Day 4,328

The Scream, "You're It!"

Day 4,300

The Higdons Are Here for Thanksgiving!

Auntie Shelby snuggles!

Sheeba snuggles!

Fellar, you're jealous? We'll keep snuggling you too!

Thanksgiving means TONS of cooks in the kitchen. 

Ella Mae was looking up her jello pretzel "salad" recipe on Pinterest

And while some of us cooked, others got to learn Cribbage and play other fun games!







Happy Thanksgiving!

We were so grateful to be celebrate such a special day with my younger sister and her family. What a blessing it was to cook and laugh and spend time alongside her after so many years! The Lord has so richly blessed us and this year, we are most thankful for His church, our shepherds, our marriage, and our growth toward Christlikeness. 

Day 4,158

The First Hometown Family Fourth

100 degrees and a burrito blanket--Happy Independence Day, America!

We celebrated with all All-American favorites, of which we've never experienced outside of baseball...in our marriage EVER!

Cornhole,

lost teeth,

American flags, 

riverwalk anticipations,

waiting, 

waiting with friends, 

and finally, our first ever fireworks show together in our hometown. 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 4,137

The Sleepy Five Take a Nap

While Mommy ran around doing after church errands (which included filling my gas tank for ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVEN STINKIN DOLLARS--is this seriously real life?!!!!),

Daddy managed to get EVERY SINGLE child of ours to nap!

And when I say every single one, I mean, every last one of them--Heater included!

Boss status, Daddy! Well done, my man.

Then, back to church, where Molly quietly practiced her named for a solid half hour :)

And finally, puppy snuggles to end the evening.

Day 4,108

The List of Ands

"Wherever could that little Lou be?"

Oh! There she is!

Looking all big girl and grown. Ah, my heart!

We had a Saturday FILLED with babes and fun and water and slip 'n slides

and popsicles and conversation and sun tans

and mud and dirt and sweat and Florida stink

and literally, a broken arm.
The first one ever in all my days as a mommy.

We love you, Landon! Get better soon, buddy.

Day 4,032

The Seventh Year of Amelia

Seven years ago, this sweet little girl made us parents and changed our lives forever. And I just can’t believe how quickly it’s gone. Seven years in a blink of an eye. What an incredible journey it’s been! Oh, I just love you so much Amelia! My little baby isn’t so little anymore, and though it tugs on my heartstrings to think of her otherwise, I am full of joy and thankfulness as I watch her grow into the woman she’ll one day become. This little girl is a treasure. A gift that I am blessed to be able to cherish. The Lord’s kindness is on full display every time I look into her sweet little face and I am so thankful He chose me to be her mommy. 

Amelia is mature, helpful, gentle, and quiet. She’s my little shadow—always there right by my side to offer a hand or a word of encouragement. She works hard, she does things right, and she’s very eager to obey. She’s my most sensitive and more reserved in her personality than her siblings. And while she loves playing alongside her brother and sisters and certainly adds to the fun craziness that is four Conleys, she’s the one who will often sneak away with a box of crayons to a spot on the couch to quietly play by herself.

This year, we decided that birthdays were going to be at home with family (except for Molly’s Golden Birthday). But to make the day extra special, the birthday babe would get to make their own cake! Amelia’s eyes lit up at the idea and she was the first to get to enjoy this new tradition! Being that she loves coloring, loves pink, loves decorating, and really loves making food in and kitchen with Mommy, her cake decorating day was everything it could’ve been to her and her joy was exemplified in her finished product! 

My big girl looking like a stinkin teenager! 

Ah, she makes me smile. This year, my toothless Amelia has found a new passion for the violin. She’s an incredibly talented gymnast, loves swimming, making new friends, going to art class at CCA, playing the piano, and doing crossword puzzles. She likes riding her bike, going to baseball games, coloring, snuggling her Squishmallows, and reading her Bible Reader in school. 

And she really really loves her church. 

As it happened, her birthday was not only on a Sunday, but it was also on our church’s Family Night of Worship. So, not only did she get to be with her church family on her birthday, she got to sing with all her friends and ALL her siblings “on stage” for the first time too! She was tickled and what a fun cherry topping it was to an already joyful day. 

I’ll eat you up!

Ah, you’re scrumptious!

And as if her day couldn’t get any more special, Baby Kendall came to both Sunday church services too! 

Happy birthday, you gorgeous seven-year-old! 

We’re as crazy about you as this cake is sprinkly!

Thank you, Millie Girl for bringing such an endearing, tender hearted, loyal, and content joyfulness to my life. You are one-of-a-kind. One in Amellion ;) I pray the Lord uses you nightly for His Kingdom and that you will joyfully and humbly serve God with your life, knowing that He is worthy of all your trust, love, affection, and obedience. Lord, grant my daughter the eyes to see her need of Christ Jesus, the Savior. That she would repent and believe in the gospel. 

I love you, Amelia Lynn. 

Happy seventh birthday!!

Day 4,031

The Caged Conleys 

Went to bed with one puppy and woke up with three!

Saturday turned out to be quite the big day. It began with birthday preparations for Amelia. Sunday, she would be 7 and personalized notes from each sibling is always part of the excitement!

A little more puppy play was included, 

then floor naps, 

Bub’s first baseball game(!),

(Go Tides!)



and Molly’s first-ever pullover ALL by herself at 3 years and 3 weeks old!