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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

Kensington ·

This is SEVENTEEN!


And just like that…

…Monday, September 15, 2008 turned into…

…Monday, September 15, 2025.

It happened so fast, y’all.

Kensington Kate Shull is 17 today 🙂 .

We celebrated her last night at our house and tonight, she’s going to enjoy dinner with her friends before going to Young Life.

This sweet girl made me a mama, and it has been nothing but an absolute JOY to watch her grow.

She’s funny.  She’s smart.  She’s quick-witted.  She’s loyal.

She loves people BIG.

She loves volunteering at church.  She loves working with young kids.  She loves her friends and family.

This school year, she’s studying like a crazy woman because she has BIG plans and BIG goals for the next chapter.

She loves all things seasonal.

She was the first one to put Halloween decorations up in her room.

She loves watching the same movies and TV series on repeat.

Her favorite food category is candy.

She always has a pumpkin scented candle burning in her room.

She’s always planning her next trip.

Her vibe is cozy.

She adores her pups.

She loves it when I make pancakes.

She just brings an extra layer of spice to every single thing our family does.

We are soaking up every single minute with this girl right now.

Happy birthday to our Kensington Kate!

We are so so blessed you are ours, and we cannot wait to see God do BIG things through you. xx

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Comments

  3. Alison says

    Happy Birthday Kensington! I have watched her grow up on your blog, and I know she is loving and well-loved. I hope she has an amazing, blessed birthday! I can’t wait to see what she does in life.

  6. Sheaffer says

    Happy Birthday, Kensington!!! 17!!!! WHY does seventeen seem at least 5 years older than 16???? Hope you have the best day!

  8. Katie Compton says

    Happy, happy birthday to your sweet girl! It’s truly amazing seeing your “babies” turn into amazing young adults. Make sure you and Andrew pat yourselves on the back too!!

    Fun fact… my favorite food category is also candy!! Ha!

  9. Angela says

    Happy Birthday Kensington!!!! We have loved watching you grow up from the adorable little girl into the beautiful young lady!!! Have an awesome birthday and keep doing great things!!! 🥳🌸🎂🩷

  11. Jo Ellen says

    Happy birthday Kensington! I started reading the blog when she was getting ready to start kindergarten so it’s shocking to me that she is 17 because that was just yesterday! #don’tblink

  12. Bev says

    Happy Birthday Kensington! Love watching her grow and can’t wait to hear about her big future plans! 💖

  14. Pamela G says

    She is just beautiful!!! Happy birthday to Kensington!!! I have been with your blog a long time as I remember when she was young ❤️❤️❤️

  18. Paula Hobbs says

    Happy Birthday, Kensington! Thank you for allowing us to watch you grow. You are such a sweet and beautiful young lady. Have the BEST day and keep your eyes on the Lord. I know He has great plans for you.

  22. Lisa says

    Happy Birthday to your beautiful girl!! It has been so fun watching her grow and blossom, she is an absolutely adorable young lady. I’m sure she has a wonderful future ahead of her, I know you and Andrew are so proud.

  25. Erika Slaughter says

    HAPPY HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY, KENSINGTON!! Sixteen feels like a young teen and seventeen feels SO OLD!!

  27. Karah Stracener says

    Happy Birthday to your girl! I hope she has the best day. Thank you for sharing her with us. She has grown into a beautiful young woman and it sounds like God has big plans for her.

  28. Chloe says

    Happy birthday to your sweet girl! I’d love to know what her favorite subjects or interests are these days?! I cannot believe she is 17!!! Go chase all of those dreams, Kensington! xx

  31. SS says

    Happy 17!!! Thank you for allowing your momma share your journey! Prayers for the journey that lies ahead of you!!

  32. Elizabeth L says

    Happy Birthday Kensington! I hope she has the best day! Cannot believe she is 17. I have been following you for so many years, the time is just flying by. I love watching your family grow. Best wishes for the year ahead!

  33. sc says

    Happy, Happy Birthday, Kensington! 17 looks adorable on you! Hope you are showered with lots of candy 🙂

  34. Julie says

    Well this seems impossible. I remember when she turned 4! 😂

    Happy Birth day to you Mama, and Happy Birthday to Kensington!!

  35. K.K. says

    Happy birthday to Kensington!! It’s been so fun to watch her grow up on your blog. I like that cozy, spicy, lovely, big-hearted personality that you describe her with!! Sounds like her mama! 🙂

  37. Amy Heinl says

    Happiest of birthdays Kensington. I hope your day is as special as you are. Its been an absolute pleasure watching you grow into the smart, beautiful young lady that you have become. So excited to see the big things your future holds for you.

  38. Amber Vance says

    Happy Birthday! Thank you for letting us watch you grow into a beautiful young lady on this blog!

  39. Sil says

    Happy birthday to Kengsington!! She is a beauty like her mom! The two of you were just babies when you had her! I love the first picture of the three of you! So precious. Time goes by so quickly.

  41. Beth Knecht says

    Happy Birthday, Kensington!
    17! Wow – I remember when you blogged about her starting kindergarten!
    Enjoy enjoy!

  42. Elizabeth S says

    A very happy birthday to Kensington! So excited to see what the next chapters look like for this amazing young woman!

  45. Ellen says

    Happy birthday to your beautiful girl! It’s funny … she looks a bit like you, but a LOT like her grandmas! So lovely!

  47. Kristen says

    Happy Birthday Kensington! (I have a soon to be 11 year old Kensington. I remember seeing you all on the bachelor and I said to my husband, if we ever have another girl we’re naming her Kensington!) Hope this your Kensington’s best year yet!!

  49. Debbie K says

    Time is such a thief… Happy birthday Kensington Kate! (I have always loved her name!) I will say…adult children are so fun! Just spent yesterday with my “babies” (32 and 29). Best day!!

  55. Laura @ Our Grand Lives says

    Happy Birthday to your Kensington! Your mama heart must be bursting, Shay – she is beautiful inside and out! It’s been a privilege to watch her (and your other kids) grown up via this blog and I can’t wait to see where God leads her (and you all) next! Wishing Kensington the best day and a beautiful year ahead!

  56. Beverly says

    Enjoy 17, time flies. You look barely older than your daughter in her birth picture. The resemblance is remarkable!

    You have raised an outstanding individual, beautiful inside and out. Well done.

  57. Elizabeth (Liz)Thorson says

    Happy Birthday to your darling, talented, sweet oldest child! Her sibs are so lucky to have her to look up to in life! Kensington, you are awesome! 🩷🎉🎊🌷🎂🌷🎊🎉🩷

  58. KC says

    Happy Birthday to Kensington!! My daughter is close in age, so I always appreciate when you share her likes and recommendations. I often buy a lot of the recommendations! Hope she is having the best day!!

  59. Kimberly M says

    Happy 17th to Kensington! What a beautiful young lady and beautiful picture!! She looks JUST like a younger version of your Mom here!! 🎂🎈

  62. Marisa Patel says

    My middle turned 17 this year too and it was a shock…haha…time just flew by! Happy Birthday to sweet Kensington!

  63. Jess W says

    I’m late to this party, but I hope Kensington had an amazing 17th birthday! My niece and her were born on the same day so we celebrated my niece’s 17th birthday on Sunday!

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