Day 3,572

The 8th Year of Bear

WAKE UP!! You’re eight and it’s time to celebrate!

No matter where we go or who we’re with, you can guarantee that a balloon party awaits every Conley’s special morning. And Tuesday was no exception. Bub is eight!!!

Though he’s growing up right before our very eyes and so insanely quickly, this little boy is always ALWAYS bringing me back to the earliest days with him. Walks and strolls filled with harvested bouquets of other people’s yard flowers, gathered together with a smile and delivered unexpectedly to a thankful mother, are memories etched into my heart and on his birthday, he made yet another for his mommy. Bearett is so thoughtful, so sweet; a gift unlike any other. 

When he came to us four years ago, the boy couldn’t get enough of the woods. He loved all things hiking, collecting, exploring, and discovering. So for his eighth birthday in Washington, we took him where he most loves to be: the woods! We hiked in the dry 90 degree weather and he got a little jaunt down memory lane, but after too long, our once Washington boy needed some Florida in his life. 

So we spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach, where he got to enjoy all things fishing, paddle boarding, friend making, and sand building. If my son is good at anything, it’s by far and away creating friendships, finding treasure, and making something from nothing, so that’s exactly what he did. 

Though we’ve lived in Florida nearly ten years now, we’ve still not much experienced all that the water there has to offer. But on Washington lakes, the water only has fish and if you fall in, you won’t be swept away by any current, so we finally got to try something Bearett experienced long ago: paddle boarding! All our babes enjoyed their free ride and maybe in a couple years, Bearett will even be able to try it by himself!

My fisherman, hunting, dirty, rugged ol hoarding mountain man, you are a treasure of your own. The most unique, interesting, strong willed little boy I know; the girls’ greatest antagonizer and yet their best friend. My inventor, my creator, my collector, my trouble maker. This guy can make you melt in a heartbeat and in the next second, make you steam out the ears. But oh, how he’s grown. And though he’s got that wild hair about him, Adam and I both have great expectations of how the Lord will use him for His glory. 

In a year, our boy has finished second grade, lived in four homes, learned an introduction to Japanese, played on an undefeated coach pitch team, caught countless fish, became a ninja, and discovered his love for reading—especially in the Bible and about Indians. He’s learned good lessons, he’s learned hard lessons. He loves books, legos, dirt, bugs, snakes, fish, baseball, sunflower seeds, parks, history, movies, digging, treats, dogs, art, and finding whatever it is you didn’t know could be found. 

He loves making new friends, teaching them all he knows, and being the boss while he does it. He asks tough questions, squeals when tickled, can do impressive amounts of pushups, and is tough as nails. 

Just like my brother, he’s the first and only boy in a household of girls. He’s therefore got a special task even now, of leading them and learning to shepherd their hearts. It’s no small thing, and already, he’s discovering the great labor and even greater reward of guarding and protecting and serving and loving his ladies as daughters of the King. What a joy it is to see him fight his sin and care for them, even when it’s hard. 

Cuz sometimes, it feels THIS hard. 

Bearett John, you have added a dynamic to our lives that is exactly what we needed and we thank the Lord for bringing us together when He did. Without you, we are utterly incomplete. And though you’re a bull in a china shop, we’ve come to discover that we don’t even like china anyways and to that end, what a stupid thing it is to have one in a china shop in the first place.

You are a joy to my soul and I pray that one day you’ll look back on all these years with that same smile on your face—well, actually hopefully it’ll have a few more teeth and straightened—while knowing and treasuring what is the greatest gift you could ever receive. Christ and the forgiveness of your sins. 



Until then, I’ll spend every last bit of energy and patience I have to train and partially tame the wild animal that lives inside you. I’m still not quite sure how you manage to create such disasters and so quickly, but boy, it’s impressive. And it’s hilarious. And for Pete sake, it’s a lot of work! But for you, the extra work is exactly what I need to kill my sin and become more like Jesus, so Bearett, we’re the best pair. 

I love you with all my love, my son. Your life is a joy to celebrate and I’m endlessly thankful to be called your mommy. The Lord is kind. Happy eighth birthday!!