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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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Smith ·

Smith is SIXTEEN!


And just like that…

…yesterday, this sweet baby boy…

…turned SIXTEEN YEARS OLD!

Oh my heart could just about burst out of my chest.  HOW DID THIS HAPPEN SO FAST?!

I know I probably sound like a broken record, but it still sometimes just shocks me how much I GENUINELY LIKE HIM. I just absolutely LIKE being around him.  Of course I love him more than anything, but I really LIKE being in his company.

As someone who always insisted “she only wanted girls”, the fact that this boy right here could have me so wrapped around his finger…sixteen years later, and it still surprises me.

Smith William Shull is just absolutely THE BEST, and I adore being in his company…

…and the older he gets, the MORE Andrew and I enjoy him (which is shocking to us because WE ALREADY ENJOYED HIM!).

He’s so smart, so funny, incredibly kind, has a huge heart for his friends and family, loves his dogs, loves school, loves football…he is just a JOY to be around.

EVERYONE loves Smith at our house.

Kensington calls him her best friend and tells him repeatedly that when she gets married, he will be her maid of honor (Smith always gives her this look like ‘you’re going to need to come up with a better name than that’).

Ashby and Smith are thick as thieves.  Their taste in movies and TV shows are the exact same.  If they’re not watching a show together, they are always asking each other “have you seen this” or “I watched this, you should watch it too”.  And of course, they both obsessively watch the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys.

If Mades is in the room, Smith is probably holding her upside down.  Or playing cards with her.  Or gushing over Charlie with her.  She lights up when he comes home from school.

The best thing the Lord ever did was NOT answer my prayer for another daughter on that January 18th.  He knew that I NEEDED MY BOY!

These last two years in high school, we have seen the most growth, the most maturity, and so many answered prayers in Smith’s life.  Andrew and I could not be more proud of our son and CANNOT WAIT to see what happens over these next few years.

Yesterday, he turned 16 in his favorite place.  When we asked him what he wanted to do to celebrate his birthday, he wanted to go to Nantucket and hunt with his dad.  Those two have had the best weekend, but I was SO HAPPY to see him when he got home yesterday afternoon.

And just like that, he’s sixteen.  He’ll get his license tomorrow and be off.  Things will be different now that we won’t be driving him everywhere, but goodness, I’m excited for him and just so proud.

We are extremely grateful for this boy.

Happy birthday, Smith William.  We ALL sure do love you! xx

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Comments

  1. Kelly Sites says

    Happy birthday, Smith. God was SO GOOD to me, after 5 intense, painful years of infertility and every treatment under the sun, to give me twins- a boy and a girl. What a gift. My son is out of this world fantastic. We are super close and he is a joy in my life. My daughter too, of course. I’m constantly telling God thank you for giving me one of each. Enjoy your boy.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      GOD IS SO GOOD! I am so blessed to hear about how he worked in YOUR life too. What a double blessing for you, mama!

  3. Jami Romano says

    What a sweet post. I truly think the best compliment is knowing that people love being around you. Happy birthday to your boy!

  4. Katie Compton says

    Happy birthday to your boy!! With just one daughter, I don’t know what it’s like to be a “boy mom” but my bestie has two sons and so I’m kind of a “boy auntie” and I do love that!

    Hope he has a wonderful weekend celebrating and congrats to you and Andrew on gaining another driver in the house, woot woot!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I bet they love having you as a bonus auntie! And CHEERS TO US for getting another driver! I’m giddy 😉 .

  6. Becky G says

    One of the biggest surprises of motherhood for me is how much I genuinely enjoy hanging out with my teens. Not just because they’re my kids but they’re just fun to hang out with. Happy birthday to Smith! He’s about 5 months older than my teen boy.

  7. Beth H says

    Isn’t that just the best when the Lord gives us what we need over what we want, and then it turns out better than we could have imagined? I was the same but flipped. My daughter among boys was the gift I didn’t know I needed.
    Happy Birthday, Smith!

  8. Paula Hobbs says

    Happy birthday, Smith!! Praying a hedge of protection over you as you venture out into the driving world. Thank you for allowing your mom to share parts of your life journey with this community. I know God has great plans for you!!

  9. Sarah M. says

    Do kids just get their licence as soon as they turn 16 there? There is no learner’s permit where they need to be with an adult driver, or testing or anything?
    He has always seemed like such an old soul, how wonderful he has a great relationship with his sisters (and parents!).

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      He has always had an old soul. Yup! 100%! In Texas, you get your learner’s permit when you turn 15 and drive with your parents for a year, so that when you turn 16, you can get your real driver’s license. He gets his tomorrow!

  10. Patty Anderson says

    I prayed for girls and God gave me three girls and now three granddaughters . (After having 4 brothers, I really wanted girls.) BUT if I’d been given boys, I’d have loved them too, I’m certain, ESPECIALLY if they turned out as awesome as Smith! I love how kind he is with his sisters. He’ll be a wonderful husband and daddy one day, if that’s what God has planned for him.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      He’s almost just as tall! Smith is 6’4″…he just needs one more inch (and two more to beat him, ha!).

  13. Lisa N says

    It seemed for years I read posts of your sweet little boy and then one day (without missing a post) I clicked on a story and he was a handsome young man! I love how he’s everyone’s favorite. Enjoy every minute. It does go fast but it just gets better! Happy Birthday Smith!

  14. Alison says

    Happy 16th, to Smith! Such a handsome kid- he is a beautiful blend of both you and Andrew! Sixteen is a pivotal age and time in a teen’s life. They get more freedom and we get a portion of our life back not having to cart them to all the places all the time. 😉 Something about boys, they are such a treat for a mother’s heart. Mine is going to be 21 in April, and he is one of my very favorite people to hang out with!

  15. Lori says

    Happy Birthday to your handsome son. There is something special about a mother/son relationship. God always knows just what we need.

  16. Julie says

    This sweet post brings tears to my eyes! Happy Birthday to Smith! I’m the mom of two sons who are now 31 and 35. We are blessed that we all live in the same city.

  17. Leah Marcoe says

    My husband had a son from a previous marriage. After going through breast cancer treatment we weren’t sure if I would be able to have kids. But I wanted a daughter to give him a new experience with a kid. But God had different plans and gave us a son. He is the best thing in the world and truly a gift from God.

    Happy birthday to Smith! I’ve been following since your kids were super little and can’t believe he’s 16!

  18. Erin says

    Happy Birthday, Smith! Boys are the best…mine is 12! Time is definitely a thief. Tell Kensington that my brother stood up on my side when I got married…he was my MAN of Honor! (I think Smith will like that title better!)

  20. Kate says

    Happy birthday Smith!!! It really does go by so fast!!! I agree teens get a bad rep but I LOVE hanging with my teens! And now with one in college it’s really cool forming a friendship with him too ❤️

  27. jennibell says

    Happy Birthday Smith!! It’s funny, your family shares two birthdays with mine :). Isn’t it so FUN to not only love our children but really, really LIKE them too?? I can be proud of mine, love them so very, very much and (mostly) support them in everything but it’s another level when they turn out to be people that you would CHOOSE to spend time with :). He looks so much like his dad but has his mama’s smile.
    Tell him “thank you” for “letting” you share this day with us – I never realize how long I’ve been keeping up with you/your family until you post all those “little boy” pics and I remember them – ha! All the best this coming year for all of you!

  28. Alice says

    Happy Birthday Smith! I’m a first time mum to a 11 month old baby boy and can already see that he is going to be 16 in the blink of an eye.
    Ps – I had a ‘man of honour’ in my wedding party, he wore a pink suit to match my bridesmaids 🙂

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      You are going to BLINK. Enjoy every single moment with your sweet boy. And I love that he wore a pink suit!!

  29. Alana says

    This was such a sweet post to read! Happy birthday to Smith! Babies are such a blessing, and somehow we blink & they are 16 🤯

  31. Paula says

    My little birthday buddy. I have followed you since his birth. He seems to be such a precious soul.Happy sweet 16, Smith
    I turned 49 today 18th.
    .I am soaking the last of this decade/half century.

  32. Amanda Wilson says

    Happy Birthday to Smith! He shares a birthday with my daughter and they have many of the same characteristics including being everyone’s fave!

    Do they still get birthday signs? Curious to see his!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Happy happy birthday to your sweet girl too! And yes!! They do!! I’ll post a pic of his. I’m going to do them until they’re 18 which means…I only have ONE MORE LEFT for Kensington!

  34. Bre R says

    I am not able to be a bio mom but I am a bonus mom to a girl and two boys and while I love “my girl” to pieces- those boys sure have me wrapped around their fingers!

  37. Heather S says

    Happy Happy Birthday to Sweet Smith! I was just like you Shay, wanted only girls. God blessed me with with the sweetest most kind boy I could every pray for 8 years ago. I cannot imagine life without him or with anyone else as our child. Boy does He know what He is doing, or what?!

  38. Lindsey says

    Happy Birthday to Smith! I’ve followed your blog for so long, it’s hard to believe we both have 16 yr olds. You are doing something perfectly right with that boy. What a good kid! My daughter, Hannah, turned 16 in September but we are currently stationed in Virginia and the process to get a driver’s license here is ridiculous. So exciting for him to get it so quickly! I pray he has the best year yet!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Thank you so so much for following along with our family. Sending YOU so much love! xx

  39. Alison says

    Happy Birthday, Smith!! I have loved watching you grow up on the blog. I hope you had the most special day!!

  40. Laura Crenshaw says

    Happy 16th Birthday Smith! Such a handsome young man. Praying this year is a great year for him. And kudos to you and Andrew for raising kind kiddos.

  41. Michelle O says

    Happy 16th Birthday Smith! I wanted a girl too, but SOOOO glad for my boy, Bryan! He and I have been through a lot together and have always had one another when there was no one else…or even when there was. He is 36 now and has always when leaving, or ending a phone call or text with “I love you”. We have always been so close. I thank God every day for him. He was my miracle child. This wonderful son and his beautiful wife, have given me 2 granddaughters and 1 grandson that I absolutely adore! I can’t imagine my life any fuller!
    Such a wonderful tribute to your wonderful son! They are such blessings we never knew we needed!

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