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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

Madeley ·

Happy Birthday, Madeley!


Oh my goodness, today our baby girl is SIX YEARS OLD!!!!

How in the world did this happen?!  Our baby girl all of a sudden turned into a big, independent, super funny, kind of spicy, life of the party six year old girl.

Oh sweet, Mades.  You melt me.

This girl is so funny, so sweet, never fusses, always happy, full of joy, really dang smart and keeps us all in hysterics all day long.  She is just this bright spot when she enters the room, and we all just cannot get enough of her.  She LOVES being the baby.  LOVES. IT.  She often jokes about how she wants to get inside my tummy like little babies (Bahahaha!) because it would be snuggly.  At the same time though, she is super independent (takes her own showers, can get her own food/drink, operate the TV, make her bed/make her lunch, etc), but still loves to be taken care of by the five of us (“Carry me, Smithie”, “Snuggle with me, Kensington”, “Hold my hand, Ashby”).  We are all wrapped around her little finger 😉 .

Last year, on her fifth birthday, she was admitted into the hospital with RSV, and we never had her super fun Peppa Pig birthday party…so this year, I planned something really big…BUT…#2020, so we punted yet again and today, she invited three friends over after school to play Barbies (her idea).  I asked her what kind of cake or cupcakes she wanted for today’s party and she said “Chick-fil-a nuggets” bahahaha…so, we’re having that instead.  It will be small, but she’s so excited because it’s EXACTLY what she wants.  (And hasn’t 2020 taught us that it’s often the simple things at home we need the most?)

So happy birthday to our sweet Madeley James.  Five years ago, we set out on our journey to adopt for the second time and had all of these ideas in our head about who our fourth child would be…but God totally shoved us and our thoughts out of the way because HE KNEW JUST EXACTLY WHO was born to be the youngest Shull.  I think about your birth mama every day, but today in particular, I think about her…and I’m so thankful she loved you enough to give you life and to love you for two months before making sure you were left some place where you would be found and hopefully have a chance at a forever family.  I often think of baby Moses when I think of Madeley…I cannot imagine the love it takes to walk away from a child in hopes that one day, they’d find a forever family.  God bless her on this day…your sixth birthday. xo

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Comments

  1. Julie C. says

    Happy Happy Birthday sweet Madeley!!!! I can’t believe she is already 6!!!! I hope she has a wonderful day & hope she gets spoiled, too 😉

  2. Ash says

    Happy birthday, sweet girl! There’s a saying in Arabic/in the Quran which always hits home with me as a parent: “May you always be the coolness of your parents’ eyes.”

  6. Shannon says

    Aw, happy birthday, sweet girl! And you are a girl after my own heart — Chick-fil-a nuggets!! 🙂

  7. Erika Slaughter says

    Happy, Happy Birthday sweet Madeley Shull!! Hope your day is as full of FUN as you are! We love you big sweet girl!

  9. Rachel says

    Awww Happy Birthday, little sweetie! I may not know you in person, but seeing updates about Madeley always makes me smile! Her joy is evident even through a computer screen! Thank you for sharing a bit of her light with all of us, Shay!

  10. Amy Heinl says

    Happy Birthday sweet Madely..I hope your day is full of laughter, love and moments you will always remember. Enjoy your special birthday party and have your best day

  12. Kathy says

    Happy 6th birthday to your youngest, sweet Madeley! Her cute smiles and beautiful eyes sure do light up in the pictures you post. I can only imagine how special she is in person. I’m sure her special day will be just perfect!

  14. Dana says

    Aww…we love Madeley at our house! Every time you post a video of her we all just melt. ? And her name fits her so well, too. Super cute name for a super cute girl! Happy birthday, Madeley!! ???

  18. Ralinn says

    Happy Birthday sweet Madeley!
    How is Madeley 6! I just can’t believe it. She has grown and changed .

  19. Melissa Terry says

    Happy birthday to your sweet Madeley…what a precious tribute to her and her birth mama. I hope y’all have the best day, nuggets and all xo

  21. Meagan Ruse says

    Happy Birthday, sweet girl! You’re the life of the party and the cutest little thing! Love you!!!

  23. Bev says

    Happy Birthday Madeley! She was supposed to stay little!!! Love your sweet description of her, she sure sounds like a precious gem! ?

  24. Libby says

    HB Madeley! My 15 yo had a front yard party with some friends earlier this month. Most she had not seen in months. We grilled burgers, and they sat and talked. Definitely the simplest party we’ve ever thrown, but what ALL of the kids needed. Some time together to chill & laugh. #2020

  25. Cindi says

    Your reflection of Moses and how much love it takes to walk away from your child in the hopes that one day the child will find a forever family brought me to tears…And reminded me of what God did for all of us: He left Jesus on the cross so we could have the hope of a forever family with Him! Happy 6th Birthday to your precious baby girl! ?

  26. Laci says

    Happy Birthday Mades!! Her personality shines through in your pictures, what a joy she must be!

  27. Karah Stracener says

    Happy Birthday to your sweet Madeley. Thanks for sharing her with us. I hope she has the best day.

  29. Lorelei Boyett says

    Happy Happy Birthday Madeley!! I can’t believe you’re six already!! I’ve loved following along as you became the baby Shull and look forward to seeing what the future holds for you!!????

  30. Kandi Barber says

    Happy Birthday!! As a family with many ‘gotcha’ babies i loved your message to her birth mom! I love that she always has her toe pointed in her pictures – such a super model! Have a wonder day 🙂

  36. Stephanie says

    I love how you can just feel the JOY and happiness from the pics you post of Madeley!!, She is beyond adorable!! I hope she has the happiest birthday!!! And I love how she is happy with Barbies, a few friends and Chick-fil-A nuggets ! Kids teach us that simple really is better! 😉

  41. Dana says

    What a perfect post with the sweetest words to celebrate your baby girl!! Happy Birthday to Madeley!!

  43. Cheryl L Cramer says

    Happy, Amazing ,Wonderful, Terrific, Awesome, Beautiful, Fantastic, Birthday to you Madeley. A Birthday that is all those things…just like you!!!! You are a blessing and a miracle. Enjoy every moment of your day. Create memories that you will treasure forever. You came into the Shull family because you were just what they needed. You became a Shull because God knew from beginning right were you well supposed to be. Hugs and blessings.

  44. Alison T. says

    Happy Birthday, to my birthday buddy! Madeley and I share the same birthday! And, this day was also an approximate one for me. (I was left to foster care and adopted from Korea). It must be a good “guesstimate” kind of day. ? I hope your special little lady has the best kind of day!

  47. Liz Thorson says

    I join the parade of Madeley fans in wishing her a 6th birthday filled with joy and laughter, surprises and much love! I agree with so many comments! Madeley joined the best forever home!! Shay, your post was lovely and so filled with grace and love and appreciation! Your response, the only one I noticed, to Alison T., who shares Madeley’ s birthday, made my eyes fill with tears. You are such a dear, compassionate person!

  49. Isobel Langton says

    Happy Happy Happy Birthday Madeley James Shull!!! The big 6 :)))) Have the best day full of Chick-Fil-A, Barbies and friends!

  51. Sharlene says

    Was wondering how Madeley’s name is pronounced – with a long “a” like “made” or a short “a” like “mad”? And happy bday! – that grin always makes me smile!

  53. Rhoda Watson says

    Happy Birthday Madeley!, Shay. the pictures of your youngest always crack me up. Her personality just oozes out of every picture. Your birthday posts for both Madeley and Ashby always make me cry. Every year you graciously acknowledge the unfortunate circumstances of their birth mothers, their pain and the strength it must of taken to give up their child. I hope God can somehow give those moms comfort. The girls truly have the best and most loving family!

  54. Monica Stoleson says

    Loved what you wrote at the end! We have no idea what it’s like to give your sweet baby away in hopes of a better life for them. Breaks my heart for her mother. I truly believe God knows all things and knew she was made for your family. She is such a sweet blessing!! Happy Birthday Madley James ❤️?

  55. Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says

    She makes me smile every time I see her!! Her little voice and squishy cheeks…she’s so precious!! So glad she had a great birthday even if it was 2020-style!

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