Day 2,916

The Second to Last Home Series

Suckin on watermelon rinds while Mommy unpacks. And cleans. And re-packs. And storm preps. Again. At least baby Lou smiled through most of the hectic day. 

Amelia: not so much. But not necessarily by choice either. Her eye just hurt. A lot. My poor babe. She’s always been the most enticing scent for bugs of all types, affecting her with welts too big for such a pretty face. And yet, here we are. 



Bites and smiles aside, somehow, some way, we managed to leave the Big Home by 6:30PM, with our eyes set on Miami once again. Ella Mae says HMPF! Amelia says “Whatever you say, Mommy!” Molly says, “As long as there’s milk!” And Bearett? He has not a care in the world when his favorite song is playing. “HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE FOR US!” 

Back on the road again. 

Dada, here we come!!

Day 2,892

The First Day of Firsr Grade and Pre-K

First day of first grade!!



We were a little unprepared for our first day back, but we finished our day with only a small hiccup and that mostly had to do with the fact that I hadn’t even opened the box of curriculum until three minutes before we started! Two house problems, that’s what I blame! ;) Actually, Bearett has maintained most all of what he learned in Kindergarten, and so the next two weeks are basically a ton of alphabet review. I think what he’s going to need to review the most though is how to sit at his desk and follow instructions. Maybe that’s just a boy thing though ha! 

This year, we’re continuing on with the My Father’s World curriculum. For now, it’s just what we need. A Biblical worldview with the Bible at the core of the lessons - all set up to where this Mama can take it wherever we go! And with a lot of traveling from now until at least October, I am so grateful. 

And here’s some answers to questions I asked Bearett:

1. What are you going to be when you grow up? I’m gonna be a faithful man. And I’m gonna be an archaeologist!! I found a jewel outside, Mom!

2. What’s your favorite thing to do? I just like to have my knife and cut branches. And I’m gonna make it really sharp like my Dad’s and make a bow with it!

3. What’s your favorite food? Macaroni and cheese. No, steak! Shrimp. I like chicken! Chicken wings! And turkey wings. 

4. Who’s your favorite person? Pastor Phillip. And Hunter. 

(I’m going to need to start asking these types of questions more often - so cute and so fun!!)

Amelia also decided that she wanted to start school yesterday too. Problem is, the superintendent of schools secretary called me and said Amelia isn’t allowed to start until she’s 5. So technically, she’s not starting yet. BUT, she insists, so my preschooler sat down and wrote her name and read some of her reading book to prove it. Yesterday she read the sentence “Mad at me,” as were on day 15 of her program already haha. The girl loves to learn! I’ll have to ask her those same questions tomorrow and see what she says!

I do have a feeling what some of her answers might be. Aye! She kills me. Been watching her Mama too much. 

And you’ve been watching Daddy too much?! This kid loves baseballs and LOVES her Daddy. LOVES HIM. Neither of the girls loved their Dad or lit up as much as she does when she sees them. It absolutely melts me. Him too.



Cheese from our last off day at home! Or...just Dad cheese and everyone else don’t. Puh. 

I love them all so much. They’re really something I tell ya. 

Day 2,879

The Tia Alejandra

ALEJANDRA!!!

Oh my heart! 



One of the greatest blessings the Lord has given us through baseball walked into my front door yesterday. For over seven years, this woman has brought me such joy, such excitement, much growth, many tears, endless laughs, and one same prayer. This time though, it was my son and my daughters - who fell in love with her instantly - who prayed that same prayer over her. After knowing her maybe 8 minutes, we sat down for breakfast and Bearett prayed, “Lord, thank you for our sweet friend, Alejandra. I pray that she knows you and that you save her, Lord.” 

Bringing Ale into our lives as parents of four babes was something I’ll treasure always. From those early days in North Carolina in 2012 until now, SO much has changed and yet, so much has remained. She’s still that same dear friend I love in a way that I’ve never loved anyone before. And hopefully, we’ll have many, many more of these days and many, many more answered prayers. I love you, Tia. 

I really do. 

Day 2,847

The Boys and the Girls

Girl date!

Everyone buckle up! 

(Unicorn purse included. Duh)

We went one way and the boys went the other. Daddy took Bubba to the field for the afternoon - some much needed man time was in order. They ate together, played catch, ran around the field, and got Bub’s haircut. Or Bub GAVE a haircut? Guess you’ll find out later. 

The girls? We went shopping. 

They bought babies and phones. 

So now, they look basically just like Mom. Not sure how proud I am of this, especially since I don’t even have Facebook or Instagram anymore. I do my best to use this dumb pocket-sized computer as minimally as possible when I’m around them, but when it acts as our stereo, our timer, our camera, our mode of communication, when we see Pastor Phillip preach on it on the Sundays we’re not home, when it records all our funny sayings, and can read the Bible aloud for us, well, it’s no wonder the kids are so fascinated. 

Bearett did say yesterday, “Dad, when I grow up, I wanna listen to Scripture on my phone,” I thought maybe, just maybe, it ain’t so bad after all. 

Back together again, we went on a date all together to the “bay-ball” game, as Ella Mae calls it. 



And once home, we crashed. 

Going on so many dates in one day sure is tiring!

Day 2,800

The Champion

Daddy and uncle Jeremy in New York together!! Day: made!

And Bubba’s day was just about as good as Daddy’s, as he and his teammates celebrated the end of the season with trophies, pizza, swimming, and popsicles! Our tee ball days are officially over and we are SO proud of Bear for his hard work!

Poolside nap. 

Poolside snack. 

And designated trophy driver. 

(The kids call trophies “champion.”)



We are a happy bunch. 

Yesterday was a good one. 

Day 2,461

The 2019 Opening Day

Fact: we missed the opening ceremony to the 2019 season. With game time at 4 instead of 7, my kiddies were still happily napping by the time we would’ve needed to leave to beat the traffic. We pulled in during the middle of the first inning and I wasn’t even upset. Oh, how times have changed - for the better. Though Opening Day is special in many ways and an honor to be sure, it still doesn’t trump nap time and I think that’s kinda great.  

After a long visit to the family room - which has been completely remodeled like the rest of the stadium and feels so cozy - we finally made it to our seats. But not before Ella Mae fell and busted open her chin and the inside of her cheek. Life with 4 kids is never dull. At least her love for baseball distracted her from the bloody and painful mess. 

Marlins Park has been completely renovated and updated, along with a new color scheme and sections of seating. The fans were happy and the experience seemed more genuine and baseball-like than ever before. Any time a baseball game feels more like a baseball game than a night club, you’re on the right track ;)

Daddy!

We just love you!

Happy Opening Day, Baseball!

Here’s to another year of 162!

And just for fun, an autograph session to wrap up the festivities. Bearett skipped school yesterday and needed to practice writing his name anyways. 



“My name is Bearett and I’m number 3 on the Thunder! Mom! TWO people let me sign their baseballs!” Huge smile. So cute. 

Day 2,376

The First Day and Final Recap

We kicked off the year with a 2019 family workout at Daddy’s gym. It was a bit of an obstacle course due to the owner repainting the floor over the holiday, but we managed to have lots of fun anyways! 

________________

And finally, a recap of 2018:

It was a year filled with so much growth and praise. The unexpected hung around many corners, surprising us constantly. We had several firsts, lots of change, new understanding, and a faith that further rooted itself in Christ. We look back on 2018 recognizing so intimately the mercy and grace of the Lord and stood in awe of His goodness. What a year it was. 

Claiming the top spot on our “highlight reel” was witnessing our Auntie Morgan come to saving faith in Christ. Her transformation over the course of the entire year is a stunning and beautiful testimony of redemption and we praise the Lord for His relentless pursuit of her heart. From rock bottom, in a world that falsely promises prosperity, happiness, success, and freedom, she was brought to her knees at the Truth that real freedom and life can only be found in Christ and the sacrifice He surrendered on the cross. For the first time in her own life, Morgan’s eyes are open. Her heart is soft. And she’s become truly a new creation. If you know even the smallest part of her bigger story, being able to speak of such change seems so unbelievable and almost unimaginable, but this year has taught me so clearly that nobody is too far from Christ’s reach. And though we have the truth of that plain as day in scripture (immediately I think of Paul), and though I have my own testimony of an undeserving wicked wretch being called to saving faith, witnessing a life in my sister, so far from Christ - and watching her redeemption with my own eyes - is humbling beyond measure and has deepened the faith I have for my Savior. The Lord is so good and I am in constant awe of the love He has for His own. 

Because of the work the Lord is doing in Morgan’s life, 2018 brought some very exciting changes into our own family. We got to celebrate three holidays with family - a first for us - as Morgan moved completely across the country to attend our church, live 10 minutes from us, and be in fellowship with people she knows intimately. Our kids have taken on the thrill and joy of hanging out with her dog, Jack, and absolutely love spending time with him. We’ve been able to host countless suppers with our Morgan and share some of the most raw and deep conversations we’ve ever had with another person. In October, she was there when the five of us Conleys celebrated Bearett’s first year of adoption and truly, it was such a sweet and peaceful time for us all. I still can’t believe it. 

Bearett. Oh, my dear Bubba. 2018 was a year unlike any other in our boy’s life. He grew so much, his place in our family firmly established and rooted with such assurance. He knows himself to be at home in our family and it fills me with a gratitude so deep that it’s happened so quickly. We are so proud of him and encouraged daily by his growth. He’s the toughest, sweetest, most creative boy we know and we’re so thankful to call him our own. This year, he played on his first ever T-ball team. He learned how to ride a bicycle. He got to go into Dad’s clubhouse for the first time. He shot probably 100 lizards, went hunting for the first time, shot a BB gun rifle for the first time, celebrated turning five with TWO birthday parties, learned to jump dive, caught his first foul ball (off Daddy’s pitch!), and maybe the biggest change of all - started kindergarten!! Most of that while rocking a mullet, just like Daddy. 

Amelia’s 2018:

This girl lights up our family and this year was especially fun with her because of her growing vocabulary and quick mind. She’s incredibly intelligent and constantly finds ways to leave Daddy and I looking at each other in speechless disbelief, followed by pure laughter. Amelia became a professional 3-year-old swimmer this year. She learned to dive, jump dive, and flip in the water. She loves swimming so much that her hair once turned green and  she even had to start wearing a swim cap toward the end of summer because of the damage the water was doing to her hair!! She attempted to ride her bike on two wheels, but didn’t master it - though very close. She overcame her fear of riding over the “bumps” in the road on her bicycle, wrote her whole name for the first time, drew a person with all their body parts, and knows Mom’s phone number and address by heart. She also knows probably more songs than any other child her age and has a natural rhythm about her that’s incredibly impressive. Maybe someday soon she’ll overcome her shyness and let me put her in some music or dance classes so she can learn even more!

Ella Mae. 

Kate. Katesy. Mater Kate. Sackey. Bubbie. Jabba. The Jubba. Fat Sack. Little Sis. Stinker. I think she claims the prize as having the most nicknames in our family this year. Ella Mae is one of a kind. She’s our wild child, who’s sweetness is matched by a fiery attitude that keeps us both laughing and shaking our heads. She’s a huge personality and is the source of most of the kids laughter and most of their tears too. She’s spent her life constantly trying to catch up to her big sister and brother, which has been fascinating to witness and so much fun because of how quickly she’s matured. She’s not yet two, and this year, learned to walk, to ride her “bike,” to sing her ABCs, to count to 10, to clean up her toys, to pray, and to swim. She sings countless songs and learns them quickly, loves Gruffalo, and is speaking more and more clearly by the day. She understands the majority of what we ask her to do and serves her Mama with such thoughtfulness. Every morning, she gets off the bed, helps me up by pulling on my arms, runs to the bathroom to open the toilet and wads up the toilet paper for me. She then races around the house, locates my slippers, brings them to me, and puts them on my feet. This all without me having to utter a word! She’s amazing and I’m obsessed with her. She’s still nursing, still teething, and still sleeping with us, though she’s started sleeping in a cosleeper next to our bed in the last week!! Hooray for fewer black eyes for Daddy!

The rest:

- Made our 21st move in seven years 

- Started homeschooling. 

- Spent six weeks in NOLA

- Saw the odometer read 100k miles on the truck 

- Visited 7 stadiums: NOLA, Miami, Boston, NY Mets, Pittsburgh, Tampa, San Diego

- Traveled to 8 states

- Held a baby alligator

- Memorized tons and tons of verses!

- Read 6 books of the Bible during family study time 

- Made one trip to the ER: thanks Bufo frog

- Hired two babysitters, which means we went on two dates! Haha 

- Flew on 15 airplanes

- Daddy finished the Old Testament

- Dad also read four books (!!)

- Moved to the bullpen

- Recorded his first save

- Threw 99.19 MPH

- Mom sprained her ankle

- Created COUNTLESS LEGO creations, including a robot, a shark, a cheetah, a truck, houses, boats, palaces, the Garden of Eden, Heaven, and cars

- Enjoyed nightly “bunny hunting” walks. 

...and...

- GOT PREGNANT WITH OUR FOURTH CHILD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What. A. Year. 

________________

And just for fun, here’s some funny things we overheard the kids saying:

Bearett-

Shouting at a baseball game at Dad: “Punch him in the truck! And lock that door!’

“Mom when you have that baby, it’s gonna be a miracle baby. And everyone is gonna love that baby. You should get our baby a baseball blanket.”

“I’m not a believer. I need to be a believer. And I need the Holy Spirit.”

“Mom, I really want a wife. And one day, I want her to sleep in my bed with me. In my room. What is she going to be like?”

Me: God wrote that Bible

Bear: With what pen?

“Mom, did you buy this whole house? Did you put it in the truck?”

Amelia:

“I need the grass off my strawberry!”

“My eyes are burning like the burning bush!”

“If that doctor gives me shots, I’ll put soap in his eyes.” 

Amelia with two babies in a large pot: “Mommy, I’m cooking babies!”

In reference to me feeling sick while pregnant: “Is she eating your food? Is she killing your stomach?”

“If you do a foolish thing, you’re gonna get whooped by God. He has a big spatula. I’m gonna give him one.” 

“God changed Morgan’s heart so that her songs are your songs now!!”

“Mom, your butt is so fat. It’s so huge. It sticks out.”

“I very like tofu.”

“I wanna go hug Jesus cuz he’s my favorite guy.”

“Mom, don’t pee the baby out or I will be very upset.”

“I want a sparkly pink truck with deer ears!”

“I was passed out in my bed WHOLE TIME.”

“I don’t have to go pee anymore. My privacy swallowed my pee.”

____________

And finally, some of the kids’ prayers: 

Bearett

And I pray that Morgan has a girl. And that she has children and a boy and a girl. But she has to get married first. 

And Lord, in heaven, there will be no pain or mosquitos. 

And I think Morgan wants to be in our family. Not in the sinners family. Not in Satan’s family. Help her read her Bible because it’s treasure. Your word is like a treasure. 

Lord, I really want to be in Heaven with you, but Jesus is taking his sweet time coming back and I want him to hurry because I really wanna be in Heaven. 

Help me to be graciousfull and wisdomfull. 

Help me to not barf over my potatoes because my Dad will whoop my butt. 

And when Jesus went to Heaven, he went all the way past outer space. In outer space, you need a helmet, so Jesus had to wear one. 

Amelia

And Lord, you are so great. We praise you. Thank you for our traveling. 

And Jesus was killed on the cross and I’m not gonna be killed. He died for my sins. 

We don’t wanna be whooped by Jesus if we don’t need it. And Jesus is coming back to the earth and we wanna go with him to Heaven. 

I very wanna be a colonel. An elephant. 

We don’t wanna be dumb fools, Lord. We wanna be faithful. 

God, are you tired? Is your bed the clouds? NO!!

“And please Lord, if I shot someone, I would tell my mom, ‘I shot someone!’ And if you shot me, I would say, ‘I’m killed! I can’t get up!”

And help Jack Jack have reverence. 

And Adam, when he goes into the Bible - my dad - he’s gonna find Satan and he’s gonna shoot him.

Ella Mae

Jeezus, my food. Lu you. Ameeeeen!!

Day 2,273

The Fourth Conley is a...

CLICK THE LINK BEFORE LOOKING AT THE PHOTOS!!! 

Link: The Clues to the Fourth Conley: Gender Reveal

DON’T RUIN THE SURPRISE. CLICK THE LINK. 

I’M WARNING YOU...

IT’S A SIX MINUTE VIDEO. JUST WATCH IT. 

*SPOILER ALERT*

That’s right! She’s a girl!

Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

We’re absolutely excited and overflowing with gratitude!

Well, all but one of us anyways. 

(Hahahahahaha can’t stop laughing every time I watch it! Classic!)

The second Adam and I found out, I looked at him and said something like “Bearett is going to be devastated and Amelia is going to scream with joy.”

If that’s not devastation...

My poor boy. 

But...I Can’t. Stop. Laughing!

He’s been talking about his “brother” as long as he’s known there was a baby in my tummy, and immediately said, “I want a brother I can teach to be a man!” He’s been further crushed by the fact that Amelia “won” and that you apparently have to have “three men to alligator hunt.” Adam tried to tell him that Daddy counts for two men. He wasn’t buying it. 



He eventually, after great coercion, ate the pink cake we made. But reluctantly. We didn’t realize he’d be as crushed as he was, but after him and Dada talked about the Lord’s plan being best and then spending some man time together building a fort alone in his bedroom, I’m happy to report that he’s back to his normal tough self. And though he still wants a brother, he says he’ll love his new sister. But that the NEXT baby is going to be a boy! Aye! I still don’t think he understands that we don’t get to choose these things. So there’s that. Hah! 

We’re SO excited about our baby girl and can’t wait to meet her in 19 weeks! What a blessing she already is to us and such a generous gift from the Lord. We think having one big brother and three younger sisters is precious and absolutely what’s perfect for our family. We’re just really not looking forward to the very real struggle it is going to be in naming her. It might be that this little Conley girl is nameless for a week after she’s born with the history we’ve compiled!

WE LOVE YOU BABY GIRL!!!

And we can’t wait to show you how much we treasure your little life. Even though it was a bit rocky with your brother at first ;)

Day 2,194

The Fourth

Happy FOURth! 

Eight years ago today, Adam and I were swinging on a hammock in the same backyard we ended up getting married in just a little over a year later. It was then that we began dating. Oh how fast time truly does go. Fast forward, and we’ve got a fourth baby on the way...”warming up in the ‘pen.” We were shocked at the news and could only laugh as a response because just a few weeks prior, we had “decided” that we were “done with three.” Ha! The Lord is so good and though our plans have changed, His plan always remained and we’re excited about that because His plans have proven over and over to always be better. We can’t wait to see who this tiny babe turns out to be and look forward to shepherding their heart. We’re 9 weeks right now and due either the end of January or beginning of February! Our first appointment with our midwife is during the All-Star break and we’re planning to have another home birth...one that Bear can be apart of!! 

Bearett told us when we found out, “I want a brother so I can teach him how to be a man.” And Amelia is begging for another sister. 



Can’t wait to see how the Fourth fits in. Love them so much. 

Day 2,166

The Favorite Babes

Ella Mae LOVES giving kisses. And it would appear that Monroe likes to give them just as much! Ah! The sweetness is unbearable. 

We spent our last day in Spokane hanging out at Grandma’s house. We watered all her plants...

...discovered old pictures on her fridge(!!)...

...hunted spiders...

...and loved all the puppies!! This special guy’s name is Jack Jack - special because this is actually Bearett’s puppy that he grew up with! And he’s also the only pup (of SEVEN) that Amelia felt comfortable hugging. My heart. 

Then we drove back to Ellie’s to watch this hunk throw a ball. REALLY hard. 

For the first time in his life, Adam officially recorded a pitch above 98 MPH!! 98.3 to be exact! He pitched one inning and punched out two. We were ALL screaming!

Two things:

1) I told the kids a few weeks ago to yell at Dad to “sit him in the truck,” which is a funny way to tell Dad to “punch him out,” or in regular baseball speak, to “strike him out.”  Bearett has since mixed the two sayings and screamed at the TV, “PUNCH HIM IN THE TRUCK!”

2) In which case, Amelia said “AND LEAVE HIM THERE!”

They’re the best. And she’s pretty great too ;) Love you Mama!



What a trip! If this doesn’t scream that we’re exhausted, I don’t know what would! We’ve had SUCH a sweet time with our family and it’s always the hardest to kiss everyone goodbye before falling asleep that last night. The kids were all upset and it crushed my heart a bit, but we’re hoping that in the future, we’ll be able to have more and more visits from our family down to Florida so we don’t have to miss them so much! 

Thanks for hosting us, Ellie! You’re so generous and gracious to us and we are grateful to have an auntie so thoughtful! 

Day 2,427

The Best Best?

I LOVE BABIESSSSSSS! AND SCREAMING!!!

AND SO DO WEEEEEEEEE!

Yesterday was full. We woke up at 11:30AM, played, swam all afternoon, napped, celebrated at little Sadie’s birthday party with what seemed like half our church(!!!), simultaneously watched Daddy pitch, came home and did some school work (Bearett read his very first sentence “see me eat!!!”), played legos, FaceTimed Dad, read our Bibles, and prayed. And in all of that, I can’t even say what the best part was. Amelia’s jumping dive? Waking up to all my kids in bed with me? Dad’s phone call? Seeing the kids with their friends? Adam with 6 innings, no runs, a win, and topping off at 96MPH? My free arms for two hours at the party?! Fellowship? Bearett is reading now?! Talking with Adam and Grandpa Larry for an hour once the kids were asleep? Ella Mae squeezing her baby while screaming “HI!!!”? Hearing my babes pray, “Lord, Lord!” 



Even watching them brush their teeth last night was sweet. 

We’ve had some bad days. And we’ve had some good days. And that’s how it goes. But we’re trying to steer clear of the super high highs and the devastating low lows. We want consistency. Normalcy. Faithfulness. Contentment. And we’re sure working toward it. 

As I write this, one of my favorite hymns is playing over my speaker:

“Teach us, Lord, full obedience. Holy reverence. True humility. Test our thoughts and our attitudes in the radiance of Your purity.” 

- Speak O Lord

And that’s the desire of my heart, especially during this season of our lives. That we’d be renewed by God’s Word, finding our fulfillment in Him alone.