Tomorrow is the seven month anniversary of us receiving our sweet Madeley.
Seven months!
No way? It has to be longer than that, right? This time last year, we didn’t even know about this sweet precious girl and now, I feel like we’ve had her forever. It is amazing how God can create families that quickly. It just blows my mind.
Right this very minute, it’s Friday afternoon, and I’m sitting on my patio writing this post while she’s inside taking a nap. We played outside and then walked to meet Andrew for lunch (I pushed her and Ashby in the double stroller). We sat outside on the patio and she didn’t use a highchair…because she thinks she’s so big now :).
Every single day, she does something new and something cute. Right now, if you ask Madeley how old she is, she says TWO really loud and holds up four fingers. Ha! She can’t figure out how to only hold up two, so she goes ahead and holds up four.
Madeley is beginning to string more and more words together at a time unprompted. The other night, she said “night, night mama, I love you.” And my heart melted in a huge puddle. She has also mastered the art of “please” and “thank you”. Basically, I give her whatever she wants just because it’s so cute to hear her say “please mama” and then “thank you” after I give it to her. 🙂
This kiddo wins the award in the Shull house for being the most go with the flow. She is happy, happy, happy and just bounces from one thing to the next without ever being phased. Ashby is really easy too…but in a more sweet and reserved way. Madeley is taking life by the horns with energy, a bit of sass and a lot of cuteness.
Developmentally, she is behind for her age (she’s 2.5 but acts more like 18 to 24 months), but that’s common for kiddos coming out of institutionalized living. She is growing, she is learning, and she is super attached.
Madeley’s favorite things to do around the house are play with the things that light up and make noise (like this little car). She loves the vacuum, the baby stroller…you know, anything she can push that might also make some racket. Those are her favorite things to play with.
She love, love, loves to wear these plastic high heels. Oh my word! In a house with three young girls, someone is always wearing plastic shoes. Madeley walks around in them 99% of the time. She loves to push her little baby in the stroller too.
I really can’t say enough about this kiddo. It took the same amount of time to get Madeley as it did Ashby (18 months), but there was more heartache in-between the second time around. I prayed and prayed for the Lord to give us two other little girls…but the thing is, the Lord knew. He knew that those girls belonged to someone else and that my girl was waiting for me to find her. When I look at her, I see my daughter. I see God’s divine plan. I see a miracle. I see pain and loss and I know there will come a day when she starts to wonder why she was given up…why she couldn’t stay with her biological mama…but you know what? This mama plans on loving her through those hard days. Miss Madeley James…YOU are my answered prayer.
“God can do anything, you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams.” Ephesians 3:20
To see other posts on our adoptions, look below…
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 6
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
Her sweet face melts me every time. You’re all so fortunate to have each other. 🙂
http://www.withlovefromgablog.blogspot.com
Erika Slaughter says
She said something the other day and I was like-WHOA, wait, you can say that?! I don’t remember what it was but I was impressed. Madeley is so sweet, sassy, and so stinkin’ cute. The Slaughters are all smitten. 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
That’s so cute how Madeley can’t hold up two fingers! What a cute little bundle 🙂
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
ELizabeth says
You can tell she just lights up a room! She’s absolutely adorable!
Xo, Elizabeth
http://stripesandsolitaires.com
Sheaffer Sims says
YES! At the risk of being cheesy because I’m quoting Garth, “Some of God’s greatest gifts, are unanswered prayers.” Loved reading more about Miss M today. That girl is so loved!
JJ says
Hey Shay! I’m new to your blog and got hocked up and can’t get enough! Your family is amazing and your adoption stories are so inspiring. Your kids are cute but Miss Madeley’s cuteness is out of this world. I love love me some Madeley each and everyday. she is a spitting image of my baby girl and they’re around the same age, hence I hold a soft sport for M!
My heart is praising the lord at this moment and my tears are flowing reading this post. I’m glad you have found Madeley and Ashby and I’m sure they are super lucky to have you as their mama 🙂
Lots of love all the way from Canada!
Darcey says
Everything happens in His perfect timing! She is soo precious!!
Amy Heinl says
Wjat a beautiful, happy, loving child who is thriving with the family God planned for her. She is a Shull through and through. May you all have a blessed day
Sarah says
Awwwww your last paragraph about Madeley has me in tears!!! You are such a wonderful mama to her. God knew exactly what he was doing 🙂 What a precious gift to you and your family!!
Narci Dreffs says
Oh, my heavens! Madeley, you are so precious! So thankful for you and your family!
Courtney says
Thanks for sharing, Shay! You are such a good mama. I’m so glad she’s attached, I remember you saying you focused on that a lot when you first brought her home. When do you feel you will be able to leave them with a babysitter?
XO
Courtney
http://www.greywoodmama.com
Mix and Match Mama says
At Christmas, we started slowly (a sitter coming for only an hour) while we went to a neighbor’s party. We still don’t have her with a sitter too often (probably not even once a month). I’m always cautious about that stuff.
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says
Madeley always looks like a bright little light in your pictures 🙂 Love hearing more about how she is doing! I also listened to your interview with Jamie Ivey last week and your definition of success was so inspiring! It’s true that at any given time you can feel successful depending on what you are focusing on 🙂 I also learned a lot about coconut oil uses lol!
xo
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
Megan says
Beautiful post. May I ask how Ashby initially reacted to Madeley coming home? We are bringing our new peanut home this fall and I am so nervous about how our Quinn will react (home two years in June). I am confident it will be fine in the long run but the first few months has me scared of how my territorial diva will be. Ha!
http://www.lettinginthelightblog.com
Mix and Match Mama says
She was so excited to have a little sister! She has relished the fact that she’s older than someone now :). It’s been such a positive thing for Ashby!
Laci says
Madeley is simple adorable!
Tracy says
Always love the adoption update posts. What a precious little angel you have there. 🙂
cassie {hi sugarplum} says
Your sweet words brought tears to my eyes! What a blessed and precious family you all are! xoxo
Alexandra M says
This sweet girl! So glad the Lord brought your family together! His plan is amazing.
http://www.typebplusblog.blogspot.com
Rebecca Purdie says
I love reading your post!
Heather Bramelett says
That face… I would giver her whatever she wanted too!! Yep! No doubt about it!
Alexis deZayas says
This post was so sweet – you have me tearing up on this Monday morning! What a sweet little blessing to your family 🙂
Jessica Mireles says
I have followed your blog from the beginning of Ashby. We have currently been waiting 22 months for our own sweet girl from China. We prayed for one little to be ours, but God knew better. Now we are praying that when we see our daughter’s face, that “no” will make more sense. Your posts about A and M have gotten me through a lot of hard waiting days! Living vicariously through you until we see that face. ?
Megan Butler says
She is just the cutest little nugget ever!!! Love miss Madeley!!
Kelsey says
What a sweet post! Madeley glows with happiness 🙂
Britt Hensley says
Oh my heart!! I just love, love, love these posts! God is so good, and thank you for sharing your experiences with these beautiful girls with all of us!
Cheryl says
And now I have tears in my coffee…Madeley is part of such a beautiful love story. May God continue to bless your life together ❤
Cynthia says
So beautiful ??
Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says
Oh that sweet girl!!! I love this post!!! You are so right that it’s all in God’s timing. From meeting Andrew, to your infertility struggles, to the long wait for those girls…it was absolutely God setting it all in motion. And I can’t believe it’s only been 7 months! I feel like both of those girls have just been yall’s forever! Madeley is just the cutest thing ever and I love hearing her talk (so cute when she says “Bo Bo”!). Happy Monday!
That Inspired Chick
Laura @ Laura Likes Design says
Aww, I love reading these recaps! Madeley fits into your family so seamlessly and I love how she has such a big grin in every photo! She looks so happy and well-loved!
Tara says
Her smile gets me every single time! I love it! It’s like you can almost hear her saying CHHEEEEESSSSEEEE!!!!!!!!
Pamela Traskos says
Blessings, Blessings, Blessings! Thank you Shay for the updates on your Beautiful family! My Heart melts as I continue to follow Madeley’s story! God Bless!
Kayla B says
I LOVE your adoption posts the most. The beauty, redemption, and love just shine through.
Ann Marie says
Ohhhh I love this sweet baby girl!! She is getting so big!
Danielle says
I am a Korean American adoptee and I can say that I’ve never questioned why I was put up for adoption. I see it as a blessing that my biological parents realized that they were not able to provide for me, so they put me up for adoption. I was adopted at the age of 18 months so I never knew any family other than my adoptive family, my REAL family. I’m sure that your daughters will have questions about adoption and where they came from as it is an important part of our identity, but I’m sure that they will feel the same as I do towards my family and will know that YOU are their mother who loves them!
Carly M says
The fact that she is tiny makes her even cuter. She reminds me of Madeline, petite but fierce! Thank you for sharing your little corner of the world! To me, all four of your kids look alike and fit perfectly together. 🙂
Sarah says
Oh Shay, when I read the line, “Miss Madeley James…YOU are my answered prayer” I just burst into tears. I know exactly what you mean. What a sweet thing to say to your precious baby girl.
Barbara parnell says
She is a beautiful child and you are all very fortunate to have one another. Don’t sweat the delays..they seem like a lot at this age, but as she grows, they will not matter as much. She is thriving with her new family and will continue to do so! Enjoy all of these special moments!!!
Kate says
I enjoy each day’s post, but these adoption ones are just so sweet and heartwarming. May God continue to bless you, Madeley, and your entire family.
Thank you for giving a hopeful future adopter a true look into your process and the many blessings it’s brought you.
Jeanie says
Sweet, adorable Madeley. It’s funny you said it seems like longer than seven months since she joined your family; I would have said it was three or four months. I guess that’s the difference between living with her and just reading about her.
Olivia says
How are Madeley and Ashby different personality wise?
Mix and Match Mama says
Ashby is more reserved and very much a people pleaser…Madeley wants you to like her…but if you don’t, she’s cool with that too ;).
Elizabeth says
Sweet Madeley. It looks like she’s learned so much and is so loved. Wonderful to see 🙂
Angela Ellingson says
She is just the CUTEST!!! Beautiful family!
Detroit Duchess says
You got me with this post – I was tearing up at the end. You are both blessed to have found each other. Her smile is precious!
Maria D. says
She is a happy, happy girl and I know it’s because of all of the love she has received since she became a part of your family. I love the pictures with all of the kids but I do believe that it’s a race between Madeley and Ashby to see who has the biggest smile! Keep up the great work – God has definitely blessed you!
Holly Hopkins says
You have totally inspired me and we just sent in our application to adopt locally. Thank you!
Carla says
Thank you for sharing with us all this incredible journey of your two little girls!!! I enjoy reading it so much. They are both so loved because you can see it in their sweet and beautiful smiles!!! ? I saw a sign the other day and made me think of you Shay!! It read…… “Adoption is when a child grows in its mommy’s heart instead of her tummy!!” You are an amazing mama they are very lucky to have you. ?
Kelli says
Sounds like our foster daughter came to us the same time y’all got Madeley. We’re working towards adopting her 🙂 She’s 17! We just hit our 7 months with her 🙂