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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, Life Lately ·

Life Lately


It’s a little life lately for your Thursday.  Don’t forget, tomorrow I announce the FIVE winners of my giveaway…

…so to enter to win a pair of my favorite Ugg slippers, click HERE.  Winners announced TOMORROW!

Okay…here’s a little look into our life…

Sweet Ashby had her sixth procedure on Thursday morning.  Look at that smile!  She’s so brave.  This sixth one was our hardest to date.  Her regular anesthesiologist was caught in the operating room with another patient longer than expected, so we had to use another one and things didn’t go as well.  She woke up in tremendous pain, so they had to come in and put her back to sleep.  They also worked on not just her hand this time, but her elbow too…so recovery has been different.  At the beginning, we were hoping she would only need six of these procedures…but now, it’s looking like she’ll need many, many, many more.  The good news is that it’s working…but my mama heart hurts for my girl.

I was up volunteering at my kids’ school and saw this as I walked down the hallway.  Sweet Smith and his snowman :).

I could do an entire post on Madeley and Samuel.  They are fascinated with each other.

I love how she grabs his cheek.  Oh goodness!  They are just so sweet!

The gang was all there for Saturday morning basketball!

Watching your big cousins play basketball is exhausting.

On Saturday night, Kensington had a birthday party at the art studio on our town square.  I just love how she dresses herself.  I mean…this girl has my whole heart.

While Kensington was at the party, the rest of us ate pizza on the square.

And then after we picked her up…we made what I hope will become one of the best decisions of our entire marriage…

…we bought a Sleep Number.

I know…the bed saga continues over at the Shull’s house.

Between basketball and that birthday party, we went to two other mattress stores and just didn’t love anything.  We knew we wanted to return our Tempur-Pedic (it’s been a month and we just aren’t sleeping great), but we didn’t know what to get.  During dinner, we said we would go to Sleep Number after.  I don’t know why we had been so hesitant about getting a Sleep Number…but we were.  And then we tried one out.  And now, I’m convinced they were made my angels.  Andrew is a 45, I’m a 25…and together, we are now oh so happy!

My kids were big fans too!  We spent an hour in the store and left very happy with our new purchase.  The Tempur-Pedic went back and the Sleep Number came home…and this concludes the 5 week drama over the mattress in the Shull house.  Amen.

On Sunday,  this girl wanted to bake with me.  The older Kensington gets, the more she becomes like me.  I try not to tell her that all the time…because I want her to be her and not think about being me, but oh my word…she’s so much like me!  She knew I had to bake some cupcakes, so she came downstairs while the little girls were napping and asked if she could help and if we could go for a walk outside and do yoga after.  I mean…that’s so me.  And then Tuesday, while we were waiting for Ashby to be done doing speech, she pulled French vocabulary cards out of her bag and asked me to quiz her.  I mean…she’s my girl.

Later on Sunday, after my walk and yoga with Kensington, this one asked me to go for a bike ride with him.  How do I resist those dimples?  I don’t.

And then on Tuesday, Madeley and I were running errands and had to stop at Hobby Lobby.  I was browsing through the scrapbooking aisle when I realized something…my poor fourth child will never have a scrapbook.  I did an awesome one for Kensington, a pretty good one for Smith, I started one (but never finished) for Ashby and I’m not even going to pretend to do one for Madeley…

…I told her to check out mixandmatchmama.com for pictures from her childhood.  Sorry Madeley.  It’s just not going to happen.  #shedoesntseemtocare

And now, Andrew is snowboarding with Sean and some friends, so I’m solo this week.  Ashby has speech therapy in an office right above a pizza restaurant, so after we all left speech, we had pizza and calamari…

…and that’s a pretty good night :).

One last picture…I was bringing the trashcans back to the garage from the street and found the four of them like this.  Four is a great number.  If you have three and you’re contemplating four…allow me to encourage you to go for it.  I like four.  Four is so much fun 🙂 .

That’s life lately!

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Comments

  1. Erika Slaughter says

    Can I encourage you to start trying to get more people in your selfies? It appears as though you aren’t squeezing enough people in. Hahahahahaha!!

  3. Angel Varney says

    I can’t believe you just said that at the end….we have three and I go back and forth a lot on four:) you’re an encouragement Shay Shull!

  6. Narci says

    What a great life lately!! So many sweet pictures that I don’t even know where to start! Love the last picture of their feet touching! Precious!

  9. jamie says

    SLEEP NUMBER! we need a bed badly. how did you find your numbers? how’s that all work? i feel like i would have to take a good nap in the store on my number just to be certain??!? i’m looking forward to an update on how much you’re loving your sleep number coziness. madeley grabbing samuel’s cheek is SO precious. i look so forward to meeting you hear each morning. you make my heart explode with inspiration each day. today i need to go get some of your favorite tea {at my favorite target}!

  11. Lesley McFarland says

    Oh sweet Ashby….that girl is a trooper. ALWAYS has a smile on that sweet face.
    I must add 4 looks good on you girl!! I know your house is a little on the crazy side but you seem to handle it like a champ!!

  13. Mary Woods says

    What lipstick are you wearing in the last picture with you and Smith? Also, your skin looks great are you doing something different?

  14. Jenn says

    I hope you love your Sleep Number as much as I love mine. We have had it for almost 3 years and it was the best decision we have ever made! My husband can toss and turn as much as he wants and I don’t even notice. Sleep well! 🙂

    • Sarah N. says

      Yes! My husband moves all night and it kept me awake. We have our own numbers and we both sleep soundly. BEST purchase we have made since we got married. It’s well worth the money!

  15. Natalie Hoover says

    Sounds a great week so far.. glad you got rid of your old bed and got a new one.. How do you do your scrapbooks for your kids.? . I’m starting a few and was curious and would love to know how you do yours..have a great day..

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Waaaaaaay back in the day, I did scrapbooks for the first year of their lives. I was kind of obsessed with them back then :).

      • Michal says

        So glad another can relate! My first two have beautiful handmade scrapbooks that I spent forever on…my third I didn’t get far and my fourth no way. I figure when they are grown I will have so much time to go back and complete them! Love being a mom of four too! There is always a friend to play (or bicker) with 🙂

  20. Lindsey says

    Do you have details on your mom’s outfit? I love the sleeves on her shirt! The jeans are cute too!!!

  21. Gaby says

    I’m only the second child and my mom gave me my baby scrapbook on my 21st birthday! She worked on it when I left for college. Never too late 🙂

  23. Brooke Richardson says

    I think 4 is the new 2. ?? I’ll be there soon! Loved this post and all the sweet pictures! Madeley and Samuel though,,,,oh my soul!!

  25. Vanda says

    Love how your sweet children always look so happy! Also your mama has such great style! Do you think she would up for doing a post on her style someday? I would love it!

  26. Lisa Guinan says

    Thank you sooooo much for sharing your delight in how much you like your sleep number!!!! This weekend, im heading there to check them out! I have back issues and need a new mattress! ******Did you get the series i 10 ??????

  27. Jennie says

    Your mom’s outfit is so cute! I searched Nordstrom for her top but came up empty handed. Help a sister out? And I just looooove your life lately posts – they are so full of obvious love!!!

  28. LisaD says

    You make it all (parenting four) look so easy! I was generally crazy when I was a Mommy of three little ones….. But I’m an awesome Nana now! Love all the great pics.

  31. heidi says

    My first baby has a scrapbook of her first month. . That’s it .. and I didn’t get around to the others but I have friends that have staying doing the digital books instead and are loving it.
    Ashby is so brave what a precious girl

  32. Tracy says

    I used to be a scrapbooker as well but kinda fizzled out. Eventually I’ll finish up their albums (but may do it digitally!).

    I had NO idea you could return a mattress. How did I not know this? Glad you finally found something that works. My hubby has talked about looking at those as well.

  33. Erica Canfield says

    Check out the Project Life app (no affiliation, just love how quick and easy it makes scrapbooking! It doesn’t hurt that the woman behind the app,Becky Higgins, is such a nice/fun/inspiring person!) I had the same issue as you, the more kids, the fewer the scrapbooks. This app allows you to make the pages on your phone and order the prints directly from there. Quality is amazing, it is so easy and fun! I can put together a page while I’m waiting in the car pick up line!

    • Charlotte Richardson says

      I totally agree with Erica! The Project Life app is AMAZING! I do one layout per week then print them all into a photo book at the end of the year. It could not be easier! I spend 10-15 minutes each weekend putting the layout together (on my iPhone or iPad), save and go.

      Oh, and PS…..you’re going to LOVE that sleep number bed! Best decision we ever made.

  34. Taylor says

    My Mom has almost the exact same thing that Miss Ashby does in her left arm. I know as a child she had to have about 14 surgeries, and I know that STUNK. But now, it’s a distant memory – a thing of the past! It’s funny to me when we get our nails done and someone asks about her arm (it still looks a little funny) because it’s just not something anyone thinks about anymore! There is so much joy now and ahead in Ashby’s sweet little life!! I will be praying for strength and perseverance as you wade through the midst of this!

  35. Kelly says

    Your day in the life posts are just the best! So much to love! You guys are just inspiring. Thank you for sharing!

  36. Sheaffer Sims says

    That picture of Kensington headed to the party makes me want to bawl. She looks SOOOOOO grown up!!!!!

  37. Amber Walker says

    We LOVE our Sleep Number!!! I’m a 45 and my husband is a 70. I have NO IDEA how he can sleep on it that firm but it works for him so I’m glad I can make mine softer. I can’t wait to hear how you guys do with it!!

  38. Angela Ellingson says

    Those sweet baby cousins! They are both so cute! I totally know what you mean about K reminding you of yourself. My Clara is my mini me too. We have three now, but we’ve always always wanted four. ❤

  39. Shannon says

    You need to check out Project Life. It is simple and quick “pocket scrapbooking.” You can also use the app make your scrapbook pages right on your phone and have them printed and shipped to your door!

  41. Amber says

    That sweet mama of yours is stunning! I wish she’d do a skincare blog. She is absolutely beautiful. Good genes in your family!

  42. Deb says

    Love your blog! I don’t know you, but feel as though I do! Just wanted to encourage you on two counts…1) the sleep number…be patient…they give you 100 days for a reason. The bed you get at home is a little “stiffer” than the one you try in the store because that one has had hundreds of people trying it. I got mine in July and it’s worth the time it takes to get used to it! I promise! 2) being the fourth child, I feel for Madeley and a scrapbook (at least you have pictures, I’m so old there are not very many pictures)…did you know you can hire someone to do a scrapbook for you or do a digital one that you just drop in the pictures and they automatically put them on pages? Just sayin…I would have loved that in my older years! 🙂

  43. Kristen says

    We swore 3 was our number and then God shocked us by blessing us with our fourth baby only 16 months after our third was born. I agree, 4 is the way to go!

  44. Kary says

    You will loooooove your Sleep Number. Best decision we ever made. Did you get any of their sheets? Holy moly. They are so amazing. Pricey but amazing. 🙂 Nothing compares to them.

  45. Ruth says

    I have a sleep number and love it. I will never go back to a regular mattress. Your Life Lately looks adorable, love those pictures of Madeley and Samuel.

  46. Emily says

    You need the Project Life app and you could do your scrapbooking on your phone. It has SAVED me. Highly, highly recommend. Watch the You-Tube tutorial. Seriously, you can whip through pages in MINUTES. It’s scrapbooking for the modern world!

  47. Julie Mayfield says

    I have four kiddos! Wouldn’t have it any other way! Perfect! Also, it’s adorable how Kensington is dressing herself….because it looks like she is trying to dress like you! Enjoy it! 🙂

  48. Katie S. says

    So glad you went for the Sleep Number! We got ours almost a year ago. We love ours! Did you by chance by their sheets/pillows? We haven’t bought Sleep Number sheets or pillows to go with ours. I’m wondering whether or not it’s worth it!?

      • Erin says

        We bought two sets of sheets and love them. If your normal sheets stay on, I don’t think it’s necessary. They are super soft though.

        • Katie S. says

          Thanks for replying to this! My husband complains about regular sheets because after you reset your number, the sheets kind of loosen from the mattress. I don’t really notice it! But he’s wanting to try the “cooling” Sleep Number sheets! Thanks again! ?

  49. Kathy Roe says

    I had 4 children too. I can remember going to a Tupperware party when I lived in Krum, Tx and getting the prize for having he most kids. Really?? It seemed that the perfect family back then was 2 kids. Well I have loved having 4 kids too. They all grew up though and now I anxiously await when they come home and bring their kids. Too much fun. You have a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing them with us!

  50. Carol says

    Thank you for sharing your lovely family and being such a good role model. You show JOY in all aspects of life. My kids are way grown but I so enjoy reading about your kiddos and life lately. P.S. A big shout out to your parents, who raised such an amazing daughter. Would love to know more about your beautiful Mom.

  51. Pam L says

    We love, love , love our sleep number bed. It was also the best decision we have made in our marriage. ?

  52. Kara says

    I can tell you that we love our sleep number. We’ve had ours for over 10 years now and it’s so hard to sleep on any other mattresses when traveling. Their sheets and pillows are amazing, too! You will love it…I mean it’s like sleeping on a cloud. 🙂

  53. Karen says

    Glad you found a bed!! Two things to know though….unless they’ve changed things in the last few years……if the power goes out you will wake up to a clicking noise and you will be flat on the base…..and watch for mold growing in the air chambers. We had these issues with ours that we had…….

  54. Cindy Beck says

    What a beautiful family you have. Ashby is such a trooper, to put it mildly. Yep, the fourth child (me) never seems to get a scrapbook…ha. I also love your mom’s cute top…..I’m now going to search the Nordstrom site to try and find it!! Thanks for sharing all your good “finds” with us. And if you DO buy a Sleep Number pillow, please let us know how it is. I’ve been eyeing one that has good reviews but you can’t return them, so I hesitate to buy it.
    We’ve been searching for a good pillow for a very long time. And I completely agree with you on the Tempurpedic…we hated ours….but others just love them. Such a personal choice.

  55. Erin says

    Our Sleep Number was a game changer! We both knew we wanted a new bed, and when we went to the Sleep Number store, I said our current bed was too hard and my husband said it was too soft! 🙂 We never knew the other felt that way, just that we weren’t happy with it. We love our Sleep Number!

  56. Heather says

    Love your posts! I don’t know how you get your kids everywhere and they always look so happy! Maybe you should do a day of break downs post! 😉 Oh wait, we as mom’s don’t take those pictures!!

  57. Erica @ Whimsical September says

    Hahaha I say the SAME thing about photobooks/baby books for my girls. I’ll just tell them to go read my blog one day where 90% of their lives are captured!!

  59. Lindsay @ Lindsay's Sweet World says

    Such a sweet little family, Shay! I just love following along with you every day. And I’m so glad that you guys got the mattress situation figured out… hubs and I will be due for a new mattress really soon, and I have no idea what we’re going to do! Sleep Number it is! Haha.

  60. Bri says

    I feel so much for sweet Ashby and you and your husband. We were just yesterday at the same location and are facing procedure #14. Best wishes, hopefully this won’t ever happen again. I know it is awful to watch as it happened one time to our girl.

  62. Jennifer says

    I want your mom’s shirt! 🙂 I’ve been searching on Nordstrom.com and I cannot find it! Do they still carry it?

  64. Megan Butler says

    Hahaha I’m dying at your plug for 4 kids!!! And I’m super impressed with Smith’s snowman!!! It’s really good.

  65. Bekah Bruce says

    I love that last little line…I’ve always wanted four and just now we are starting our licensing process to foster (and hopefully adopt) our #4. <3

  66. Lizzie @ This Happy Life says

    Ok, you’ve convinced me we need 4! 🙂 We have 3 and I absolutely the oddness of it but something is making me want 4! I love peeking into your life and seeing you find joy in the simple, everyday!

  67. Maria says

    You and your family are so sweet and supportive of each other! And my heart hurts for your little one’s surgery. How traumatic for her – and to learn that its not the last procedure as originally expected:( So hard to see kiddos – especially when they are your own – hurting!

  68. Susie Harrold says

    Shay, which post has your info about pool hair? I’ve been swimming at our local YMCA a lot, and the chlorine is doing a number on my hair. Thanks!!
    Susie

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Eeeks? It would be one from maybe two summers ago? I always put conditioner in my hair (or try to at least) before I swim. I put it on my hair either wet or dry and then hop in the pool. A few years ago my hair was getting really green but this trick helped so much!

  69. Amber says

    Crazy question I know, but I love the striped bell sleeve top your mom has on at the bball game! Do you happen to know if she purchased it recently and if so where? Thanks!

  70. Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says

    Praying for Ashby! She seems like such a strong little girl 🙂 I love that you are encouraging four kids lol I’ll have to contemplate that in the future!
    xo
    Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams 

  71. Kristine DiLauro says

    My husband and I purchased a sleep number about 2 years ago and LOVE LOVE it. We just bought our teenage son one a few months ago.

  72. Corbie says

    Ohhh that sweet picture of Kensington…. what a beauty. She is looking so grown up these days! I may have to borrow her outfit idea- too cute!

  73. Jeanie says

    I love these Life Lately posts. I think it would be a fine idea for you to do a post on Madeley and Samuel. I’m afraid the Sleep Number bed would make me crazy. I can just hear myself saying, no, that’s not quite right, over and over and over. You and Andrew should look into advertising in a magazine for them. That’s an awesome picture of you both.

  75. Kristin O says

    I’m just chiming in to say we ??? our Sleep Number bed. We’ve had it over 10 years. They replaced the pump & remotes about 18 months ago for $40. Will never own another type of bed.

  76. Marina says

    I have three and definitely want to go for #4, but my hubby isn’t so sure. Ha! My little is 9 months, so I think I’m one year maybe he’ll warm up to it!

  78. Kaycee says

    Okay, my husband and I were just talking about investing in a Sleep Number. Will you please do a blog post on the pros and cons of your sleep number?? Also, I love how you and Ashby have the same smile. It is so precious!!

  79. Teresa says

    Which Sleep Number model did you purchase? Love your mom’s top. Was it a recent purchase at Nordstrom’s?

  80. Jill Foster says

    I had the same realization at my home that after 10 years of scrapbooking (and a recent 4 year hiatus) that I was not going to go back to scrapbooking. Gave away the supplies that had been taking up room in my closet and took a deep breath. It was kind of a relief not to have that hanging over my head. What I’m doing now instead is making a photo book for each year (August-July) and printing out one for each of my children (who are 17 & 22). They love them. I gave them 2011-2012 for Christmas and am giving them 2012-2013 for Valentine’s Day. Got to catch up, ya know.

  81. Bekki says

    Hi…random…any idea where samuels adorable camo sweater is from ? Would love for my little guys:)

  82. Jen says

    I always thought Sleep Numbers were hokey (it’s an air mattress?!) but I’ve had one for a year now and it’s my best mattress yet. My back hurts any time I sleep on a mattress that sags, even if the sagging is slight. Over ten years I think I’ve gone through 5+ mattresses – Sealy, Serta, pillowtops, firm, even a full latex foam mattress. All of them were fine for about 6 months and then they sagged and developed imprints. My husband finally convinced me to try a Sleep Number and, although it’s honestly not the most amazing and cushy mattress I’ve tried, one year later it has zero sag. Sold!

  84. Liz says

    Honestly Shay, I don’t know how you do it all. May I ask how/when you find the time to clean your house? In pictures, it’s always immaculate and your days are pretty full as it is! Any tips you can share?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Well, I pick up my house all day every day as I walk by. But I have someone come in and clean it for me (mop, dust, etc). When I opened Mix and Match Travel Agency, there was no way I had time to do the cleaning and work and stay home with the kids.

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