Far Above Rubies

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 ta...

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.  Ho...

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 ...

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 ...

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 - 

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...

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...

Thanksgiving!  A time to reflect on God's many blessings.  An opportunity to spend time with family and friends without the commercialized notion of gift giving.  A day to gorge on delicious homemade foods and wear stretchy pants.  We host Thanksgiving at our home and have; my husbands family, my family and my brother-in-law's family all under one roof.  It is truly our favorite holiday!  Yet, among the many sweet goods that will be coming through my door this afternoon, I still need to remember that making healthy choices is a lifestyle I'm committed to each and every day. The horrible-no-good-always-dreaded topic of weight loss seems appropriate today, right? Well, maybe not, but i t was still fun to guest blog for my sister,  Becky Hilton  who is a fitness coach and the creator of Fitness Grapevine, about something I haven't talked much about this past year - especially in light of Thanksgiving and all the yummy holiday foods (in...

October.  It's one of the greatest months here in Upstate New York.  The weather turns cooler, but not yet cold, and sweatshirts and boots are the preferred attire.  The leaves turn colors creating a gorgeous backdrop to our day-to-day schedules.  The smells change and everything feels refreshing. As a family we spend our October weekends; apple and pumpkin picking, taking hay rides, walking mazes, eating donuts, drinking apple cider, making huge leaf piles, and doing all things autumn. It's my favorite time of year.  Except for 2016. This year, however, my family has been consistently sick.  From allergies to sinus infections. From hand foot and mouth to strep to the stomach bug.  From tonsillitis to ear infections.  My girls never made it through an entire week of school this October, and we have spent more time at the doctors office and on prescription medications in just this one month than we have the entire year...combined. ...

The courtroom...  It's a terrifying and humbling place.  A venue where integrity is valued, honesty is required, and ugly truths are revealed.  An area filled with attorneys, caseworkers, law gaurdians, and bailiffs.  A room where we have found ourselves often these past months in our efforts to adopt Aidan. We sit in the back left, as spectators facing the judge, listening to every side of the case - praying earnestly that we will be granted the right to make our son a permanent member of this family. Within it's four walls we smile as lawyers talk about how Aidan is flourishing in our home, and we cry for the breaking hearts of his biological family. The courtroom.  It is still an important part of our future.  Our journey there has not yet come to an end. The judge... He's the ultimate authority and deserves absolute respect.  His purpose is to evaluate the evidence and offer protection. His decisions impact the lives of many peop...

Tomorrow.  Tomorrow is a big day - and so many feelings are running circles around the inside my heart. From excitement to anxiousness.  From joy to sadness. Tomorrow, after a very challenging school experience last year, Isabella is off to start 2nd grade. Tomorrow, after having spent every moment together these past five and half years, Abigail is leaving for kindergarten.  Tomorrow, after 20 months of constant love and care, Aidan's future will be decided in court before the judge.  I feel helpless and vulnerable, but not alone.   Never  alone. And so, my sweet littles, I pray for you with a fierceness.  I pray God's protection over your bodies, your minds, your hearts, and your souls.  I pray that you will be a light for Jesus.  I pray that the Spirit, who resides in your very beings, will guide you - will remind you to act kindly and to extend grace to those around you. Isabella , my sensitive firstborn.  Do not...

Hi there - it's me.... again - the always-nervous-and-slightly-hysterical allergy mom. (If you're new to my blog you can catch up  here .) I am a stay at home mom.  I love being a stay at home mom.  Having all my littles around brings a joy to my heart that is indescribable  I like that they're young - that I can be part of shaping who they are, encourage them in good friendships, help them make the best choices - that I have some control over their environment and surroundings.  Then, they leave for school. Side note :  I've been asked many times. especially since I have a degree in elementary and special education, why we have chosen not to home school.  Dave and I feel God has called us to send our kids to public schools where we, as a family, can make a difference in the lives of the people there that we meet. It was challenging enough (in 2014) when I had to say "goodbye" to Isabella, our sweet and sensitive oldest daughter, and watc...

Thank you, all, for the overwhelming number of messages, phone calls, and personal followups regarding Aidan and his current status of adoption.  I have tried to write this post on several different occasions, but the words would not come.  There is so much I would love to share and yet there are only a few things I can legally disclose.  But, an update you certainly deserve. Aidan has now been in our home, our family and our hearts for more than 18 months.  (If you are new to our journey you can catch up on this story by reading Aidan, our baby boy.  -   Our Family... at least for the moment.  -  January 13th. What's the significance?  - and  When you want to kick and scream. )  When it comes to the NYS Foster Care System - a child who has been in state custody for 15 out of 22 months is brought before a judge to be released (or at least considered) for adoption. This is where we are at.  It's where w...

Aidan, our 15 month old foster son, is in that stage of learning boundaries. He often expresses his dislikes with very loud, very unnecessary tantrums.  Each time he is told “no,” it results with him throwing his toys on the floor and melting into a whining puddle at my feet.  Every opportunity we use to correct his behavior turns our typically-happy boy into one giant hot mess. Sin. Even at 15 months old manifests itself in ugly ways.  I keep reminding myself that this is just a phase—that he will outgrow it. But, the truth is, I have still not outgrown the desire to cry and yell and sometimes throw myself down in a fit of rage. The reason our family went into fostering was for the purpose of eventually being able to adopt.  We have had Aidan in our care since he was 10 days old.  For the last 11 months, he has been exclusively in our home—with no contact from his biological family. And we have been thrilled knowing that the end-game is in sight—that “W...

I don't know about you, but when it came time to pick names for our children, I had a terrible time finding ones I liked - and my husband was just as bad (if not worse) than I was!  It was important, essential even, that our littles had names with valuable meaning.  After all, your name belongs to you forever.  It defines you.  It's your personal imprint on this world. There were only two girl names and one boy name that Dave and I could agree on - this was before we were even thinking about growing our family - and those are now the names that our three children have today. Isabella Faith: Isabella means "consecrated to God" while Faith is defined as "believing and trusting in God." When you combine the two names together - it means that... My Bella is set apart to trust in God . Abigail Grace: Abigail means "father's joy" and Grace stands for "God's unmerited favor."  Together they signify... God pouring out...

I was in middle school when I lost someone that I loved, deeply loved like a brother, in a tragic accident.  I was confused.  I was hurt.  I was angry. Why, God, why?  He was young, full of life, kind, and loved You!  This is not part of my will! Be still, my child, and watch Me work.  My will be done! And in the days, weeks, months and even years after his death - God has used him, my amazing friend, to win people for Christ.   ------------------------------ The summer I turned 14 my parents left the church my dad had been pastoring for almost 10 years.  I had to say "goodbye" to everything and everyone I knew.  I was sad.  I was scared.  I was anxious.   How, God, could You take me away?  My parents can still serve You without us moving!  This is not supposed to be part of the plan! I have a future for you.  My will be done! It was because of my parents' obedience to God, and the...