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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 {5th Anniversary}


Tomorrow is such a special day at our house because…it’s Madeley James’ Gotcha Day!

Five years ago tomorrow, we met our baby…

I mean…there are really not enough words.

After we met and fell in love with Ashby, we knew God was calling us back to China to bring one more girl home.  As much as we both “knew it”, I was still scared to death.  What if she didn’t click with the other three kids?  What if she felt less like mine than the other three?  What if she and Ashby didn’t bond?  What if she wasn’t meant to be the baby?

What if?

What if?

What if God is so freaking big and mighty that He knew MY BABY WAS IN CHINA, SO SHUT UP SHAY AND JUST GET HER.

Yeah.

We met a very timid and reserved 23 month old baby girl in Jinan, China on September 11th, brought her home…

…fell head over heels in love…

…as she became the absolute LIGHT and JOY in our family!

Where we might all tend to be a bit more reserved, Madeley is the life of the party.

She is naturally so funny, so clever, so sweet, so smart, so bubbly and full of energy while also being so sweet and affectionate.

Madeley James is everything our family didn’t know we needed…and we NEEDED her.

That once shy toddler is now a bubbly, social, active first grader.  She loves school, loves her teachers, loves learning.  On Labor Day, we were at our neighborhood pool, and she had more friends there/made more friends/knew more people than all of my other kids combined.  She’s so social and so outgoing while also being…

…such a baby too 😉 .  She loves being “the baby”.  Yes, she’s almost seven, but she really enjoys her role as the youngest, wants to cuddle and snuggle with any of us, wants to just spend time with us, wants to help, wants to play, always game for anything and always, always, always happy.  In five years, I really can promise you that she is my only kiddo who has NEVER had a bad day.  She is JOY.

Her role as little sister is often hanging out and waiting at practices and games, but she doesn’t mind.  Mades is always just so happy to be along for the ride and can turn any mundane task into something special.

I am so proud of how hard she’s worked at speech therapy and school.  She’s always so eager to read, learn, practice.  She’s up for anything, all the time.

Andrew and I always talk about Madeley’s birth mother.  She’s somewhere out there right now.  We imagine she has round cheeks, sparkly eyes, she knows how to command a room and make ’em laugh.  We imagine that everyone lights up when she walks in.  We know she can twerk. 😉  She’s funny, quick, and happy.  We always think of her that way.  I bet there is a part of her though that’s missing.  I bet she thinks of her baby girl every single day.  Madeley was about two months old when she was found abandoned.  It always reminds me of Moses.  I imagine her mama tried to keep her, love her, feed her, care for her and snuggle her as long as she could before she couldn’t anymore.  I am thankful for that mama.  I am thankful that I get to stand in her place at this time.  Our hope is that one day in heaven, I’ll get to meet her.  I’ll get to hug her and let her know what an honor it was to raise her daughter.  Our daughter.  I think about that sweet mama every day, but today especially.  My prayer is that God gives her this peace today.  This overwhelming sense that her baby girl is doing just fine.  That’s my prayer.

My prayer is also that if adoption is on YOUR heart, you stop thinking and start doing.  If God doesn’t want you to do it, He’ll close that door.  You go forward and pray for His will.  He’ll either open up doors and lead you to your child or He’ll close them.  You need to go though.  Go. Go get that next Ashby.  That next Madeley.  That next child that will complete your heart and your family more than you could ever imagine.

Happy 5th Gotcha Day, Madeley James Shull!  Five years ago today, you certainly “got” all of our hearts and haven’t let go. We love you! xo

To see all of my posts on our adoptions, please scroll and click below…

Madeley’s Post Adoption: 4 Years

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 {6 Year Anniversary}

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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Comments

    • Laura says

      God is so good. I’m in tears as I read
      this today. I’m so happy for your family. I too believe you’ll meet Madeleys birth mamma in heaven someday. ❤

  2. Laura says

    Wow. What a wonderful, God-ordained story. It always makes me tear up. I sure hope one of my children adopt some day.

    • SS says

      Awe Ashby and sweet family. We have a friend whose Gotcha Day is the same as yours and she is from China! (Although, she is a few yrs older.) Shull family, I know by reading this that you are so proud to have this special day to bring your baby home, but I bet everyone Ashby meets feels the same way…I am so glad they Gotcha Ashby! I tell that to our friend and her mom every Gotcha day…we are so thankful “we gotcha” in our lives.

  5. Erika Slaughter says

    Happy Happy Gotcha Day Madeley!! She is one of my favorite people on the planet with the best sense of humor. That girl can make anyone laugh!! We love you so much, Mades! XO

  8. Kim C says

    Happy Gotcha Day Madeley!! I’ve been loving her “influencer” videos on Instagram — it makes my day when she’s on there! ?

  10. Shona says

    Oh Shay!! Happy Gotcha Day to your sweet Madeley! I really can’t believe it’s been 5 years, I started reading your blog just before you went to get her from China. Happy day to you all!

  11. April Bass says

    I always love your Gotcha day posts. Happy Gotcha Day Madeley! The way you describe your sweet girl, just shines through in every picture. She for sure cracks me up across the internet waves. What a blessing to have each other!

  12. Melissa Terry says

    For years, I read your adoption posts with tears streaming down my face because we were in the middle of a LONG adoption process that seemed never ending, but today those are tears of joy. For your family and for ours. For knowing what it feels like to walk this road and welcome home a piece of your heart.

    Happy Gotcha Day to your family. Thank you for sharing this journey with all of us!! XO

  13. Kayla Sugrue says

    Omg I am tearing up at 8:30 in the morning! What a beautiful post, Shay. Happy Gotcha Day Madeley!

  14. Vickiy says

    What a beautiful heartfelt post.?. Praise our Lord for providing this blessed opportunity for Madely and your family to find each other and grow in love and joy every day. Thank you for always sharing your heart, soul, and life. You’re a daily inspiration . . . . .mama. .Happiest Gotcha Day???

  15. Jess says

    Love this post! Thank you for being such an encouragement – posts like these helped me during our adoption journey, especially when so many doors kept getting shut. But God kept calling and now we’re about to celebrate our 4th gotcha day. You and your story are a blessing, Shay! Happy Gotcha Day to your sweet baby.

  18. Emily Cecil says

    Well Shay, I’m a puddle of tears before 8am! We’re in the middle of our adoption journey and waiting to be matched with a birth mother. Some days I feel scared and not prepared, BUT GOD has opened so many doors for us and sent us reassurance and encouragement…even through complete strangers! Thanks for sharing your story!

  21. DeAnna Kerr says

    Could not LOVE this post more! I am crying as a type this. Happy Gotcha Day to your sweet girl! Her smile is infectious:)

  22. Ruth says

    I just love these posts! Whenever I see you post about Ashby and Madeley here or on Instagram, it is very evident they were made to be with your family. God knew she was going to be the baby and it sure fits her! I love your a Instagram stories where she is copying you making a story, such a sweet way she mimics her Mama. But, also, can we also talk about all those bows?! How did she even manage?

  23. Nicole says

    I didn’t grab a screen shot when you were answering Q&As on Instagram a few months back, but you had mentioned a book (or two) you read about adoption. Can you share those titles again please?

    Thank you! And happy gotcha day to all of you! I do enjoy seeing the relationships between your sweet kiddos.

  24. Kelly says

    Happy Gotcha Day, Shull family! What a blessing for you to be Madeley’s family and for her to be your daughter! How good is our God!?!

  25. Stacey Mills says

    I remember seeing Madely back then and thinking when is she going to smile. A little later and she is giving the biggest smile in all the pics! I mean she seems to be always smiling for the camera. Ya’ll have all been a blessing to each other. Great post today!

  27. Darcy says

    What a beautiful tribute to your sweet girl and her birth mom! I felt so much wonderful emotion in reading this message….laughter (that bow picture is the funniest and so clever of her to think of!) and tears. Enjoy celebrating the very special day of getting to hug her for the first time! Happy weekend!

  28. WhittyWife says

    Sweet Mades!! ❤❤ What a joy!

    I always appreciate your kind and extremely thoughtful words about Madeley’s and Ashby’s birth mothers. In a world full of judgment, your perspective is so refreshing! I have no doubt that their birth mamas will get to thank you in Heaven! Such a beautiful thought.

  29. Stephanie Snyder says

    The Gotcha Day posts always always speak to my heart and make me cry tears of joy that your girls have you and your family. My husband was adopted and we have met his birth mother and now have this HUGE amazing family and even if we never had met her, I just thank the Lord that she kept him safe for those 9 months and blessed his parents with the baby they couldn’t have. Adoption is amazing and so so good! Happy Gotcha Day, Madeley!

  33. Robin says

    This made me cry ! I’ve watched your journey now for many years and can’t believe it’s Madely’s 5 year gotcha day! God knew exactly where she needed to be . I’m so happy for her and for y’all ! Enjoy every day – they grow up way too fast ! ❣️

  34. Michele says

    Wow. 5 years. I remember being on that journey and Ashby’s journey with you. God has blessed all your children with very good parents, but I think he chose Ashby and Madely just for you and Andrew. They have absolutely thrived in the Shull house.
    And Madely is the best twerker! She’s got moves.

  35. Jen says

    Brings tears to my eyes. Such an amazing little girl. We are still waiting for our match (almost 3 years) from the Philippines. We pray our son/daughter is still out there waiting to find us.

  36. MelanieL says

    Brings tears to my eyes too, thank you for sharing Madeley with us! Do you have a link for that trash bag dress?!? Adorable!!
    🙂

  37. Liz Thorson says

    What a beautiful tribute to your family’s precious Madeley! And what a lovely post regarding the possibility of adoption! Our family was made complete through the adoption of our two incredible sons, now 32 and 37! I, too, thank their birthparents for making the decision to relinquish them at birth.

  38. Mallory says

    That part you wrote about Madeley’s first mom made me cry. Adoption is hard enough from birth. I can’t imagine the pain and grief she felt after trying to be a good mom and take care of her baby for two whole months and then realizing she couldn’t. I pray that she knows that leaving Madeley where she could be found, that she was found and has an amazing life and family now, is proof that she is an amazing mother, just like you, Shay. Happy Gotcha Day, Shulls!

  39. Susan says

    The picture with the 3 in the background kills me LOL laughing crying LOVE it! that should be framed for all not my kids and want that to use as a meme when the rest of the room is crazy and you the laid back one!!

  40. Amy says

    All of this is TRUTH! You are telling our story!! My 2 girls are from Taiwan and India. We thought we were done after #1… BUT GOD!!!! He told us to go to India… we were so scared… but we obeyed him and he was with us every step of the way. And he brought us the missing piece to our family that we didn’t even know was missing. She is also pure JOY! I sometimes ask my self… “What if we would have said no??? We could have missed this??” SO THANKFUL for a gracious God who knows what we need before we even ask!!

  42. Monica says

    Well I’m just crying over here over this beautiful post. I remember that first post when you introduced us to that precious baby girl. Happy gotcha day, Madeley and Shull family!

  45. Jaime says

    I remember you once said that when you adopted Madeley you were told she had a heart condition. Did you ever find out why her paper work said she had it?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      China labeled Madeley as “special focus” which meant she had two or more health problems. She was reported as having a thyroid condition and a heart condition. She had neither. It’s our understanding that the women at her orphanage changed her paperwork to make her look like she was sick in order to be adopted outside of China.

  47. Jen Foshee says

    Happy Gotcha Day, Madeley! So grateful you adopted her and she became a Glen Oaks Tiger! She is is super helpful to me and other kids and also funny. She actually told me the poop joke in class. ? Love her spirit! ???

  48. Nancy says

    Madeley you are such a light, so full of confidence and joy, you inspire me with your sense of humor, and up for anything attitude. My favorite thing was when you said Jesus told me to rock myself to sleep and the air was sucked right out of the room. Praying for all of the joy you’ll continue to bring.

  50. Carly says

    Crazy to think your adoption check ins are over?! (I remember you saying it’s at the 5 year mark) The first post I stumbled upon of yours was the night before you left for China. Following your family has changed my life in so many good ways. Thank you for sharing all of them but Madeley always brings a special light

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