Hey there life lately.
So, I was a bit blown away by the comments yesterday. First of all, thank you so much for praying for my sweet friend Manda. She is such a fighter and your prayers and words of encouragement meant so much to all of us. Second of all, I’m praying for so many of you who left comments about how you’re faking Christmas this year too. Praying friends. I’m praying for all of us. xo
Okay, here’s a random assortment of things we’ve been up to lately…
Raise your hand if you’re going to be shocked if they don’t get married? (I’m pretty sure all of our hands are up!) Bowen and Ashby…never has there been a sweeter friendship.
S. Lowe squared.
How I love our Samuel so very much!
This one right here. I love her so much too!
She has the happiest little personality!
On Saturday, the big kids both started basketball. This is Smith’s second year and Kensington’s first. I think this picture sums them up: she brought a stuffed animal and he’s trying to get away to go play. 🙂
We stopped at our favorite diner for pancakes in between basketball games. Love these people!
Okay…we stopped for pancakes AND hot chocolate!
My four before church…
…there’s always a ham in every family. We found ours.
I thought I needed a picture with this handsome fella too :).
Madeley and I killed time waiting at her doctor’s office with selfies…
…and little baby mugshots too! Bahahaha! Love this one!
That’s life lately.
We’ve had a busy week of Christmas cheer. Yesterday, I shared our Jammy Cocoa Christmas tradition, we had Andrew’s office party on Tuesday night and last night, I hosted a little birthday party. ‘Tis the season!
Erika Slaughter says
My hand was up too!! That last picture of Madeley…be still my heart. Absolutely precious. ❤️❤️❤️
Susan Jeffries says
I am sorry you are struggling this season. I will pray for your friend and for you also. I love looking at your kids’ photos. Our daughter is almost 16 and I miss those days so much. But I love having a teenager too – you have that to look forward to(: Susan
Sierra Bufalino says
I love your updates. I appreciate your honesty and I’m so inspired by your family. I hope Santa brings the Shulls a selfie stick this year! I think that would be perfect for your family of 6! Cheers from South Korea!
Kelly says
All the pics = so lovely
Megan says
Ashby and Bowen’s relationship is so adorable. Start planning the wedding!
We had only one decide to play basketball this year and I have to admit that I’m not sad that we don’t have that awkward amount of time to kill between games. But hot chocolate is the perfect way to pass the time!
http://www.lettinginthelightblog.com/
Beth says
How cute is Madeley?! Love all of those pictures. Your kids are precious!! Thanks for making me smile to start my day!
Melissa says
Prayed for a Christmas miracle for your friend and her family and I’ll continue to keep them in my prayers. Love the church pic, they are all so adorable! Any chance you recall the eye shadow and lipstick you are wearing in the pic with the red scarf with Madeley? Thanks.
Sheaffer Sims says
That before church pic with Madeley bending over and everybody looking at her adoringly. LOVE. And that pic of K and S before basketball is too cute!
Ann says
The holidays are so wonderful and also so tough with so many emotions. Praying. Can you please share anout your striped shirt and scarf your wearing thanks.
Connie says
Would you share where those adorable red dresses are from?
Mix and Match Mama says
Sure! Janie and Jack!
Sarah says
Awww love Ashby and Bowen!!! Also, girl you rock!!! You are so busy (four kiddos, tons of events, housework, cooking, cookbooks, etc!!) and still manage to blog!! You’re my hero! I find the blog is (sadly) the first thing to go when life gets busy. Thanks for the encouragement that it CAN be done! 🙂
Hope you have a great day!
-Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com
Narci says
Bowen and Ashby together are just precious!
Amy says
You have done so much lately! All sounds like so much fun! Here’s some mom advice for you….I hope today you can just take it easy and take a nap with the Makeley-YOU deserve it! Plus Burrr it’s cold outside! I’m in Mckinney too!
Banks Covington says
What kind of car do you drive?? Interested in one for my littles.
Lizzie @ This Happy Life says
All the pictures of your kids are just adorable!
Karen says
Hey Shay!
Somehow through reading your blog every morning & watching pics on Instagram, you and your friends feel like extended family to me. As I read about Manda & began to think about how their holidays might be a struggle to be quite as jolly as normal, I had an idea. Is there a way to safely set up an address or PO box that we could send a little love their way? Maybe some surprises would lift their spirits a bit? Favorite snacks/holiday books, etc..Just a thought..so many prayers going out to their family! Thank you for always sharing your heart with us❤️
Kristen says
My family has had a seriously rough time. My husband’s job caught fire back in August and it went downhill from there. Currently we’re staying with cousins. This time of year is usually my absolute favorite time of year, but this year it’s a struggle to just smile and fake it, but I do because my kids deserve to think mom is happy. So I get it. Prayers to you, your family, and your sweet friend. <3
Paula says
Bowen & Ashby-sweetest!
Family picture before church-darling!
Samuel-mercy that boy is so cute! Happiest boy! That video your brother post of him giggling-just so cute!
Lots of prayers for Manda!
Krysta says
Ashby and Bowen make my heart smile! So darn cute!
Jaren says
Prayers for Manda! It makes my heart hurt. I’ve totally been there where I’ve had to fake it, and I’ll admit I’m not any good at it.
Maria D. says
Madeley looks so happy in all of the recent pictures – she’s really bonded and become such a great part of your family. Looks like you are really keeping busy!
Nicole says
Do you happen to know the lipstick color you are wearing in most of these pictures? I love the way it looks on you!
Lynn says
Shay! You are such a wonderful person, friend, mother, wife and christian. I love your blog and look forward to reading it each day! Sending prayers to you and your sweet friend. And if you don’t mind could you share your lipstick and eye shadow you’re wearing with the red scarf with Madeley?! Beautiful!
Mix and Match Mama says
The lipstick is from Bobbi Brown. It’s Cosmic Lily.
Corbie says
I didn’t get a chance to reply yesterday. I always read during “get ready for school” time and yesterday that “time” didn’t go so well. Is it Friday yet?? I was so sad to ready your news/update yesterday and am praying my heart out for Mandy and her family. She is so blessed to have such a great group of friends to support her during this time. Here in CA there are 9 of us friends doing the same thing right now for a dear friend and family going through a different, yet incredibly difficult situation. Life can be hard, messy, sad, etc at times but we can pray, lean on the Lord, lean on each other and cry our eyes out together. God does really reveal himself during these times and there is beauty in that. Hugs Shay!
Ariadna says
I’m still praying for you and your family/friends. But thank you for sharing some adorable pictures of your kiddos!! Madeley’s smile just brightened up my day and Ashby and Bowen are so cute together! Question, does Kensington still say she’s going to marry Luke? Wouldn’t it be awesome to have your best friends as in-laws? Have a great day!!
Mix and Match Mama says
She does still love her some Luke McAnally :).
Stephanie Hankin says
I love that Kensington brought a stuffed animal to basketball practice! So cute. 🙂
Angela Ellingson says
Such joy! And my hand is definitely raised regarding Bowen and Ashby! They are so sweet together! How many couples could say they’ve been best friends since they were TWO!? haha
Rebecca Jo says
You can FEEL Madeley’s laugh in all her pictures… She is just the happiest! Why shouldn’t she be? 😉
Courtney says
Those pictures of Madeley make me smile. I’d love to hear more about the adoption processes with Madeley – you have me thinking, Shay! 🙂
Jennifer M says
Every day I mean to leave a comment as to how much I look forward to your posts. I too am faking it this holiday season, but I just love to see your beautiful family and adorable kids. Thanks to you for sharing. It means a lot!
Carole says
The love sure shines thru all of your photos !!!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says
Praying for your friend Manda during this season 🙂 I love all the smiles in these photos and you really are inspiring with all that you have going on!!
Xo
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
http://www.cupcakendreams.com
Lindsay @ Lindsay's Sweet World says
Oh my word, that picture of the three girls in their matching red dresses is just priceless. What a sweet little bunch you guys have, Shay!
Kristi Thetford says
You know whats crazy! is how much I love to read about your family! I want one just like it, Its crazy how I don’t speak to you but I love how cute your kids are, y’all are just picture perfect. Anyway Bowen and Ashby that picture is the absolute cutest, and I love K & S basketball pic hahah I’m glad she is getting both experience in dancing and sports… So fun!!!!
Megan Butler says
The kids all dressed up!! Seriously the sweetest.
Kristin says
I missed yesterday’s post but just saw and I’m sorry about your friend! It’s so hard to get news like that any time, but especially during the holidays when everyone feels like they MUST be happy and festive all the time. And it’s tough when you’re blogging and on social media and feel like everyone thinks you have this perfect life. I’m faking it a bit this year, too. Praying for everyone!
Lauren says
I missed yesterday’s post somehow but just read it and it struck a chord. Thank you for your realness. Thank you for reaffirming your faith – you do a great job of spreading this and it can’t always be happy days so I appreciate the ‘human-ness’ (is that a word?) of your post when sadness strikes. And I’m praying for Manda too! I’m sure you can’t share too many details but if you would please give us a few updates when you can. And on a last fun note, I am going to add that white/red/black plaid scarf to my Christmas list!
Ann says
The holidays can be a time of joy but also a difficult time for many people I’m praying for you and your sweet friend. Can you please share wear your striped shirt and plaid scarf or from thank you
Mix and Match Mama says
The tee is from Gap and the scarf, J Crew.
Rachel says
Your four kids and your nephew are all adorable…love Samuel’s round little head! Didn’t take long for Madeley to find her personality, did it!?!?
Becky Carl says
I’m just sitting here thinking about what a wonderful legacy you are leaving for your children, grandchildren, and generations to come. I love all your posts and your sweet family pictures. You are an amazing person!
Cheryl says
I remember the pictures of Madeley when they first dropped her off to you. She looked scared but now she has blossomed into a beautiful happy part of your family. You all look so wonderful and blessed. I know this year has been hard for you and sometimes you are faking it but they say “Fake it till you make it” God has you in his hands just as he does your friend. I know this is hard but you are doing it. Hang in there! Hugs and blessings