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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

Adoption, Madeley ·

Madeley Post Adoption: Month 11


Oh little Miss Madeley.

You are the life of the party.

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Tomorrow, we celebrate eleven months with Madeley James.

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Right now, we keeping starting conversations around our house with the phrase “this time last year…” as we prepare for back to school.

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Because this time last year, we were awaiting travel approval so that we could all head off to China to bring this sweet girl home.

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And now, she’s been here 11 months and it has been THE BEST THING for our family!

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Madeley is the gift that keeps on giving.

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She’s our “bonus child” …you know, the one we weren’t really planning on, but God gave her to us as an extra bonus…and she just makes EVERYTHING so much more fun.

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This girl is SWEET.  She is FUNNY.  She is SMART.  She is CARING.  She is just so SPECIAL.

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This month, she’s started doing two things that really make us laugh.  One, if I call out for another kid in the house (let’s say Smith), she will cup her hands over her mouth and walk around screaming “Smith!, Smith!, Smith!” until he appears.  It’s so funny!  She just thinks everyone should and will listen to her, so she takes it upon herself to get things done (like retrieve Smith for me).  And you know what?  They do 🙂 .  The second thing she started doing this month…is running.  And it is hysterical.  Andrew came in the house the other day and was like “have you seen Madeley run”, so I went out to the driveway and off she went.  As she runs, her cheeks bounce up and down.  Ha!  It’s the cutest thing!  Now, she runs everywhere…and by run, we mean a trot with a lot of cheek jiggling.

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This girl is a ray of sunshine.

Adopting Madeley has kind of been the easiest thing we’ve done.  Easy because she just fit.  We didn’t even know there was a hole in our family until she showed up…but there was and it was GAPING wide open for her to fill.  I can lose my breath sometimes thinking about the “what ifs” and I have to stop myself.  What if we wouldn’t have adopted her?  What if we wouldn’t have stepped out on faith?  What if?

Andrew and I have a friend named Lance and this month, he asked me about Madeley’s story…and so I told him.  When I finished he said “wow, I can’t wait to watch how God is going to use her story as an adult”.  It gave me chills.  I’m very guilty of thinking “well, Ashby is going to have a great story and I can’t wait to see how the Lord is going to use her challenges, disabilities and strengths to share with others when she’s older” but Madeley is going to have a story too.  It’s going to look a lot different than Ashby’s…but boy, she’s going to have one.  Madeley James Shull is going to have a story.

I love these two girls so much.  There were times in my life when I could have been talked out of adopting.  It was scary.  It was expensive. It was unknown.  It had a lot of risks.  It was going to change my family (maybe not for the better?).  It was such a HUGE leap of faith and the biggest decisions Andrew and I have ever made.  BUT WHAT IF WE DIDN’T DO IT?  This time last year, this precious girl was living in an orphanage.  What if we didn’t do it?  What if your kid is living in an orphanage right now?  I know it’s scary…but if it’s on your heart, I encourage you to keep praying about it.  Oh what a blessing adoption has been to our family.  I cannot imagine not being Madeley’s mom.

Eleven months.

What a wonderful eleven months it has been!

To see some other post adoption posts, just look below…

Madeley Post Adoption: Month 10

Madeley Post Adoption: Month 9

Madeley Post Adoption: Month 8

Madeley Post Adoption: Month 7

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 Post Adoption: 2.5 Years

Ashby’s Gotcha Day {Second Anniversary}

Post Adoption: Month 21

Post Adoption: Month 18

Post Adoption: Month 15

Ashby’s Gotcha Day {First Anniversary}

Post Adoption: Month 11

Post Adoption: Month 10

Post Adoption: Month 9

Post Adoption: Month 8

Post Adoption: Month 7

Post Adoption: Month 6

Post Adoption: Month 5

Post Adoption: Month 4

Post Adoption: Month 3

Post Adoption: Month 2

Post Adoption: Month 1

Meeting Ashby for the first time: HERE

All of our China travel posts: HERE

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Post Adoption: Month 9
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Comments

  2. Bailey says

    Madeley is just precious. There’s no other word for it! The car key picture with you and Smith is probably my favorite of her–so much personality!!

  3. Amy Heinl says

    Lately is right where sheamazing love and wisdom belongs and what a great testimony to the power of God’s love and wisdom that he called upon you and Andrew to be her chosen parents

  4. Erika Slaughter says

    You described her quite perfectly…definitely the life of the party! We LOVE you, Madeley Shull!!

  8. Erica @ Whimsical September says

    That last part about her story just gives me chills. Such a neat perspective. Thanks for being so open to share her with us each month! Our youngest is our total goofball too, and I can’t imagine a second of my life without her; I know that’s how you feel about Madeley.

  9. Elspeth Mizner says

    She seems like such a bright and fun little lady! Can’t wait to see how she grows and changes!

  10. Danielle says

    Adorable! Cant believe it has been 11 months…God is good, your children are amazing and you are spreading the word of adoption. The smiles on your children show the love you have for one and other. Blessings for the Shull Family!

  11. Narci Dreffs says

    Oh, Madeley ? We love you a ton! She IS thr life of the party!!! So thankful for her sweet face!

  13. Lizzie @ This Happy Life says

    Madeley sounds down right awesome!!! Love these little recaps on how they’re doing!

  14. Stephanie Zapata says

    I love any and all pictures of Madeley because she’s always looking adorably cute and often doing something adorably silly!
    I’m also a mama of 2 precious adopted kiddos, one going into high school and one going into middle school. I’m so thankful God opened my heart to adoption. I love reading your posts about the girls. It brings back memories of my two big kids and their adoption process and adjustments.
    Thank you for sharing with us.

  15. Sheaffer Sims says

    When Madeley says my name, looks excited to see me, or even just waves at me happily…..,my heart just about busts into a million pieces. Love that girl so much!

  16. Wilma says

    Pictures of her just make me smile ? Her personality shines. I stand in AWE of our Heavenly Father and how only He can weave our lives together when we allow Him to direct our lives. We have a good, good Father. ?❤️

  17. Laci says

    Madeley is just a pure joy to see pictures of!! Please video her “running”…her cheeks are my fave along with that grin. What special kids you have!

  19. Brooke Richardson says

    Oh my gosh, seeing her run was the cutest thing ever!!! I just love that girl.

  20. Erin Port says

    I say it every.single.month but your words cut me to the core. Pray for our family as we pray seriously about adoption. I am just a few steps ahead of my husband ;). We have been so blessed by my nephew’s adoption from China and we are waiting on another niece or nephew this winter to come home. xoxo ERIN

  21. Angela Ellingson says

    What a doll! Some of those pictures are just so funny, and they are all adorable! Excited for your family to celebrate her gotcha day soon!

  23. Sara says

    Is she ever not happy? She has a grin from ear to ear in every picture. That little girl must really love life 🙂

  25. Rebecca VanDeMark says

    she just is absolutely adorable! I love the way that you share these updates! It is so exciting to read what God has been doing for those of us that were praying back when y’all traveled to bring her home! Thank you for continuing to share with us!! 🙂

  26. Lauren says

    This melts my heart! I have loved reading about your family and adoption journeys over the past few years and agree that God is going to use these girls for big things! I smiled reading about Madeley “running” — that has got to be just the cutest thing to watch!!

  27. April Parrish says

    Madeley is one in a million…just adorable! I can’t wait to see how these sweet girls grow and their story unfolds!

  28. Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says

    Adoption really is a beautiful thing! I’ve watched the journey in my own family and watching yours brings a smile to my face. Madeley seems like a bundle of joy!
    xo
    Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams

  29. Paula says

    It doesn’t feel that long and forever all at the same time. What a sweet smile she has. Life is a celebration and you see it shine through her smile & eyes.

  31. Tina says

    Your adoption posts always make me cry and this one was no different! As I sit here, pregnant with my surprise “bonus” child (after struggling to get pregnant with my first 2 and going through an ectopic pregnancy) I have just boohoo’d reading this post.☺️ God is SO GOOD and SO FAITHFUL. Through pictures, Madely’s personality reminds me so much of my own little girl and I just want to squeeze her! The part that probably got me the most was when Andrew came in to tell you about her running. It made me laugh and cry at the same time. The fact that she now has a mom and dad to admire her cuteness just melts my heart. We parents think everything our kids do is so adorable and I hurt for those babies who don’t have familes to know or care how special they are.

  35. Meagan Ruse says

    She really is the life of the party! One thing you didn’t mention, but I can 🙂 is that Miss Madeley has the most wonderful manners! She really is the sweetest little bundle of joy. We love her so much!

  36. Angela Shields says

    I love these posts. I love the fact that she is smiling in every picture. Her personality really shines through. I remember when you got her she didn’t smile much. What a difference love and a family make. God is so good! I love the picture where she is with Ashby and they are trying on glasses and hers are upside down? It reminds me of the little girl on Despicable Me ?

  37. Dana Vissage says

    I love these posts. Every time I see a picture of Madeley, I smile. She just makes you smile – and I know you know that first-hand! 🙂 I know what you mean when you say “What if?”. We have been fostering a little boy since April of last year and come September 21st, he will officially be ours forever. We almost talked ourselves out of foster-to-adopt but I always think to myself… WE COULD HAVE MISSED THIS. But we didn’t, thanks to a whole lot of what I like to call, “heart-pushing” from the Lord. He is so good, isn’t he? God bless your sweet, beautiful family Shay!!

  38. Natalie Clark says

    I just love these updates! I can’t believe it’s already been almost a year. Madeley is so so precious, and I love seeing all your pictures of her. She is clearly a bright light!

  40. Hannah Hwozdik says

    She is so so sweet! I have always wanted to adopt and every time I read your posts about Ashby and Madeley I get even more excited for whenever that time in my life will be! I can’t wait to hear their stories one day- and thank you for sharing yours with us all. I love reading your posts every day! 🙂

  41. Linda Henderson says

    I very much enjoy reading about your kids. Just precious. As I read about Madeley I wonder if the “a” in her name is long or short vowel? Made or Mad? Her photos put a smile on my face.

  42. kellie carrara says

    Love her sweet & sassy spirit! Oh, the stories that YOU ALL get to tell. Each of you individually! You share yours here and we are so lucky to see how God has worked with you, for you and in you. But I think of the stories too that Kennsington and Smith will get to tell — the journeys they went on to make these sweet girls their siblings. They are growing and learning and teaching each of you! <3

  43. Maria D. says

    Madeley is a ray of sunshine! She always makes me smile! Hard to believe you’ve had her already almost a year

  44. Kristy says

    Thank you for always sharing these! I’m half way through my second pregnancy and am just realizing my body is done, I am not meant to carry anymore babies, but in my heart of hearts, I know I want 3. I can’t wait to see what the world has in store for the way we get our third child ❤️ All 4 Shulls are lucky to have a mama like you

  45. Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says

    We love Miss Madeley too!! I want to giggle uncontrollably every time she does pretty much anything. She is just so funny!! And those cheeks…!! Love her!!

  46. Lori says

    The picture of the spiderman mask with the sword with the dress, I can’t even!!!!! She is just so precious!!!!! I love the adoption posts, even though they always make me teary!!!

  47. Ariadna says

    Thank you for sharing your kiddos with us, they’re all adorable as always. And please, if you get a chance, post a video of Miss Madeley running, 🙂

  48. Michelle says

    Your adoption posts always make me cry happy tears ! Your faith and passsion for life is contagious ! I’ve only been reading your blog for a few years but it’s always a bright spot in my day. You have such a gift for sharing and being relatable ! Thank you for sharing your life with us ! You have no idea at the lives you touch ! ❤️

  49. Connie says

    Oh my goodness! She is such a doll!! I could just kiss those sweet cheeks! Such a beautiful family you have! 🙂 We have five children in my extended family (hubbys side and mine) who were adopted as babies. Two were from China. They are much older than yours now, but have been such a joy to our family! 🙂 Love these happy stories!

  50. Lilly Gorman says

    Happy 11 months to sweet Madeley! What a sweet bundle of joy! Your adoption stories are so inspirational and beautiful.

  51. Katie says

    I am still LOLing at the “trot with a lot of cheek jiggling” part 🙂

    I read your blog regularly and know you have a post out there, but where can I find FAQs that you receive around adoption?

  52. Baylor says

    It almost looks now I am just seeing pictures and following y’alls adoption process since the beginning but ever since madeley came around Ashby has become more reserved and isn’t as fun and crazy as she was before madeley?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I think it’s the glasses making her look more serious! Ha! And she’s five now…not quite as goofy and crazy as a two year old :).

  54. Jeanie says

    She is so loved, and it shows all over her face. I can tell by her pictures that she’s a character.

  56. Sarah Shaneyfelt says

    I’m so glad you never have to think about the “What ifs” because you were obedient to what God was calling you to do! I love following these adoption updates!
    MeetTheShaneyfelts

  60. Michelle C says

    All of your blog posts keep me in tears. The emotional impact of your story is incredible, and REALLY inspiring.

  61. Nikki Lehman says

    This post gave me chills! Inspired by you and Andrew’s faith and willingness to step out! Reminded of Luke 1:45, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.” God promises to bless those who follow Him. It doesn’t mean we won’t have trials, but He walks there with us. Madeley seems like such a light and a joy!

  63. Nicole Robbins says

    Love this! She is the cutest thing! All of your children are & you’re right! They will ALL have amazing stories of God’s grace & love, faithfulness & provision! I can’t wait til we can adopt!

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