Today, Kensington Kate is THIRTEEN YEARS OLD!!
Oh my heart.
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
THIRTEEN!!!
That miracle baby we wanted more than anything, the one who made us parents, is officially a teenager!
I know all of you mamas out there feel the same way, but I blinked and she went from infant to teen! I don’t exactly know how time sped up like that, but I really wish it would slow down.
Kensington is such a big personality in our little family. Even though she’s the most independent and self-sufficient of the bunch (always has been), her presence in our house is always fully known.
She loves to still play with her siblings but also craves alone time too.
She loves dessert.
She rarely has her bed made.
She loves binge watching shows on Netflix and Disney+.
She doesn’t like pink.
She loves Starbucks.
She loves any recipe that begins with ground beef.
She hates laundry.
She is obsessed with Frenchie.
She wants to be a nurse.
She likes one on one time.
She loves salads.
She’s handled Celiac like a champ.
She loves Nantucket.
She sings in the church youth group.
She is obsessed with Mia.
She wants to live in New England.
She doesn’t like wearing earrings.
She loves holidays.
She loves volleyball and cheer.
Should would put Nutella on anything.
She loves Jesus.
She was our answered prayer.
We are already so proud of the young woman our Kensington has become. She’s smart, she’s sweet, she’s feisty and loyal. She loves big.
Happy birthday, Kensington Kate! We love you so much! xx
Erika Slaughter says
Happy Happy Birthday to your THIRTEEN YEAR OLD! You couldn’t have described Kensington any better! I love her sense of humor and quick wit along with her loyalty, boldness to share her faith and so much more. Still can’t believe she’s a teenager! I hope she has a great day today!
Kelly Strylowski says
Happy 13th, sweet girl! Kensington reminds me so much of my daughter, and it’s been a joy being able to watch her grow into a beautiful young lady! God bless. ?
Laura says
Oh my word. I remember when she was a little baby! Hold on, Mama. Soon you’ll be ordering her class ring!
Taylor says
For some reason I had tears in my eyes when I read this! Maybe because I’ve been reading your blog for so long that it feels I’ve also watched her grow up quickly before my eyes! Happy birthday Kensington!
Elspeth says
I can’t believe she’s thirteen!! Happy birthday!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Sonia says
Happy Happy 13th Birthday Kensington!!! Sending hugs and warm wishes to you on your special day!
God bless you today and always. ♥
Lisa N says
She is STUNNING! With so many good and interesting traits. Happy Birthday, Kensington! I have so enjoyed watching her grow and look forward to seeing her dreams come true!
Dustie Day says
Happy birthday to Kensington!!!!
Ramya Natarajan says
Happy Birthday to Kensington!! 🙂
Katie Compton says
Happy birthday to your sweet girl! My baby girl turned 14 this summer. She is my one and only. My heart aches when I think of her leaving for college. We just have so much fun together! But I’m so proud of the young lady she’s becoming that it takes away the ache. I hope Kensington has a fantastic day!
Melissa Terry says
Happy birthday to your precious girl! I hope y’all have the best day celebrating xo
Christine R. says
Happy 13th to your beautiful girl! You and Andrew are raising a wonderful young lady who is sure to do good things in this world (a nurse!).
Kristine G says
Ahhhh. I love that you say she’s your answered prayer. I feel the same way about my rainbow daughter who also loves Starbucks and Nutella! Ha
Alison says
Happy Birthday, Kensington!
Bethany says
Happy Birthday, Kensington!?What a beautiful young lady!
Kimberly Nations says
She’s beautiful.. I think she is going to be tall like her Dad! Happy birthday sweet girl! I hope your day is the best.
Sheaffer Sims says
Happy Birthday, sweet girl! Beautiful inside and out! HOW IN THE WORLD are our babies thirteen?!?
Alison says
I’m not going to lie, once they become a teenager, the pace really picks up. So, hang on! You and Andrew should be so proud. Kensington sounds like a beautiful soul and she is most definitely a beauty on the outside, too. Happy 13th, to your lady!
Katie says
Awww, Happy Birthday to her. I actually was just listening to an old Jamie Ivey Podcast this morning where she was interviewing you and Kensington was just 7 at the time, so time certainly does fly. My oldest actually turns 10 on Sunday and her twin sisters turn 8 on Friday, so yay for September birthdays!! It’s funny, because although that is an older interview with you, everything you were talking about travel totally resonated with me and how our family likes to approach trips with our kiddos and try to give them experiences. Thank you for giving us a little glimpse into your life!
Laci says
Happy Birthday Kensington!
Nichole says
Happy Birthday, Kensington! I can’t believe she’s 13. I can totally picture her living her best life in Boston as a nurse at Mass General or Brigham & Women’s and taking in all the Red Sox games she can. I hope she has the best day today.
Tracy W Doubts says
Happy 13th Birthday Kensington. You are a beautiful young lady!!
Monica Stoleson says
Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! Love this post! All the wonderful things you listed about her. Makes my mama heart tear up. ?♥️?
Mary Ellen Cook says
Love seeing “the teenager” through the years! She’s such a cutie!!
Happy 13th Birthday Kensington!!!
Patty Anderson says
Happy birthday, beautiful girl! You radiate love with your sparkle and shine!
Laura Farmer says
Happy 13th birthday Kensington ????
Katrina Goodman says
Happy birthday, Kensington!
Got teary eyed reading your post!
Jackie says
Happy Birthday Kensington! I hope you have a great day!
Lori says
I think she looks like your mama in her last pic.
Karen J Ward says
Happy birthday, Kensington!!
Rebecca Jo Vincent says
Happy Birthday to your growing girl! 13… all the teenage years ahead!
I love she wants to be a nurse. Shows her caring heart.
Stacey Mills says
Happy Birthday, Kensington!!???
Bri says
Happy birthday to Kensington!!! A teenager! So exciting! Through reading your blog and following your life here, I love learning that our girls are both 13, one month apart, and you and I will both be turning 40 this year, one month apart. 🙂
Connie says
Happy 13th Birthday to Kensington!!! She is so pretty! My daughter wants to be a nurse too. (Neonatal nurse) Have a fabulous day celebrating! ?
Amy Heinl says
Happiest of birthdays to Kensington. What a beautiful young lady she is. I pray she enjoys her special day and is surrounded by all the things she holds dear. Thirteenth birthday is such a magical birthday. I got a charm bracelet as my special gift for my 13th birthday and got charms added for alot of special events that followed. 46 years later it is one of my most treasured things to wear. Enjoy your special day
Debbie says
She is beautiful! Happy Birthday to your adorable daughter! ????
Tracy Robinson says
Happy birthday to Kensington!! What a beautiful young lady she has become.
GiGi says
Happy birthday to your beautiful Kensington who seems to be just as beautiful on the inside as out! So hard to believe she is 13! I love your post about her and have loved watching her grow up on your blog. I just can’t believe she doesn’t like pink! LOL (She is probably gets more than her share with her little sisters.) I wish for her many happy things and many blessings.
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Marcela says
Does anyone else see Mia in the first one year old picture?? What a cutie!
Dawn says
Happy Birthday, Kensington!!! You go girl!
Leanne Gilchrist says
SHAY!!!! How did this happen!? She’s gorgeous. She looks like a joy. And how did those long years pass so quickly!? Buckle up, because they’ll go even faster from here.
I’ve loved seeing a tiny slice of your life and I’ve loved following along with a bit of your days. I think I’ve been reading for at least 8 years.
As I read this post, I prayed over Kensington. I prayed that this would be her best year yet. I prayed that the Lord would take her further up, further in, closer and closer to Him, that He would guide her path. I prayed protection over her, protection from this world that wants our kids so very much, that K would be surrounded, hidden, cosseted in His strong and capable arms!
Thanks for letting me be sappy~~our Lucie will be 13 in January! God bless you, dear Shay!
SS says
WELCOME NEW TEEN!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
We hope you have a GREAT day and don’t give your parents too much teenage grief!!! LOL!!!
Joanne says
Aw, Happy birthday Kensington! I know how you feel about blinking… my oldest is turning 18 soon and I just can not even wrap my mind around that.
Tracy says
She’s beautiful! It’s been fun watching her grow up here on your blog. 🙂
Happy Birthday, Kensington!
Mary says
So sweet! There’s nothing more beautiful than a girl who loves Jesus! Happy birthday Kensington! ?
Bev says
You nailed it with your comment! She is a beautiful girl and that’s it, Jesus shines through her! Happy Birthday to Kensington! ?
Leanne says
Happy 13th Birthday, Kensington! It has been fun to “watch” her grow up on your blog.
Ann says
Happy Birthday!!
I have an almost 13 year old!! EEEKKKK!!
What shows does she love to watch on Netflix?
Carly says
Happy Birthday Kensington! 13 is such a special birthday, did she get a special gift (if you’re willing to share) thank her for sharing part of her world with us!
Gina says
Happy Birthday to Kensington! Shay how did she do with getting braces?
Mix and Match Mama says
She’s doing great!
Liz Thorson says
Kensington is an incredibly wonderful person! What a joy to have her be the oldest sib in your dear family! Happy 13th Birthday, Kensington Kate Shull! Here’s to a fabulous year of love, fun, growth and adventure!