Four years ago today, we met and immediately fell in love with our sweet Madeley James Shull!
Today is MADELEY’S GOTCHA DAY!!!
This little nugget right here born in Linyi, China stole our hearts from minute one.
Four years ago, this sweet girl was very unsure, shy, nervous, cautious and uncertain about her new life.
Four years later?
She is LIFE OF THE PARTY!
This kid came into our lives and decided to dominate it.
Madeley is spunky, she’s ALWAYS happy (when I tell you that she’s never had a bad day, I honest to goodness mean it…she has never had a bad day!), she has a little sass, a whole lot of funny, she’s sweet, cuddly, happy to do anything with anyone and the PERFECT kiddo to complete our family.
The other day, she said something that made us laugh and then she cocked her head to the side and said “I like being the funny one”. GIRL! YOU ARE THE FUNNY ONE! She’s quick-witted for her age, clever, has the most expressive reactions to things and always knows how to play to her audience. We absolutely melt around her.
Madeley does so well at school! She really thrived in Pre-K learning math, facts about the state of Texas, a handful of sight words, and she is a writing fool who loves books.
I was a nervous wreck going back to China because once again, my head was filled with all of the “what ifs…”, but you know what? God had the most perfect kid waiting for us over there who was always destined to be a Shull.
What if we wouldn’t have gone?
What if we would have chickened out?
What if?
I’m so thankful for a God that gives us courage during our “what ifs” because HE KNOWS THE OUTCOME!
Our lives changed forever four years ago. We didn’t really “get her”, she got us. She stole our hearts from minute one and hasn’t let go. Adoption has taught me so many things over the last six years, but the number one thing I’ve learned is that family is something that is made from the heart and not the body. This is my daughter. She is our forever Mades and we love her so very much. Four amazing years are being celebrated today. xo
To see all of my posts on our adoptions, please scroll and click below…
Madeley’s Post Adoption: 3 Years
Madeley’s Post Adoption: 2.5 Years
Madeley’s Gotcha Day {2nd Anniversary}
Madeley’s Post Adoption: Month 21
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 18
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 15
Madeley’s Gotcha Day {1st Anniversary}
Madeley Post Adoption: Month 11
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’s Gotcha Day {5 Year Anniversary}
Ashby’s Post Adoption: 4.5 Years
Ashby’s Gotcha Day {4 Year Anniversary}
Ashby’s Post Adoption: 3.5 Years
Ashby Gotcha Day {Third Anniversary}
Ashby Post Adoption: 2.5 Years
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
