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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’s Gotcha Day {4 Year Anniversary}


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}

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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Madeley Post Adoption: Month 11
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Comments

    • Kristen Thompson says

      Your adoption stories are so inspiring and sweet! My husband and I pray hard about adoption and we hope we can financially be able to do it when our babies are a little older. Happy gotcha day Madeley!!

  2. Erika Slaughter says

    Awwwww!!!!! Happy, Happy Gotcha Day Shull Family! That girl is exactly how you described her!! We love you Madeley Shull! Adoption is AMAZING! And that picture of her in that romper has her looking like a third grader!

  5. Laura says

    She’s absolutely ADORABLE!!! You can tell by the pictures she’s adjusted so well and your doing an awesome job. How is her liver? Is she ok? Praying everything is fine. Also, how long was it before she slept over at other another family members home?
    My nephew is adopted and it’s been a year and it seems like he’s still not ready.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      You’re so sweet to ask about her liver! We’re still trying to figure that out…about 17 months later. Madeley slept with us the first four-ish months and then started sleeping with her siblings. I know that’s a hard transition for so many kiddos.

  8. Carrie says

    First, I love this. She’s a doll and I’ve loved seeing your journey. We adopted last Nov from foster care and I also think we could missed this. We could have let the hard stuff, scary stuff, and uncertainty make us miss this beautiful piece to our family. Second, how do your adopted kiddos feel about the word “gotcha day”? We are new to this so no judgement from me (just trying to get perspectives here). I read so many blogs and FB pages that say gotcha day could be seen as negative. I always ask families who adopt what they call it and why. Just curious. I’m new so figuring what we call her special when it comes in Nov. thank you for sharing your life with us.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I think it’s what your family makes of it (just like so many things…Halloween for example which can be controversial), in our family, we make it super positive and special 🙂 .

  11. Kerrie Hofstad says

    I think it’s safe to say all your followers love her, too! I hope y’all have the best day celebrating the blessing of Madeley!

  13. Erin says

    I don’t usually comment, but how could I not? Your family is an amazing testimony to God’s goodness and faithfulness. Praise God!!!!

  14. Melissa Terry says

    Your gotcha day posts make me cry in all the good ways. They used to make me so wistful about when our turn would come, but this time our baby is home! I can honestly say your posts encouraged me on the days the adoption process seemed daunting, if not impossible, and now she’s asleep upstairs…the perfect baby to complete our family too. Thanks for sharing your heart-happy Gotcha Day to y’all! XO

  15. Kathy says

    Love seeing the sweet pictures of Madeley and how she’s grown into a funny, beautiful, and very happy part of your family!

  16. Ralinn says

    I love your adoption stories. Madeley is always smiling and has adorable sassy expressions. Happy Gotcha Day Madeley. You are the best!

  17. Patty says

    Your adoption stories are so inspiring! I love this post! Our daughter and husband are almost at the end of the process and hope to have their little guy in their arms SOON!

  20. Julie Bradford says

    these posts always get me!! such a beautiful girl… she always looks like the life of the party 🙂 Happy Gotcha Day Madeley!

  21. Debbie says

    I love this! It looks like Madeley and your family are a perfect fit. She seems like such a doll. I love that she is always so happy!

  22. Melissa Frye says

    I remember that face years ago and I thought, “Babydoll, you are going to have such a blessed life.” And look at her – she is such a blessing to you guys and those she is around. I am so glad that God has made it possible for our world to be a whole lot smaller than we could ever imagine. Thank you for continuing to share your story! <3

  24. Martha says

    I always remember the day you left for China to get your Madeley.
    It was the same day my son and his wife left China to bring home our new grandson. What a wonderful journey, God is so good!
    Happy Gotch Day!!

  25. carol says

    She looked like such a solemn little girl…and how she blossomed! Those smiles of hers really let you know she is full of personality and charm.
    And I always love seeing her in the summer when she gets brown as a berry!

  26. Liz Thorson says

    Posts and pictures of Madeley you share with us ALWAYS make me smile! She is a treasure and I am so happy she is a Shull forever! Here’s to a joyful day and evening of celebration!

  27. Andrea says

    Congratulations to Madeley and the rest of your family! I just love your heart for adoption. We hope to adopt our second son from China later this year. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. She is the sweetest ?

  32. Jessica Barshinger says

    This post makes my heart happy. I met you at Nordstrom at stonebriar a couple years ago and commented on this sweet girl, but it is worth saying again…the transformation on her face says everything! I love seeing the pure joy and happiness on her little face! It’s truly amazing. Your family has saved a life. I just know you’ll have many jewels on your crown! ❤️❤️

  33. Karah Stracener says

    Happy Gotcha day to your sweet Madeley. She is so precious and you can tell shes the life of the party. Thanks for sharing her with us.

  34. Terri Venman says

    I love your Gotcha Day posts and wow, has 4 years flown by. Look how Madeley has blossomed with the great live and caring of your family.

    On a totally separate note, I’m trying to find your information on the long lasting/long burning candles you usually burn throughout the year . . .