Day 4,034

The Final Delivery

The Final POD has been delivered!

We did some school to begin our day. 

And then played while Dad and Mom unpacked the last of our things!

Gruffalo played a little music for us. 

And by the end of the day, our outdoor storage unit was looking as full as it’s probably ever been. 


We ended the day with a Tuesday evening baseball game. 



And some handstands while we watched our Bub. 

Day 4,033

The Big Progress

Progress!! Our Property is officially planted! We even have these very official signs letting everyone know—including the County—that we’re ready for the next phase, Lord willing! 

In order to obtain the permit needed to build the barn and the house, we had to do some work of re-planting and re-grading the Property in accordance with the county and state laws regarding land management. Not only that, but apparently Florida law also requires any invasive, non-native plants and trees to be removed prior to the issue of a permit. So, we got it all in working order and have all the boxes checked!  

We’re looking forward to getting our permit to build, however we’re in much less of a rush than we were even six months ago. A lot has changed, including the loss of our friend and General Contractor, Costa. He suffered a massive stroke and we were grieved to learn of his passing just a few days ago. His passing weighs heavily on our hearts as new perspectives have been realized as life has been lost. It’s been a sobering last month and though some of it has been incredibly hard, we are grateful for the opportunity to trust God in whatever ways He’s choosing to growing our faith. 

Monday: you guessed it!

We’re fascinated by the process of music instruction. It’s not something either Adam or I have any knowledge in, but we are so thankful to our friends for their suggestion of at least trying it out. 

They’re hearing the notes and recognizing the beat more and more with each passing day. Watching their minds work through the songs and their little fingers play the strings is captivating. They’re little sponges and I so enjoy watching them learn. 

And what a timely reminder as I lay here thinking about them and just how much a child is processing all the things he’s taking in at home. My role as a mother is one they’re paying such close attention to. Might I be more aware and discerning of this reality while I teach them in the home with not only my words, but my actions too. 

Next up: tackling our last remaining storage unit. 

We unloaded our last POD into our driveway and managed to make enough room in this outdoor unit to fit all the remaining items. 

What a success! It was lots of hard work but this dream team made it happen!

And this dream team (Mrs. Rose and Gammy) made three little gymnasts the most happy ladies with their presence at class!!

So happy!



And last but not least, the front side of Adam’s new business card!

Day 3,963

The Moldy Cracks

If you hadn’t noticed, they love their puppy and they love their princess nightgowns!

What I don’t love, however, is that ALL of my dishes cracked and molded in storage. Not cool. 

But at least she’s cute enough to relieve me of my frustrations !



And in case you didn’t notice again, wherever I am, there they are, even in my tiny adorable kitchen💗

Day 3,948

The Gas Range Has an Open Flame FYI

Gooooood morning Saturday!

You never did look so good. 

Let’s see, Saturday, we did just about everything; including nearly burning the kitchen down. Confessions of a gas-range rookie. 

We got hot cocoa for breakfast. Because 65 degrees in Florida means you NEED it!

Daddy built the trampoline. 

Adam and I loaded up a trailer FULL of dressers and beds and couches and storage options from our POD. Clothing storage!! Can I get an amen?! No. More. Suitcases!!!! After 8 months, this is worthy of celebration! 



And then we capped the evening off with a girl date to the big girls’ gymnastics meet. 

A Saturday success. 

Day 3,943

The Final Move…For Awhile

First: gymnastics. 

Handstands on the bar at 4 years old. Why not!!?

Second: more gymnastics. 

This time, a crying two year old. 

Third: special delivery!

Two truck loads worth and we got it all to the cottage!

Fourth: “cleaning.”

Mom and Dad do the work, the kids do the play. 



Fifth: Cleaned!!

Bye bye 17th home since March. 

FINALLY: we’re home!!

I could cry. 

What a year. 

Day 3,715

The Last Airbnb?

Monday, 11AM, we packed up our Airbnb and set off on yet another temporary housing situation adventure. Our new Cottage should close by the 19th, and with a few small updates to be had, we’re planning a November 30th move—the last one for a while. I think. 

But first, we had to make sure we were leaving no candy behind!

With all our candy in tow, we said goodbye and then hello, this time though, we got to say hello to one of our PODS!

We emptied every last thing out of our POD and into our unfinished one-month rental, and though we were tired, we are so glad to have some of our things back. 



Glad enough to make each of us cartwheel with joy!

Day 3,714

The Fourth Year of Bearett Conley

And just like that, Sunday marked four years since the Lord so kindly brought Bearett into our lives and gave him to us as our own son. To think that that little redheaded, adorable boy was only the size of Ella Mae when we gave him our last name, I am in awe. We’ve grown and cried and loved and learned in ways we never would’ve without Bearett by our side and I can’t  even begin to put into words how proud we are to call him Son. He is a treasure unlike any other. A fascinating, intricate, hard-headed, tender-hearted adventurer who just wants to know and be known. To love and be loved. Well my boy, as long as I live, that’s exactly what I will continue to give you, the best way I know how. Adoption to us has always been the most beautiful picture of God’s love toward His people, in that though we did nothing to deserve it, He chose us as heirs, as His own sons and daughters purely because of His great love. A chosen people. Adopted into His family. And just as Bearett first said all those years ago, “I’m the lucky one because I get to be adopted twice.” Lord, if there’s anything I could ever desire for him in his whole life, it would be exactly that. That he would rejoice in the fullness and beauty of adoption as not just my son, but Yours. 

Thank you for making me a Boy Mom, Bubba. I am crazy about you and love you so much. Thank you for teaching me and being patient with me, and making me laugh and delight in ways only you can. You’re an incredible joy, a blessing, a gift and I can’t wait for all the years ahead of us as we grow and learn and experience all that God has for us. 

_______________

Adoption Day and Fall Festival always collide, which is something we LOVE so much! So many reasons to celebrate, so many reasons to smile! This year, the kidlets decided after perusing Pinterest, that their make-at-home-costumes would be grandparents! So grandmas and grandpa, they were!







!!!!!!!!!

They don’t come any cuter! 

We were crazy excited to put our costumes together and head to Fall Festival at church, but the babes do like the thrill of going door-to-door, so we decided that we’d drive to that little house we saw on Saturday—the one in which we put an offer in on Sunday morning right before church(!)—in order to trick-or-treat there and to keep an eye on all the interested parties looking to buy The Cottage. 

To my surprise, there was nobody viewing the home when we pulled up. And being that Adam and I drove separately, I cautiously parked right outside the front of the house, leaving enough room for Adam to park behind me, figuring the next agent and their client would be coming at any moment. Instead, I watched Adam swoop his gigantic truck into the driveway of a house that everyone and their mom had been viewing those first 24 hours and I was mortified. “BABE! YOU CAN’T PARK THERE!! Move your truck, Adam!!”

“It’s my driveway, I’m parking here.”

ADAM, MOVE YOUR TRUCK. IT’S NOT YOUR DRIVEWAY YET!!

“It’s my house, I’m parking here.”

ADAM! You’re being ridiculous, GET OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY!!

With an ever increasing grin spreading across his face, “It’s my house and I’m parking right here.”

YOU DON’T OWN…wait what? No way. NO WAY!! NO. SERIOUSLY?! IT’S OURS?! They accepted our offer???

“She called me on the way here. They accepted our offer and I’m parking right here in my driveway.”

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

October 31 is proving to be quite the day in the lives of the Conleys. My daddy passed away that day, we bought our first house that day, we adopted Bearett that day, and we bought our second house that day. I love how special it is and all the memories we’ve made so far. Just know, if you ever have to bank on something big happening in the lives of the Conleys, your best bet would be on Fall Festival!!



Turns out, it was also the last night in our most recent Airbnb, and we had A LOT left to do. Thankfully, I’m well versed in lack of sleep, so we managed alright. We’re supposed to close on The Cottage by November 19, and finally, we’ll be able to—Lord willing—put our suitcases away for a while.