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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

Everyday Life ·

Three Things Right Now with the Shulls!


Happy Tuesday, friends!

It’s been a while since I’ve shared THREE THINGS, and so I thought today should be the day!

Three things about each of us right now…

1: He’s our #1 sports dad right now!  Andrew does not get enough credit here in blog world for all the *things* he does.  He’s a part of the cheerleader carpool, he’s coaching 3rd grade volleyball with Mades and her friends, he’s the loudest parent cheering at soccer, Smith’s personal trainer for football and crew, and last night, he was up at the high school way too late setting up for the pep rally this week (helping out his favorite freshman cheerleader).  He’s such a great dad to our kiddos!

2: The Lord knew what he was doing when he paired the two of us together.  This guy loves him some fall.  We’re watching our favorite fall movies together (so far, he’s watched three with me!), he’s keeping me updated on when the nursery will have the pumpkins out (he keeps going by to check), I noticed he was burning a fall candle in his office, and he’s requested chili for dinner this week.  I might be the ultimate Fall Girl, but I’m married to Fall Guy 🙂 .

3: He’s setting himself up for heartache once again.  One big Dallas Cowboys win and Andrew is looking to buy Super Bowl tickets.  Bless him.  Every year, this happens.  He gets so excited, and yet, they always break his heart.  (Right this minute, I picture him reading this at his desk at work, and he’s arguing with me about how ‘this is the year’.  Bless him.)

1: I’m LOVING this sports season!  I feel like everyone is “doing their thing” and our calendar is full but not crazy.  It happened fast, but you know…we spent years “trying” all of the different sports to see what would “stick”, and somehow, we made it.  The list is long of sports my kiddos have done (and many, LOVED!), but this fall season, they’re all doing their “main” favorite things which makes this mama’s heart super happy.  No one is complaining about practices or late nights because they’re doing what the love the most.  It’s just already been a fun fall filled with so many family memories.

2: I know, I know, I know…I travel a lot, but I really miss it.  I’ve been home (either here or on Nantucket) since we went to Turks and Caicos in May, and this travel obsessed girl is itching for a trip.

3: The weather has finally cooled down here (this summer is now officially the hottest recorded summer OF MY LIFETIME here in Texas), and it appears to have come to an end.  Cue the happiness and joy!  So far this week, I’ve basically only come inside to sleep.  We’ve been watching TV outside, eating our meals outside, I’ve been working outside, and I’ve walked my dogs/run/just enjoyed being outside.  Hi, my name is Shay, and I’m an outside girl.

1: It’s Homecoming Week for our resident freshman which means our calendar is extra full right now with even more high school fun!  Kensington cried when she left elementary school and cried when she left middle school because she loved them both SO MUCH, but I’ve never seen her “more in her element” than high school.  Other than the daily conversation about how “yes, you do need to know basic geometry to be a well rounded adult”, things are going swimmingly over here.

2: This girl turns 15 on Friday!  I mean, I have all the feels.  What does she want for her birthday?  A black cat to name Thackery Binx.  It’s all she keeps talking about.  As much as I love and adore that my child wants a cat to name after the movie Hocus Pocus, she is allergic to cats.  Also, we have three dogs.  And her dad “isn’t a cat person” (let’s be real, he’s not a “pet person”).  And we have four kids.  And um, NO.  Teenagers are so fun.  Did I mention that she’s allergic to cats?  For some reason, that doesn’t seem to be reason enough.

3: Taylor Swift.  That’s all.  I will never, ever, ever as long as I live hear the name Taylor Swift or hear a song by Taylor Swift and not think of this time in my child’s life.

1: This kid is living his best life.  I’ve never seen him more social, more active, more “teenager” than I have this year.

2:  He refuses to wear pants.  Any boy moms out there living this same life?  He legit looks at us like we’re insane when we tell him he needs to put on a pair of pants that ARE NOT shorts.  Like we’re the weird ones.  Like there’s something wrong with US!  We went to celebrate Madeley’s Gotcha Day on Saturday at a very nice restaurant, he looked great from the waist up in his collard shirt…and foolish from the waist down in his Under Armor shorts.  Sigh.

3: Smith is helping me with my Fantasy Football…THANK GOODNESS or else I would not have a team.  He has been very proud this week that he picked the Cowboys’ defense for our team especially after this last game.  #likefatherlikeson

1: Oh sweet Ashby!  She is our social butterfly!  Our front doorbell rings all day long because friends are wanting her to come out and play.  She always off on her bike or skipping down the street with neighbors.

2: Ashby wants to do all the things, learn all the things, try all the things RIGHT NOW.  She wants to learn a foreign language while taking a surf lesson and eating sushi while also taking a tennis lesson and perfecting making homemade macarons.  This girl has things to do, to learn, to make and to see…and she wants to do them all right now.

3: Ashby has already reached that part of fifth grade where she’s ready for middle school.  She has loved her elementary years, but she’s so excited about selecting her own classes, having electives next year that speak to her and gaining independence that comes with middle school.  I’m trying to soak in these last few months in elementary with my girl, but I’m excited that she’s excited to move to the next chapter.

1: Our littlest love wants to learn how to sew!  This girl reminds me so much of my cousin Brooke who has been drawing, designing and sewing since she was this age.  I *think* we’re going to wait and tackle sewing lessons when she turns 10, but we talk about it all the time.  Her new favorite TV show is Project Runway.

2: Right now, Mades is living her best high school and middle school life.  When my other kids were in 3rd grade they knew nothing about what went on in the upper schools, but this kid here not only knows about it, but she lives it most nights a week.  She has thoroughly enjoyed the three football games a week she attends, staying up late, eating more concession stand food than probably she should be eating, and hanging out with all of the teenagers.

3: Speaking of high school, right now, Madeley says she wants to be on the drill team when she gets older (and not cheer) which makes this mama’s heart happy because that’s what I did!  I’m so excited to watch her grow up and see what will end up being her “thing”.  She cracks us up because she loves to talk about the special days ahead…those days when the other three have left for college, and it’s just her, mom and dad. 😉

1: These three.  These three are LOVING the weather!  They were all complaining that we were no longer on Nantucket and back under this heat dome, but this week, they’ve gotten better attitudes.

2: Every single morning, when I get home from taking the littles to school, I can barely get the back door open because their three bodies are pressed against it ready to leave for our walk.

3: They also think a cat is a terrible idea.

So, those are three things about the Shulls right now!

We might be home in McKinney…

…but not a day goes by when we don’t talk about Nantucket too.  I’m not sure when the six of us will be back there again together, but it’s certainly left an impression on all of our hearts.  Anyone else miss me living on that island?!  I know I do! 😉

Three Things for your Tuesday.  I’ll see you tomorrow! xx

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Comments

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      We’re watching it and keeping up with our neighbors, but Andrew and I don’t tend to be worriers about much.

  2. Sarah nienhuis says

    I’m on team Kensington!! Cats are the best, easiest pets out there and once you own a cat, you realize how funny and full of personality they are. Non-cat people don’t get it. We joke that our black cat helps decorate our house for September and October! Talk to others who have cats and are allergic and see how they deal….some people get over their allergy and others allergies aren’t so bad. Kensington, I hope you get what you want 😉

    • Yolanda McLean says

      My husband and I swore we would never have a cat, we’re dog people. Well, we now have two cats that we absolutely adore. One our girls found and he was so tiny, he fit in the palm of my hand. The other his rescue group found him and his eye was badly damaged, so now he has one eye. I’m madly in love with both and I don’t even mind the litter box. We have four dogs too! Geesh, we have a chinchilla, two bunnies, and a turtle too. So many pets but gosh we adore these cats so much.

  4. Rebecca says

    This post was so fun to read and hear everything 🙂 It is always a bright spot to come read your blog each morning! I was thinking yesterday that it is hard to believe that I have been reading for over a decade! Thank you for sharing the joy with us! 🙂 I do admit I was surprised about the pumpkins… hahaha! We had pumpkins around us out starting around August 15th and I am not sure if it is because it was a cooler/rainy summer in the northeast or not but this “summer girl” was ALL against that. haha. Here’s hoping you get pumpkins soon 🙂

  5. Margaret says

    Good morning! Just to let you know this short thing may stick with him! My husband( (68) wears shorts everyday and every wear! Our son(38) an attorney, works from home and wears shorts everyday! He will wear long pants once in awhile ,maybe to a wedding but his crazy dress shirts make up for the lack of wearing shorts. His shirts are brand called party something! You may see them on Smith in the future. We just went to Mt bike race in Maine and I could not believe how man men and teenagers were wearing them! At 67 I don’t try to even to suggest pants! They are happy and are still willing to go to things! Not the craziest habit! Enjoy your day! Margaret

      • Margaret says

        I forgot to add that when we went to see his family the last day of ski season at Sugar loaf ,Maine his family came down the mt all in shorts! They were so happy!

  8. Erin Rivers says

    I LOVE these kinds of posts! And yes, my 14 year old son is the exact same way. I can’t even remember the last time I bought him jeans…it’s been THAT long. Even in the freezing cold (which, let’s be honest, we don’t get so many of those in Texas), he’s out there wearing shorts. Drives me insane but it’s a battle I’ve *finally* chosen to not fight.

  9. Kelli says

    Love this post! I thought of you yesterday because I’m reading Elin Hilderbrand’s oldie “The Beach Club” and she mentioned Bartlett’s Farm. Your Nantucket content was so fun this summer!! Glad you guys are having a great fall in McKinney though! 🍂

  10. Laci L Murray says

    I have a daughter the same age as Kensington (almost to the day) and I swear they only want a cat because Taylor Swift has three of them, lol (my daughter is also very allergic but insist it’s worth trying) NOT

  11. Liz says

    You all are just the cutest – fun update, I agree on the cat thing, no thanks! And loved mades excitement for the “special time” ahead she IS so funny 😆

  12. Paula B says

    Great post. Besides the fact all the kids are thriving, I loved you humor. Had a few chuckles reading this and it warmed my heart.

    • Amy Androff says

      I have been following you almost 10 years now. I can’t believe that Kensington is going to be 15. Who is going to be the Drivers Ed instructor, you or Andrew?

      • Mix and Match Mama says

        Do you really think that Andrew thinks I can teach anyone to drive better than him, Amy?! He will be the instructor, and I’ll be the one praying in the backseat 😉 .

  13. Amy says

    Have you guys considered spending Thanksgiving break in Nantucket? It sounds dreamy in my head, but is the weather awful?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      We have, and hopefully, one day we’ll be able to do it! We would actually really love to do it.

  14. Elisabeth Hogue says

    Yes! My boys alllllwaaaays complained about having to “get dressed up” when we told them they couldn’t wear athletic clothes! But now they are in college & like to look nice- so thankful it was just a phase!

  15. Den Pan says

    In the next few weeks I’ll be closing up my time at our Lake House and it makes me sad. Husband will be out there till December for duck hunting. I will miss the beautiful sunrises and sunsets o the lake.

  16. Kristen says

    I am highly allergic to cats and my sister in law just got a non allergan cat , didn’t know those were a thing and I am not allergic at all!!!!! Sorry that doesn’t help you, lol!!!

    Saw Taylor concert over summer w/ my teen and I have to say I am a Swiftie!!!!!

  17. Karah Stracener says

    Get that girl a cat!! Haha. I am with Andrew and not really a pet person yet we now have 3 cats. They are the easiest pets though. We have 2 outside only and a kitten that is indoors for now. I loved reading this post with little tidbits about each one of you. I am so thankful Texas is finally seeing cooler temps. We brought out our fall decor and fall candles. I just got back from Nantucket last week. It was my first time and I fell in love with that little island. It definitely has a piece of my heart and I can’t wait to get back. Do you have a trip planned back anytime soon? Christmas maybe? I would love to see your house in Nantucket decorated for Christmas.

  18. Karen Howell says

    Cats are from the devil so that’s definitely a hard NO from me!
    Also, my almost 16 yo son has gone through the only wear shorts phase for about 10 years now.
    He’s a sophomore in high school and suddenly doesn’t mind wearing pants now and then. I’m sure that time will come for Smith too.

  19. Erin says

    As mom to two, now grown, boys (20 & 22), keep preaching appropriate dress- even if they don’t comply, it is sinking in! My oldest interviewed for an intramural referee manager position on his college campus. He sent me a photo dressed in a polo and khakis for the occasion. Later he commented that he had seen several of his friends waiting to interview dressed in athletic shorts and t-shirts and wondered if he had overdressed. He was the one that got the job! They do hear and will at some point put that knowledge into action!

  20. Ashley says

    I feel you on the shorts. I have twin boys – one only wears shorts and the other only wears pants. It is this way no matter what the weather is or how much we try to get them to wear more temperature appropriate clothing. I’ve decided it’s not a battle I want to fight.

  21. Elizabeth F says

    Sewing is a lost art! My mom and grandmother taught me how to sew and quilt and it’s something I hope to pass along to my girls. Go Mades!

    • Richelle says

      Our litter box looks like a big storage box with a hole in the lid. I don’t think a dog could get into it.

  24. Amy Baker says

    I loved this post so much! Loved reading the little tidbits about your life and your children -who I have “watched “grow up! I’m so happy you are all enjoying this season of life so much! It all goes so fast! Happy Fall – and so happy it’s finally cooler for you all down there!! 🙂

  25. SC says

    Love this post so much! Can’t believe Kensington is turning 15!! Happy early 15, Kensington!!! Can Ashby do more, try more?! Lol love how limitless she is! She gives me so much hope for my little girl, who is 5!

  26. Sara says

    Love this post! As a fellow Texan I am LOVING this week of weather. It’s just the best! However, the mosquitoes make outside almost unbearable for me, do you have a suggestion or something you use in your outdoor space to repell the mosquitoes?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Ours can get bad too. We have a company called Mosquito Joe’s come spray once a month year around which helps…but Ashby and I still get bit if we go too far out into the yard towards the creek. I loathe mosquitos.

  27. Chrys says

    I was pretty much laughing throughout this whole post. I have to say, I really think older kids suit you and Andrew. You are going to be great “high school” parents. Also, I love that the dogs got their own post haha.

  28. kristen says

    ok, maybe i’ve been reading your blog for too many years, but didn’t you used to have a dog that followed your hubby everywhere he went hahah? my husband talks tough but he’s a great big pet softie lol

    that aside, i hope K talks y’all into a black cat! we have a house panther and he’s the best thing EVERRRRRR 🙂

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Oh the dogs all start off following Andrew (as he is our Alpha dog), but then they realize that he’s not going to fawn all over them, so they come find me. 😉

  29. Lyndsey says

    Of course we miss you living on that island! Can you imagine the Fall content there would be 🤩
    Dreamy.

  30. Kelly Testerman says

    I’m having a teenage girl wanting a cat moment in my house too! Her 14th bday is next week and all she wants is a cat! It’s 100% a no from her father and I… but now I’m super stumped on what to get her 😬

  31. Joanne says

    As a boy mom, I’m kind of impressed that you even got him into a collared shirt! LOL. What a fun wrap up on everyone; it sounds like everything is going so incredibly good!

  32. Bethany says

    I cried leaving elementary, middle and high school. I don’t remember crying when I left college but all that to say I can relate to Kensington!

  33. Kim says

    Any plans to see Taylor Swift in concert when she returns to the States next year? Are you planning to see her movie next month? Just curious, I’m a middle aged Swiftie over here lol.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I do think I’ll so see her movie, and yes, should I be able to secure tickets, this time around, I know to take my Swiftie 😉 .

  34. Debbie Hoover says

    I really liked your comment about Andrew and the Dallas Cowboys. I posted something similar on Facebook. Trust me, it’s not just Andrew who thinks they’re Super Bowl bound.

    My post:
    Dallas Cowboys win their first game and fans everywhere: “Oh, yeah, we’re going to the Super Bowl this year!”

    🙄 Every year since 1996!

  35. Kacey says

    If Mades loves Project Runway I think she’d love Next in Fashion on Netflix, if she’s ever looking for something new =)

  36. Emily says

    I cannot get my boys to wear pants either. During freezing cold new England weather last winter my son’s teacher said he couldn’t go to recess without pants on so he started wearing his father’s long socks with his shorts to cover his skin. This year when we went back to school shopping they were not only heartbroken but shocked as to why you couldn’t buy shorts in the stores this time of year and we left with nothing but shirts.

  38. Elizabeth says

    Hi from ACK!! Those pawsitivity leashes are SO cute, I just got the same ones in pink. Enjoy every second of fall with your beautiful family!
    Xo

  39. Lori says

    I have taught a few kids to see and I super recommend getting her fabric, scissors, and a hot glue gun to make clothes with of her own design. A lot of sewing is understanding how to attach fabric together and how to make it look like what’s in your head. That age has a blast with hot glue outfits!

  40. Jodi says

    My 13 yr old will not wear pants either. My father lives in Montana and only wears pants over shorts when it drops below zero.
    My husband swore up and down he was allergic to cats, didn’t like them, didn’t want one. Then 7 years ago he found an abandoned kitten and geez we all adore that cat and fight over her all the time. He adores her climbing in his lap. The allergy mysteriously vanished…

  42. Patty says

    My mother taught me to sew at a very young age. She let me run the sewing machine, without thread, on lined notebook paper to help me learn to sew in straight lines. It was a fun activity and allowed me to get used to the machine without wasting fabric or thread!

  43. Liz Thorson says

    Loved this post! Sorry almost birthday girl, Kensington—no cat! Litter box, 3 pups, allergy= Nightmare! Plus, you’ll be off to college in a few yrs. and your family will have to tolerate a cat! I’m obviously a dog person! Cats are too moody, dramatic, independent and often just not nice, in my op!

  44. Kacy M says

    Cats are great and black cats are the least likely to be adopted at the shelter due to “bad luck stigmas”. They’re so sweet! My dad feeds two neighborhood feral black cats that live in our backyard that have been neutered/spayed. My little niece is allergic to dogs yet has two wink wink.

  45. Megan says

    When I read K’s interest of and allergy in cats, I smiled.
    I am also highly allergic to cats, except I have been taught to never live in a box.
    Therefore, months ago a classmate’s cat was running around my apartment and I woke up to a butt in my face. Allergies? Not bad!
    Recently, my parents adopted a kitten. HAHAHAHA!
    I am a 4th year medical student moving every single month so I am more so dying internally….

  46. Jenna says

    Our youngest is about to be the only one left with Mom and Dad. Dropping off the middle on Thursday. Although the oldest and soon to be college graduate may be back for a stint, so maybe it won’t be so bad for the youngest afterall. Getting to visit the older siblings is the best! Something tells me Madely will do just fine! Love your sweet family!

  47. GiGi says

    Tell Kensington I have 4 adorable black kittens ready for adoption waiting on her in East Texas! It’s amazing how much fun they are, how lovable they can be, and how entertaining they are. I just add them to my allergy list, endure them like all the other things and take my 2 allergy pills a day. It all started from a tiny abandoned stray. You would all fall in love!

  48. sandi says

    My 20 year old son goes to college in the mountains. His winter capsule 🙂 consists of any type of athletic shorts, a sweatshirt, hoodie or jacket of some sort, maybe a hat and white socks with birkenstocks. Last year he had to purchase a suit for a business class presentation (yes, somehow the boy has made it 20 years without purchasing a full suit – thank the Lord for a non judgmental church) and he looked so handsome! He will occasionally wear jeans or casual khaki type pants, but typically he is in shorts year round. My husband hates it, but I am a firm believer of natural consequences… don’t complain when you are cold. I gave up around age 8 (not really).

    We have been doing some traveling and I am trying to catch up. Looks like the Shull family had a great end of the summer and good start to the school year. I hope Kensington has a wonderful freshman year!

  49. Karen says

    Teach your baby to learn to sew by hand. Use sewing pencil and mark sewing line. Needle and thread. Cut squares of fabric. Sewed together into doll quilt or lap quilt. Fuel the desire!

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