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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

All things Fall!, Friends, Madeley, Parties ·

The apple of our eye is THREE!


Today, our Madeley James turns three.

I always have such mixed emotions on my kiddos birthdays, but especially on Ashby and Madeley’s.  I think about their sweet mamas every single day, but today, I really think about Madeley’s mom.  Adoption is so amazing and such a gift…but it is also so hard.  We don’t know if today is really Madeley’s birthday or not.  It could have been yesterday.  Or last month.  Or next month.  We don’t know.  We do know that she was found on December 19 and appeared to be about two months old, so they gave her today as her birthday.  We also know this…her mama loved her so much that she gave birth to her.  She loved her so much that she kept her as long as she could and left her some place where she would be found.  And I know this too…her mama thinks about her every single day.  I just know she does.  My prayer today is that the Lord can give her some sort of sign, some sort of peace that her little girl is in good hands.

We are so thankful to have Madeley.  This girl is our JOY.  She is just this light in our family that we didn’t know we even needed until she showed up and shined so brightly on us.  We could not love this little girl more.  We are so thankful to be spending her third birthday with her.

Right now, our big three year old is growing like a weed!  She is so physically active, loves to ride her tricycle, play on the swing set, run around the yard and chase her big siblings.  She loves to sit at the bar and color and is always so proud to show off her art.  She loves to help me bake and cook and is found most days on top of the counter helping.  Madeley loves school and is so social.  She has real friends!  Real little girls and boys that she talks about, gets excited to see and loves to be with.  She is so loving and oh so lovable.  I feel like it’s such a gift to be back in this stage of life again.  I love hearing Peppa Pig in my house, I love playing with the big Duplo blocks, I love blowing bubbles at the park and going for walks with a stroller.  I love it all because I know that in a blink of an eye, this stage will be over.

On Monday, we celebrated Madeley’s birthday with a play date with her little friends and their moms.  Here are some pics from our special morning…

We had an apple themed party.  Isn’t her birthday sign so cute?!

 

We gave each of her friends little goodie bags as they left filled with things like a coloring book, crayons, bubbles and such.

And then my friend Emily made these adorable cookies to pass out at the end too (since the party was before lunch, they just left with a cookie).

Aren’t they pretty?!

She was all dressed up and ready to go!

These two.

The big kids knew that we were celebrating her with little friends and that they get to celebrate today with her.

I just love this girl too!

So, we went and we played…

 

Look at Britt walking around!  Isn’t she getting so big too?!

 

 

 

I really think it would have been easier to take a picture of wild cats 🙂 .  We love these kiddos so much!!  We are so thankful for them and how much they mean to Madeley.

 

 

 

Party success!

And back at home helping me cook with her new Moana doll in hand 🙂 .

Today, we celebrate some more!

Happy birthday sweet Madeley James!  We sure do love you!

To see Kensington’s parties from years past, here you go…
Kensington’s Trolls Swim PartyKensington’s Spa Party
American Girl Birthday 
Kensington’s British Bash
Kensington’s Pumpkin Patch
Kensington’s French Bistro
Kensington’s Tangled Up Birthday
Kensington’s Cider Mill
Kensington’s First Birthday
To see Smith’s parties from years past, here you go…
Smith’s Hunting Party
Smith’s Dino Day 
Smith Stadium
Camp Smith
Smith’s Surf Shop
Smith’s Ski Lodge
Smith’s First Par-tee
To see Ashby’s birthdays from years past, here you go…
Ashby’s Princess Party
Ashby’s Popsicle Party
You are my Sunshine Party
To see Madeley’s first birthday with us, here you go…
Madeley is Two Cute
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Comments

  1. Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says

    I love what you wrote. You have so much love for all your kids and I truly admire that. They’re so lucky to have a Mama like you! 🙂
    –
    Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
    http://charmainenyw.com

  2. Dana says

    Aww…happy birthday to sweet Madeley!! And you know you’re going to get tons of questions on that shirt…it’s so cute and perfect for fall!

  3. Erika Slaughter says

    Happy Happy Birthday Madeley James!! She is such a sweet girl who lights up a room and has the best little personality. We love that girl big over here! Lots of Birthday love from the Slaughters! XO

  5. Karah Stracener says

    Happy Birthday to your sweet Madeley!!! I hope she has a wonderful day. I just love reading about your precious family. Ps: I love your shirt! Where did you get it?

  6. Elspeth Mizner says

    Love the unique theme. You always come up with fun and different parties.happy birthday Madeley

  8. Beth says

    Happy Birthday to such a cute little one!! Love your top Shay! I hope you share it in your Friday Favorites! ?

  11. Connie says

    You are so blessed! Madeley is just a little doll!! I love those cheeks of hers!! Happy 3rd Birthday to your precious little girl!! 🙂

  15. Robyn says

    I always think of the scene in the movie the Blindside where Leanne’s friends tell her that she’s changing Micheal’s life and she responds no he’s changing mine. Your girls are really awesome and I love hearing about them!

  18. B.Y.S. says

    It will be 34 years on October 28th that I have been in America! I was 9 months old when I was adopted from Korea. I will be 35 in December.

    Amy

  19. Jordan Meline says

    Oh goodness, that first part about Madeley’s birth mama made me tear up… its TOO early to cry! What a wonderful thing adoption is and I am so happy to see what a blessing your family is to this sweet baby girl!

  20. Ariadna says

    Happy birthday sweet Madeley!! Her smile is so contagious, thank you for sharing her and your other sweet kiddos with us!! I hope she has the best day!!

  21. Priscilla says

    So, my daughter has a wonderful friend of Asian descent who smiles just like Madeley. She always says, “The happier I am, the less I see!!”
    Happy Birthday sweet girl.

  23. Michelle Randall says

    Where did you get your top? So cute! Madeley is so cute too! Looks like she had a great time!!

  24. Joanne says

    So cute! Happy Birthday Madeley! On a side note, the buffalo plaid top is adorable, can you link it or tell us where its from?

  26. Alison T says

    Happy Birthday, sweet Madeley! You clearly bring so much joy to your family. They are lucky to have you! My birthday is today, too. Also adopted (from S Korea) with today as an approximate Birthday. So it must be an extra special date! 😉

  29. Carlin Smith says

    Hi, do you know what the blocks are that Ashby is playing with in the picture after the light wall. I am thinking my kindergarten classroom needs some!

  30. kellie carrara says

    Happy birthday Madely James! What a love! We have an asian bitty baby named Madely in her honor — we also have an asian bitty twin named Clara “Ashby” for Ashby, too! So, to say my daughter is a big fan of this blog is an understatement! Ha! And she adores Smith & Kennsington, too — we just haven’t named any American Girl dolls in their honor…yet! Have fun celebrating!

  31. Megan Elizabeth says

    October 19th birthdays for the win!! I guess Madeley and and I are birthday buddies!! Happy Birthday to your sweet girl 🙂

  32. Christina Hogan says

    Happy birthday!! She is absolutely precious and incredibly lucky to have you as her momma!! What a blessing!!

  33. Patricia says

    Love the way she smiles by crinkling up her eyes! And love seeing her big sis using both hands. Happy birthday Madeley.

  36. Deena says

    Happy Birthday to Madeley! Her personality just shines in all her photos. I can’t believe she’s 3 though.

  38. AMANDA SHEROD says

    She is so adorable and is lucky to have such a sweet family! I love your shirt, where is it from?

  39. Kellylane says

    I just love seeing her big smile! It’s so big that her eyes disappear! Thanks again for sharing with us!

  42. Rosemary Q says

    When I am touched by something someone has done but have no way of personally thanking them I ask God if he would please give that person a really good day. So today I asked God to give Madeley’s momma a really good day after reading your heartfelt post. Happy Birthday to your little girl!

  43. Debbie says

    All I see Shay is your selflessness! You make those kids childhood memories priceless. They will be forever grateful. I know, because I had a Mother just like you! ❤️

  46. Stephanie says

    I am an adoptive mom and I always feel a special feeling on my girls birthdays. I always say a prayer that their birth moms will be able to feel what awesome girls they have turned out to be. It’s definitely s bittersweet feeling. I never take for granted how they came to be mine ! My girls are 19 and 13 and we have had them since they were 2 days old. Adoption is a very special calling. My husbands grandma told us ” Babies are where they are supposed to be, some just have to be rerouted :-). Your family is beautiful !!

  48. Ann Marie Tennison says

    Madeley Girl- these Tennison sisters loved celebrating your birthday! They had so much fun. You are blessed with the sweetest family and loved beyond measure. Happy birthday!

  49. Jeanie says

    Such a sweet party with all her friends. Happy birthday, Madeley, you cute little girl with the wrinkly nose!

  50. Melanie says

    I remember you taking your family to NYC a while back. Since Madeley is now turning three, I’m assuming our tot is about the same age Madeley was when you went…2. Do Broadway shows allow 2 year olds in the theatre?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Yes! They have to have their own ticket though. We took Ashby at three and Madeley at two.

  51. Carly says

    Happy Birthday Madeley! I just love those little feet and cheeks! Hope you have a wonderful year! Thanks for sharing Shay!

  54. Kathy says

    I love that sweet face …the way her eye squish shut when she smiles is just so precious. Bless both her mamas today!

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