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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 {9th Anniversary}


Friends, it is SUCH a special day at our house!

We are celebrating the fact that…

…nine years ago, we became a forever family with this sweet baby girl!

NINE YEARS with our amazing…

…Miss Madeley James 🙂 .

Somehow we blinked and our baby girl went from toddler to…

…fifth grader.

Madeley heard this line off of the TV show The King of Queens, and she loves it and says it all the time…she is “the straw that stirs the drink” in our family.

Yup.

She certainly is.

Last week, she spent one night at my parents’ house and when the five remaining Shulls sat down for dinner that night, we all kind of just looked at each other like “now what?”.  Ha!  We aren’t used to sitting down at the table without our sparkly youngest one and all of her fun energy.

Nine years later and Madeley still hasn’t had a bad day.  She’s always positive, always upbeat, always encouraging…she is JOY.

This kiddo’s light shines wherever she goes.

Tonight, we are celebrating her 9th Gotcha Day at the Lovejoy Leopards’ varsity football game (of course!), and even though she has the best attitude about going and cheering on Smith, we had a “Gotcha Day Eve” night last night for her too.  She selected tacos for dinner and The Addams Family movie.  We ALL love celebrating what a blessing it has been these last nine years to be a forever family with Madeley.

Adoption is the most beautiful, most wonderful, most amazing thing.

Adoption builds forever families.

Adoption changes lives and often saves lives too.

I wish everyone adopted and there were never any children in the world who needed forever families.

But this world is broken.  The adoption system is broken.

Nine years ago, I was so naïve about adoption.  I’m grateful for that naivety because without it, I might not have pursued it.  And pursuing it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  I hope you read my blog and see our forever family and are encouraged to adopt.  I hope you see Ashby and Mades and think about whether or not YOU might have an Ashby or Mades out there just waiting for you to be brave enough to step out on faith and go get them.  These kids need forever families and if not us, then who?

But adoption is hard.  And our family knows that part of the story too.  I never ever want to discourage anyone from adopting, but I also want you to know that we understand adoption can be beautiful and sometimes, it can completely break your heart.

I’ve mentioned this before, but on all of the rubber bins that we store our fall and Christmas decorations in, years and years ago, Andrew and I started taking Sharpies and writing our kids’ names on there along with the date and messages of love.  We have written all over these bins.  I always think that one day when I’m not here, my kids will pull out my decorations and see that their mama sure loved the holidays and she sure loved them too.

There are many many messages written to Madeley dated well before September 11, 2016.  Messages of excitement, hope and love for a girl we had yet to meet.  About 10 days ago, I pulled those same bins out to put up my fall and Halloween decorations and let me assure you, there are messages written to children on that bin that will never be a part of our family.  Messages written to kiddos we love and think about every day that, for whatever reason, the Lord decided would not actually ever become Shulls.  Adoption is hard.  Nine years later, and I feel even more blessed today than I did then that we have our two girls because now I see, that it certainly doesn’t always work out that way.

Madeley James Shull, you are the straw that stirs the drink.  You are the perfect final piece to our family’s puzzle, and we are beyond thankful that nine years ago today, we all “got” each other as forever family.

Happy Gotcha Day to our Mades! xx

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Comments

    • denise Thompson says

      So beautiful! My daughter is adopted and she now has 3 biological children but said she wanted to pay forward what we did for her and they adopted a son.. what a blessing he has been to our family and what a blessing my daughter has been to ours!! Thanks for sharing-your family is beautiful!!

  2. Kelly says

    I sure wasn’t expecting to cry this morning but here I am with tears streaming down my face. Thank you for sharing your adoption story; the good & the bad. My seventy-seven year old mom is currently a foster momma to a newborn. You are right, there are so many kiddos out there who need a family. ❤️

  4. Debbie Hibbert says

    Happy Gotcha Day, Madely Shull! I get a smile on my face every time your mama shares about you!❤

  5. Amy Heinl says

    Oh my gosh I have tearsvin my eyes. What a beautiful tribute to Madely. Isn’t our God amazing that thousands of miles from where you live he had a little girl just waiting on you and Andrew to come and get her. God in His infinite wisdom knew that this was the piece missing to complete your family. Now all these years later it’s hard to imagine her ever being anywhere else other than right in your family. She just simply radiates joy. Happy Gotcha Day Mades!

  6. Dawn Timmons says

    Happy Gotcha Day, Madeley! It is so enjoyable to read your journey and how much your family loves you!!! I want people to see me the way your mama describes you…someone who is always positive, always upbeat, always encouraging, and someone who lives out JOY! What a great way to be described! Thank you, Shay, for sharing. I hope your family has a great day together!

  8. Kathleen Latham says

    Happy Gotcha Day Madeley!!! I remember the day you introduced us to her!
    Thank you for sharing her with us! You can see the joy all over her face in every picture!

  9. Melissa Terry says

    Hugs to you and your whole family on this day…thank you for being such an encouragement to me and so many adoptive families all these years. Adoption is hard and messy, but it’s beautiful and miraculous as well and sometimes we need that reminder.

  10. Laura Urmson says

    She’s one amazing, resilient kid! Hope this next year is the best one yet. Has her rocking herself to sleep subsided? My hope is that she can feel comfortable and just relax. 🙂

  14. SS says

    Happy Gotcha Day!!! Today is our neighbor’s Gotcha Day too. I always text her…we are glad they Gotcha!!! She is a neighbor, but our olders were little they were the 3 amigos!!!
    Enjoy the football game!!! Thanks for always sharing your story with us.

  18. Anita says

    I don’t comment often but I am so thankful for you sharing your adoption journey! I have 2 amazing boys, one from China and one from Hong Kong, and your posts were such a big part in our family taking that step. 🩵🩵

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Well goodness, this is the BEST thing you could comment today. God bless YOU and your sweet family! xx

  20. Yvonne says

    Beautiful post! Happy gotcha day Madeley! Love to see your cheerful and bright spirit shine through your beautiful smile! Have a blessed day!

  21. Jaimee Shaffer says

    To see those early straight face photos turn to such a beautiful smiling face (always!) gives me so much joy! Great job, Shay & Andrew. Thank you for sharing your life, your faith and for being a great example to this community!

  23. Alyssa says

    It’s hard to remember your family before she joined because she’s always been a Shull, through and through.

  25. Shannon says

    What a beautiful tribute to the baby of the family. I was adopted, and I thank God for all that he has blessed me with over the past 40 something years!

  27. Laura Holmes says

    I started following you with Ashbys adoption. I just really love and appreciate the way you talk about it. Thank you for sharing.

  29. Dana J says

    Tears from reading this sweet tribute to your sweet girl! What a special girl she is full of pure sunshine and joy! I needed this read today on this very heavy day when my heart is breaking over this fallen world we live in. Thank you for sharing Madeley with all of us! Happy gotcha day!!

  30. Sandy M says

    We all can use some joy today for the terrible things that have happened recently. This here is joy! She is such a doll and growing up so fast! It is so wonderful to see her thrive and bring joy to so many people. If you had only known, you may have made Joy part of her name!

  31. Jill L says

    These words are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing the beautiful pieces and the painful ones too. God bless you all with a sweet day!

  32. Jill says

    Happy Gotcha Day to Madely!

    I absolutely love recalling my son’s adoption. He will be 26 on October 1st and we were able to be at the hospital when he was born and brought him home the very next day.

    Not an international adoption but it came with it’s own challenges.

  33. Jenny N says

    Happy gotcha to your sweet girl!! Hope you all have a great day celebrating (football games count too)!!

  34. Jen says

    Happy family day to you all! We are a few months home from finally bringing our boys home from Thailand. It was a LONG process (over 7 years) and things looked way different than what I expected, but God has a way of making it perfect for our family. The boys fit in with our family flawlessly and we now have a 7, 9, 11 and 13 year old. You inspired us way back when and we’re so happy to finally be on this end of our adoption journey.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Goodness, praise the Lord you are home with your three boys. God bless YOU and your sweet family! xx

  35. Kelci says

    Long time reader, first time commenter. I just wanted to let you know how vividly I remember getting on your blog 9 years ago and seeing the lock that read “ASKSAM”…I spent way too long trying to figure out who Sam was, and what we were asking before finally reading and learning the wonderful news. Something I’ll always remember. Sending love from Kentucky!

  36. Heather S says

    What a beautiful tribute on such a hard day for so many. So glad to read and happy you are spreading some JOY! Happy Gotcha Day to Swwet Mades!

  37. Sarah Shaneyfelt says

    Happy Gotcha Day to Madeley!! I am so thankful you and Andrew were obedient in following the Lord’s calling for your family and that you posted about it!!! I am sure there were many families changed for the better because of that!

  38. Heidi says

    I love this so much! We adopted from China 8 years ago and we have a 5th grader as well AND her Gotcha Day is September 11th! Truly a blessing. I hear ya with what you are saying…adoption is hard, it’s broken, but it sure is beautiful. I know God meant for this little girl to be ours. We are truly blessed. xo

  40. Elizabeth (Liz)Thorson) says

    Such a pure, honest heartfelt tribute to your precious, joyful Madeley, Shay! I always love posts with pics of her, always smiling and radiating joy! Our family was built through adoption, too— now36 and 41. We have been so blessed.

  41. Beverly says

    I have followed your blog since the beginning and love the many beautiful family stories. I love these updates on the “gotcha day.” You are truly blessed and your children will go on to do great things for others and spread your joy.

  42. Angie says

    From one adoptive mama to another, so grateful you share your story and honor Ashby and Mades as well with the parts that are their story only.

    We’re actively waiting our 2nd match, since Nov 2024, and the days feel long in the wait.

  43. Kim Hickman says

    Wow! What a beautiful tribute! I’m in awe! Bless you for persevering in the adoption journey. Your family is an inspiration.❤️

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      We legit just take a Sharpie and write little messages on the lids and sides along with the date. There is no rhyme or reason 🙂 .

  45. Joy says

    I Loved this post ! Madeley seems to be such a sweet happy girl and Jesus definitely knew your family needed her. Happy Gotcha Day !

  49. Ann says

    Happy Gotcha Day Madely!

    Seeing your family gave me the courage to pursue the adoption process. I had 2 bio kids but kept feeling this nudge to take the plunge and start the process. 4 years later and several adoptions that didn’t work out, we have the most beautiful happy 2 year old. In part, thanks to you and your family!

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