Happy Friday, friends!
I hope you are settled in because today is a VERY big and eclectic mix of favorite things.
And bonus…starting this afternoon, Dallas is supposed to be getting a few inches of ice and snow through the weekend which means…all hell is about to break lose in the Lone Star state.
Will we have power? Unsure.
Will the kids go to school on Monday? Who knows?
Will everyone stock up on groceries, not go to work, sit at home and post 4 million photos of a few inches of snow? Yes, yes, and YES.
As you might imagine, I found this meme particularly ammusing!
Before I get to this week’s Faves, a HUGE thank you to all of you who prayed for our Miss Ashby. We had her first post-op appointment on Wednesday where they removed her drain and cleared her for school on Thursday. She still has her cast another two weeks, but she went back to school yesterday and it went really well.
Ashby and I had a really nice week at home. We hibernated well together 😉 . She cracked me up A LOT, but a few of her observations were particularly funny to me. First, she told me she really liked it when everyone was at school and work because “it’s so peaceful and chill”. Bahaha! Yup. It sure is.
On Tuesday, we were making lunch together and had this conversation:
Ashby: Is this what you do every day?
Me: What? Make lunch?
Ashby: All of it. Do you just work all day and eat lunch by yourself?
Me: Yes.
Ashby: I thought your days were more interesting.
Bahahahaha! I could not stop laughing.
Okay, as always, I’m linking up with my friends Andrea and Erika and sharing this week’s favorite things.
It was a VERY big week for the Shull family…
…on Sunday, Smith turned SIXTEEN!
I’m still in a bit of denial. How is this possible?!
He and Andrew had spent the weekend on Nantucket, but they arrived home on Sunday afternoon in time for this mama to get a lot of hugs and extra squeezes out of her big 16 year old boy. My parents were here when they came home, and we had a big family dinner in his honor to celebrate him. He asked for lasagna for dinner…
…and we had cake for dessert.
On Tuesday afternoon…
…he and Andrew went to the DPS, and he officially got his driver’s license. He allowed a post-DPS photo for the occasion (he ignored me when I kept asking him where his jacket was), and of course, I took a video of him driving off for the first time to head back to school for a track meeting. They get big too fast. Way too fast.
Prior to Smith’s birthday, on Saturday afternoon, I left Ashby and Mades with my parents and drove to Fort Worth for…
…the UIL State Spirit Championship (the state’s big cheer competition) to watch our McKinney Boyd High cheerleaders perform…
…we were all SO proud of them!
Love these two girls! Ebby Lee and Kensington and their team DID AMAZING!
Last year, our girls came in 2nd place which was HUGE, but this year…
…THEY WON!!!!!!!
This is the FIRST time a MBHS cheer squad has won! WE WERE SO SO SO PROUD!!
They had a school holiday on Monday, but on Tuesday morning when they went back to the high school…
…the were honored by the entire school. This sign was out front and then after their 1st period cheer class, the principal opened up the locker room door for them to exit out into the hallway…
…and the entire school had lined the halls on both the first and second floors cheering and clapping for them as they walked through to head to 2nd period. This is a screenshot from the full video, but it made me instantly well up with tears. These girls have worked SO HARD, and I very very much appreciate that the high school gave them the love and support that they did on their first day back after the competition.
Today, they are competing in NATIONALS! We are going to watch them cheer and then head right back before the winter weather arrives. Let’s go, Boyd!
In other news, I’ve been hibernating at home with Ashby for over a week, and my wardrobe reflects it…
…I love me a PUFFER VEST. Mine is currently on sale!
I’ve recently shared my love for…
…ATHLETA’S JOGGERS, but I’ve had a few requests for an Amazon “dupe”…
…I bought THIS PAIR in navy (it comes in many other options), and they’re great!
The fabric isn’t as “substantial” (they feel more like athleticwear and less like ‘pants’), but they’re really comfy, have pockets, wash and dry well, and are cute!
I also wore them on Tuesday with THIS SWEATSHIRT (and my favorite sports bra!).
I actually put on “real” clothes for Smith’s birthday dinner. MY SWEATER + MY MULES for the win!
On Monday, I was…
…back in my leggings. This time though, I had one THIS SHERPA ZIP UP, which is SO CUTE!!
The faux-leather detailing really takes this one up a notch. Super cute!
On Wednesday, I ADORED THIS SWEATER! I wore it to Ashby’s post-op appointment but kept it on all day because it was so cozy on the inside. It almost felt fleece-like. It also comes in a variety of colors.
On Saturday morning, I was enjoying my coffee and reading my Southern Living when I saw…
…this beautiful photo and wonderful article about how many people have turned to cruising for their vacations. You guys, WE LOVE CRUISING! The article covers a variety of different cruise lines and types of cruises. From relaxing and intimate to big and adventurous, river cruising, expedition cruising, and everything in between…Mix and Match Travel Agency has an itinerary for YOU.
I love my Saturday mornings. I love my monthly issue of Southern Living. And I love cruising. There was a lot of “fave” in this one “favorite”.
On Wednesday night, we went back to football season and celebrated Lovejoy High’s team with…
…the 2025 Awards Banquet 🙂 .
It was a packed celebration to honor their amazing season and recognize all of their hard work.
There’s my favorite #75 getting recognized and receiving his certificate for being on varsity last year.
With all of the cheer and football this week, it makes me SO EXCITED about next fall.
WE LOVE FOOTBALL SEASON!
And finally for your Friday…
…if you love my sausage balls, then you certainly need to try my SPINACH SAUSAGE BALLS! These yummy bites are great for breakfast, a snack or an appetizer too.
That wraps up this week’s FRIDAY FAVES!
I hope you all have the coziest January weekend. I’ll see you on Sunday for a Recap!
GO BOYD, GO! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
So many fun favorites! Thanks for sharing!! Stay safe and warm!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Bev says
Happy Friday, Shay! Loved seeing all your faves this week! Your “kids” are amazing! Congrats on their accomplishments and praise the Lord all went well for Ashby!
I made your Easiest Ever Meatballs this week and they were so easy and delicious! My husband could not stop raving about them! I’m on a quest to make one “surprise” dinner a week because we always eat the same ole same ole! I’ll be referring more to your easy recipes. Taco rice bake is another favorite! 😋
Stay safe and warm this weekend! 🥶
p.s. reading The Correspondent on your recommendation. It took me a while to get into it but now it’s flowing and I’m enjoying it. What would we do without you, Shay! 😅
Mix and Match Mama says
You are WAY TOO SWEET, Bev. Happy Friday! xx
Beth Knecht says
We are set to get that big snow storm too!
Wishing you coziness and fun!
traci m says
Such an exciting week for your family!! Congrats to all and praise for Ashby’s healing going well! Have the best weekend!
Kristen says
We will probably have snow days most definitely here in New England on Monday and Tuesday- so you know this storm will be huge if they are talking about canceling school already up here!
Kristin says
I’m glad that Ashby is doing so well!! And yes, what do our children think we actually do all day?? Congrats to Smith and Kensington! It’s wonderful to see the school celebrating the cheer team like they would a football or basketball championship. Those young women work so darn hard. I hope that the storm isn’t as bad as they are predicting. We are just supposed to be getting snow, and I really feel for those of you who might get ice. Stay safe and warm!
Sheaffer says
Happy Birthday, Smith! GO BOYD GIRLS! Love Ashby’s observations, and I love that sherpa.
Amy Azza says
I love my family big, but I also love working from home by myself all day and eating lunch by myself during the work week in a clean quiet house!
Paula Hobbs says
WOW!!! Such a fun week!! So happy that Ashby is doing well (continued prayers for her) and congratulations to your bigs on all of their wonderful accomplishments. I know your mama heart is so very happy!! Good luck today and be safe out there! We are hunkering down here in East Texas LOL 🙂
Paige M. says
I’m always amazed how states who don’t normally get snow react when they do lol. I live in Boston and Sunday into Monday we are expected to get 18+ inches of snow haha.
Lynelle says
Stay safe! We don’t have snow in our forecast in Iowa but it is -9 degrees this morning and our county emergency management sent out a warning about exploding trees!
Elizabeth S says
This is such a wonderful time with the kids! I miss these days so much! Trying to soak up the time with my grands🥰
Lisa D says
I remember yrsrs ago my high-school age daughter observing that being home during the week was “so weird”! Too quiet and boring.😉
SS says
Yay Ashby!!! What fun it is to chit chat and “hear” about your life. Lol.
Being up north it seems like we have had 3-6 inches of snow every night …kids had this whole week off because of the snow and today it’s because of the cold -3 feels like -19. Keeping all the southern readers in our thoughts as you get whatever it is you will get from this system.
For our snow day we will be baking something. And tonight I know there is a new series on Netflix that reminded me of Cutting Edge *toe pick* we will be watching…Finding her Edge.
Stay safe and have a great hibernating weekend.
K.K. says
So much good news and things to celebrate with these Shull kids/pre-adults!!
All the good luck to Boyd today!!
Dana J says
What an exciting busy week in your house!! Happy for all and thankful Ashby is doing well after her surgery…her convo’s with you literally made me LOL 😂 Stay safe and warm with the storm coming!! Praying for all in the path of this intense winter weather!!
Life As Kim says
Stay safe and warm in the storm. Eek!
Aww! I am glad Ashby is doing well. Bless her! Happy birthday to Smith! It sounds like a wonderful celebration. Well done to the cheer squad! That is fantastic!
Sarah says
I am making your green chili and cheese sausage balls for a little winter party tonight and can’t wait! They’re going to be a hit! I am in MN and we’re currently in the literal frozen tundra…it’s 12pm and -12 as a TEMP. The wind chill is forecasted to be -45 this week. We are heading down to Okoboji, IA for the annual Okoboji Winter Games and it’s a celebration of winter basically. Which is usually a grand time of games on the frozen lake, bar hopping and fun but it’s seriously going to be -20 tomorrow and I don’t quite know why we are going.. ha!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well, I need to visit Okoboji some day and celebrate winter there too! I hope you have the BEST weekend! xx
Kacy M says
I have that Amazon Automet quarterzip sweatshirt in so many colors!
Tara says
Is Smith interested in the Navy? I noticed the Navy sweatshirt in his bday pic.
Mix and Match Mama says
Well yes, he absolutely is interested in the Navy…but he also loves that style of shirt. If you start looking, you’ll notice that he has one from pretty much every football team in the country 😉 .
Emily says
Hi there! Can you link the jeans you are wearing with your Wednesday sweater? Love the whole outfit!
Mix and Match Mama says
I love those jeans. They’re oldies but goodies from the brand Mother.