It has been FOREVER since I have posted on here.  I can't come up with a good reason why, so I will not even pretend to have an explaination!!   We are all hanging in there. Emerald is home this school year, the other three are in public shool, I work and William is holding his own.  Continuing to trust in God every day of our lives!!!

April is upon us!!

Wow, how time flies!  Winter drug for what seemed like forever here in MO.  I think we have finally turned the corner into spring and I could not be happier.  :-)   Much has happened since my last post.  Emerald has finished her first semester in college and is getting acclimated to campus life(so much so, I have a hard time getting her to come home for a visit.)  She has an amazing opportunity to go to Chicago for a summer internship!!  God is amazing and faithful in providing her this chance to reach out and minister to children in a place she would not have been able to do otherwise. 

Rebekkah has recently hit "double digits" and I am amazed to see what a wonderful young lady she is becoming!!!  She continues to dance and made team this year!   Needless to say, she has little spare time to do much else but loves being busy.  Hard to believe my baby has a busier social calendar than I do.  lol

Noah is honing in on being a full fledged teenager!  How on Earth did this happen???  He also dances and loves it.  He is 110% boy and can usually be seen running Mach 6 with his hair on fire.  Bike riding, tree climbing playing in the neighborhood with anyone that comes within 100 feet if him.

William and I continue to be the tired parents of four amazing children.  They are true blessings from God.  We cherish each and every day we get to spend with them, molding and shaping them into the adults we desire for them to become.

No, I have not forgotten Nathaniel.  In fact, he is the reason I decided to post today.  April brings us to Autism Awareness Month and this holds a special place in my heart.  As many of you know, Nathaniel has Asperger Syndrome, which falls under the autism "umbrella."  While raising a child with "special needs" is a challenge, it is one I would not trade for the world.  Sometimes I have wondered "why me?" and "why him?" but I have learned to embrace our unique situation and delve deeper into learning as much as I can.  Thus, I can help Nathaniel, myself and anyone who happens to meet him.  We are learning more everyday, trying our best to remember that God is carrying us through this learning process.  That He is more than able to equip us to raise this amazing young man.  Have you ever wondered why some things are allowed to come our way?  Yeah, me too, but I am learning that while all of us want that "perfect" family and want things to be just "so", that is not reality.  I am the mother of four very different, distinct personalities and I want to embrace everyday with  a love and passion for them, as my Heavenly Father has for me.  While dealing with Nathaniel and some of the struggles we face, I think how much God must wish I would not do things to make Him think, "what on Earth are you doing THAT for?"  I know many times I have thought that about things Nathaniel does and/or says.  My love for him does not change, much like God's love for me doesn't change when I do off the wall things.  Nathaniel is teaching me far more than I ever thought I could ever learn from one person!!  So, all this rambling to say, thank you God for giving me the opportunity to be part of the plan you have for Nathaniel's life.  He is a true blessing and I know You will guide me through this journey and will help me face each day with a new outlook.  YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!

Dear Old Man Winter,

As much as I love the many aspects of the winter season, celebrating Jesus' birthday, a new year and maybe even a touch of snow. I really want you to GO AWAY!!!!! Enough is enough.

Love,

Michelle

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011!!!!

Wow, what amazing time in our lives!!!! 2010 brought about many changes in our lives. We continue to face many things daily, some easy and some challenging ones, but with God's grace we face them with our heads held high.

2010 brought us to our 19th wedding anniversary, how on Earth did that happen??? Seems just yesterday we were newlyweds!!!!! Praising God for the wonderful covenant of marriage and the challenges that accompany it. Emerald graduated from being homeschooled. A bittersweet time for all of us!! She started at Evagel University in August, a private Christian college that God has allowed her to attend!! She is thriving and doing well and is looking forward to returning after Christmas break. She also pulled a fast one and turned 18 on us this year!!!! How in the world did time go fast?? I all did was blink and she was an amazing young woman before my eyes!!!!! We thank God for her and her determination every day of our lives!!!

Nathaniel turned 14 and continues to amaze and challenge us daily!!! He definitely keeps us hopping and on our game. He is truly a gift from God and we are blessed to call him ours.

Noah turned 12, even though he keeps telling me he is only 11. lol He is our child of fearing nothing. In addition to his second year of dance, he loves to be outside and playing most of the time.

Rebekkah, ah sweet Rebekkah. LOL Our baby turned nine but seems to be going on 29 in her attitude and abilities. She made dance team this year, an accomplishment she has worked hard for!!

William and I continue to thank God for these beautiful children we have been given to care for until Jesus return. We feel honored and priviledged for this opportunity. We continue to homeschool, well William does that, and I am blessed to still have ajob to go to daily.

2010 was also full of challenges, whether it was facing situations with the kids that were more than we humanly could face, surgery for me, finding out the return of cancer in William's mom or just day to day life. We continue to handle them gracefully, with God holding us up in His everlasting arms!!!

As a facebook friend of mine posted this week, for 2011 I won't make resolutions but have expectations!!! Expectations of miraculous things to come. Expectations of being able to handle life's obstacles with poise and grace. With God ALL things are possible.

So goodbye 2010 and hello 2011!!!

Trying times

OK, so life is a bowl of "issues" everyday, but recently Satan has been on the prowl in the Farley house. He is rearing his ugly head at every turn. Maybe because I am off on medical leave, maybe because Emerald is gone to college, maybe because.....oh I don't know, maybe because I am human, I have been more easily convinced that Satan wants to condemn all I say and do. *sigh* I know that this is not what God wants for us, He wants us to be victorious!! I am just truly struggling these days to keep treading water and keep my head above to keep from feeling like I am drowning. I continue to leave on Jesus' loving arms and rebuke Satan's attacks, but would truly appreciate any and all prayers for us right now.

Been a while..

I have not fallen off the face of the earth, contrary to popular belief!!! lol Life is keeping me busy, in one form or another. Since August we have: moved Emerald to college, moved to a new home, continue to homeschool the other three kids, I worked and worked some more. Last week I had surgery and am trying to adjust to this thing called.....resting. lol I never knew what just rest meant. It is a hard thing for someone who is used to working all the time to do. lol I am learning slowly though, I have about enough energy for one outing a day( church, doctor's appt, picking up my paycheck stub) then I am shot. *Never* in my life did I think that this would be an issue for me. Praising God for the wonders he does for and through me on a daily basis. This has been a reminder that through God ALL things are possible.

While I am learning this rest thing, I am soooooo enjoying being around my babies who are home. I have helped with their school work, at their request, daily. I truly feel blessed to be in a position to have them home with me(sure do miss Em though.) They are some of the best medicine a mama could ask for during the recovery phase after surgery!!! William is amazing too, always has been for nearing in on TWENTY years!!! He is almost like the mother hen. lol

Friends and family have kept the food coming, so we are not starving(not that that was ever a fear around our house) and feel blessed and loved like never before. We love all of you very much!!!! Until next time........

A new day

Today I will be heading to the hospital for surgery. Please pray for God's guidance and direction for the doctors today!!!