Well, we made it to the end of 2020, friends. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to wipe the slate clean and start fresh with the new year. My goal this year after I got home from our spring break trip was to be a light during a dark time. I have no idea what 2021 has in store for us, but my commitment and promise to you is that I’ll continue to be a safe place on the internet where we can fellowship together about all of those fun, frivolous and energizing (not draining!) things in life.
Today is my kids’ last day of school for the semester, and we have big plans to sleep late, eat lots of yummy food, watch all the Christmas movies, get in lots of snuggles, dog walks, Jammy Cocoa Christmases, put our house back together (maybe even my office!), and, we’re even going to try and ski/snowboard too. After I read Loving My Actual Christmas in November (seriously, you should all read it!), I’ve also decided that I’m going to do something I haven’t ever done before…I’m going to completely unplug between now and January. So, if you’re looking for me, please know I’m here…but I’m not going to be on my phone or computer. I’ll be back online January 4th (Ashby’s 6th Gotcha Day!).
I love Christmas so much. I think about it far more than any normal person should. I get so excited when I spot my first twinkle light, tree lot, hear my first carol on the radio and start to deck my halls. I love the music, the movies, the weather, the ugly sweaters, the food, the hustle and bustle, the chaos of it all…but what I love most and what is MOST important to me is that it is the birth of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. HE is the reason for the season. HE is my hope, my joy, and my peace. If you do not think you know Jesus…really know Jesus, I invite you to read this post HERE about my faith.
From the very bottom of my heart, I’m wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I am so thankful for this community. After 13 years, I continue to be blessed by you more and more each day. I hope you have a wonderful holiday, and I can’t wait to “do life” with you again in 2021.
Merry Christmas, friends! God bless you all. xo Shay
Erika Slaughter says
Merry Merry Christmas, Shull Crew!
Jennifer Goodwin says
Merry Christmas- I pray you enjoy every second of your time away with family and friends during the rest of your season. Thank you for always sharing your life with us, I never dreamed when I watched your brother on The Bachelor that I’d find your blog and have it become one of my favorites. May the peace of Jesus continue to be upon you and yours long after the holidays are over.
Love your sister in Christ Jesus,
Jennifer Goodwin
all4boys.blogspot.com
(Overflowing With Thankfulness)
Hannah says
We will miss you, but I am so glad you are taking time to slowdown and soak up the Christmas season with your family. Have a Merry Christmas and I hope you make many wonderful memories with your little ones!
Debbie says
Merry Christmas to you. Bless you for being brave and unplugging.
Brittany says
I think this is my favorite card y’all have done so far! Love it. You have a precious family. God is so good! Merry Christmas!
Erin says
Merry, Merry Christmas Shay! Thank you for inviting us into your life. Wishing you a peaceful, restful, and relaxing season with your beautiful family. See you January 4th!
Wilma says
Merry Christmas,
May your days of celebration hold many unexpected blessings.
John 7:29
I come from him, and he sent me to you.
NOEL, NOEL
COME AND SEE WHAT GOD HAS DONE!
Danielle Rigg says
Merry Christmas and God Bless!
Melissa says
Simply adorable! Merry Christmas Shay. Thank you for sharing your life with us and for spreading hope, joy and fun into our daily lives. God bless.
Beth Knecht says
Merry Christmas, Shay! ?
Have the best time away!
Alexis deZayas says
I am just obsessed with your Christmas card this year! Merry Christmas to you and your family Shay, I so enjoy meeting you here every morning!
Crissy to says
Merry Christmas and happy new year!!! I will miss you but it is so good to unplug!
Blessings,
Crissy
MelanieL says
Merry Christmas to you and yours! I love the pictures/card!
Dustie Day says
Merry merry Christmas to you and your family! You’re such a bright spot in my day! Enjoy your break 😉
Brantlee says
Merry Christmas Shull family! Thank you for being a fun,positive place to visit each day.
Lisa Reynolds says
Merry Christmas and God bless you all ?❤️
Susan Jeffries says
Merry Christmas! I am always thankful for your blog and the fact that you share your faith, family, and fun with all of us! Be blessed and Happy New Year!
Dani says
Merry Christmas! Did you blog about your spring trip already? I must have missed it
Mix and Match Mama says
Not yet! Maybe next year?!
Kristine says
Cutest Christmas card ever!! I love it
Dawn Timmons says
Merry Christmas, Shull Family! What a beautiful family Christmas picture! Thank you for being a bright spot in our lives each day. Your light shines brightly because of the LIGHT of Jesus in you. We appreciate you and wish you a wonderful two weeks together of unplugged family time. May 2021 be a healthy one for all. “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Merry Christmas, Shay! Enjoy the holidays! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Carly says
Shay I love all those things about Christmas as well. I would even add all the things about your blog at the holidays get me so excited. I’ve enjoyed Christmas even more at times this year when I remember that Christmas is a reminder that God keeps His promises to us. He promised to save us and He will save us from this moment in time. Enjoy time off (I never know what to do in the morning when you’re off!) Thank YOU for being a light this year. It never dulled.
Beth says
Your Christmas card is just adorable, Shay – sweet pictures! Thanks for being a fun place to “stop in” each day. God bless your sweet family and Merry Christmas!!
Elspeth says
Merry Christmas Shull family!! And many blessings for a wonderful 2021!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Randi Jo Rooks says
Merry Christmas !!!!! Keep shining 🙂 So glad you can unplug – I also am going to unplug even turn off my phone and BE with my loved ones. <3
Sheila says
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! ??
Sheaffer Sims says
MERRY CHRISTMAS, FRIEND!!!! Enjoy your time with your family, and I sure hope we get to squeeze a lunch in sometime. I NEED some crab bisque!
Jodie Kingsbury says
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family. Hope you have a great 2 weeks with the kiddos celebrating
the season. Your blog and book reviews are awesome.
Amy Heinl says
Have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. Enjoy these next two weeks together…I hope you are able to get the ski trip in. Sounds like such fun. Looking forward to a fresh start in 2021
Dana says
Merry Christmas, Shay! Love the new cards. ? I hope you guys have a sweet time enjoying being together and celebrating our Savior!! ⭐️
Rachel Embery says
Merry Christmas! Being an Epic pass holder and Colorado girl feel
Free to message me about skiing now. Many counties are red, no indoor dining, and things are way changed from last years normal. We were in Vail last weekend. Will gladly give you tips, including a super cool yurt dining experience if you’re headed out our way! Enjoy!
Mindy From NJ says
Merry Christmas Shay and family! Thank you for opening your heart to your “virtual blog world friends ?” your blog is the first thing I read before I get out of bed each day! I hope you enjoy the special time spent with your family over the holidays.?❤️
Nicole DiDonato says
Merry Christmas Shull family!!! Shay, you and your blog truly are a bright spot on the internet, for sure!
Bev says
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Shay! You are a blessing to follow. I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!
Kristen says
Merry Christmas to the Shull family! I hope 2021 is a better year for everyone! As always, I love reading your posts and following along! Enjoy your time off with your family! ?❤️
Melissa Terry says
Checking in on your blog every morning with coffee in hand is a great start to my days as mama/remote learning teacher/cafeteria lady/trainer/etc ha. Thank you for being a spot of fun and encouragement. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Bailey says
At first glance, in my 2020 brain, I thought y’all were all decked out in Christmas gear..standing on a beach ?. Merry Christmas!!
Erica W. says
Merry Christmas to you and your family! I absolutely love your Christmas card this year. Such a fun and festive mark on 2020!
Kate says
Merry Christmas!!! You most certainly are a bright spot! Enjoy your time with your family ??
Vicky says
Merry Christmas to you all! Your ‘little corner of the internet’ has been a real respite from everything this year, and your positivity has been so inspiring. Enjoy your well-deserved break. We’ll look forward to your return in January. XO
Mary says
I think I found your blog when Kensington was 3 and Smith was 2 and have been reading it ever since! Time goes fast! Enjoy your family time and the Christmas season! YAY 2021!!
Lori H says
Merry Christmas and a very happy 2021 to you and your family! I have appreciated this blog so much this year-a daily dose of fun, light and community during all the madness of 2020. Here’s to you and my fellow readers-may you have a wonderful holiday and year ahead! ❤️
Sheena says
Merry Christmas to you and your family Shay!
You certainly brighten my days even on the darkest ones.
Looking forward to your daily post in the New Year!
Tracy Doubts says
Merry Christmas Shay to you and your entire family! Thank you for shining your light and your love for Jesus Christ. It means so very much!
Kathy says
Merry Christmas Shull Family! Your Christmas card is beautiful and joyful, just like your blog, Shay! Looking forward to a new year full of love, laughter and traveling adventures for everyone. Enjoy your time offline!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says
Merry Christmas to the Shulls! I love that you share about your faith and this year unplugging around this time. I’ve done a lot of unplugging this year and it’s made me healthier and happier. Enjoy this beautiful holiday time with your family!
Xo
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
Kandi Barber says
Merry Christmas to all of you. I just started reading your blog this year and it is very uplifting and a happy spot in my day! Thank you for all the positivity and joy! Much needed this year by me!
Laura Reimer says
Enjoy your break and your time with your family! Good for you to step away! That shows your faith…all will be well when you return. =0) You are my morning cheer after I finish my devotions. You have definitely been a bright spot and your attitude during some pretty serious surprises to all of us (Covid, elections, etc etc etc….) and personally – your flood and surgeries and dealing with food allergies…have been another testimony of your faith. Have a blessed Christmas.
Kelly says
Merry Christmas, Shull family! You are a bright light in a sometimes dark place! I hope you have the best holiday!!
Kayla Bruce says
Merry Christmas, Shay!
Tracy Robinson says
Merry Christmas – thank you for providing this place of joy and comfort for us all.
SC says
Merry Christmas and a happy & bright 2021!
Cara Hughes says
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Enjoy your time and can’t wait for Jan. 4th to hear all about it 🙂
Alison T. says
Your Christmas card this year is perfection!! So festive and full of cheer. 🙂 Merry Christmas, to your beautiful family. See you in the New Year!
Elyse Hitscherich says
Merry Christmas, Shay! I love your Christmas card this year! Thanks for creating such a wonderful blog where I can come every morning for a few minutes before the day begins. See you in 2021!
Carlin Smith says
I just ordered Loving my Actual Christmas, Loving my Actual Life, and Loving My Actual Neighbor! Can’t wait to add these to my morning quiet time!
Gail says
Who knew when I found your blog about the Mix and Match Bundt cakes that I would be hooked! I have loved cooking your recipes (so has my husband enjoyed eating all of it!), watching you get your girls, travel tips (that’s how we found Mix and Match Travel for our trip), watching your children grow, pray for Ashby’s surgeries and yours and Andrews shoulder and Kensington’s celiac….Merry Christmas Shulls and Happy New Year!
Paula says
Merry ChrisTmas! I hope you and your family have a wonderful break together!
Jennifer says
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! Enjoy your time with family and friends.
Sue Jones says
Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family. I love your blog. It just makes me happy! 🙂
Tanya says
Merry Christmas! I’m going to use you for inspiration and unplug from my phone for the break.
Laci Murray says
Merry Christmas! Enjoy your break and unplugging is great for all of us!
Julie Connelly says
Merry Christmas to you & your beautiful family!!!!! Good for you for unplugging for the holiday season. Can’t wait for you to return!!!! Enjoy your family time!!!!!
Cindi says
This post made me cry…I’m currently reading that book and I wish I’d read it at your age! Thanks for recommending it! And, bless you for using your platform to share Jesus, as He is the One and Only reason for this beautiful season! He can bring Light and Joy into any season we our in! God bless you and your precious family, Shay! Merry, Christmas! ❤️
Cindi says
*any season we ARE in. Bless it. ☺️
Natalie says
Love your card!! Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas Shay!!
Danna F says
Beautiful family! Love the Christmas card and your love for the season. Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you in the new year!
Susan says
Merry Christmas to your sweet family. Praying the new year brings healing and hopefully all the things we love to do and places to travel again! Be blessed!
Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says
Your Christmas card this year was my favorite one of y’all’s ever!! So perfect! Merry Christmas to one of my favorite families!! Xoxo
That Inspired Chick
Sierra says
Such a beautiful family! Merry Christmas and I hope you have a wonderful New Year!!
L Robillard says
From one Christian to another, I would like to encourage and pray for you and your family as you step away from some of your responsibilities to focus on time with your family. I believe that God is using this time in the lives of His believers to tear us away from some of our idols and worldly things we are trusting in and the things we spend our lives on that are not lasting. I am not attacking any of your online presence, lifestyle choices or Christian activities–I see your witness for Jesus as you live, write and speak–but I do believe He is giving us a time of quiet and solitude to reevaluate what we believe and examine ourselves to see if we are truly living for His Glory. I have seen this in my own life as I have struggled with the election and it became apparent to me that I was idolizing and putting my trust in a governmental system rather than the One that created and controls it all. I have realized how lightly I have taken my health and the time I have left on this earth. I now begin each day thanking God for another day to live and pray to be obedient as His follower. I am listening to His calling as He leads me in new ways of worship, surrender and witness. Your commitment to your family is God honoring and your will never regret the time spent with them! God bless you and your family! Merry CHRISTmas!
Kristen K says
MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Enjoy your much deserved break after the dumpster fire that was 2020! 🙂 Praying for good health and happiness in the coming year for all!
Melanie Countryman says
Merry Christmas Shull family and a Happy New Year!
Carol says
Blessed and Thankful that you shared the true meaning of Christmas today. What a wonderful last post to end the year. One of the reason that I continue to follow your blog is because of you and your families Christian faith and love for our Lord and Savior. Never stop sharing that. Have a Blessed & Merry Christmas!
Lizzie says
Enjoy your special moments with your family. Merry Christmas!
Abby @ That’s Life For Ya says
I hope you have the merriest Christmas, and a very very happy new year. I’m so thankful for your blog! I love reading it everyday! I can’t wait for you to come back!
One thing, where do you get Kensington’s clothes? She is always dressed in such cute clothes!
Megan says
Merry Christmas and God bless ?
Stephanie says
Thank you for being a great escape to a crazy 2020. You will be missed over the next couple weeks, but enjoy your time away! Have a wonderful Christmas!
Rachel Haynes says
Cute card, love all the blue with the red and green! Kensington is growing up so much. The old pictures of her and Smith that show up at the bottom of your blog are so adorable.
Rebecca @ Every Piece Fits says
Merry Christmas! I too have given thought to unplugging but was considering taking all of January off! (Probably not the best idea for a smaller blogger though.) I wish you a wonderful holiday with your family and a blessed New Year!
Julie H. says
Merry Christmas Shull Family!! ⛄️❄️???
Chelsea says
Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family Shay! Enjoy your time with family and friends. See you in 2021!
Sherri says
and we will miss you more than you know… you are the bright spot early in the mornings for me (and I know for others)… Thank you for what you are doing on here…is it weird to say, you are my friend that I have never met 🙂 I’m not desperate, I just know a good one when I see one!!!! Wishing you and your family the Merriest of Christmas!!! HE is the Reason we celebrate!!!… and that is some great news!!!! We will miss you, but look forward to being back with you on the 4th!!! PS … I just might have to pick up that book!!!
Sara McQ says
Love you, Shay! Thankful for you and your little place on the internet. Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas to all of you Shulls!!!
Amy Baker says
Merry Christmas Shay! What a wonderful Christmas card! Just Beautiful! Thank you for always being a bright spot in 2020! I have enjoyed your blog for SO many years and I’m so happy to have found it. Wishing you all the best in 2021!
Debbie says
Merry Christmas!
Liz Thorson says
Such a fun Christmas card this year! It captures the playful joy and happiness your family shares! Merry Christmas and here’s to a Happy New Year, 2021! Your family will celebrate mightily, kicking 2020 to the curb, I’m certain!
Kathy Wood says
Merry Christmas and God Bless!
Katie says
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you & your loved ones. I love checking your blog each day. Thank you for continuing to be a bright light during this crazy year!
PS- when I looked at your card it hit me that I’ve been reading since Kensington was Madely’s age! They grow up so fast!!
See you in January & God Bless!
Dawn says
Merry Christmas to all the Shull’s! See ya’ in 2021!
Joanne says
What a beautiful family photo!
Rebecca Jo Vincent says
Enjoy the break –Merry Christmas to you all!
DenPan says
Merry Christmas! Enjoy your time off. Love the card <3 Narci does a great job (but she has good models)
Lisa says
Merry Christmas to you and yours sweet Shay! You ARE a bright light in an uncertain world! Thank you for bringing so much joy to so many and for sharing! Kindred Spirits for sure! ❤️
Kacy M says
Merry Christmas Shull family! Love you, the fam, and the blog. Been following for years – God bless!
Jill L Myers says
Blessings on you and yours! Thank you for all you share. May 2021 find your deepest hopes and dreams coming true. <3
Paula says
1000% agree with you unplugging and enjoying your family. My kids are grown and so I know you will never get that time back. Good for you Shay! Merry merry Christmas! ? ♥️
Lea Culp says
Your blog is such a breath of fresh air and your testimony radiates throughout. May you and your precious family be abundantly blessed this Christmas season.