Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says

    Just like you said at the pool on Monday…there is no doubt that these are THE BEST days of our lives. (Cue the Jeopardy music from Erika.) 🙂

  14. Anonymous says

    Awesome….Loving Life!!! Sounds like the perfect day. 🙂
    What is the addition new floors or walls are coming down? The house is a year old right???

    Thanks, Laura

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      On one wall, we're cutting out a fireplace and adding a chimney…and replacing the floors :). I know…we should have thought about it when we built the house…but sometimes, you have to live in a place before you realize what you're missing (at least that's what I keep telling myself!). Have a great day Kathy!

  17. Anonymous says

    Swim, Swim, Swim !!! Looks like a super day! Do you have an outside cooking area? That way your house stays even cleaner….no mess!

    Courtney 🙂

  19. Katie says

    What a perfect day!! You are so organized! I am the opposite 🙂 whenever I read your blog I have dreams of being more organized. But after 33 yrs of chaos… A girl can dream 🙂 happy summer!'

  20. Anonymous says

    I love these posts!!! If Ashby and Smith nap that late, will they still go to bed? What time? We often get home late from the pool and I'm afraid to put my little ones down in fear they won't go to bed.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      They're so tired from swimming that they still go to sleep at night. They wear themselves out :).

  21. Lindsay (LindsayWeighsIn) says

    Geez, I want to be a Shull! 😉 Sounds like a fun day and a wonderful first day of Summer!

  22. Anonymous says

    These are my favorite! When you work out at home, when do you find the time? And also, how far do you run? I know you're getting a ton of questions, but I would LOVE a reply!!! 🙂

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      After Andrew is home from the gym eating breakfast and getting ready for work (the morning). Three miles is my favorite distance to run because I can do it pretty quickly and call it a day.

  23. Tanner Henshaw says

    I love your laundry room! Is that pink wall paper I spy?! Do tell! 🙂

    -Monica

  24. Jenna says

    Such a fun day! You have such a sweet family! I also love your nail color! Can you tell me what color it is??

  25. Angela Betlewicz says

    Our women class completed that Bible study! Very good. Also, you brownies look much more appetizing than mine ever do! Love these posts 🙂

  26. Lindsay Otis says

    For your everyday pictures do you use your phone or the camera, as well? Love your blog!

    Lindsayotis.blogspot.com

  27. Anonymous says

    Thanks for sharing….SO inspiring. 🙂
    Would you please tell what kind of hardwood floors you have in your home? They look GREAT!

    Laura U. 🙂

  28. Anonymous says

    Looks like a lot of fun!
    Are you putting together you TV cabinet? Where did you get it from?
    Please share we are looking to get one like it. 🙂 ~Elizabeth

  29. Helen Truesdale says

    LOVE these posts! One day when I welcome a little one(s) into the world, I hope to be half the fun, dedicated mom you are! You are so inspiring!

  31. Anonymous says

    Fun post! How do you eat such great food and be so thin!? Do you only have a few bites of your dinner burger, or half that salad for lunch? :)) Thanks, Shay

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I mean…it's a combination of so many things. I exercise regularly, I stay away from sodas (diet or regular)/chips/cookies/snacky packaged foods and eat in moderation. On this day, I ate all of my breakfast, drank that protein drink, had most of my salad (my friends laugh because I typically eat all of the good stuff out and leave most of the lettuce…you know like the avocado, egg, bacon, bleu cheese, tomatoes and stuff), a Popsicle, I had trail mix with my afternoon coffee, half of that burger along with extra tomatoes and then a brownie. I try not to beat myself up over food…I just eat good things most of the time and indulge from time to time.

  33. dresselfamily.blogspot.com says

    these are my fav posts!!!!
    What a fun day!
    I hope you do a room makeover post once it's done!!

  34. Anonymous says

    I know both you and Andrew are healthy and strong.
    I love that you give youself a treat everyday.
    how would you feel if one of you gained weight? like 30/40 lb. You are like the Ken & barbie model couple. Are you both naturally thin or do your hard to look like that?..that's a compliment by the way.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      When we got married, Andrew weighed 60 pounds more than he does now…and I thought he was a hottie then and I would if it happened again :). As for me, I think I have pretty good genes.

  35. Emily says

    Where did you find Smith's sheets? And where did you get your fun office folder? I love fun office supplies!!

  36. Tracy says

    Swimsuit all day? Best kind of day! You have tomatoes ready to eat? I'm so jealous! Where I live they won't be ready to eat until later this summer. Cracking up at you changing Andrew's music!

  37. Anonymous says

    HI!! What kind of whipped topping do you have there on your brownie? cool whip? or, do you make it homemade?! Thanks, Shay 🙂

  38. Paula says

    Mundane is FABULOUS!

    I had a dream about you last night. I was in the grocery store and I saw your 3 kiddos were pushing the small cart. I knew right away. I refrained from being over excited and introducing myself to them, because the "Mommy warning" knew better. But, when you came around the corner I couldn't help it. You were very kind and gracious in the dream, I assume the same in real life…lol

  39. Rebecca Jo says

    That bathing suit cover up is FANTASTIC!!!

    When I saw that bowl next to Smith in the bed, I thought, OH NO – sick baby… glad to see it was just a eaten snack 🙂

  40. KellyinPA says

    What a great day! Take it from a mom of 6 and mimi of soon to be 8, these ARE the best days of your lives:) Oh, there are other great days and wonderful things in store for you but I still treasure those lazy, hazy days of summer when all my kids were younger. You are making wonderful memories, enjoy!!

  41. Anonymous says

    what time do your little ones go to bed in the summer and what time do they wake up?

  42. Anonymous says

    Shay,
    you are an incredible mother, but do you ever have freak outs and crappy mommy moments??
    what's your discipline method? your children look like they are incredibly well behaved.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I do think I have pretty great kiddos myself…but of course, we have crappy moments. Right now, typically a warning works for them, if not, they usually need a little quiet time (in their room, away from their siblings). They also don't like going to bed early and iPad time removed.

  43. Anonymous says

    would you be willing to do a post on finances?
    obviously you do great in this area, do you have a system or a great budget system?

  44. Anonymous says

    God is so good all of the time! You and your family are so precious. So delighted that as young parents that you and your husband are on track in spending time with your children. It is a blessing to older traditional families to see this. We have built a new home recently. May I ask the type of shutter blind window treatments on your door and windows?

  45. Beve says

    I'm also using Jesus Calling and a book from Proverbs. Which translation of the Bible are you using? I'm looking for a new one.

  46. Jill Blazevic says

    Just have to say, after your post the other day with the Halogen tees that were on sale I ordered several colors to check them out. I got the first yesterday and I LOVE it! What a great tshirt! I like them better than my J Crew tees that I stocked up on last summer. Thanks for the recommendation, and they were a great deal on sale too.

  47. Laura says

    I'm curious what kind of camera and lens you're using for your food pics! Your photos are amazing!

  48. Mandy says

    That breakfast sandwich sounds divine! Also, where is your red swimsuit top from? So cute!

  49. Karen S. says

    Love these posts!!! I would love to see a post on all your phone apps. I am always curious about all the amazing apps I am missing out on……….. 😉 have a blessed rest of your week!! xox

  50. Anonymous says

    Hi Shay! You sure have action-packed days, with only 6ish hours of sleep per night! Are you exhausted throughout the day, or are you full of energy? What's your 4:00am wake-up secret? 🙂

  51. Anonymous says

    Could you please explain how you go to sleep at 10 and are up by 4:30 with enough energy to conquer the day?! I would need a nap! 🙂

  52. Anonymous says

    Fun in the sun….what summer is about! How long is your "addition" going to take?
    Will you post pics when it's finished. Love room makeovers and you definitely have the touch. 🙂
    Thanks for sharing with us!!!

  55. Lindsay at Lindsay'sSweetWorld says

    Sounds like the perfect day, and a fabulous way to kick off summer!

    <3 Linds at LindsaysSweetWorld.blogspot.com

  56. Mary-Beth says

    I love my life and my family, but I'm a little jealous of your life. You know you're a mom when your jealous that someone has time to go to the pool AND finish laundry! Why can't I ever seem that accomplished? 😉

  57. Kent Harms says

    These are my favorite posts on your blog! I just love seeing how another family spends their day, right down to the minutia of the last ten minutes of a show they watched! Thanks for doing them, they are so fun =)
    -Sara

  59. live compassionately says

    Bahahahahaha! I love that you changed Andrew's music to Let It Go! So funny! I love Iced Caramel Macchiatos too and had never thought about trying it with coconut milk! I will have to try that! Have a great day!

  60. Tanya says

    I love summer and easy days by the pool. When you have multiple swim times in one day, it's always a win. I look forward to reading your blog every day!

  61. Kelly says

    Loved what you said about the waffles and peanut butter thanks to dad! We call those "daddy waffles" here at our house and my two year old requested them for breakfast just the other day. Not just a waffle…a daddy waffle : ) Love your blog!!

  62. Erica Gammon says

    Great post!! I loved it and I love your bathing suit too!!!! Where is it from??

  64. Katie says

    Shay- I love your red bathing suit! Do you mine sharing wear you bought it? Great post!!

  65. Allison O says

    Such a great day! Kind of a personal question but after your babies did you have stretch marks? If so, what did you do to lessen their appearance? I aspire to be back in a red bikini too!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I totally have stretch marks on my tummy! I decided years ago that I worked hard for those babies and should just appreciate them ;).

  66. Christen Davenport says

    What time do you actually wake up? Love that you have smooth mornings before the kiddies get up!

  67. Chicago Mom (Heather) says

    I love a girl who still eats! And you rock a bikini? Amazeballs. 🙂

  69. Anonymous says

    Just wondering if you shower at the gym after your workout & wash your hair? Do you wash your hair every night? I am new to working out and before I only washed my hair every other day but now with sweating I feel like I should wash it more? Just always curious what other people do for their workout/beauty routines:)

  70. Michelle says

    Love this post. Just seemed real and down to earth. Do more like this 🙂 Sounds like the perfect day! Hope Ashby had a great birthday yesterday. I'm sure you all loved getting to celebrate with her. She is the cutest. All your kids are cute of course, but I just love reading updates on her. We have family in Forth Worth, but have never been to McKinney. But from your pictures and the way you talk about it, it just seems like the nicest, prettiest town! I wanna visit someday 🙂

  72. Bianca Catalano says

    Love the romper/cover-up! What size are you wearing? Thank you!! Happy belated birthday to Ashby!!

  73. Jeanie says

    What a great day! It's so nice that Andrew helps out. The picture of you with the dog behind you is perfection!

  75. Jen R says

    I'm not sure why, but i love reading "a day in the life of the shulls" haha! I'm so glad this go 'round went better for you!
    Ok… totally off topic and VERY random, but I love your floors. The wooden looking one, where Smith was playing with the airplane…do you happen to know what it is or where it came from? we're redoing floors right now 🙂

    ♥ Jen
    A Splash of Life Blog

  76. Carrie says

    I just love these posts. Do more! 🙂 What is that topping that is always on your brownie?

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

  78. Anonymous says

    Forgive me if I seem rude, but I could swear you e said you prefer to NOT drink your calories multiple times and you have also mentioned you don't drink alcohol. Please clarify. 🙂

  79. Mix and Match Mama says

    You're exactly right! I have said multiple times that I prefer to eat my calories instead of drink them (which is why I don't typically drink things with calories like sodas, sweet tea, juice and/or alcohol), but I've never said that I never drink calories. I absolutely do from time to time! If given the choice between a margarita and a cupcake…I'd prefer to eat the cupcake…but that doesn't mean that I never drink calories. I just don't drink them that often. All things in moderation is my motto :).

  82. Lindsay says

    These have always been my most favorite posts in the years I've been reading your blog 🙂

  83. Elizabeth Birenbaum says

    I love the little behind the scenes photo there! I always wonder how foodie bloggers get such good pictures, but I'm guessing its the natural lighting and the camera and your good photo skills 🙂 Maybe a Shade of Shay could be taking pictures for your foodie blog? I could use all the photo help I could get!

  85. Kylie says

    What a fun day! 🙂 And your morning quiet time reading materials look exactly like mine! 😉 haha Love Jesus Calling. I actually did the "Ever After" study last fall with some women from my church, and really liked it. Just curious, but when you do a study like that on your own, do you also watch the accompanying videos? Or just stick to the book? I am getting ready to start "Seamless" by Angie Smith with a small group of women next week as our summer study, and I'm really looking forward to it. Here's to summer! 🙂 Have a great weekend!

  86. Aubrey says

    Such an amazing way to kick off the first day of summer! As soon as I get these 274 boxes unpacked, I solemnly swear to get to the pool before lunch. 🙂

  87. Abby Brooks says

    Girlfriend, you can pack a day with so much fun stuff! Like seriously. God has gifted you in time management. I am also crazy impressed that you wake up so early. Your family is absolutely adorable and precious!!!! And I really love your nail polish color! Have you ever heard of Vinyl Lux nail polish? You should think about ordering some on amazon! You just paint your nail normally with the nail polish and then you use their fancy top coat (that part is essential, so if you do order their polish definitely get their top coat, too). They claim to stay chip-free for 7 days but mine do chip a little bit before then, but overall they do last much longer than regular nail polish! You just seem to be a nail polish expert, so if you do end up trying it, please let me know how it goes! 🙂 Have a fabulous weekend Shay!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      They're not really a brand. They're four inch wood planks. After they were installed, they were lightly scraped vertically and then stained with an espresso stain. Hope this helps!!

  91. Anonymous says

    Could you please comment on the expresso stain for the floors? They're beatiful and was just wondering how to duplicate them if that's possible. 🙂

    Thanks,
    Laura

  92. Anonymous says

    Sorry….is that the same flooring in the bundle in your bedroom, that is in the rest of the house? What flooring company do you use? Just LOVE the look!!!

    Thanks,
    Laura

  94. Lisa says

    Hi Shay – It’s great to look back at your old blog posts! I wonder how the new addition turned out and what it was? I completely understand how hectic it can be while re-doing a room…ahhh #amen for those handy men & women out there!

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