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Farewell

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Once again, it's been a long time (too long) since I have updated you, my faithful readers, with all the exciting things that are happening.  I started Far Above Rubies in 2014 as a place to share all the fun ways to save money - couponing, sale shopping, thrifting, how to budget, and tricks to make Disney vacations more affordable. However, it slowly turned into a platform to share the joys and hurts of my heart - my husband's battle with cancer, my daughter's struggle with anaphylactic allergies, our experiences as foster parents, and our long awaited adoption!  You have been there from the very beginning.  My silent supporters.  My encouragers.  My prayer warriors.  And, from the bottom of my heart, I sincerely thank you! It is now time for Far Above Rubies to retire.  My sister, Becky, approached me back in October and asked if I would join her in launching a brand new endeavor!  Becky has her own blog, Fitness Grapevine , where she has talked about many of her own
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Discipline and Cookies

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It's been exactly 5 months (to the day) since I blogged about anything.  We came off of Aidan's adoption and jumped feet first into summer.  I plan to write about all the fun and amazing places we visited, but that is not today's topic of conversation. In the past, I have used Far Above Rubies to write letters to Bella and Abbi.  I love that this is a place I can clearly communicate things to my children, so today I am writing specifically to Aidan... My sweet boy - This has been a tough week for you in the obedience department.  You are two years old.  You are a boy.  You are two years old.  You are tired from keeping up with our crazy back-to-school schedule.  You are two years old.  You are still adjusting to preschool and what authority looks like from other adults.  Did I mention that you are two years old? I'm sorry that you did not earn your cookie at Wegmans today and that you are, very clearly, upset with me.  However, we had a chat earlier this morn
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A New Journey Begins.

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Most of us have heard the saying "As this journey ends, a new one begins." And that, my friends, is exactly where I find myself.  We started our road to adoption the moment Dave was diagnosed with testicular cancer back in December 2011.  We didn't know it at the time - we couldn't picture then what life would look like now - but that is where it began. It's been over 5 years since that day, and as I reflect on things I can't help but feel... Amazed.  Speechless.  Overwhelmed.  Thankful. We began our active adoption search in 2013 - after Dave had gone through surgery to remove his tumor, after he had endured months of treatment, after we (as a family) had time to heal.  We researched many different adoption agencies, but felt God calling our family into foster care.  It was a way for us to meet the needs of those hurting right here in our own city. It took months of classes and training, paperwork and background checks, home visits and meetings to becom
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Until Death Do Us Part.

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On May 19th Dave and I will celebrate 17 years together.  SEVENTEEN YEARS!  I was a junior and Dave was a senior in high school (we were babies, I know) at the prom together - dreaming about our future.  A future that included us getting our college degrees. A future where we bought a house and lived happily married.  A future that included children.  A future with that typical "American Dream" landscape. We did... graduate from college - Dave from RIT in 2004 as an Information Technology major and myself from Roberts Wesleyan in 2005 with my degree in Elementary and Special Education.  On February 14, 2004, Dave proposed and we said "I do" on November 20, 2004.  We bought a beautiful home.  Well, actually more-than-one since we outgrew our log cabin and had to upgrade.  With great joy we welcomed two precious baby girls into our family - Isabella on July 17, 2009, followed by Abigail on March 1, 2011.  It was exactly like we had imagined. "...to have
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Adoption Day!

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My friends, it is with joy-filled hearts that our family can finally announce that we have an adoption date on the calendar!  On October 5 (2016) Aidan's biological parents willingly surrendered their legal rights allowing us to move forward with the adoption process. These past five (soon-to-be-six) months have been filled with paperwork, and waiting, and paperwork, and meetings, and paperwork, and waiting, and more paperwork... and more waiting... But, on Tuesday, April 4 (2017) the paperwork will be filed away, the waiting will be over, the meetings will conclude and Aidan will get his Wilson letters! I look forward to writing about the adoption details later but, for now, our family wants to thank you for your love, support, encouragement and prayer during this journey. The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy,  and with my song I praise Him. - Psalm 28:7 - 
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2016 taught me that I'm; powerless, incapable, unqualified and unable.

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2016 - What a year!  It has had more challenges than I ever anticipated.  Through most of it I've felt like a helpless spectator to the things going on, as if I'm watching my life play out around me with no real control of what is happening. 2016 - My husband, who works endlessly without complaining to provide for our family, has had his integrity and character questioned while also navigating some extremely difficult work situations.  He not only has myself and our three very-young-very-impressionable children looking up to him for direction and guidance, but he also runs an organization with hundreds of people who have high expectations.  I watch him.  I worry about him.  I support him.  I encourage him.  But, I am powerless to actually help him. 2016 - My 7 year old, who has a heart of gold and tirelessly tries to please those around her, has had to learn the pain that comes from when close friends hurt you and when you need to say "goodbye" to people you dearl
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A Christmas of goodbyes...

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Many people don't know that I am not a native of Rochester, NY.  My family moved here in 1997 just as I was entering high school.  My childhood was spent in an entirely different region of NY. Howell Family 2015 Quick "Howell" history lesson... Howell Family 1980 My parents felt God calling them into ministry over 30 years ago. In 1985 they packed up 2 year old me (the oldest Howell) and tiny baby Becky (the middle Howell) and moved from Brewerton (think Syracuse) to Redfield (think Tug Hill ) where they were missionaries at The High Braes  until 1989. Howell Family 1983 During that time, Alisha (the youngest Howell) was added to our family and our dad worked towards earning his pastoral ordination with the Christian and Missionary Alliance .   In 1989 - dad was asked to come on staff as the pastor at  Vorea Community Church .  We moved 13 miles from Redfield to make our new home at the parsonage in Orwell.  And this, this is where I had the mos
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