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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

Smith ·

Smith is TEN!


Tomorrow, this boy right here turns TEN YEARS OLD!

Whaaaaaaaaaat?!

Guys, I blinked.

It happened that fast.

In honor of his TENTH birthday, I thought I’d share ten things about Smith…

#1: He loves snowboarding!

This year, for the third year in a row, in lieu of a party or gifts, he’s going to snowboard with his dad, Tab and Nixon to celebrate his birthday.  I’m so happy that he loves it as much as Andrew does.  I look forward to baseball season all year long because it’s such a great way for my dad and me to connect.  We text, call, complain (quite a bit) together multiple times a day about the Sox, so I love that perhaps this might be Andrew and Smith’s “thing” too.  I know they have many “things” but for some reason, I always get extra sentimental about them snowboarding together.

#2: He still loves playing the violin!

None of the other kiddos seem interested in learning a musical instrument, but Smith, who told us at age six that he wanted to play like Charlie Daniels, is sticking with it!  His teacher is phenomenal!!!  She knows that he would rather play fiddle music than classical violin, so she incorporates both.  Not a day goes by that I don’t hear some sort of Irish jig coming from the front of the house 😉 .

#3: This kid loves his sports!

Between baseball and football, Smith is happy year around on a team.  If he is home and it’s not pouring rain, he’s outside playing with some sort of ball or…this kid is all over the place on some sort of something.  This past weekend, he tried teaching me how to go around on his hoverboard thing…um, I fell off and landed flat on the ground.  To be fair, he tried to catch me.  To be honest, he said “you’re not really good at all”.  Haha!  No, I’m not! I love to see him zooming around the neighborhood with his buddies 🙂 .

#4: He loves ’80s music!

Never a day goes by when I don’t hear ’80s rock coming out of Smith’s bedroom.  If we’re in the car together, he immediately puts on some sort of album from back in the day.  His favorite?  Bon Jovi 🙂

#5: He’s obsessed with John Grisham!

Smith only has one book left in the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham!  He has absolutely LOVED them all!  (He wants to read the “real” John Grisham books next…I don’t know about that, but if you have suggestions he might like, please share!)  He’s read books in the past that he’s loved, but he has really enjoyed these the most.  He says now that he wants to go to law school and be a corporate attorney.

#6: He still loves the New York Yankees!

Whatever.

#7: He has such a solid group of friends! 

Smith really loves his buddies!  He has a great mix of friends from school, church and sports too.  They’re all really great kids!

#8: He’s trying to memorize scripture!

This year, my older kids started Bible Drill at church.  If you don’t know what that is, it’s a national program that teaches you how to locate scripture as quickly as possible.  Smith has really taken to it!  My almost 95 year old grandpa gave him several Biblical commentaries to read as he gets older and then a small book of Romans to memorize too.  He wrote the sweetest notes in there for Smith to always have.

#9: He loves his Yankee Doodle.

It’s only been three days, but these two are already connected at the hip.  Smith has wanted a labradoodle for a very long time.  We kept saying no, no, no to another dog, so then a few years ago, he said he would settle for a tortoise…which only made us want to get back on the dog conversation faster (ha!).  We kept telling him no…but secretly, we realized that he’s been such a great caregiver to the two dogs we already have, he’s so responsible and well, dogs make us happy too, so Smith got his Yankee.  I’m so excited to watch their relationship grow!!

#10: He is just the most perfect boy to be in this family.

I think it takes a unique man to thrive in a house with three sisters…each with their own big personalities, but Smith does it well.  He is everyone’s favorite.  They all three argue about whose turn it is to sit by him/sleep in his room/hang out with him…he does not lack their attention. He’s always so great about playing what they want to play and also about including them in what he’s doing too.  He’s my peacemaker.  He’s my neutralizer.  He’s my very responsible and oh sweet boy.  And I cannot believe that he’s ten.

Happy birthday Smith William!!  Your mama is so thankful that the Lord knew I needed you ten years ago. xo

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Comments

  5. Ahna @ Hammers N Hugs says

    He is just too cute. Could he blow some of that fabulous “neutralizing” attitude of his my kids’ direction? Even just of a whiff of it would be appreciated. Happiest of birthdays, Smith!!!

  6. Susan Jeffries says

    Happy bday to your twin! He is darling and so cool – he loves Charlie Daniels and Bon Jovi!!! I have been following you since he was a toddler. Such a sweet boy! Enjoy the day!

  7. Beth Knecht says

    Happy Birthday, Smith! He seems like such a sweet, genuine boy! Every girl needs a brother!

  9. E says

    I usually don’t leave comments, but that last photo of you and Smith is a tearjerker. I have a 10-year-old boy myself, so I identify totally. ?

  10. Christine R says

    Happy Birthday to Smith! My oldest turns 16 a week from today- seems like he was 10 just yesterday- and then I blinked! Check out the Baseball Card Adventures series of books. Both my boys LOVED them!

  11. Jen Fosnight says

    Happy Birthday, Smith! As a fifth/sixth grade teacher, and a boy mom, Smith might love the Young Bond series, the Alex Rider series, the Eragon series, or any Matt Lupica books. (Sports themes) Hope these help…

    • Amy Owens says

      Loved this post! My sports-loving ten year old boy loves books by Mike Lupica! He might want to give those a try.

  12. Paula says

    Sweet sweet post. It does fly by. My youngest two turn double digits this fall. ??? #dontblink
    Happy Birthday, Smith. My little Birthday tein. I am 43 tomorrow. How is that possible. ?

  14. Erika Slaughter says

    Happy Happy Birthday to Smith William! It seems like yesterday when that baby was born! We love you and hope you party hard all day tomorrow! I know two members in my family who cannot wait to celebrate with you! Think someday he’ll ask to go snowboarding with the moms? ????

  15. Carly says

    I loved this post. Happy Birthday Smith!

    Also, Shay, I feel like I’m getting lazy in my prayer time…any advice on shaking it up?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I can relate to that, Carly. Are you reading your Bible and doing a Bible study with it? That always motivates me. I also like to write my prayers down and that way, I can go back and see how they were all answered and sorted out.

  16. Rachel says

    What a fun birthday weekend! Heading to Colorado I hope! You know CU Boulder has a ski/bird team……

  17. Melissa Terry says

    Wow, that last picture got me…I’m trying not to blink over here too. Happy birthday to your sweet boy!

  18. GiGi Turner says

    Happy birthday Smith! Your “Yankee” is adorable, just like you! Watch out “Mama”, with those eyes and dimples, he is going to be a heartbreaker! Not to mention his personality as you describe it!

  21. JM says

    Happy Birthday Smith – A Painted House by John Grisham – might be still a little young for him – but when he is ready it is good (I read it 20 years ago when it came out and it has always stuck with me and it is different then his “legal” novels.

    A Painted House is a moving story of one boy’s journey from innocence to experience inspired by Grisham’s own childhood in rural Arkansas.

  23. Amanda Wilson says

    He is alllll boy!! It’s so nice to have a son!!!! I have 1 boy and 4 girls! I am so glad I got to try out the boy mom thing at least once.
    Happy Birthday Smith!! He shares a Birthday with my youngest daughters tmrw….she turns 6!!! It goes sooo sooo fast!!!

  24. Sarah M. says

    He sounds like such an old soul, what a lovely boy you have! Enjoy today with your big 10 year old!

  25. ~B~ says

    Smith chose violin because he loved Charlie Daniels? That is so awesome! We did our first get away vs. gifts for Christmas this past year. Even though 2/3 kids are now out of the house, being able to celebrate a milestone (holiday, birthday) that way is truly a treasure and something I wish we could have done sooner (but alas, we had a wrestler in our home in which his birthday and the holidays all fall mid season). I just love that Smith & Andrew, along with your good friends, do that for his birthday – the memories will be the most precious gift ever! Thanks for sharing all you do!

  30. Lisa says

    I have thought this numerous times when you have posted that Smith is all the girls favorite… I hope you are still blogging when they are older. I cant wait to see close they all are when they are older. Your family seems to have that special closeness that you don’t see very often.

  33. Anita Hays says

    Happy 10th Birthday to Smith!! He seems like he has a sweet spirit and you can see it through his smile. What a cutie pie he is.

  34. Lisa says

    These baby pictures of Smith are TO DIE for. I’ve always really wanted to be a girl mama, but seeing and reading about Smith makes me realize boys can be pretty great too. 🙂

  35. Lori Boyett says

    Happy Birthday Smith!! I love love your Yankee Doodle!!

    My oldest grandson is 10, he’s also a huge reader! For Christmas I gave him the book that Brett Bair wrote, (young reader edition)Three Days in January. He loved it. Happy snowboarding!!?

  36. Sharon Temple says

    Happy Birthday to Smith. If he’d like to try some fantasy, Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins and the Ranger’s Apprentice series by Flanagan are fun.

  39. Tracy Robinson says

    Such a sweet post – happy birthday to Smith! Thanks for sharing your family with us!

  40. Sandi Kellman says

    That last photo is absolutely beautiful my youngest turns 20 tomorrow in (insert tears). It’s 6 AM here in California and he’s just leaving to go purchase his third car he is obsessed with vehicles while working full-time and I just can’t believe our boys 10 and -20 how time flies God bless you and continue to enjoy and watch him throughout his teen years become the man that God intended him to be have a wonderful weekend with Smith and your family thank you for sharing

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Awe! You’re exactly one year ahead of me mama. Why does this make me want to cry a little with you?!

  42. Penny Giesecke says

    Your blog is the one I save for last each day. Just my favorite! Happy Birthday weekend to your son!
    James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series would be a possibility! I just retired as an elementary school librarian and these were quite popular with upper elementary. Maybe Smith would enjoy them!

  43. Judy Travis says

    James Patterson has a new YA book out called ALI CROSS. It’s about the son of Alex Cross. Ali’s friend goes missing and Ali is determined to find him…he want to be a detective just like his dad. I think Smith would love it!! I did! Such a wonderful boy you’ve got there!!

  44. Paige says

    Has he read the Tim Green sports books yet??? My 12 year old has loved them all. I bet Smith would too!

  45. Jennifer Maynard says

    Happy birthday Smith! My 9 year old likes reading The Last Kids on Earth series by Max Brallier and the Ben Braver series by Marcus Emerson. Also, I have heard of the Michael Vey series by Richard Paul Evans, but have never read them. I love Richard Paul Evans other books and this series seems to have good reviews.

  46. Tanya says

    Happy Birthday to Smith! You picked out such unique facts to share about him, showing his special characteristics. Ten is such a fun age, but really all of them are! (coming from a mom of two teens!)

  47. Michelle says

    Such a sweet post! Happy Birthday, Smith! Your comments are hilarious whenever you are saying something about the Yankees! I laugh out loud every single time. Ha!

  48. Kathy Lang says

    This was such a great post about Smith because I learned so many cool things about him! I LOVE that Smith loves playing the violin and Charlie Daniels, but I ADORE the fact that he loves 80’s music!! It is my absolute favorite genre of music. Bon Jovi is great, but I’m dying to ask him if he likes Journey, Van Halen and Def Leppard too? Ha ha! 🙂 The last picture of you and Smith is so beautiful.

  51. Ellen says

    He’s a cutie … and he actually looks just like he did in his baby pictures! Very cool that he loves “fiddling”!

  52. Kim S. says

    Happy Birthday Smith. My son loved the Choose Your Own Adventure series. He is now 16 and when he was little he loved New Kids on the Block. He knew all their songs and was so mad at me when I went to their concert and wouldn’t take him.

  53. Becca says

    Happy Birthday Smith!!

    I’m so glad to hear Bible Drill is still around! I did it all growing up and still remember the verses!

  54. Alison T says

    There’s something extra sweet and sentimental about a boy and their mama. My girls bring all sorts of fun (and not so fun – Ha) girly stuff to our family. But, my son (now a high schooler) is truly something special. 🙂 Happy Birthday, to Smith!

  55. Kim says

    Happy happy birthday Smith! Hope you have a fantastic weekend!
    Loved getting to read more about him and your description of him at the end in #10. If we knew you, Smith is definitely someone I would want my 11 year old son to be friends with. He sounds like a fantastic, grounded young man!
    My 11 year old (who HATES reading) actually asked for the Spy School books for Christmas (Costco for the win with the entire collection). Smith might enjoy that series.

  57. Sarah says

    Mama of a sweet 5 month old boy here! This post melted my heart and made me want to go snuggle my little guy, especially that last picture of you and Smith. So. Darn. Sweet. I hope and pray our little Edison grows up to be like him. Happy Birthday, bud!!

  59. Pam A. says

    Happy Birthday to your sweet Smith!!! Being a boy Mama too, I think he is just perfect for his family!!! My sweet boy is 36, and I’ve always said we were connected by an invisible umbilical cord!! Sounds funny now that he is married and has a family of his own!!! Enjoy his special day!!!

  60. Megan Johnson says

    That last picture brought tears to my eyes…my only son will be ten in October and they seem so similar in interests :-). Happy Birthday Smith!!!

  62. Kayla Bruce says

    My baby Coco is just ten days away from four months old, so this post is making me happy and emotional and excited and sad all at the same time. But I feel the same– only God knew how much I needed this sweet boy. Happy, happy birthday, Smith!

  65. Sarah G says

    10 already!? He is looking so grown up and handsome!
    In your instagram I think, you mentioned Yankee Doodle was his birthday gift. A dog and a ski trip? One lucky boy!! Can I move in and be a Shull?

  66. Kim Nations says

    Happy birthday Smith!! I think you are the spitting image of your dad!! Have a great time on your birthday trip. He seems to be so sweet..

  67. Debra Pearson says

    Happy 10th Birthday Smith!! Has he read any of the Alex Rider series? My husband is a middle school English teacher and he would read those books to his students and they all loved them;)

  69. Ashley F. says

    Shay I love the last pic of you and Smith! Probably one of my most favorite from the blog! There is shear love there that you can see on both your faces! My baby boy just turned 12 and I can’t believe it! Happy Birthday Smith!

  70. Sarah Shaneyfelt says

    Happy Birthday, Smith!!! I have always heard there is a special relationship between a mother and her son and now with Harrison, I believe it! I loved these 10 things about Smith–he seems like a great kid! (PS–my 7th graders love the Mike Lupica sports books, if Smith hasn’t tried them yet!)

  73. Amy Androff says

    The plast picture of you and Smith is priceless. The bond between a mom and son is so, so specials. Daughters become best friends but a son is a son forever!

    Happy Birthday Smith! You are so stinking cute! ?❤️?

  74. Jinjer says

    Ok, The World needs more Smiths. Whatever you and your husband are doing to raise this boy, you need to write a book or teach a class. I mean!!! He will one day be an Attorney with a really cool first name who snowboards AND plays the violin AND reads novels AND is kind to others AND loves The Best Band in the World, Bon Jovi. Good work, Mom and Dad!

    Happy Birthday, Smith!

  75. Rachel says

    I think I was 13 when I read my first John Grisham book, The Client. I’ve read almost all of them, including the Theodore Boone series. He should definitely wait a few more years. But, the other commenters have given him some great recommendations! My 7th grade boys really Mike Lupica, even the ones who don’t like to read!

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