Oh ladies, yesterday’s post just broke my heart. There are just so many of us right now that either have cancer or have loved ones with cancer. Reading through the comments just made me feel so sad. In my Bible, I keep a list of ongoing prayer requests and 7 of them are for people battling cancer. It’s just awful. So, please know, that I’m praying for you ladies now too. I’m praying for you fighters out there and you caregivers/friends/family too. Sending out so much love from me to you today. xo
On Saturday, we celebrated six sweet months with this precious girl!
Ha! This one has made these past six months FLY by. I don’t know if it’s her personality or the fact that she’s the fourth and just has to be more go with the flow…but Madeley Moo (what we affectionally call her) has made this an incredibly easy, delightful, fun, and full of love six months.
Just six months ago, we met this girl…
…and our lives have been forever changed.
Miss Madeley has really blossomed these last six months, but I would say that over the last month, she’s made the biggest strides. All of a sudden, she’s “getting it”. She’s picking up the language at a much faster rate, and she has too many words to count now…she says so many things this month that she didn’t even say last month. For example, we were in the car this week and she was trying to be funny and of course, wanted the other three to watch her and she kept saying “hey guys, hey guys, hey guys” over and over again so that they would watch her be funny. Who taught her that? Clearly, she picked it up from just watching us interact. She’s way more physical now than even a month ago too. She can climb on and off the furniture with ease, go up and down stairs like a champ, scoot around on the tricycle, and has mastered the slide at the park. She’s just growing by leaps and bounds in all departments.
As far as her diet goes, remember when we got her, she had been on an all formula diet for her entire life and didn’t even know how to swallow simple things like yogurt. But…she has come a long, long way! Her favorite foods are protein. She wants all the eggs, bacon, chicken, ground beef, fish and such. She likes carbs like rice, pasta, and potatoes but isn’t in to packaged food (she passes on things like goldfish crackers and cereal for the most part). She likes veggies if they’re soft (she loves avocado and can’t get enough guacamole) but does not want to eat a crunchy carrot. And I do not believe I’ve ever seen her eat fruit. Ever. Not even a banana. For some reason, she is not into fruit AT ALL.
This one is very smart! Her receptive language is amazing. I can ask her to do tasks that require multiple steps and she does them every time. She already knows simple things like when she walks in the house, she hangs her little bag on her hook and then sits down and takes off her shoes and puts them on the bottom step (like the big kids do). She now drags the little stool into the kitchen from the pantry any time she wants to see me cook or bake and she’s constantly asking to go outside and play. She is also really, really funny! She may not have a large vocabulary but boy…she can make a joke without words. She is a little ham!
This kiddo right here is so SPUNKY! Her little personality is HUGE but at the same time, she is the most content and the happiest of all of our babies. She’s all smiles the minute she wakes up and all smiles when it’s time to go to bed (and every minute in-between). I know that I’m gushing…but Madeley James Shull deserves it. She has been pure joy for our family. Over spring break while we were on vacation, the three big kids would argue at EVERY SINGLE MEAL who got to sit next to Madeley and I said to Andrew, “shouldn’t the newness of her have worn off?!” and we laughed because I really think as the youngest, she’s always going to be the baby and everyone is always going to be vying for her attention…AND SHE EATS IT UP!
Here’s the deal friends, if you have ever considered adding another kiddo to your family via adoption YOU SHOULD. What if we wouldn’t have gotten these two girls? What if we would have let fear, anxiety, worry about the unknown or money stop us from doing this? What would have happened to them? We would have missed out on so much! They are amazing little girls and there are literally millions more out there just like them looking for forever families. If you feel a calling to be someone’s forever family, ACT ON IT. Your sweet kiddo is out there waiting on you.
To see other posts on our adoptions, look below…
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 5
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 4
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 3
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 2
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 1
Meeting Madeley for the first time: HERE
All of our China travel posts: HERE
To see more about our journey to adopt Ashby, see below:
Ashby’s Gotcha Day {Second Anniversary}
Ashby’s Gotcha Day {First Anniversary}
Meeting Ashby for the first time: HERE
All of our China travel posts: HERE
Leslie Z. says
I feel like she’s grown SO much in the past 6 months! She looks so little in your arms. I’m so happy that Madeley is doing so well and is such a happy baby. With that adorable face, I would probably fight to sit next to her too. 😉
Welcome back!
http://www.withlovefromgablog.blogspot.com
Beth says
This makes my heart so happy! What a great reminder of God’s love in what has been recently such a hard time for your family! Thanks for sharing your journey with adoption!
Erika Slaughter says
That last picture when she’s at the park, cracks me up!! She’s a total ham! Best word to describe Madeley! She is the sweetest little thing. All five Slaughters are pretty smitten. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Happy 6 months to Madeley! What a bundle of joy, my heart warmed up reading this post.
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Bailey Bryant says
The change in her appearance alone from Gotcha day to now says EVERYTHING! She’s just adorable.
http://www.myboymom.blogspot.com
Megan says
I love how much she is thriving! This post makes me miss my little China gal this morning. I can’t wait to bring our number four home. Adoption is amazing! Thank you for being an advocate!
Megan says
Oh, and I hope my other three are one day fighting over who gets to sit next to our little peanut as well.
http://www.lettinginthelightblog.com
Britanie says
She’s adorable! And avocado IS a fruit lol
Mix and Match Mama says
Hahaha! Yes…but wouldn’t it be nice if she ate like a berry or something? Or an apple? I mean…is she nuts?! 😉
Emma @ from my little pink couch says
Love these updates!!!! What a sweet little spirit Madeley has! ?
ELizabeth says
Love these updates – she seems like such a JOY to be around!
Xo, Elizabeth
http://stripesandsolitaires.com
Meagan Ruse says
That was the perfect description of Miss Madeley! What a joy she is!
Narci Dreffs says
Oh, Madeley! She is such s precious girl! So fun and sweet! Her smile is the best! I am so thankful you followed the call to adopt and for that beautiful girl!
Amy Heinl says
She has come so far so quick…its amazing what unconditional love can do and boy does her personality and spirit shine through. She is such a beautiful little girl
Debbie K. says
Sweet Miss Madeley blessed your family and you her, but you also bless all of us with these sweet stories of her and Miss Ashby. Thank you for giving us a glimpse…
Sheaffer Sims says
Love Miss Madeley and her spunky self! I love her little wave when she recognizes somebody. And how you could you do a Madeley post and not even mention her cheeks? That was an oversight. Ha!!! 🙂
emily @ a little bit of emily says
Love reading these updates – she just looks so happy, I can imagine what a joy she is!
Michelle W says
Maybe she would like a “milkshake” fruit smoothie. Have a blessed day.
Mary kate says
I love your driveway. Is it brick or stamped concrete? It looks different then the brick driveways in my neighborhood. (Suburb of Chicago). Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s stamped concrete :).
Jenna says
What a cutie and a blessing!
Susan says
Awww how sweet your family is just the sweetest. Also I received my Kids in the Kitchen cookbook yesterday and it’s so cute can’t wait to sit and read it.
Bri Bliss says
She is just absolutely adorable! I’m so glad that God sent you & your family to her.
Tracy says
Adorable! Love your adoption updates.
Paula says
Sweet girl! All your kiddos are so sweet. Madeley just blends in perfectly!
Keisha M Dawson says
Your adoption posts are some of my favorites! I love seeing the way your sweet girls just belong with your family! Absolutely precious!
Alexis deZayas says
This post makes my heart smile 🙂
Angela Ellingson says
Oh I love her!!! I just want to give an auntie cheek squeeze and cuddle her up.
Corbie says
Loved this post this morning! It made my heart smile! 🙂
Heather says
We adopted a 12 year old from China 4 years ago, and we named her Marin….her nickname is Marin Moo. and I always call her moo moo, lol. Adoption is the BEST.
Jenny says
What a sweet girl! I can’t believe it’s already been 6 months. It seems like you just went to pick her up. So glad she’s home!
carol says
oh it seems like she has been with you forever!
and how she has sprouted surrounded by your love.
Lindsay @ Lindsay's Sweet World says
She is thriving, Shay. Just thriving! What a special little girl you have there. I know that you are so blessed to be able to call her yours forever. I can’t believe that it’s already been a half a year! Where is the time going?
Janine says
1st) I’m so happy to see the girls are thriving and all of you are very happy! 2nd) and this is probably a weird question…what are you baking in that pic with the oatmeal? 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Nutella Oatmeal Cookies 🙂 . Recipe here: http://mixandmatchmama.com/2017/02/nutella-oatmeal-cookies/
Jen says
It seems like a silly question, but is there an age limit on how old the parents can be to adopt?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! Different countries have different limits, but yes.
Delaney Dunnam says
This is so true! We know that adoption is something God has called us to do right now! There are many scary parts about all types of adoption. Right now we are fundraising and working on a lot of grants to try to come up with the funds but we have been so blessed and humbled by all the people that desire to help and pray for us. We could not be more thankful that the fears didn’t stop us from the journey we are on!
Carly M says
Just love how she looks so at home with you all 🙂
Mindy says
Madeley Moo! I’ve been called Mindy Moo since the day I was born… I’m now 30 and people STILL call me “Moo”. She’s such an adorable little girl!
Amber says
Great update! We leave to pick up our 2 year old boy from China in less than 2 months. We can’t wait!
Megan Butler says
I love these posts sooo much!! Fisher says “hey guys” allll the time too!! They would be besties!!! She has just blossomed so much!! I love watching her change.
Maria says
You have such a beautiful family!! I love her fave-foods of the moment. But, what kid doesn’t like bananas??? Especially since she loves squishy avocado! Glad to hear she has figured out oh-so many things and is growing into such a strong spunky little girl!
Lizzie @ This Happy Life says
Oh Madeley is just the sweetest! I love reading these posts! Glad to see she is doing awesome!
Courtney says
It is SO wonderful to hear how she is doing. ‘Hey guys, hey guys, hey guys!’ How funny is that!? And the fact that she doesn’t like fruit is so interesting to me. Does Ashby? Thank you so much for keeping us posted – you (and Madeley) are such an inspiration!
XO
Courtney
http://www.greywoodmama.com
Erin Port says
We are praying. Your post about how you each separately prayed is where we are at right now. My heart is all in but my husband is still hearing from the Lord. It’s SO HARD not to want to push him along with my opinions and thoughts but God whispered to me the other day to “Keep my eyes open and my mouth shut.” SO I am praying I can do just that. Thanks for these posts, they really move my spirit and I am confident in what God’s doing in our hearts. xoxo ERIN
Anna says
Love reading updates! In the picture of you holding Madeley, what lip product were you wearing and how did you get your hair to look like that (if you can recall haha)?
Mix and Match Mama says
I had to go back and see…in my head, I was like “my hair was probably super dirty that day…it always looks better on dirty days!”. Ha! And I have no clue what lip color that is. Sorry!
Ashley says
Love reading your updates! We are in the midst of adopting a little one internationally and the wait is painful at times! But, we know this is where we are supposed to be and trust that God’s timing is always absolutely perfect. Thanks again for your constant encouragement to step out in faith.
Teri says
Avocados are fruits.
http://www.shhmommysdrinking.com
Mix and Match Mama says
Hahaha! Yes…but you know what I mean. Come on Madeley…eat a berry for goodness sake! 🙂